I purchased my first deer rifle in 1979 for $314. It was a Remington model 700 in .270 Winchester. I delivered a lot of newspapers to pay for that rifle. Unbelievably, today you can still get a decent deer rifle for an amount not much higher. Because of modern manufacturing techniques, which have kept prices reasonable, you can still find accurate and reliable rifles that are affordable. Here are 10 options priced between $400 and $900.
Mossberg Patriot Synthetic Kryptek Highlander
My son used a Patriot on three consecutive safaris. During his last safari, and first for dangerous game, he trusted his life to a Patriot in .375 Ruger. The Patriot is a great example of a blue-collar hunting rifle. It’s rugged, shoots good, looks good, and does not cost an arm and a leg. All Patriots come with an exceptionally well-designed detachable magazine and Mossberg’s patented LBA adjustable trigger. The Kryptek Highlander camo stock adds a bit of attitude.
The action used on the 783 is very strong and rigid, and the rifle will likely shoot better than you can. For nostalgic hunters who like the feel of wood and steel, Remington has introduced a pillar-bedded, walnut-stocked version of the 783 for 2017. The barrel is button rifled, and the rifle incorporates the new Crossfire trigger system. It also has a very user-friendly detachable magazine and is available in all the most popular big-game hunting cartridges, including magnums like the 7mm Remington and .300 Winchester. A factory scoped combo package is available for a few dollars more.
Brush busting deer rifles have a special appeal to eastern hardwoods hunters. They typically still hunt their whitetails and push them out of laurel thickets or grown-over clear cuts. For that type of hunting you need a light, fast-handling rifle. At 5.5 pounds, Ruger’s American Ranch in .450 Bushmaster fits that calling. Features include a thick butt pad to dampen recoil, the Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger system, a threaded muzzle with a brake, a detachable magazine, and it comes out of the box with a one-piece aluminum scope rail installed.
The trigger housing and all-internal components in the XPR rifle’s MOA trigger are constructed of polished and hardened carbon steel, with a blued finish for added durability and corrosion resistance. The chrome moly barrel has been button-rifled, comes with a target crown, and Winchester uses a barrel nut—similar to Savage and Mossberg rifles—to help control headspace. But, the 60 degree…
