Posted on 02/24/2018 11:08:44 AM PST by i_robot73
First, excuse if I posted incorrectly, I don't do so very often...
Non-hunter here, looking for some opinion(s) on acquiring my first hunting rifle; FIL been hounding last year or two to go out.
Least from my own research, taking into account cost of gun and of training ($/bullet), it seems to come down to two:
- .308 - 30.-06
I'd like to get some other's thoughts as well as any helpful suggestions on make/model, additions (scope, ??), etc.
Appreciate.
30-06 is a good choice for a hunting rifle, but might be a bit of a cannon for a beginner. Around here for deer, a 30-30 or a .270 is the typical gun.
What were you going to be hunting?
Do you have any experience with firearms? if so, what? it would help to narrow down between your experience and what the specific purpose is. I’m not trying to be difficult here but there are so many choices such as single shot, lever action, bolt action and semi-automatic.
What type of shooting or hunting are you planning? What’s the terrain like where you hunt. What game animals might be on the list.
heh heh
Hunting, eh?
Get a .22LR and practice on targets and and varmints.
A .30-30 is good for generic ‘hunting’.
Just one data point for you. During the last political ammo shortage, I noticed Walmart ALWAYS and I mean always had 270 Winchester on the shelf.
AR-15
If you go to .308 you will have access to plenty of cheap surplus ball or even the cheaper plastic rounds.
Look at the Marlin MVP series. They have a Scout version and a Patriot version along with the others.
‘06 a little heavy for squirrels
This is a question which doesn’t have a definite answer. What game? What hunting method? Terrain? Choose them first. It applies to scopes, etc. also.
what do you want to hunt?
We need to know what the quarry is. Deer? Hogs? Knowing the land you'll be on helps for range.
If you want .308 I like my Ruger American. I also have a Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 which is better for deer.
Does FIL have an extra rifle you can borrow to go hunting before you purchase one? Personally it makes sense to start out with a .22 and practice with that. It’s cheaper and inexpensive. You’ll probably going hunting only a few times a year. If you borrow one until you are sure hunting is the thing for you it may save you in the long run in case you dislike hunting. I’m not much on hunting myself but I use it as an excuse to get out in the woods. If a deer begs me to shoot it I will but then the work begins. bagging, gutting, skinning, tagging and butchering. Sounds like work to me.
/big ol' S
You can get into bullet debates all day long. At average hunting ranges the difference between a 308 and a 3006 are negligible. As i get older I like lighter hunting rifles. 308 can be lighter with less recoil. 308 is adequate for all north america game except the BIG bears and then only if desperate. A deer will not be able to tell the difference between a 308 and a 3006. With good shot placement it will be drt. Savage, ruger, mossberg make great entry level guns that will last a lifetime. Just remember, a good scope will make an average rifle shoot well. A Bad scope on a great rifle will piss you off.
Haven’t read any of the other comments. Asking about guns, to this crowd, is like asking about Ford or Chevy or Dodge, Remington or Winchester, 1911 or wheel gun, Glock or MP or XD, the list goes on and on and on.
Best thing, IMHO, track down someone that has 1 of each, hopefully in the style you want, maybe even the manufacturer you’re leaning toward. Get yourself 2 boxes of ammo and get to a range. Shoot them both and figure out which one you feel better suited for. They’ll both put down anything in North America. Unless I was shooting at Grizzly, but at the end of the day, shot placement wins over everything else.
As for optics, all depends on the amount of $$$$$ you want to spend. You can get into a decent Nikon or Burris that won’t break the bank or start creeping north in the price range real quick. But, Vortex probably has some of the best glass around, especially for the money, and you’d hard pressed to find any company with their customer service and warranties.
As someone stated earlier, don’t discount a 270. Pretty serious hunting round that can take down big game and won’t kick you in the shoulder, like the 30-06. Also, look at the 6.5 Creedmor.
Lots of options, best thing to do before you hand over the money is to shoot them and see which one works for you.
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