Best Budget Hunting Rifles?

[Raptor0126]

My brother doesn't have a bolt gun and is wanting to get into big game hunting and somewhat long-range shooting. He wants to try to find a gun that he can use to easily take a variety of big game with across a variety of ranges. A jack-of-all-trades, if you will. We're going deer hunting here in GA next week and would like to be able to hunt bears, elk, moose, etc. farther north and out west in the coming years without having to buy a new gun. His budget is about $450. What would be the calibers that wouldn't require pinpoint accuracy to achieve a quick, clean kill? And what bolt guns would be accurate, reliable, and won't have rust issues? Does such a gun exist?

 

[Ruger34]

Heard alot of good thing about the ruger american line of rifle.

I have owned a mossberg patriot that shot very well.

 

[drewga11]

Savage in 308 Win. Good for all critters mentioned and easy to find with a scope under his budget. Also, Savage has a $75 rebate on a few of their models through the end of the month.

 

[Hussar]

https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=124604

OOS right now but this is the best deal at the price range.

 

[(M)]

Heard alot of good thing about the ruger american line of rifle.

I have owned a mossberg patriot that shot very well.

I have a ruger american ranch in 7.62x39 and love it. I took a big bodied spike horn with it this morning but if you're looking to include animals up to moose 30-06 is your best bet and Ruger makes them in the American line. I think you can find them for $300-$400

 

[Raptor0126]

Savage in 308 Win. Good for all critters mentioned and easy to find with a scope under his budget. Also, Savage has a $75 rebate on a few of their models through the end of the month.

I've heard shots on big game like elk out west are regularly 600yds-800yds+. Would a .308 still have the necessary punch and wind resistance needed to consistently get a quick, ethical kill?

 

[Poppa Mike]

My vote would be the Ruger American in .308 or 30.06. I have the American Predator model in .308 and it’s a very good shooter for the money. Usually can be bought new for $350-400.

 

[drewga11]

I've heard shots on big game like elk out west are regularly 600yds-800yds+. Would a .308 still have the necessary punch and wind resistance needed to consistently get a quick, ethical kill?

Someone else would have to answer that question in regards to that distance, as I'm not knowledgeable enough about terminal ballistics that far away. 30-06 will get it done, as will 7mm or 300 Win, if you can do your part and hit it that far away.

 

[THREEJAYS]

I've heard shots on big game like elk out west are regularly 600yds-800yds+. Would a .308 still have the necessary punch and wind resistance needed to consistently get a quick, ethical kill?

I wouldn’t consider a shot that far on an elk with out using a magnum cal and then it’s still a very long shot

 

[olerambler]

I've heard shots on big game like elk out west are regularly 600yds-800yds+. Would a .308 still have the necessary punch and wind resistance needed to consistently get a quick, ethical kill?

KINDA STRECHING IT FOR 308 OR 06 AT THAT RANGE 300WSM WOULD BE OK