Buying during an election year, safe or stupid?

[AAAOA]

Hey all,

Come next summer I am looking at purchasing my first rifle, specifically a hunting rifle though I'm not 100% on the exact model. However, I also hope to eventually own a modern sporting rifle/assualt rifle type gun. Currently, I have no such use for something like that as I'm in college and it'd just sit back home and be a range toy when I come home to visit. I'd much rather get a hunting rifle for now which I feel is more useful given my situation. I only have the money for one.

Leaving politics out of it, next year is an election year and only God knows how that'll go. Given that prices tend to be higher during election years and I only have so much money, does it make more sense to buy a rifle that is currently useless to me just in case I can't get one the year after? or get the rifle I actually want and wait until the election takes place for the other, recognizing this'll send prices back to normal or straight through the roof depending on how it goes?

Thanks, please keep politics out of it.

 

[garandman]

Anti-gun politicians dont (yet) demonize hunting rifles.

Any politically motivated firearms purchases should be of the guns that they do demonize.. .. with high capacity Detachable magazines, folding stocks, Semi automatic function and evil black paint jobs / parkerizing.

Get 'em now, b4 they are gone !!


ETA: As part of the citizen militia, *you* have the duty to be "well regulated".... *self* equipped with firearm, ammo , any necessary accoutrements, and appropriately trained. You have a right to hunt, but not a duty to do so.

 

[300_whisper]

So you ask a question about buying during an election year, but say keep the politics out of it?

It’s not an assault rifle. It’s a semi auto. No different than a 7400, mini 14, 10/22, or BAR. What college do you go to? Lol

What are you looking at specifically? Models and calibers? A nice AR15 can pull triple duty as a range toy, hunting rifle, and self defense weapon. The calibers available for medium size game are endless. An excellent deer and hog cartridge would be the .300BO, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or even some of the heavy hitters. A standard .223 would work as well, although, not as ideal for medium game.

You can always buy a Ruger American Predator, now, in a classic cartridge, slap a Nikon scope on it and be ready for some 300-400 yard hunting. And to prevent the price gouging during an election year, buy a lower now (Anderson’s are about $39 a piece) and slowly buy parts for it. $30-50 purchases go a long way on an AR build.

I have “built” and owned all the ARs I’ve mentioned, so I have experience with their accuracy and hunting ability. Tragically, I lost them all when my house burned down.

 

[garandman]

What are you looking at specifically? Models and calibers? A nice AR15 can pull triple duty as a range toy, hunting rifle, and self defense weapon. The calibers available for medium size game are endless. An excellent deer and hog cartridge would be the .300BO, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or even some of the heavy hitters. A standard .223 would work as well, although, not as ideal for medium game.

.

The "genius" of this (as you already know, but the OP may not ) is that the range toy / self defense - citizen militia AR15 lower can pull double duty as a host for a 300BLK, etc upper, perfect for small game - deer, pig, etc.

It can even be used for competition.

 

[Texas10]

If hunting is your goal, I'd go with a purpose built hunting rifle, and leave the "range toys" for later in your hobby life.

There will no doubt be some sales at stores like Cabalas/Bass Pro, Academy, and others. Some of the Black Friday sales have been pretty good in the past for picking up Savage (among other brands) of rifles. Look for sale announcements, and buy gift cards online for a good discount prior to sale days. You can save a lot of coin by planning ahead.

IF history is any teacher, gun manufacturers were certain of a Democrat in the W.H. in 2017 and continued to build stock during the election months to feed the anticipated buying frenzy. After the election, with way too much stock on the shelves and warehouses, and the panic buying coming to an end, manufacturers began offering rebates on top of sales. Many on this site made multiple purchases during sales when $250 bought a very accurate shooter after rebates, discounts, and prepaid cards.

 

[AAAOA]

So you ask a question about buying during an election year, but say keep the politics out of it?

It’s not an assault rifle. It’s a semi auto. No different than a 7400, mini 14, 10/22, or BAR. What college do you go to? Lol

Poor phrasing on my part, sorry. I can't have any "weapon" on campus so buck knife or machine gun it stays home lol. I know that there isn't a huge difference between a mini 14 and an AR 15 but only one of those is typically described as an "assault rifle" by the media which is why I used that.

Whatever I pick it'll just be useful when I visit home and then come with me once I graduate in about 2 years. I'm looking at something more geared home defense than hunting for this as once I start messing with calibers adequate for hunting I start worrying about over penetration in the crummy apartment I will undoubtedly come to own in a few years lol. So either a 223/5.56 rifle or a pistol caliber carbine. That being said, I can go home and hunt but I currently do not have a home to defend.

The big reason I'm not looking too much at a double duty kind of gun is that I am hoping to head out west after college and something that can take an elk at 200-300 yards and a home defense rifle have very little overlap.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Go buy your bolt action hunting rifle and the best long range scope with turrets that you can dial long range with. You will always use that rifle. Wait and buy the toys when you have extra money to burn.

 

[littlebuddybr]

Whatever I pick it'll just be useful when I visit home and then come with me once I graduate in about 2 years. I'm looking at something more geared home defense than hunting for this as once I start messing with calibers adequate for hunting I start worrying about over penetration in the crummy apartment I will undoubtedly come to own in a few years lol. So either a 223/5.56 rifle or a pistol caliber carbine. That being said, I can go home and hunt but I currently do not have a home to defend.


Home defense?= go get yourself a Remington 870.

Any 223/556 will go right through panelling/gypsum board and be a danger
To who ever is on the other side.

Also a lot of handgun rounds will also penetrate panelling and gypsum board.

Before you buy something, do some research on close quarter defense ammo.

Respectfully
Chris

 

[300_whisper]

What’s your budget on a hunting rifle? I would seriously buy an Anderson lower now to put your mind as ease for the price gougers and then go by a nice deer gun. All these budget hunting rifles popping up show great accuracy.

You don’t need an excuse to own an AR BTW. Those are just examples I was giving. If you want an AR just to own one, well that’s all the reason you need! They make excellent self defense weapons, but not excellent home defense if that makes any sense. Their ability to go through walls is the main down fall.

If you’re trying to build up a collection, I would stay on the path you’re on with a nice hunting rifle first since the AR platforms don’t have the cartridges within your price range that can take elk. Also consider in your budget good rings, base, and reliable scope.

 

[300_whisper]

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/gu...-ar-15-stripped-lower-receiver/#axzz64i3GER1m

 

[garandman]

Sounds like your mind is made up. You want a hunting rifle. Get it.

 

[AAAOA]

What’s your budget on a hunting rifle? I would seriously buy an Anderson lower now to put your mind as ease for the price gougers and then go by a nice deer gun. All these budget hunting rifles popping up show great accuracy.

Maybe $500 - $750 for a hunting rifle, but there are certainly some solid options below $400.

Never even thought of just buying a lower reciever, and at $35 that's certainly a solid way to play it safe without making my bank account cry. I can't say I particularly care for ARs but it's hard to argue with a $35 lower reciever lol

Sounds like your mind is made up. You want a hunting rifle. Get it.

A bit, but I don't always make the most reasonable of decisions. Definitely want to make sure spending the money on a hunting rifle now won't result in not being able to get a semi auto/modern sporting rifle/assault rifle/whatever you want to call it later because I guessed wrong.

 

[garandman]

Definitely want to make sure spending the money on a hunting rifle now won't result in not being able to get a semi auto/modern sporting rifle/assault rifle/whatever you want to call it later because I guessed wrong.

There's ONLY ONE way to do that.

 

[300_whisper]

You’re pretty limited if that budget includes optics and rings. For $700 the mossberg ATR or Ruger Americans can get the job done. That would $300 for scope and rings.

I found a suitable elk rifle AND get your AR itch, itched. I’ve shot the Oracle too. It’s a nice rifle. It would work within 300 yards on the majority of game in the US.

https://grabagun.com/dpms-l-r-oracle-308win-16-blk-19rd.html

 

[hpshooter]

Buy a 30-06 Savage axis and spend enough to put a good variable scope (will cost more than the rifle but can be transferred to an upgrade firearm later) that tops out at 14-18 power and has a lifetime warranty and you can pretty much hunt anything in North America with ammo you can buy at any gun store.

Unfortunately, after Tuesday's election, there is no way to eliminate politics from any firearm related discussion related to Virginia residents. All three branches of the Virginia government are now in control by those who are unfriendly to firearms.

 

[garandman]

Unfortunately, after Tuesday's election, there is no way to eliminate politics from any firearm related discussion related to Virginia residents. All three branches of the Virginia government are now in control by those who are unfriendly to firearms.

A "non-political" aside....

The bright side in that (if there exists one) is that , so far as in my lifetime, the R party has only ever done any good as an opposition party - when its totally devoid of power.

Elect R's, and they get all limp wristed and jelly spined.

But when they are out of power, they (at least on occasion, historically) fight for limited gov't and Second Amendment rights, and point out the evils of socialism.

 

[AAAOA]

Unfortunately, after Tuesday's election, there is no way to eliminate politics from any firearm related discussion related to Virginia residents. All three branches of the Virginia government are now in control by those who are unfriendly to firearms.

That's true, something would probably happen in my home state of Virginia before anything happens on the national level. In fact the county I'm from has already greenlit a gun control esque bill and the election was just the other day. That kinda puts the deadline behind me rather than a year into the future. It's a fairly rural state so I doubt it'll ever be a CA or NY, but it's absolutely a much bigger factor now. Bolt guns aren't ever going away.

One thing to note is that in the event I am pulling double duty on the rifle while still in college, Virginia is one of the few states to set the minimum caliber for deer at .23, so no 5.56 for me. That'd make it either 300blk or a pistol caliber.

 

[Dud]

At $35, buy a few lowers.

The last time I bought AR lowers (last year), I bought 5. I bought Aero because I like their enhanced uppers and matching upper to lower is nice.

Depending on what happens, those lowers might go up in value or become priceless if they are banned. They could also stay the same value or even get seized Australia style if things go really bad. How much do you want to spend on your insurance? Buy magazines too.

Bolt action rifles are probably going to be available even if ARs get banned so you have less urgency there.

With a $700 budget you're not going to get a fantastic rifle.

You might want to see if there are any good rebates and sales on Black Friday. You'll probably get a better new gun deal then than any time next year.

I just bought a used Savage Axis II which I am putting in a chassis with a new barrel and many upgrades. I was able to reduce the pull of my Accu-trigger to 14oz and the factory barrels are known to shoot pretty well. That might be a good budget way to get an OK hunting rifle that you can eventually put in a Boyds stock with a better barrel if you want to shoot long distance.

Some budget rifles won't be as easy or cheap to upgrade so do your homework if you try to save money and upgrade later. You might try to do some day labor to increase your budget if buy once cry once sounds like a better idea.

 

[Dud]

Oh, 6.8 SPC 2 is a good hunting caliber. I'm not sure about Elk but lots of people use it on deer, hogs and black bear out to 300+ yards and it fits in a standard AR package. It could do home defense about as well as any rifle too.

A PDW type gun like an FN PS90 or an AR pistol might be handier inside but unless you are on a SWAT team clearing houses, a 16" AR is fine.

 

[AAAOA]

I can stretch it out to around $1,000 or so but that really depends on what kinda repairs I'm looking on my car. Being built in 1984, repairs aren't exactly cheap.

As for a hunting rifle, I'm looking at a cz 550 fs in 30-06 which'll get down around $750 on the used market if I'm patient, $1000 if I'm not.

Haven't settled on a semi-auto yet, but building an AR sounds like a lot of fun and I could probably do that for under $1000.