VANITY: Looking for opinions for a hunting rifle

[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.

[freedomlover]

What you said.
I bought my Mosin 20 yearss ago for $150 - picked it out of a crate of 20.
Went home shot about 10 rounds at an indoor range (making no friends there) and promptly packed it away ever since.
Nasty recoil those. Would not advise for first rifle but everyone should have one and a case of ammo for the zombies.

[OldMissileer]

When I was legally able to hunt deer at the age of 14 my Dad bought me an 8mm Mauser (real German-made from WWII). I then bought a 30-06 when I was 16. When I was stationed in Kansas I bought a 243 Win because it had a flatter trajectory at long distances and never had an issue taking down deer at 300 yards with that small bullet.

Remember, you do not need a massive cannon to hunt deer. If you are hunting something else then try to fit the bullet/cartridge specs to the game you are going after. It is best to try to keep the bullet inside the animal as it then expends the entire amount of energy within the animal.

I know many that use a 270 and I also want one. A great friend of mine hunts the thick woods of Michigan with his lever-action 30-30 and has done so for his whole life (he is 69). He has never failed to take a deer every year.

The caliber and cartridge you use should fit you. If you can find a way to shoot several different cartridge types then you will find one that is the most comfortable for you. The more comfortable you are pulling the trigger without flinching due to the recoil the more successful you will be and the more fun you will have. If you go out hunting with dread for pulling the trigger then you will end up detesting hunting and miss out on the fun and camaraderie.

[RedMonqey]

If an AR-15 can kill a 300 lb man it will kill a 125 lb deer.

Yeah it will but how long will it take for the animal to bleed out?

I've had a few bad shots with my old 30-30 marlin, which had I hit it correctly would have dropped it dead. But my shot was off and I had to track it down.

The .223 round ain't powerful enough to put the deer down quickly.(In my opinion)

There maybe some crackerjack hunters that may claim they can kill it quickly(and they may) but I was taught that a good hunter kills quickly and cleanly. I can't remember anyone in my circle that would use an round like the .223 when an superior option is at hand.

Called "Good Sportsmanship"

I offered i_robot73 my advice I would give any novice hunter and I stand by that advice.

[kaintucky]

So many factors to consider. I can only speak generally. Price being huge. You should buy as much scope as you can afford. I prefer Leupold but vortex is probably the best price to value buy. For a multi-purpose rifle variable power is best. My favorite hunting scope is a 4X12. Minimum 1 inch tube. Minimum 36mm lens objective. Bigger tubes and objective make the target more clear but also make the scope heavier and more expensive.

Since you are new at this get a good gunsmith to mount the scope and bore sight (align the scope). Most rings and bases (attach scope to rifle) will work fine for hunting. Burris and weaver will do for rings and bases. Like I said get a gunsmith to do this. Over time the vibration of shooting can loosen your scope and decrease accuracy if not tightened properly. Tighten things to much and you can damage stuff.

Above all take a safety/hunting class and practice at a range. A day at the range every month will make you a much better shooter. Remember that it only takes an instant to make a mistake that will last a lifetime in regret. Gun accidents are permanent. Always treat the gun like it is loaded and always shoot into a permanent backstop. Store gun and ammo separately and keep away from kids. Safety locks or a safe are great investments. I think locks come with new guns these days.

Buy from a reputable dealer. Avoid big box stores until you get a little more experience. Might cost you a few bucks but you will be paying for advice which we all could use.

[Dalberg-Acton]

AR-15 in .308

[Keyhopper]

Not if you just collecting the tails

[IndispensableDestiny]

And every rifle usually shoots only one bullet weight accurately due to barrel resonance. And every barrel is different. Unless you handload. My .308 bolt gun has good accurate loads at 125, 150, 165, and 168 grains. I use the 165 for deer. For my lever I gun, I use 150 grains.

[Celtic Conservative]

With a mosin, if nothing else this muzzle flash and loud bang will scare the crap out of your adversary.

CC

[windowdude]

Here in TX is frowned upon to use a less than adequate caliber for hunting a deer. Unless it’s a headshot. A tumbling bullet will also waste a lot of meat.

[TexasGator]

The tails are really awful with biscuits and gravy.

[windowdude]

I have use .270 low recoil ammo with pretty decent results. I suppose they make in other calibers.

[Fightin Whitey]

thanks

[Clutch Martin]

Southern white tail .243

.270 works good too and extend the weight and size capabilty.

AR-15 with night vision is very handy for wild boar but probably not a good idea for Russian Boar.

Back in Alaska I used a .700 rem mag. But hunting up there is hard labor, and the weather can change in minutes. After a few years of some very arduous hunts I just stuck with fishing.

30.06 is a beloved round and comes in a variety of bullet configurations and weights.

[unread]

"some states do not allow semi-automatic rifles.

Is that right.?? I never heard of that....

[Fightin Whitey]

without knowing where and what there really is no answer

[RedMonqey]

Here in TX is frowned upon to use a less than adequate caliber for hunting a deer.

And for good reason.

Until Reagan, then Clinton and Obama gun control measures, I cannot remember anyone or any magazine offering advice that the .223 round or the AR-15 (M-16) was a viable hunting rifle.

And as I have said in earlier posts no one I know has hunted(legally or illegally)with this gun. And my area in Tennessee is near Fort Campbell is choke full of deer and veterans with experience with this weapon and I cannot think of a single case of a deer being taken.

Maybe I need a bigger circle of friends and better reading materiel.

[Fightin Whitey]

.243 is the smallest that’s legal. .223/5.56mm is illegal to hunt with everywhere out west, for sure

Montana has no minimum caliber required for big game hunting unless you are going to use a shotgun, in which case 0 buck or larger or a rifled slug is required...

[Do the math]

If I'm hunting squirrels(my favorite tasty animal), I use either a bb or pellet rifle. For deer and boar, I use either my Marlin 30-30 or my Mossberg 30-06 depending on the terrain. My Mossberg 100ATR in the 30-06 is one of my cheaper rifles with an inexpensive Leapold scope is my most accurate rifle. For larger animals like bear, I have have a Remington 7mm-mag, but it kicks like a mule. For rabbits I use either a 410 shotgun or my Marlin 22lr, again depending on the terrain.

My dad taught me to shoot with a Daisy Red Ryder bb rifle, and I still use it to plink. Good hunting.

[Hot Tabasco]

Non-hunter here,

Really? Then what are you intending on shooting once you decide to purchase a rifle and start hunting???????

[jonrick46]

This my Browning .308 BLR with its scope. These come with a flush-mounted detachable box magazine has a capacity of three magnum or four standard rounds, plus one in the chamber. It has a generously-sized side ejection port that allows fired cases to instantly clear the action without hitting you or your scope. Because it has a box magazine, it allows for the protection of the pointed bullet. This lets you use aerodynamically-superior pointed bullets, which opens up a whole new world of ballistic performance that is usually found in bolt-action and more expensive autoloading rifles (Browning's BAR Mark II). Another advantage of a detachable box magazine is there is no need to cycle cartridges remaining in the magazine through the action to empty the rifle.