I purchased a heavy-barreled Howa 1500 in .223 (photo in my profile), and it is a delightfully accurate varmint rifle. I continue to see Remington Model 700s and Ruger Model 77s on the used rifle rack for under $400, Winchester Model 70 rifles for under $500. Search patiently, choose carefully, and tell us how your quest develops.
The Ruger American Rifle's have a very nice reputation, and accuracy. They'll get the job done for around 300 bucks street price, and if you throw maybe a vortex crossfire on there you'll have reached around your cap. I don't personally have experience with the crossfire, but I have liked the Viper and Diamondback models of the same company. Try to make it to a gun show or hit up a few gun shops to see what's out there right now, and do what you can to handle it before you buy it. Good luck!
Howa 1500... same rifle as the Weatherby Vanguard for even less money... highly accurate and highly reliable. Most come with a cheap Tupperware stock but it works, especially if you glass bed it and float the barrel. The Rem 700 is OK too but generally not as accurate and you usually end up spending more than $500.
Njb123,
The Howa 1500 wears a green Hogue textured stock, and it does not bear on the barrel. There's a photo of it in my profile (click on my name). The rifle wears a Bushnell 10X Mil-Dot scope and the combination performs very well with sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and great performance on small game. Rifle plus scope cost me about $560.
My primary varminter is a Rem 700 BDL"V" in .22-250, and I use them a bit differently because the Howa is a bit more portable, but both deliver accurately.
If you buy new, you're going to have too look at the bargain end of the spectrum. If you look at used rifles, you can pick more towards the middle to upper-middle end of the spectrum. Chances are,if you buy something in a 30-06 or similar, the rifle was not shot all that much. Learn to check important things for a used bolt and you'll come out way ahead.
I purchased a heavy-barreled Howa 1500 in .223 (photo in my profile), and it is a delightfully accurate varmint rifle. I continue to see Remington Model 700s and Ruger Model 77s on the used rifle rack for under $400, Winchester Model 70 rifles for under $500. Search patiently, choose carefully, and tell us how your quest develops.
Howa 1500... same rifle as the Weatherby Vanguard for even less money... highly accurate and highly reliable. Most come with a cheap Tupperware stock but it works, especially if you glass bed it and float the barrel. The Rem 700 is OK too but generally not as accurate and you usually end up spending more than $500.
The Ruger American Rifle's have a very nice reputation, and accuracy. They'll get the job done for around 300 bucks street price, and if you throw maybe a vortex crossfire on there you'll have reached around your cap. I don't personally have experience with the crossfire, but I have liked the Viper and Diamondback models of the same company. Try to make it to a gun show or hit up a few gun shops to see what's out there right now, and do what you can to handle it before you buy it. Good luck!
Njb123,
The Howa 1500 wears a green Hogue textured stock, and it does not bear on the barrel. There's a photo of it in my profile (click on my name). The rifle wears a Bushnell 10X Mil-Dot scope and the combination performs very well with sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and great performance on small game. Rifle plus scope cost me about $560.
My primary varminter is a Rem 700 BDL"V" in .22-250, and I use them a bit differently because the Howa is a bit more portable, but both deliver accurately.
If you buy new, you're going to have too look at the bargain end of the spectrum. If you look at used rifles, you can pick more towards the middle to upper-middle end of the spectrum. Chances are,if you buy something in a 30-06 or similar, the rifle was not shot all that much. Learn to check important things for a used bolt and you'll come out way ahead.
Answers (20)
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP. Lots of calibers to choose from and topped with a Nikon Prostaff as standard equipment for around $500.
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP. Lots of calibers to choose from and topped with a Nikon Prostaff as standard equipment for around $500.
Remington 700
Remington, Savage, Ruger and others all have a model in the under $500 or even under$400 range.
Sorry for the double post!
Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP.
Remington 700 made in the late 60's or early 70's in good condition off the used rack
Weatherby Vanguard S2.
Ruger American rifle.
Weatherby Vanguard S2. Compare with the others mentioned and you will probably agree.
I purchased a heavy-barreled Howa 1500 in .223 (photo in my profile), and it is a delightfully accurate varmint rifle. I continue to see Remington Model 700s and Ruger Model 77s on the used rifle rack for under $400, Winchester Model 70 rifles for under $500. Search patiently, choose carefully, and tell us how your quest develops.
Marlin's XL7 is a pretty nice rifle for the dollar.
Edward, does the howa have a free floating barrel?
Remington 700
Another vote for the tried and true Remington 700!
The Ruger American Rifle's have a very nice reputation, and accuracy. They'll get the job done for around 300 bucks street price, and if you throw maybe a vortex crossfire on there you'll have reached around your cap. I don't personally have experience with the crossfire, but I have liked the Viper and Diamondback models of the same company. Try to make it to a gun show or hit up a few gun shops to see what's out there right now, and do what you can to handle it before you buy it. Good luck!
Howa 1500... same rifle as the Weatherby Vanguard for even less money... highly accurate and highly reliable. Most come with a cheap Tupperware stock but it works, especially if you glass bed it and float the barrel. The Rem 700 is OK too but generally not as accurate and you usually end up spending more than $500.
Njb123,
The Howa 1500 wears a green Hogue textured stock, and it does not bear on the barrel. There's a photo of it in my profile (click on my name). The rifle wears a Bushnell 10X Mil-Dot scope and the combination performs very well with sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and great performance on small game. Rifle plus scope cost me about $560.
My primary varminter is a Rem 700 BDL"V" in .22-250, and I use them a bit differently because the Howa is a bit more portable, but both deliver accurately.
If you buy new, you're going to have too look at the bargain end of the spectrum. If you look at used rifles, you can pick more towards the middle to upper-middle end of the spectrum. Chances are,if you buy something in a 30-06 or similar, the rifle was not shot all that much. Learn to check important things for a used bolt and you'll come out way ahead.
No question Weatherby Vanguard 2 is the way to go.
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Remington 700 made in the late 60's or early 70's in good condition off the used rack
Weatherby Vanguard S2.
Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP.
I purchased a heavy-barreled Howa 1500 in .223 (photo in my profile), and it is a delightfully accurate varmint rifle. I continue to see Remington Model 700s and Ruger Model 77s on the used rifle rack for under $400, Winchester Model 70 rifles for under $500. Search patiently, choose carefully, and tell us how your quest develops.
Marlin's XL7 is a pretty nice rifle for the dollar.
Howa 1500... same rifle as the Weatherby Vanguard for even less money... highly accurate and highly reliable. Most come with a cheap Tupperware stock but it works, especially if you glass bed it and float the barrel. The Rem 700 is OK too but generally not as accurate and you usually end up spending more than $500.
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP. Lots of calibers to choose from and topped with a Nikon Prostaff as standard equipment for around $500.
Remington 700
Ruger American rifle.
Weatherby Vanguard S2. Compare with the others mentioned and you will probably agree.
The Ruger American Rifle's have a very nice reputation, and accuracy. They'll get the job done for around 300 bucks street price, and if you throw maybe a vortex crossfire on there you'll have reached around your cap. I don't personally have experience with the crossfire, but I have liked the Viper and Diamondback models of the same company. Try to make it to a gun show or hit up a few gun shops to see what's out there right now, and do what you can to handle it before you buy it. Good luck!
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP. Lots of calibers to choose from and topped with a Nikon Prostaff as standard equipment for around $500.
Remington, Savage, Ruger and others all have a model in the under $500 or even under$400 range.
Sorry for the double post!
Edward, does the howa have a free floating barrel?
Remington 700
Another vote for the tried and true Remington 700!
Njb123,
The Howa 1500 wears a green Hogue textured stock, and it does not bear on the barrel. There's a photo of it in my profile (click on my name). The rifle wears a Bushnell 10X Mil-Dot scope and the combination performs very well with sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and great performance on small game. Rifle plus scope cost me about $560.
My primary varminter is a Rem 700 BDL"V" in .22-250, and I use them a bit differently because the Howa is a bit more portable, but both deliver accurately.
If you buy new, you're going to have too look at the bargain end of the spectrum. If you look at used rifles, you can pick more towards the middle to upper-middle end of the spectrum. Chances are,if you buy something in a 30-06 or similar, the rifle was not shot all that much. Learn to check important things for a used bolt and you'll come out way ahead.
No question Weatherby Vanguard 2 is the way to go.
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