The best deer hunting rifles for less than $700

When it comes to deer hunting rifles, many hunters fall into one of two categories: 1. Give me the best and hang the cost. And 2. The cheaper the better.

This piece is for the cheaper/better crowd.

OK, let’s soften the blow here. We don’t mean cheap so much as affordable while still being functional. And accuracy counts as part of functional. A rifle could load and fire and cycle and reload smoothly each and every time, but if it can’t park its bullets inside a five-gallon bucket a 50 yards, well … the object is to shoot deer, not scare them to death.

Fortunately, many gun manufacturers build functional rifles in several formats that shoot extraordinarily well, some keeping five consecutive bullets inside an inch at 100 yards. We can’t guarantee all will do this, but when one model earns consistent street cred for amazing accuracy, it’s worth a try.

Here, in no particular order, are some of today’s “cheapies but goodies” selling for around $700 or less.

Features and prices might change due to the usual market forces.

Howa Hogue

MSRP $589

Howa is a Japanese rifle maker that has, for well over a quarter century, built push-feed bolt actions branded and sold by Smith & Wesson, Weatherby, and Legacy Sports International. The latter currently offers a Hogue pillar bedded push-feed action with three-position safety that locks the bolt down, an overmolded synthetic green stock, two-stage match trigger, toolless firing pin removal, M-16-style extractor, and trued and squared bolt face.

Three-shot MOA accuracy is guaranteed. Nine chamberings are offered including .300 PRC and 6.5 PRC.

Mossberg Patriot

MSRP $400 to $450

The well-known and established Mossberg Patriot, push-feed, bolt-action rifles are built in a wide variety of styles and configurations. Synthetic stocks, walnut stocks, fluted barrels, heavy barrels, brakes, and threaded muzzles that accept suppressors are offered.

Barrel lengths run from 16-½ inches to 24 inches, chamberings from .22-250 Remington through .300 Win. Mag., including 7 PRC, .340 Legend, .400 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster. Length-of-pull on various stocks, many of them adjustable, stretch from 12 inches for small shooters to 14.25 for tall shooters. All have recessed match crown barrels, drop out magazine boxes, and user adjustable LBA safety triggers that can be set from 2 to 7 pounds pull.

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Savage Axis 2

MSRP $489

This is a rare one because it can be found in left-handed models. The push-feed action is a less-refined version of the famously accurate and respected Savage 110, but instead of a three-position tang safety, the Axis has a two-position tang safety.

These rifles sport gray or OD green synthetic stocks and include the famous, extra-safe, user adjustable AccuTrigger. Barrel lengths vary from 16½ to 22 inches. Drop out, four-round magazines are standard. Chamberings run from .223 Remington through .400 Legend and include the .300 Blackout and hard-to-find .25-06 Remington and 7mm-08 Remington.

Glenfield Model A

MSRP $529

Old timers will remember Marlin’s Glenfield line sold at department stores like Sears, as well as mom and pop hardware stores across America. When Ruger acquired Marlin, it also got the Glenfield name, so it decided to bank on it with a modern version of this “starter price” rifle.

Forget anything you might remember about the old Glenfields. This one is basically the original Ruger American from 2010, a basic, push-feed, three-lug bolt action in a textured, spatter-finished, molded synthetic stock with a flush-fit, four-round-capacity, detachable polymer magazine, tang safety, and user adjustable trigger pull from 3 to 5 pounds.

Hammer forged barrels are 20 inches and threaded to take brakes or suppressors. A Picatinny rail comes with each rifle. Chamberings from .243 Winchester through .450 Bushmaster.

CVA Scout Blued Black

MSRP $375

Heads up.

This one is different because it’s a break action single shot. You pull a protrusion on the rear of the trigger bow to release the barrel that then hinges down to expose the chamber. Pluck the fired round off the extractor, slide in a fresh round, snap the action closed, pull back the external hammer, and fire.

It’s an old school system that’s been proven for generations, but there’s something special about this CVA Scout: Its barrels are Bergara-made, button rifled and stress relieved for smooth bores and stellar accuracy. Barrel lengths vary from 16½ to 22 inches, most threaded for suppressors or brakes. Synthetic stocks are gray with raised cheek pieces on both sides, making this suitable for southpaws as well as right-handed shooters.

Chamberings include .223 Remington up to the hard-to-find .444 Marlin, as well as .35 Whelen, .360 Buckhammer and several straight-walled cartridges. Barrels and actions are blued. Higher priced models include stainless barreled actions.

Winchester XPR Green

MSRP $530

Winchester’s best-selling bolt-action these days is the XPR. This basic version features a 22-inch, button rifled, free-floating, chrome moly barrel and machined receiver with three locking lugs on a push feed bolt. The two-position rocker safety locks the bolt down in the safe position, but a button in the root of the bolt handle releases the bolt so rounds can be cycled out while the safety remains on.

The trigger is user adjustable. The three-round, flush-mount, polymer magazine is detachable. The barreled action sits in a rugged, dark green polymer stock. Total weight comes to 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic

MSRP $629

Built around the push feed, Howa M1500 two-lug locking action, this venerable Weatherby “starter” rifle comes with an MOA guarantee. The stock length can be adjusted from 12½ to 13 5⁄8 inches. Blued, chrome-moly barrels are cold hammer forged and 20 inches long, the two stage triggers adjustable.

There’s even a hinged floorplate. Chamberings start with .243 Winchester and include .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, and .350 Legend.