Posted on 10/18/2003 11:37:40 AM PDT by 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.
I know just what you mean. I would, however, consider trading my best old 30-30 for that .50, even if it is damn pretty.
Dogbyte12:I can't help you regarding the kind of rifle you want to get, but I see you mentioned wanting to keep you cost DOWN !
Make SURE you check out eBay once you decide what kind of gun you want.
Here is a search on eBay for 30-06 Rifle and I see there is ONE listed on that page that mostly has accessories on it. I don't know how many hunting rifles there might be on eBay at any given time, but it's worth a shot (pardon the pun, lol !!) ...
Just an example to help you out, hopefully ...
I am looking at things all over the place. I am drooling over rifles I am not going to buy.
Tell me what ya think of the new Mauser M03 It just came on the market last month. Bet it costs an arm and a leg though.
Thanks Lodwick.
Really nice looking.I'm not a big gun or rifle person. I have owned two. A 22 rifle and a 12 gauge Winchester shotgun. The 22 I ended up giving to a friend when it had a few problems and he fixed it up. The shotgun I bought in 1974 and still have it.
Don't forget about eBay. A friend got me interested in them because he bought and sold stuff there. You can pick up good stuff and at a bargain. I was looking for a digital camera and was watching some of the auctions for an HP 318 digital camera that sells for $150-$175 new. They were going for $70-$90 plus shipping on eBay ($8-12 for shipping). Every time I'd bid on one, I'd get outbid at the very last minute, and they would pick it up for around $90. So finally I bid on another one (at the LAST minute of the auction) and finally won. It was like brand new with ALL the stuff (software, cable, etc.). And I got it for $66 plus $9 shipping. I was a happy camper. The guy shipped it the next day and it's doing great still.
Anyway, good luck on your quest for a hunting rifle !! ...
Stay Safe !
Doug, I've shot a lot of guns, but I have never had as much fun with pure shooting than I do with that .50.
I can't imagine ever taking that thing hunting, mainly because after about a hundred yards of carrying it, I'd be ready for a bath and a bed.
But for pure shooting pleasure, it can't be beat.
It's like a shoulder mounted artillery piece, and the adrenalin pumps with every squeeze of the trigger.
I expected to have a sore shoulder for a week from firing it, but it's surprising how little it kicks because it's so damn heavy.
On the other hand, I've got a Sharp's 45.70 that punishes me with every round!
I could be talked into swapping that thing.
Well, hell! I'm kinda proud of having whatever testosterone I can produce!
Some of those limp-wristed, gun-grabbing idiots from San Francisco ought to join in. Some of it might rub off.
Besides, there's quite a few women who join in on these, and I love to see 'em!
KISS principal for harvesting game is best IMHO. That's why I like single shot Ruger Number # 1's for the lower 48 an my old Pre-64 Winchester 70 in 375H&H with just fixed sights for places where I ain't high on the food chain.........:o)
We had a Stevens Crackshot .22 for rabbits and close in varmits, I still have it. An Iver Johnson single shot 16ga, it was my dad's first gun and I still have it. A 30-06, M1903 Springfield that an uncle used for years but gave to my dad for deer, elk, antelope and varmits at long range. The favorite we had is still in the closet here at the house, a Winchester Model 12 with 30 inch FC. Dad bought it the September after I was born.
My first rifle that was my "very own" to have was a Western Field single shot .22 rifle. I bemoaned it being a single shot, but dad told me that I would learn to be a better shot that way. He was right on target. Many buddies in school had pumps, bolt actions, lever actions and semi-automatics, but I got just as many jack rabbits as they did.
A couple of years ago my son came across a 30-06 Harrington and Richardson Handi Rifle. Talk about recoil!! The rifle must weigh in at about 4 1/2 to 5 lbs with scope. I could handle your 375 any day compared to this rifle. There is hardly any drop to the stock, so the recoil gets shoved straight back. Wow! Not a good choice for only one rifle. Glad we have several others to choose from, this is only for the stout hearted.
As far as answering the question. I would guess it depends on where you hunt. I have a Pre-64 Model 70 in .243 with a varmit barrel and 3X9 Redfield Widefield Scope that is just the ticket for deer in the hills of Central Texas (as long as I didn't have to pack it too far). Here in Central Kentucky my son and son-in-law each have Marlin 336's in the venerable 30-30 and I still use the Springfield 30-06 that has been in the family for over 55 years. Hunting deer on Ft Knox requires use of either a shotgun and slug or black powder. For that I have a Remington 870 with open sights and a Thompson Center Hawkin in .50 cal.
The original poster to this thread was talking about going on the cheap. In that case I guess for close ranges such as he would more than likely find in Louisiana one could almost get by with a shotgun and two barrels, one for slugs and one for birds/bunnies.
I find myself rambling - need to go get some honey do taken care of and a Stock Car race is in need of watching.
Great, then you haven't ruled out my trade offer. Tell you what, I will throw in 12 rounds of ammo to sweeten the deal. ;-)
I am so sorry that your great-great-great-grandfather was maligned so. I have no doubt that his intentions were nothing less than pure and honorable. It's a shame that he was not able to catch the "real" beer thief. It's clear that he was on the trail.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.