Decent affordable rifles?

[Dirtdart89]

So I'm looking to buy a rifle for myself and my missus to shoot, I just got a mosin nagant but it's a little big in size and caliber for her.

What's a decent and cheap rifle? I was thinking around .223.

I'm still pretty new to the civilian rifle market.

While I'm on the subject of new rifles, I'm also keen for an air rifle and a .22 but I'm unsure what kind of reason to use on the PTA.

I figure sports for the .22 but an air rifle has me stumped. Suppose all these will have to wait for my budget to accommodate them, ha ha.

[beerd]

What's "affordable" for you? Got a $$$ tag?

$1,050 for a Tikka Hunter with a timber stock too much?

$900 for a Tikka Lite if you guys like synthetic.

Affordable (I think anyway?) and you can trust a Tikka to shoot good.

[Dirtdart89]

I was hoping to aim around the $500-700 mark. I'm also looking into second hand more than anything. I'm just trying to narrow down from everything. Might get lucky haha. And yeah synthetic would be better the missus is what most people would call tiny haha

[Hinky]

Second hand will definitely open more options for you.

On the subject of Tikka... Not on used guns at the moment but you can occasionally get one for $700 which is about as cheap as they get. You'd likely have to wait a bit for the right price though...

For your reason, if you're a member of a club like the SSAA or whoever you can say it's for target shooting for both and use your membership as supporting documentation when you do your permit to acquire.

[VICHunter]

Pretty sure 'hunting' is reason enough down there you blokes for either case.

Definitely for the .22LR, and modern air-guns are capable of taking rabbits these days too so there is that.

I think Howa might be the best be for your money. Brand new you can get a Howa Varmint .223 for $850.

A Howa 1500 could be an option too.

There are usually a few going on useds guns too for $600 - $700.

Might get one with a scope for $650 - $750 too.

Hope that helps.

[Chronos]

Pretty sure 'hunting' is reason enough down there you blokes for either case.

Definitely for the .22LR, and modern air-guns are capable of taking rabbits these days too so there is that.

I think Howa might be the best be for your money. Brand new you can get a Howa Varmint .223 for $850.

A Howa 1500 could be an option too.

There are usually a few going on useds guns too for $600 - $700.

Might get one with a scope for $650 - $750 too.

Hope that helps.

I was thinking Howa might fit the bill here too but I'd stay away from a varmint for anyone but a 80 kg+ guy simply because of the carry weight.

IMHO the tikka is a better gun with a smoother action and better trigger than the Howa but it's more money so it should be better.

I'd suggest you both go into your gunshop and handle a few guns and ask lots if questions. No point buying a rifle you're not both happy with

Chronos

[Dirtdart89]

Yeah, cheers for the info, I'll have a look around, I think her biggest issue will be weight. Like I said she is a pretty tiny chick. But yeah I suppose if I just keep her to bench shooting she shouldn't have any real dramas.

[Member-Deleted]

Weatherby do a youth rifle, very light , accurate & in your price range.

[tactice]

You could have a look at Savage too.

There are a few on used guns not for between $650 and $800 with scopes.

Savage make good affordable rifles IMO.

[yoshie]

What about a 357 or 44 mag lever action, lots of fun, easy to carry

[Lorgar]

I've gotta say, I am loving my new Tikka Forest.

So much so that I have a Sako on order and am thinking about cancelling as the Forest is so good.

I know that's the top end of your budget, but if you can make the stretch a T3 Lite in synthetic would be by suggestion.

Hopefully should come in just under budget and I'm sure you'll be happy with how it shoots.

[Member-Deleted]

Is $500-$700 including scope?

[Dirtdart89]

If it does or doesn't have a scope I'm not fussed but yeah I thought lever rifles were a great idea but the missus seems to hate the idea... Women :/ anyway, cheers for all the info. I'm sure out of all the suggestions I'll find something we can agree on. Maybe if I get it in pink she will say yes to anything haha.

[Member-Deleted]

Pink savage .22mag, about $370-$420.

[NukeBOMB88]

For a really cheap .22 you could go with a Chinese Jw-15e . I've had one for five years and I don't have a single complaint about it. Cost : $380 plus whatever scope you go with.

[Dirtdart89]

Ha ha, I was kidding about the pink! If it's my money I get to pick the colour.

I'll have a look into the Chinese gat... Usually not a big fan of made in China stuff but for that price it's worth a gander.

[chacka]

Ha ha, I was kidding about the pink! If it's my money I get to pick the colour.

I reckon you were testing the waters a bit... If people didn't make too much fun of you, you'd go for it in pink

[Marfit]

Savage axis package comes with scope, $ 600 approx.

[Dirtdart89]

Oh dang you got me! Haha I would much prefer a Fluro pink camo though hahaha

[Harts]

Right up your alley...







Just for fun, but more if you're interested in a read... The Pink Rifle

[Dirtdart89]

Ok that rifle actually looks pretty cool, the barrel was the part that won me over on that though. Not sure how fun that would be to clean if I ever took it out scrub in poor weather though.

I was browsing my local gunshop yesterday and just happened to come across a nice little savage in .223 with a synthetic stock. Brand new $650 with scope and it's very light I think I might have found a winner. Can't remember the model off the top of my head right now... Might have to take the missus by on Monday and see how she likes the weight. On a different subject though, anyone here know where I could get a mosin nagant scope? Can't seem to find any online, can't even find a rough price for the scope plus the fitting of it.

[MeccaOz]

Here's a couple specials on Howa for an idea on the price you can pick them up for.

Howa 1500 .308 / 22-250 / 243
blued varmint
houge stock WITH RAIL
NEW $569
IN STOCK NOW

Howa 1500 223 / 243WIN / 308WIN
blued SPORTER
houge stock WITH RAIL
NEW $569
IN STOCK NOW

[inervate]

You really can't argue with the price of those Howa rifles.

[Member-Deleted]

I seen the pink & black houge stock at my local on Saturday. It's certainly diffrent

[Baldrick314]

Ok that rifle actually looks pretty cool, the barrel was the part that won me over on that though. Not sure how fun that would be to clean if I ever took it out scrub in poor weather though.

I was browsing my local gunshop yesterday and just happened to come across a nice little savage in .223 with a synthetic stock. Brand new $650 with scope and it's very light I think I might have found a winner. Can't remember the model off the top of my head right now... Might have to take the missus by on Monday and see how she likes the weight. On a different subject though, anyone here know where I could get a mosin nagant scope? Can't seem to find any online, can't even find a rough price for the scope plus the fitting of it.

At that price it's most likely the savage axis. My father in law had one. Great rifle for the price, just lacking the finishing touches of a higher end rifle but at much reduced cost and it grouped MOA with factory ammo so no complaints.

[Old Fart]

Tapping into the ladies market I guess?

[Dirtdart89]

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's it. Seems like a nice rifle, had a very smooth action. Might be different after a few rounds go through it. But I'm sure I have used worse.

[koolman]

Can only speak from experience.

I have a Stevens 223 with a decent Bushnell 3-9x, wasn't a lot of money, what a great rifle. Perfect for around the farm and somewhat surprsing at the range with good old cheapie Highland ammo. Doesn't seem to worry about ammo type and loves getting bashed around.

As far as 22 goes, I've got a few, but my go to farm rifle is a Zastava MPW 99. What a little ripper this rifle is. It's not the prettiest, but it's tough and robustly made. Exactly what you want bashing through the scrub.

[Dirtdart89]

After a quick google search that zastava looks like a nice little rifle, never seen one before I might have to see if I can track one down.

[Rocker]

Tapping into the ladies market I guess?

They go bananas for that stuff in the states... Move women shooting over there no doubt with the different culture and easier access.

Heaps of places doing 'pretty' guns and custom mods.

I know there are a couple of companies which are 'womens gun' specific. Derringers and stuff like that, and others tailored this tailored for women shooters.