TOTAL VANITY: Need Advice on Hunting Rifles

[Junior_G]

I am trying to save up money for my first hunting rifle and I'm hoping to tap into the vast reserves of Freeper knowledge for some advice on what to go for. I am going to get my hunter's certification this year and am looking forward to my first deer hunt, as well as hours upon hours of shooting at the range. I currently own a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm Glock, but am absolutely clueless about which rifles offer the best accuracy and value (or whatever qualities it is in a rifle that I should be looking for). Any suggestions?

[Bear_Slayer]

Best gun for home protection is a shotgun, loaded with 00 buckshot. You don't have to be dead accurate and you're less likely to shoot your family or a neighbor through a wall

There were pictures posted on another frequent "whats the best gun" thread that showed various calibers punching through simulated intereior walls. 00 buck went through 4 sheets of drywall, and the resepctive 10 feet of space between them, with ease.

I recommend #4. It will kill and not easily pas through interiors.

[VRing]

"A new Savage rifle is an excellent choice."

Can't say enough good things about them. The Savage threaded collar barreling system is possibly the most stress free way to attach a tube to a receiver and the separate bolt head makes the lock up self centering. No need to lap lugs or anything to make it shoot well. Genius.

[Varmint Al]

I use an old Sako Forester in 243 Win caliber shooting the 100 gr Nosler Partition bullets for deer. Remington makes a very nice Model 7 rifle in this caliber. It is light weight and easy to carry. Also, you can find ammo for the 243 with light weight bullets for hunting varmints, like coyotes, ground hogs, and prairie dogs for the off season. Since the benchrest shooters mostly shoot the 6mm or .243 caliber bullets, you can find a large selection of very accurate bullets if you want to reload your own ammo.

Here is a picture of my deer/coyote rifle.

I have a web page on hunting: Varmint Al's Hunting Page that will give you some info on rifles and reloading.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[dljordan]

"Buy a Marlin .30-.30 lever action. "

You don't see a lot of those at the range but it's a damn fine hunting rifle.

[BuglerTex]

I recommend #4. It will kill and not easily pas through interiors.

And you get 27 - 0.24" dia. #4 buckshot instead of 8 - 0.36" dia. shot in a 2 3/4" shell. Dixie that is #4 buckshot, not #4 shot for waterfowl.

[FreedomForce]

Another Savage 30-06 package that is pretty close to what you said your budget is:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2684985&cat=170170&type=21&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A170080%3A170169%3A172009%3A170170

[Shooter 2.5]

Surplus German Mauser K98 in 8MM
Winchester 94 in 30-30
Remington 700 in .308
Surplus Enfield in .303

[Bear_Slayer]

I was speaking of #4 birdshot. In my opinion, it is still heavy enough to kill a man in a home defense situation, where the shooting is taking place at close range.

#4 buck is still likely to penetrate interior walls and kill family, where #4 birdshot will not.

[Rakkasan1]

you're welcome junior g man

[Lx]

That's a very cheap gun. Cheap as in inexpensive. I've got one, it's a great gun for little dough. Never given me any problems.

Of course I don't hunt; I use it for target practice and plinking. More satisfying to shoot than my mini 14 since it has that The Rifleman action going on...

[Loud Mime]

A good friend of mine bought one of those 338's....it was the first rifle that allowed me to shoot a quarter-size group at 100 yds. (3 shots)

The rifle is far better than me. In my book, anything over 100 yards is a case for artillery.

[junta]

Be a snob like me and spend the money on a Weatherby Accumark, a grand without the scope.

[yarddog]

I haven't seen any in a while but the local Wal-Marts used to sell an inexpensive Weatherby, made by Howa in Japan, and they were nice rifles. They were chambered for standard calibers instead of the Weatherby Magnums, (actually I think some were chambered for .300 Weatherby Magnum).

They had black synthetic stocks. I was in Panama City and saw one for only $250 on clearance. I was in a hurry and thought I would get back down there before too long. Never made it back.

[B4Ranch]

Go and spend a day at a decent sized gun show. Talk to the locals about what they use for deer and elk. Then make your decision after holding 50 different rifles in your hands.

[MistrX]

I'm not big on buying "first" stuff. Just buy what you want and only buy it once.

Wiser words were never written.

[Redleg Duke]

"In my book, anything over 100 yards is a case for artillery."

You rang, Sir?

[tet68]

the bolt is a bit different. (and a b***h to take apart)

Hahaha what a kidder!
It's easy to take apart, putting it back together.......
well, that's not hard either.
Considering also that you can get sixty rounds of match grade ammo for around 25 dollars, which you can then pull
the bullets and reload with SP or HP ones and still be
below the cost of commercial ammo.

The triggers on the K-31s are SWEET and you can get
scout mount scope mounts for them for around 60 bucks
an LER scope for 40 and you are good to go.

If you are over 18 years of age, you can apply for a
C&R license (curio and relic) from the BATF, it costs
thirty dollars and is good for 4 years. it allows you
to purchase C&R rifles , that is ones OVER fifty years
old or of a collectable nature (they have a list) DIRECTLY
from wholesale gun dealers AND THE UPS DELIVERS THEM DIRECT
TO YOUR DOOR!!!

Look it up on the net.
WWW.cruffler.com
or just type Curio and relic into google.
the forms are available from the ATF website.
you can also go to www.milsurpshooter.net to
learn everything you need to know to fill out the forms
and get started.
Battle rifles can be bought for under a hundred bucks,
sometimes as low as $39.95 or less.

One problem though, soon you'll need to buy a gunsafe,
they multiply in a dark closet.

Tet.

[July 4th]

it allows you to purchase C&R rifles , that is ones OVER fifty years old or of a collectable nature (they have a list) DIRECTLY from wholesale gun dealers AND THE UPS DELIVERS THEM DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR!!!

And there are some guns on the list that are surprisingly new! My Albanian SKS, for example, I believe was made in the 1970s. (and unfortunately is still covered in an inch of cosmoline because I haven't had time to clean it...)

One problem though, soon you'll need to buy a gunsafe, they multiply in a dark closet.

Or in my case, under two guest beds. When you can get a quality item for $100, it's dangerous to the wallet!

[Lester Moore]

What is good for a 300 pound deer

That's one bad mo deer.

[IndyTiger]

Picked up this sweetheart in a private sale last year for two bills. Marlin 30-30 RC, circa 1962. I know what you mean about the Rifleman feeling!