I have been thinking about this lately, you can drop anywhere from $400 to $4000+ on a hunting rifle. Where do you guys draw the line? I see people filling tags with budget rifles and others who won't touch anything under $2k. Both seem to work, so what's actually worth it? I will like to know what you all think..
How much is too much to spend on a rifle?
- Thread starter Steve
- Start date
It used to be a saying that the scope should at least or even more expensive as the rifle, and I think it would depend on where you are hunting, how long of a shot, what clarity factor works for a person, light gathering...and other factors I guess. I had a $300 Savage 30-06 that was just plain dead on, I scoped it eventually with a $300 scope but it did not shoot any better, nor did I. The only modern hunting rifle I use these days (I hunt with traditional muzzle loaders almost exclusively now) is a Remington Model 770 in .308 and it shoots 1" at 100 or slightly better with a $300 Occulus 3x9x40 on it. I have not shot it out past 100 and I don't need to, I have no plans to go out west and take 2-500 yard shots, but that is me.
Have heard good reviews about the lower priced stuff like Ruger American, Remington 783, and others, so bottom line is if they shoot, that is the ticket right there
I think a person might not go wrong with a Bergara, Browning, or some high end weapon or something like that, but my money goes elsewhere. At some point you are paying for a name and the extras are diminishing returns. As far as glass goes, I might go Leupold maybe Vortex in the mid price range, they seem to get good reviews overall, if you want to spend that much. The point of a scope is to help you see better, period.
Have heard good reviews about the lower priced stuff like Ruger American, Remington 783, and others, so bottom line is if they shoot, that is the ticket right there
I think a person might not go wrong with a Bergara, Browning, or some high end weapon or something like that, but my money goes elsewhere. At some point you are paying for a name and the extras are diminishing returns. As far as glass goes, I might go Leupold maybe Vortex in the mid price range, they seem to get good reviews overall, if you want to spend that much. The point of a scope is to help you see better, period.
Virginia 01
Active member
Buying expensive and fancy rifles for ordinary deer or black bear hunting isn't necessary. We buy them because we can, not because we have to.
Long range hunting is obviously a different animal all together (pun intended).
More importantly, buy a caliber that fits your intended target and range, buy a rifle with good scope mounting capability if you want a scope, and buy a rifle that fits your weight requirements. If you hike all day in the woods, a lighter rifle will be important... hunting from a stand the weight won't matter.
Long range hunting is obviously a different animal all together (pun intended).
More importantly, buy a caliber that fits your intended target and range, buy a rifle with good scope mounting capability if you want a scope, and buy a rifle that fits your weight requirements. If you hike all day in the woods, a lighter rifle will be important... hunting from a stand the weight won't matter.
I know a guy who bought an $1,800 rifle and his groupings got tighter but he was also practicing a lot more. Another friend filled all his tags with a $600 rifle after getting good glass and a better trigger.
So, focus on what helps you shoot better, don't just buy expensive gear.
So, focus on what helps you shoot better, don't just buy expensive gear.
