Entry level Hunting Rifle Recommendation below 1K

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

What would you recommend as an entry level rifle (deer/bear) for a beginner hunter? Any thoughts appreciated.... Is the below $1K range do-able?

[RyoTHC]

Yes. Winchester xpr in 6.5 creedmoor would do you wonders. I have a buddy that shoots that fun and gets half moa groups with hand loads from a $600 gun.. throw a vortex diamondback tactical on there and the whole setup will cost you $1000 give or take.

[Yuritau]

Yes. Winchester xpr in 6.5 creedmoor would do you wonders. I have a buddy that shoots that fun and gets half moa groups with hand loads from a $600 gun.. throw a vortex diamondback tactical on there and the whole setup will cost you $1000 give or take.

He's talking about me, hehe.

Winchester XPR in 6.5 Creedmoor - around $600. There was a $100 rebate at the time, so really $500.
Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42 scope - around $550. There's cheaper options in the Diamondback family, to cut costs, but I wouldn't go down to crossfire. The Diamondback glass is much nicer.
Talley rings - around $50.

Result, during load development for a varmint/coyote load: https://tinyurl.com/yd2er68l (target image in my google drive)

I don't complain about my setup.

[miner_luke]

He's talking about me, hehe.

Winchester XPR in 6.5 Creedmoor - around $600. There was a $100 rebate at the time, so really $500.
Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42 scope - around $550. There's cheaper options in the Diamondback family, to cut costs, but I wouldn't go down to crossfire. The Diamondback glass is much nicer.
Talley rings - around $50.

Result, during load development for a varmint/coyote load: https://tinyurl.com/yd2er68l (target image in my google drive)

I don't complain about my setup.

Nice shooting! I wouldn't complain about that either.

[Jelvis]

.308 is all you need for deer and bears, light recoil and easy to load and unload --->
Winchester would be good --
Jelly -- .308 for bear and deer --

[Fella]

Pick a caliber from .243 on up and find it in a Weatherby Vanguard, Husqvarna, Tikka, Browning, Howa etc. Spend money on a scope, don’t cheap out there.

[Rieber]

What would you recommend as an entry level rifle (deer/bear) for a beginner hunter? Any thoughts appreciated.... Is the below $1K range do-able?

$1K can get you a really good hunting rifle/scope combo - no problem. You can also get a very usable/hunt appropriate combo from Cabalas on sale for $400 - as do other outlets like the fine Sponsors and supporters of this website. Depending on your location - try visiting on of the sponsoring shops, yell them you are from this site and tell them what you want and they will help you out with defining the right set up for your size and preference and budget.

You can read all you can absorb here on this site and if you know exactly what you want, you can look for some of the great deals that get posted here. If you're absolutely green and know very little about what to look out for on used firearms, then I would highly recommend to buy new unless you can trust someone to help you.

Overall beginner rifles - there is a lot to chose from but I have no idea if you've fired a rifle or how recoil tolerant you are. Practice is important and a decent bolt action 22LR will help you develop the handling skills and practice you apply to a centerfire rifle. The 22Lr is great because they have no real recoil to speak of and they are inexpensive to shoot a great many rounds. Plus is a great rifle for small game.

Regarding a light recoil deer/bear class rifle - I would recommend to stay away from the extreme ends of that class so I would say most popular calibrers between a .243 and a 30-06. Personally I would focus on 7-08, .270 and .308. Maybe even a 6.5 Creedmoor (I have one and like it) 30-06 is very good but that up in the felt recoil range and you really don't have to start with something that hard on the shoulder.

If you really are a beginner and don't know much about what you really want - buy a new entry level rifle from one of our sponsors and if you find you don't like the rifle, you can re-sell that rifle for very little loss in cash (provided you don't abuse the rifle) or the shop that you bought it from will likely accept it back on trade for something else but expect to lose some on that exchange because the shop obviously needs to make money at what they do.

Someone might offer alternate advice and there is no hard rule to any of this - but it sure can get expensive in a hurry.

[mike_69]

If you like Savage Cabella''s has the Savage Axis XP w/scope for 479.99, and the Axis II XP w/scope for 599.99 which are both are decent rifle's. The included scope and rings arn't the best but they will definitely get you started. You could also step up to the Savage 16/116 Trophy Hunter XP w/scope for 939.99. Again the included scope and rings are generally on the cheaper side but will get you started and can always be upgraded at a later date. I have the Trophy hunter in .300 win mag and have no real complaints other than the mag needs to be inserted fairly aggressively in order to seat it. I have a friend who owns the XP in .30-06 with an upgraded Vortex scope and it is also a good shooter. I have read that the synthetic stock is a bit too flexible for a by-pod but I don't use one so I can't confirm that claim.

[BCBRAD]

Lots of good used out there.

Most of the hunting rifles are low round count as well.

[Linksman313]

Lots of good used out there.

Most of the hunting rifles are low round count as well.

Amen Brother!!
another vote for the Savage Axis Combo, ask one of our sponsor outlets if they would be willing to trade the included (unused) scope (and rings) on a upgraded model of your choice and budget and you'll have a good and rugged starter setup for deer/bear under or about $1000
.308 would be my round of choice for budgetary concerns
PS dont be afraid to ask guys behind the counter in the shop if they would sell a scope separately off the trade-in or used rifles rack they display in store, you may often get a great scope for a great deal and the shop can make some cash too!
Good luck with your purchase whatever you decide