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Message
Best Rifle for first timer
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:03 pm
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:03 pm
So I finally got my Hunter safety course done and will be getting my license. To make a long story short, this city boy was raised by a single mom if 3 kids in a city. I am now married and love living outside the city. I have gone hunting a few times with my father in law and brother in law. I want to get my first gun. Any suggestions on a good first time rifle?
17
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:04 pm to sportsaddit68
distance of shots?
Either a Tikka T3 .30-06(>150yds) or a Marlin 336 30-30(<150yds)
Either a Tikka T3 .30-06(>150yds) or a Marlin 336 30-30(<150yds)
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:06 pm to sportsaddit68
Congrats I don't hunt anything with a rifle just a bird hunter. I'm sure with the wealth of knowledge here they will help you out.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:10 pm to sportsaddit68
Remington 700 in .270 or 30-06
Savage w/accutrigger in .270 or 30-06
And put some decent glass on top.
Savage w/accutrigger in .270 or 30-06
And put some decent glass on top.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:12 pm to sportsaddit68
The Ruger American or Savage Axis are great rifles at great prices. You'll get a lot of different answers caliber-wise here, but .308, 7mm08, .270, .280, and 30-06 are all good options. 
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:15 pm to sportsaddit68
If you are looking for one all around good rifle, .30-06 or 7 mag in my opinion.
If you are looking for a deer rifle, that's a little more than you need. .270 is probably one of the most popular deer rounds.
If you are looking for a deer rifle, that's a little more than you need. .270 is probably one of the most popular deer rounds.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:38 pm to sportsaddit68
I strongly recommend a Tikka T3 lite in .7mm-08. That caliber is easy to handle and the gun is a great first deer rifle. Several people even kill black bear and elk with the caliber. It is also a poplar youth caliber.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:39 pm to sportsaddit68
Do you think deer hunting is something that you will be into for a while? I wasn't much of a hunter growing up and was really introduced to it through my in-laws the same as you. when I got my first rifle I went on the cheaper end because I didn't want to spend that much, now I wish I had gotten something nicer the first go around rather than wishing I could upgrade to a nicer gun. I can't quite justify a new rifle purchase now, but it will come eventually.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:45 pm to sportsaddit68
I would recommend a Tikka T3. They are pretty easy on the wallet but nice enough that you won't feel you need to upgrade down the road.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:49 pm to sportsaddit68
Can't beat a good ole Marlin 30-30
Posted on 12/11/13 at 1:52 pm to sportsaddit68
I would also suggest a rifle with a muzzle brake. Makes it much easier on the shoulder which lends itself to more accurate shooting.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 2:16 pm to sportsaddit68
really depends on how much you want to spend...
$300-400 = Remington 700 adl or Ruger American
$400-600 = Tikka T3 or Weatherby Vanguard
Light Loads = .260 or 7mm-08
Heavier Loads = .270 or 30-06
Choose any combo stated above and enjoy!
$300-400 = Remington 700 adl or Ruger American
$400-600 = Tikka T3 or Weatherby Vanguard
Light Loads = .260 or 7mm-08
Heavier Loads = .270 or 30-06
Choose any combo stated above and enjoy!
Posted on 12/11/13 at 4:47 pm to sportsaddit68
Remington model 700 in a 7mm-08
EDIT: It is the model 700 mountain version which is supposed to be lighter.
This was my first rifle and I recommend it to any first timer for deer in the south. I now have a 7mm mag but still take the 7-08 if I'll be doing a lot of stalking/walking around since it is so much lighter.
I killed a lot of deer with the 7-08 and never had an issue with "stopping" power. The kick is minimal (not that you would, but, you can shoot it from the hip). My wife shoots this gun and weighs like 105.
I have Leupold 3x9x50 scopes on both rifles and am pleased with them.
EDIT: It is the model 700 mountain version which is supposed to be lighter.
This was my first rifle and I recommend it to any first timer for deer in the south. I now have a 7mm mag but still take the 7-08 if I'll be doing a lot of stalking/walking around since it is so much lighter.
I killed a lot of deer with the 7-08 and never had an issue with "stopping" power. The kick is minimal (not that you would, but, you can shoot it from the hip). My wife shoots this gun and weighs like 105.
I have Leupold 3x9x50 scopes on both rifles and am pleased with them.
This post was edited on 12/11/13 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 12/11/13 at 4:56 pm to sportsaddit68
price range?
Posted on 12/11/13 at 5:25 pm to sportsaddit68
CZ model 452 bolt action .22 Trainer. Right now you can get one for around $350.
Posted on 12/11/13 at 5:28 pm to sportsaddit68
Squirell/Rabbit/Dove/Duck-
Remington 870 Express, can't beat the price and will be one of your'e most reliable guns ever.
Deer/Hogs- Winchester Model 70- 30-06, 270 or 308
Remington 870 Express, can't beat the price and will be one of your'e most reliable guns ever.
Deer/Hogs- Winchester Model 70- 30-06, 270 or 308
Posted on 12/11/13 at 6:15 pm to sportsaddit68
quote:
I strongly recommend a Tikka T3 lite in .7mm-08. That caliber is easy to handle and the gun is a great first deer rifle. Several people even kill black bear and elk with the caliber. It is also a poplar youth caliber.
Solid post
Posted on 12/11/13 at 7:34 pm to sportsaddit68
Sportaddit68,
Glad to hear you're going to start hunting. The hunting world needs more conscientious hunters I'm going to kinda approach your problem from a backwards approach, but I thin it's reasonable.
Deer hunting season is almost over for this year; by the time you pick your gun, buy the gun and get it set up, I doubt you'll get to hunt w/ it this year. Consequently, if you don't already have one, I'd suggest you get a nice rifle in 22LR to learn basic gun handling and shooting. There are a bunch to choose from, but the Ruger 10 /22 is hard to beat. If you want a bolt action 22LR to learn w/, the Ruger 77/22, Savage and CZ are also good. Buy the 22LR now and you'll have plenty of time to learn how to shoot well (as long as you can find the ammo.
) You should still have time to buy a deer rifle in time for next fall.
If you already have a 22LR or want to go straight to a deer rifle, I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Remington Model 700 or Browning; I don't have a Tikka, but I've read good reviews and they have a strong following on the OB; I've got a Marlin that I've been very pleased w/, but not everyone's had the same experience. As far as what caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. Nothing wrong w/ a lever for deer hunting inside 150-200 yards, but in short time you'll want to have the capability to hunt at longer distances; go ahead and buy the bolt action now. Keep in mind the availability of ammo at your local stores. If you're recoil sensitive, shoot some managed recoil loads in your deer rifle before you start using full power loads. You don't need a magnum, short, long, ultra____, or whatever. Go to some stores and handle different guns to find which one(s) handle the best for YOU. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/,
Good luck and keep us informed.
Glad to hear you're going to start hunting. The hunting world needs more conscientious hunters I'm going to kinda approach your problem from a backwards approach, but I thin it's reasonable.
Deer hunting season is almost over for this year; by the time you pick your gun, buy the gun and get it set up, I doubt you'll get to hunt w/ it this year. Consequently, if you don't already have one, I'd suggest you get a nice rifle in 22LR to learn basic gun handling and shooting. There are a bunch to choose from, but the Ruger 10 /22 is hard to beat. If you want a bolt action 22LR to learn w/, the Ruger 77/22, Savage and CZ are also good. Buy the 22LR now and you'll have plenty of time to learn how to shoot well (as long as you can find the ammo.
) You should still have time to buy a deer rifle in time for next fall. If you already have a 22LR or want to go straight to a deer rifle, I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Remington Model 700 or Browning; I don't have a Tikka, but I've read good reviews and they have a strong following on the OB; I've got a Marlin that I've been very pleased w/, but not everyone's had the same experience. As far as what caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. Nothing wrong w/ a lever for deer hunting inside 150-200 yards, but in short time you'll want to have the capability to hunt at longer distances; go ahead and buy the bolt action now. Keep in mind the availability of ammo at your local stores. If you're recoil sensitive, shoot some managed recoil loads in your deer rifle before you start using full power loads. You don't need a magnum, short, long, ultra____, or whatever. Go to some stores and handle different guns to find which one(s) handle the best for YOU. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/,
Good luck and keep us informed.
This post was edited on 12/11/13 at 8:24 pm
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