For those of us on a budget (no ak/ar)

[polykarp]

If you could have one long(ish) rifle on a seriously small budget, what would it be?

I'd love to have an AR/AK but it's just not in the cards.

I've been looking at the HiPoint's for a year now and like the idea of something robust, simple and frugal. With that piece in mind, what else would you look at?

[husky390]

Saiga 7.62 or .223. They're going for approx. $365. For the moment

[polykarp]

Would you take a Saiga over an SKS?

[rickett]

Remington 870 Express 12 ga. or Marlin XL7 in .30-06. Either can be had for around $300.

[Cuda66]

I'd ask if you want an actual rifle, or a pistol-caliber carbine? I know a lot of people like the Hi-Point carbines...but, if I was looking for a rifle, they would not be a first choice.

For a rifle, I'd decide if I wanted semi-auto, or not. If yes, I'd be looking at SKS's. They can still be found for less than $250 easy, less than $200 with some digging.

If not semi-auto, then it would be bolt action, or not. If yes for bolt...the Nagants (in any form) for less than $100 are a bargain. The Yugo M48 Mausers (usually less than $200) are also a great rifle for a cheap price. If you want a rifle in a more common caliber than 7.62x54R or 8x57 (such as .223, .308 or .30-06), look at a Savage or Stevens bolt action. For around $300, you can get a great rifle in almost any caliber you want.

Don't want any of those above? A used lever-action .30-30 can often be found for less than $300; new isn't much more, usually. The Remington pump-action 76 series (760, 7600) can often be found, with optics, for less than $400 used, and come in .308, .30-06, and other calibers.

And, personally, if I was looking at a pistol-caliber carbine...before I'd get a hi-point, I'd look for a lever-action .357 or .44 carbine.

[Preacher_of_Boom]

Besides a Hi-Point, I would consider an SKS. They are definitely robust, simple and frugal.

I have a Hi-Point 995 carbine another xdtalk member is considering buying. If he is not interested, I will let you know. It has a better stock, red dot and extra mags. And, the price is righteous, O, Polycarp. Thou mightest not haveth to suffer martyrdom, if thou art packing a Hi-Point.

Tony

[polykarp]

Originally Posted by Preacher_of_Boom

And, the price is righteous, O, Polycarp. Thou mightest not haveth to suffer martyrdom, if thou art packing a Hi-Point.

Tony

[jfdavis58]

I re-arraigned my budget to include several 'bannable' firearms a la AWB as we expect it might come down. That really takes me out of your purchasing league; but I'll tell you what really caught my eye, as far as a 'straight' rifle goes (per your description). A Ruger Mark II Compact, walnut stock, blued in 7mm-08 caliber. No sights, but matching 1 inch rings (Weaver mount type) to fit the milled slots in the receiver are included. They also come in synthetic and laminate stocks and stainless. There is a limited selection of calibers.

This fires a .284 (7mm) bullet from a necked-down .308 case. Ballistically suitable for all but the very largest north american game (at the other end of the spectrum including varmits at short range (2-300yrds) with light bullets), very short at about 35 inches length (good in heavy brush) and light weight (about 6.5 pounds with an average 3-9X40 scope). This rifle has the bolt lock feature enhancing it's field safe carry ability. Recoil is said to be on the mild end of the scale; muzzle blast is loud-but that's typical for short barrels (16 1/2 inches). Accuracy is typical for hunting bolt actions.

NIB about $600.00 plus scope.
It's not hard to see this as something for a youthful shooter or a small framed individual but if you've ever carried a heavy full length rifle all day through heavy brush or mountainous terrain, well you'd get the point.

[husky390]

Originally Posted by polykarp

Would you take a Saiga over an SKS?

Me personaly, I would take a Saiga over an SKS and an SKS over a hi-point. High cap mags are available for the Saiga, tough to find and spendy but you can get them. There is a debate going on whether you can legally shoot hi-caps in an unconverted Saiga without 922r compliance parts. I have heard from a guy who builds them that you can. Other guy's say you can't. What I do know is the Saiga and SKS are both good rifles. The saiga is virtually bomb proof and can eat Wolf ammo all day long without one hiccup.

Check out Atlantic Firearms. They have some pretty decent pricing if it's in stock.

[billbrasky]

hey poly i just ordered my .223 saiga AK from centerfire.

I do have an sks and for $200 flat they were a great value just recently.

if you are on a budget and want a gun with knock down power a $200 sks is a hard to beat value.

i havent shot a highpoint, so they might be great, but the carbine is just 9mm

9x19mm Parabellum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballistic performance Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 7.5 g (116 gr) FMJ 360 m/s (1,200 ft/s) 483 J (356 ft·lbf) 8.0 g (123 gr) FMJ 350 m/s (1,100 ft/s) 494 J (364 ft·lbf) 9.5 g (147 gr) FMJ 300 m/s (980 ft/s) 442 J (326 ft·lbf) Test barrel length: 102 mm
Source: Federal Cartridge[1] C.I.P.[2]

7.62x39mm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballistic performance Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 123 gr (8.0 g) Spitzer 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) 2,010 J (1,480 ft·lbf) 154 gr (10.0 g) Spitzer SP 641.3 m/s (2,104 ft/s) 2,059 J (1,519 ft·lbf) Source: Chuck Hawks[1]Wolf Ammo

.223 Remington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballistic performance Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 36 gr (2.3 g) JHP 3,750 ft/s (1,140 m/s) 1,124 ft·lbf (1,524 J) 55 gr (3.6 g) Nosler ballistic tip 3,240 ft/s (990 m/s) 1,282 ft·lbf (1,738 J) 60 gr (3.9 g) Nosler partition 3,160 ft/s (960 m/s) 1,330 ft·lbf (1,800 J) 69 gr (4.5 g) BTHP 2,950 ft/s (900 m/s) 1,333 ft·lbf (1,807 J) 77 gr (5.0 g) BTHP 2,750 ft/s (840 m/s) 1,293 ft·lbf (1,753 J) Test barrel length: 24 in.
Source: Federal Cartridge

a 7.62x39 has 5 times the energy 9mm

a .223 has 3 times the energy of a 9mm