I'm looking to purchase my first deer rifle, and was looking at the Remington 700 25-06 (not a final decision, but it looks about right). I've gone out hunting the past two years, using a friend's rifle, a 257 Roberts - a nice gun. Anyway, due to the cost, I am considering getting something used, but am a little hesitant, because I've never owned a rifle before, and don't want to get ripped off, or buy something not in top shape. Any suggestions? Would it just be worth it to "bite the bullet" and get a new one? Thanks for any advice.

Well I dont know how much your looking to spend, but both Bass Pro and Cabelas usually have decent deals on some guns. Especially Cabelas they have a great used gun section and all their guns have been inspected for safety purposes. I havent been to the Cabelas in San Antonio it might be different, but I wouldnt think so.

Thanks ... will check it out. Have been to Bass Pro but haven't Cabelas. Will look into it.

WEnglish has a nice 25-06 for sale you should check out under classifieds.

Go new bite the bullet get what you want. I think if you can keep your eyes peeled you can get a new one for the price of some used ones at those places. Plus here in the next two weeks there should be some awesome sales at all stores. It adds up quickly. jmo

Also check Academy and Oshmans , both will sometimes have good deals .

This is not the time of the year to purchase used rifles wait till after 1st of the year, prices will go down. You are going to pay about $600 or more for any new gun you find plus scope & taxes. Good used rifles can be purchased for $350-450 with scopes already mounted plus you can save the sales tax when bought from an person. I purchased a Weatherby Mark V 25-06 about 6 weeks ago for $400. It shoots like a dream. I did put a scope on it. I also bought a Rem. BDL 270 with a Redfield scope and about 100 rds of ammo for $400. The rem. did have a scratch or two on the stock but so will a new one after the 1st hunting season. Most used guns have been shot very little and will last a lifetime. They may have some scratches & wear from being hauled around or handled. If you find a used rifle that you like, take it to a gunsmith before laying out the $$$$, that should relieve you mind about the weapon. I have a friend that bought a new Sako a while back ($1500)& the first hunting trip put a deep scratch in the stock climbing over a barb wire fence, was he sick!!!!

These are terrific suggestions, thanks guys. I will keep an eye on the stores to see if they have specials, etc. Makes sense that used would be less expensive after the season, and that there should be some deals now. I'll also look in the classifieds to see what WEnglish has.

I'd been told to expect to pay about $500-$600 for something decent - rifle and scope.

Next posting will be: How do I convince my wife that I should spend this kind of money on a rifle?

I should clarify - I'd been told 5-600 for used rifle and scope ... I like the revised estimate dladder posted above - $350-$450 would be easier for me to swing.

i would go buy a savage (non package deal) in .270 and get the bushnell elite 4200 that is for sale on here and you could do that for probably under $600 for a new gun and excellent scope.

My dad has had his remington 700 25-06 for 38 years and every deer we have ever shot with it has droped in its tracks. A great caliber and the model 700's are great rifles I actually ordered one last week in 7 mag but you will be please! There was actually one for sell on here about a week or two ago that I would recommend to anyone a 25-06 is the best all around Texas gun. GOOD LUCK!!!

I will tell ya - go to walmart and see if they can get u into a savage package series - my 111FXP cost under 400 and was accurate within 1 inch at 100 yards right out of the box... (at 25 yards, i was eating the bullseye)...

FYI, walmart has their own model #s, so the 111fxp is labeled as a 110 series on this rifle, but it's the 111, since it has the black composite grip and butt.

Also, when i was looking for my 1st rifle, everyone here told me to stay away from a remington 710...

When it comes to deer rifles, new or used makes little difference to me. Most deer rifle have had very few rounds through them. Usually they suffer from handling wear far more than shooting wear. If you see one you like and the price is right, go for it and enjoy.

It's really up to you on this... as mentioned... deer rifles are normally not "shot out", so a used one should be okay. Just don't settle with a used one b/c the price is lower when it's really not EXACTALLY what you want. If you are like me, you will kick yourself later and just wish you had paid the extra couple of hundred bucks and got what you wanted.

If it is just what you are looking for and you can get a good price on it, then it might be a good deal. 90% of the time I like to buy new just b/c I know everything about what the item has been through. That being said you can get some good deals on used ones and save some money in the process every now and then. Good luck!

Wow - such support and great feedback/suggestions. Thanks everyone. I will let you guys know what I end up with.

New or used, it is up to YOU.

Buying a new gun and putting a rifle/scope/cartridge package together is a lot of fun.

In reality, there are lots of great quality used guns for sale out there. you just need to know what YOU are wanting and will be happy with.

Pawn Shops and the used gun racks at speciality shooting stores, such as Elk Castle Shooting Sports on the west side of Fort worth are good places to look for rifles, rifle/scope packages.

Just because a gun is used, DOES NOT mean there is anything wrong with it, it may have just been the wrong outfit for the original owner.

Academy has the 2506 Adl on sale this week for 400

It really makes sense that a used rifle may only have a few shots through it. I can live with a little scuffing on the stock, etc ... so long as it's still an accurate rifle, I can deal with that. I do think it's a smart idea to take a used rifle to a gunsmith to make sure everything looks in order. Especially being a first-time owner, I'd want to get the pros to sign-off on it.

I'll be stopping by Bass Pro this AM to check out their selections. Have an Academy nearby also - will try to stop there this weekend.

I would not trade my Rem 700bdl in 30-06 for a brand new one.I believe my rifle is twice the gun they are selling now and it was made back in the 70's and man she's purty.Sub moa is sub moa no matter how new it is.Get something you like and don't buy a new cheap model over an older well made rifle for the same dollars.
JMHO

Visited Bass Pro Shop yesterday, looked at my options there. They agreed to look at Remington 700, and the 270 was pretty nice, but at $749, that's a bit out of my range at this point. I think the search will continue, with renewed focus on Used. Especially if it's something that's been well taken care of, I'd have no problem with that.

EE when you go shopping again just remember one word...Tikka, Tikka, Tikka, Tikka.

Not pretty just functional & mebbe even a tad socially unacceptable looking for old hard core purists like I have been in the past, not a sexy or an ego chest thumping collectors item purchase...but guaranteed out of the box 3 shots MOA accurate and IMO at a "medium" price range the very best buy on the market in a feature vs cost comparison at around $500 +/- depending on the cosmetics of wood or synthetic stocks & blue or stainless steel.

Do a search under my name in this Board and look at the laundry list of features that are standard on a Tikka T3 and more importantly not offered on any other brand in this price range except as an extra after market additional out of pocket expense. If you want to spend more money then upgrade the scope...until you can afford to spend $1000-$2000 for a rifle alone...then you have some better choices for a shooter.

I own 2 Tikka T3's currently and I own other brands besides a Tikka currently ...but I have owned mebbe 50+ "deer rifles" over the last 35-40 years and within their price range +/- $2-300 Tikka's do just exactly what they are designed to do...boringly & without much excitement put their shots where they are supposed to go with a minimum of effort. I cannot ask for more than that 'cause the rest of it is all on me...and thats where the exctiement comes from because the rifle is completly not at fault when I miss the shot.

As Always it is more about the competency of the Indian than it is about the Arrow when you use good equipment & I like to eliminate the easy issues first and be able to concentrate on my own inadequacies. JMHO but YMMV.

FWIW The only aftermarket item I would think you might need is a $20 Simms Limbsaver in a 30'06 or heavier caliber that does not require a gunsmith to install.
Ron

Check out your local want ads. Most of the time they are a good deal and the owner might even go with you to have it checked out by a gunsmith. Or if you find one you might want, you might pay a gunsmith to look it over for you. I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought through the paper. ymmv

A reputable gun shop is always a good choice. You can usually negotiate on the price and the people that work there are typiclly much more knowledgeable about firearms and there condition.

Check Wal-Mart. There have been a lot of posts lately about some Wal-Marts discontinuing their firearms and some really good deals to be found. Our Wal-Mart has a Remi 700 Synthetic 7mm and 30-06 for $300 right now, a Weatherby 30-06 with scope for about the same price and the Mossberg ATR 30-06 with scope for $250 I believe. There are others as well with good markdowns just can't remember the brands and calibers.