Best beginner rifle (Vanity)

Vanity ^ | 10-18-03 | Me

[dogbyte12]

I am about to finally leave the urban jungle of Los Angeles and move down to both Louisiana and South Carolina. While I do fish out here, I have only gone hunting a few times with borrowed equipment.

I am interested in starting to hunt, and would love for any freepers to give me recommendations on a good beginner rifle, something that isn't so pricey, but reliable, as well as any other gear that I will need as a beginner.

I am not a stranger to handguns, or to military rifles, I qualified expert on both a .45 and an M16, so I am not starting from scratch, but I am looking for a rifle for deer hunting basically that will not set me back too much money, yet still be a decent value. I plan to not spend that much money so it can be economical. I do know how to fabricate a carcass, and would love to hunt for meat, without the cost of hunting making it more expensive than going to the supermarket.

Any help in this regard, web sites, consumer reports, etc, would be much appreciated. Thanks all.

[Centurion2000]

While there is some surplus ammo still around (Korean mostly) it's scarce and getting scarcer.

You can get reloaded AP 30-06 ammo at Texas gun shows for $46/100

[Dick Vomer]

what kind of scope and what power???

for a .22 bull barrel ruger

[Hugin]

That Rossi in .17 HMR would be perfect for nutria.

[norton]

Trigger isn't too good on teh Savage over / under and trapdoor won't take many factory loads.

Nevertheless, two of my faves anyway.

Absolutely believe you would want a good shotgun (not good as in 'expensive' my mossberg is just fine thanks) if you are in any kind of swampland.

30-06 has done just fine in any and all environments of North America and .308 is virtually same thing: good bolt guns can be had cheap.

If you are going to scope it - go for speed of acquisition via low power & larger area of view.

[Clean_Sweep]

Your going to get some many differing opinions here it's near impossible to sort it out.

Get a gun with a more or less modern round. 30-06 up to the new stuff.

Go to the gun store and look at the guns. Buy the one you think fits you and you like the features the best.

Shoot the crap out of it and have some fun.

[lodwick]

Christine says that all are fine at the Stanley's home...she couldn't say much more because Pam alerted her to the taps on their phone lines.

Christine believes that her and Bill's presence there my have averted a much more tragic out come to the situation, which began with with an unmarked tail as they were driving to Boulder for a good meal together.

That's all I know as of moments ago.

The land of the free...uh huh.

Wake up, America, while you were sleeping, your country was hi-jacked.

Cheers, everyone.

[snooker]

A long range rifle is mostly useless in close cover. Been there, done that. Lived in the Miss/La. area for several years. I would get a 12 gauge (like a Rem 870) with a slug and 26" 'choke tube' barrel. You want short guns in heavy cover. Should do you fine for many a year.

If you have the money a 22lever is a good companion piece.

A pistol with birdshot makes a good snake gun.

[El Gato]

I wonder why they were chasing them in the first place?

Might have some thing to do with this:

Rick Stanley receives notice of warrant for arrest and issues Pact warrants for the offending judges

[Squantos]

am not a stranger to handguns, or to military rifles, I qualified expert on both a .45 and an M16, so I am not starting from scratch, but I am looking for a rifle for deer hunting basically that will not set me back too much money, yet still be a decent value

I read s/he's shot before thus I didn't start with suggesting the .22's........

Stay Safe !

[I got the rope]

http://www.riflescopes.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=736184

http://www.riflescopes.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=800618

Mine is similar to the top one but much older. I put a bull barrell on mine too. From here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=4&CategoryID=8362&CategoryString=649+***+661+***+9564+***

[yarddog]

The more I shoot the more I like .22's, although I know what you meant. So many people suggest, and rightly so, that the .22 is a good gun to learn on.

In the part of the country I grew up in, a .22 was just about a necessity. If I could own only one gun it would be a .22 although I sometimes can't decide if it would be a rifle or pistol or revolver.

[Squantos]

22's ? .... I think he said deer hunting not squirrel sniping .........:o)

Stay Safe Ya'll !

[TexasCowboy]

Keep an eye on this.

We may have another Waco brewing in the near future.

[lodwick]

ACK!

Only ONE gun?

That is so wrong...but I have to agree with your conclusion.

I dearly love my BuckMarks, but would probably have to choose the Browning, now discontinued, BAR, scoped .22.

Still in all, what a horrible thought - only ONE weapon.

Cheers.

[wardaddy]

For deer hunting.....

Mid range price....under 1000 bucks

Bolt action Sako in .243, .270, .308, .30-06 or 7mm mag depending on deer hunting environment.

Remember to spend more on Optics either for light or distance or both.

Tops....Swarovski or Khales or Zeiss or Leica

Then ...Leupold, Schmidt and Bender, Pentax, and some newer East German and Russkie acclaimed brands, Nikon

Then Simmons, Burris, Bushnell, Redfield

I am not well versed in Nightforce but I know some love them ...Trijicon too.

I would not hesitate to spend 3 times on my optics what I spent on the rifle...in fact I have...lol

I personally believe that Swarovski or their sibling scopes Khales are arguably the finest scopes ever made to this point in human history (flamesuit on)

Good luck and happy eating!

[wardaddy]

http://www.gunsamerica.com/fast.cgi?guncat=2340

[wardaddy]

I know...I figured that out and gave it another rant.

Long day...gonna watch some b-ball tonight.

The only sport I ever watch except Hold-Em and Beauty Contests and of course OLN.

[yarddog]

I keep a bag of survival equipment ready to grab at a minutes notice. (Of course my wife thinks I am nuts).

The one gun is a Beretta model 70 in .22lr along with 10 boxes of Remington .22 ammo.

[Travis McGee]

Geez, next time I should try reading the whole dang post before I suggest .22s!

[Travis McGee]

I wonder if they'll give me a free scope, after I worked a "Leo Swarovski" into my book?