Vanity: Looking for a good all purpose hunting rifle for Christmas

Me | 11/6/13 | Me

[bigtoona]

I know this will get a lot of replies but go for it. I just want to get some opinions on the different rifles out there to help me decide.

I grew up in PA until I was 11 so I never got to actually hunt with my brother and dad so I'm not super educated about all of the rifles out there.

I have pistols, shotguns and a couple of .22 rifles but now I would like to get a decent rifle for deer in case I get an opportunity to go hunting with a friend. Nothing too fancy or massively powerful, just good quality and dependable. Thanks all!

[Farmer Dean]

Any decent quality bolt action in .308 would be fine.

[Uncle Miltie]

The trigger on my Winchester Model 70 Featherweight (30-06) is the best I've ever had.

And, I love the curve in the forend:

Everyone will have their favorites. Most are excellent.

[FreetheMarkets]

What kind of game? Whitetail deer I’m guessing?

Hard to go wrong with a lever action 30-30. Or as first reply stated .308 bolt gun from Ruger/Savage for cheaper or Remington/Winchester for more.

[thackney]

It would help to say what area, type of terrain.

For example, in Ohio, it is not legal to hunt deer with a rifle.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Any quality .308 (or 7.62 x 51, if you prefer).

Lately I’ve hunted with a FN FNAR, which is technically a 20 round sniper rifle -— basically a hunting rifle converted for military use.

I like it because of its mixed ability to both hunt and snipe, if need be.

[MrB]

Points to consider:

You’ll be hiking with it - consider the weight, though a heavier rifle magnifies your mistakes less...

You’ll only get one shot at a time...

[Tijeras_Slim]

Savage has the best rifles for an affordable price IMO. Their accutrigger is very nice.

[US Navy Vet]

2 Rifles and 1 Shot Gun that you should obtain:
1. A Good Quality 30-06(Savage, Winchester, Remington etc)
2. A Good Quality .22 Long Rifle(Ruger® 10/22)
3. A Good Quality Pump Shot Gun 12 Guage(Mossburg 500, Remington Wingmaster)

[ssapro]

Hard to go wrong with a Winchester Model 94 30-30. Light weight and packs a very good punch, but I suppose it depends on where you live and what you’re hunting.

[scripter]

I don’t know much about rifles but I’m inheriting a 30/30 and was wondering how that compared to a .308. I have an AR 15 lower receiver coming and can’t wait to build something with it. While I’ve never shot an AR, how does that compare to a 30/30 in stopping power?

[buffaloguy]

H&r handi rifle in .357 Magnum. An excellent rifle.

[Resolute Conservative]

Ruger M77 or Win Model 70 in .243, .257 Roberts, .25-06, .270, .308, .30-06. All these calibers are sufficient for any small to medium size North American game and ammo is abundant.

[Fee]

SKS carbine. About 300 bucks. Shoots Russian 7.62. Rugged design and can be used as an effective self defense weapon.

[skinkinthegrass]

good looking rifle..smooth firing? ;-)

[mad_as_he$$]

What are you planning on stopping?

[Elderberry]

Put a set of peep sights on that 30-30 and use it.

[KC_Lion]

If you want quality go with Henry rifles they are the finest guns I have ever shot.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It all depends on the size and variety of Christmas you are hunting.

[Resolute Conservative]

The .30-.30 is less potent than a .308 but not by much. The benefit comes in the flatter trajectory. The .30-.30 has more drop down range.

Comparison of 5.56 and .308 ballistics:

Cartridge Model Cartridge size Cartridge weight Bullet weight Velocity Energy
5.56mm NATO M855[55] 5.56×45mm 12.31 g (190 gr) 4.02 g (62 gr) 945.5 m/s (3,100 ft/s)[56] 1,797 J[57]
7.62mm NATO M80[58] 7.62×51mm 25.40 g (392 gr) 9.33 g (147 gr) 838.0 m/s (2,749 ft/s)[58] 3,275 J