My daughter wants to buy her new hubby a rifle for his birthday. They are in Utah so it will be used for Mulies and Elk.She also does not have a ton to spend so looking for a basic but accurate rifle.What says the Aldeer peanut gallery?

I’ve got a Ruger American in 30-06 and it’s a good gun for a little money. A 180gr partition would take anything in North America. For a little more a Remington SPS in 7mm Rem Mag would be a great choice too.

Since elk are on the menu, I would suggest either a 30-06 or 300 win mag. If he isn't an experienced shooter, stay away from the magnum. A Ruger American is a good rifle at a good price.

Remington Model Seven in 7-08 or 308.

Check out eurooptic they had sum tikkas on clearance but won't last long I think I bought the last 30-06 but saw a 300 today if not the ruger American and Mossberg patriot would be my next 2

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is Howa.
They make a nice rifle for the dollar.

Everything previously mentioned would be a great budget rifle. The Model 7 and the Howa are gonna be a little more than the American. I love a Model 7, but honestly all your gaining there is a gun that is shorter and lighter than the Ruger American. It will not shoot any better.

Personally since he's gonna be shooting at elk I like the ability to shoot 180's from the 30-06 or the .308. The 30-06 would still have a little more horsepower than the 308 though.

The Ruger American 30-06 will have a 22 inch barrel and honestly isn't that heavy. I hunted with one for about 3 years and other than wishing I had a shorter barrel when sitting in a very tight shooting house, I never wished I had a different gun.

The above replies all offer solid options but since I assume the new hubby is a grown man, and one that hunts, I would suggest she make it clear that he should pick the rifle he wants rather than pull something off the shelf with, no input from the end user, as a surprise.

I agree soundly with MDees.

I have to ask whats wrong with his old rifle, and what is his old rifle, something to be said for an old rifle, especially if its his only rifle.

If the budget is $500 or less, Ruger American. Calibers that would work well out there are .30-06, .270, 7mm-08, .308

If she can go low $600, Tikka T3. Now you can add 7mm mag, .300 Win mag, and .25-06 to the possibles.

If she can stretch to $725, the Kimber 84L/84M Hunter is the finest new rifle currently available without going over $1200, and opens up the possibility of the .280 Ackley. Very near 7mm Rem Mag performance with .308 level recoil. I can point her (or anyone else) to a couple of dealers on Gunbroker who will sell for this price

Tell her she might want to check her local Wally-Mart.I've seen some reports of rifles at 75% off in an inventory reduction.Ruger Americans are being had at $195.Just make sure she gets them to scan the barcode...

Since it's Utah I'm saying 30-06 and 165s for mulies and 180 Partitions for elk. Rifle brand Isn't as important as good scope&sling

I'm going to through in savage models 110,111,116 for the stainless, they'll all be priced fairly right. I'm no complaining on the roger american my brother loves his and it'll drive tacs. We both shoot 30/06.

Budget mountain rifle? I'd say savage also. For a little bit more, maybe a Tikka.

I assume weight will be a consideration, but maybe not.

30-06 is a good choice. 300 WM and 300WSM are also strong considerations.

It's a great gesture but I'm not sure I'd want my OL buying me a rifle.

I’ve never seen where weight or mountains was a factor. I tote a Ruger Guide gun on altitude trips but my shoes only weigh 1 lb.

Drag a browning 7 mag up and down the mountains of choccolocco and get back with me.... ...

We can do gear calculations if you want. There are over 2,000 steps per mile, I’ve learned in the world’s most harsh conditions that footwear, ammo, and water is what will drag you down the most. So for every extra pound of gear thats one ton of non essential weight moved per mile. You wanna know how many calories that is per day, water intake, or MRE’s to eat?

I’ll drag any rifle up ALMOST any mountain without trouble, its who I am.

Don’t get me wrong, girly men need light rifles. I choose the Ruger 77 Guide because there is NOTHING that can put it out of commission.

The OP never specified anything other than price and his intentions with the last two words of his post.

Got us a badass here.

I'd say so if he's killed men with a knife..

Only as last resort and I made a sound like a baby kitten before I pushed the blade in.