irateplatypus

Hey all,

I've had experience shooting some competition quality rimfire rifles and done a lot of trapshooting w/a 12 gauge. I'm thinking of investing a lot of money (for a college student anyway) into a centerfire rifle that has heavy emphasis on target shooting. I doubt I'll ever use this for self-defense, and I'll probably use other guns for hunting... so accuracy and reliability are the main factors involved.

that being said...

What is the best value for $500 dollars or less out there? I realize that won't buy me a 700 or anything close to a serious competition firearm, but I'd still like to get the most for the money. The 500 bucks needs to encompass the complete package (scope, mounts, any special stock configurations, etc.).

any recommendations?

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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

Lebell

ooooooo,

$500 is tough.

Heck, a good Leopold scope can cost $500...

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irateplatypus

yeah... if you want to help me out, don't start with a google search for "SNIPER RIFLE" or "Match grade".

my budget limits me to the more pedestrian models... but that makes it more difficult because there are so many to choose from in the budget category.

__________________
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

WarWagon

$500 really is tough. The two best scopes I can think of that may squeak into the budget are the Bushnells and BSA's (I won a national title at Camp Perry shooting a $100 BSA scope).

bench41

$500 is tough, My scope cast more..

BoomTruck

Savage makes an excellent rifle for the money. Here's one of their package guns for $505 list, which means you will more than likely find it cheaper at a dealer.

http://www.savagearms.com/111fxp3.htm

Look around, you'll like what you see. I have a 112FVSS in .300 Win Mag. It shoots much better than I can

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cuervo

If you're not above used, maybe a post-ban AR-15. You can always build on the lower later.

I'm not sure of its price, but Kel-Tec's SU-16 may be a decent option.

Bowlcut

savage is probaly your best bet. lots of nice rifles for the money.

if you just want to punch paper, why go big bore then? Why not something like a 10/22. Cheaper to shoot, and you can shoot all day without your arm going numb. I love shooting .308 but after 50 or so, its just not fun anymore. now .22 i shoot all day and never get tired of it. Plus 10/22 is cheap and customizeable.

if not id definatly go used....go to a local gunshow with cash in hand and find your best deal. or possibly go mil-surp. something like an enfield with a scope or a mauser action based gun.

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