And, I love the curve in the forend:
Everyone will have their favorites. Most are excellent.
Any decent quality bolt action in .308 would be fine.
And, I love the curve in the forend:
Everyone will have their favorites. Most are excellent.
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.
It would help to say what area, type of terrain.
For example, in Ohio, it is not legal to hunt deer with a rifle.
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.
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...
Savage has the best rifles for an affordable price IMO. Their accutrigger is very nice.
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)
H&r handi rifle in .357 Magnum. An excellent rifle.
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.
SKS carbine. About 300 bucks. Shoots Russian 7.62. Rugged design and can be used as an effective self defense weapon.
If you want quality go with Henry rifles they are the finest guns I have ever shot.
It all depends on the size and variety of Christmas you are hunting.
If you have a range that rents firearms in your area, take an afternoon and go shoot. You need a firearm that fits you, not one based on various posts here.
For example, instead of a .223, I would recommend a .308 or .300 Blackout. More stopping power. An AR has a synthetic stock making the rifle much lighter. The stock bolt-action 30-06 kicks like a mule as there is no gas recovery system to absorb the recoil.
However, the main point is how the rifle fits you. Do you feel at ease with it? Can you hit your target with it without having problems holding the rifle for the extended period waiting for your target to clear some brush? Availability of ammo, ability to add scopes, etc, all are individual items.
Now, if you have money to burn, there’s a company in Austin that sells a rifle with electronic sighting system that analyzes air pressure, wind, humidity, etc, and will automatically track a target at up to 10 mph. It is a click and shoot, and is 100% accurate to 850 yards. However, starting price is $22,500 and there’s a 3 month wait.
So, go shoot and have fun making your decision.
if in woods shots under 100 yards a good 44 mag in a lever or automatic is great light short and deadly
if you want a bit more a 45-70 in a lever or single shot again light and not bad recoil with a 325 grain hornady leverevolution round I have never had one go over 15 feet its like hitting them with a bowling ball
Remington 870 shotgun
Youll shoot your eye out, kid.
Tough, open-ended inquiry. Been hunting and been in guns my whole life. Any decent caliber fron .243 to .338 winchester will be fine (depending on your sensitivity to recoil.) For entry level accurate bolt actions I like Ruger american, Stevens 200, Marlin xl7, weatherby vanguard, Remington 780. For a step up consider a Remington 700, Ruger 77, Tikka, Browning, or winchester 70. More important than the gun is the scope. I personally prefer Leupold VXII in 3x9. You really can’t go wrong with the rich selection of bolt action guns and calibers available. If ammo availability is an option go with .243, .270, 7mm mag, 30-06. .308
I gunsmith for a living. Really don’t have a dog in this hunt. I do have long experience in their mechanical operations and an intimate understanding of their propensity towards malfunction.
My experiences have prompted me, when asked, to recommend the Remington 700. Hands down the most dependable. Without a doubt has the most after market upgrade and conversion parts. Support from the company is 2nd to none.
Cartridge suggestions: .243, .308, .270 or .30-06.
A few suggestions about deer hunting.
Like with driving, it’s not just in your ability to drive, but to drive “defensively”, to avoid the bad drivers. The good, serious hunters offset their hunting season and territory from the official and popular one, to avoid problems created by the surfeit of novice and occasional hunters.
This doesn’t mean just avoiding their shooting at you. It also means not having your game scared away by their noise and movement, not having to rescue them from minor and serious injuries (from blisters on up), and accidents. And not having to mess around as much with LEOs keeping a watch over it all, looking for licenses and poachers.
Importantly, if you’re using a map, know what brown lines mean, especially when a bunch of them are clustered together in approximate parallel lines. Use a knotted rope to know just about how far it’s going to be to get that deer carcass back to your vehicle.
