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Started By
Message
Best hunting rifle for beginner?
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:38 pm
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:38 pm
So I'm starting to lose interest in duck hunting. I've been at it for nearly 15 years now and I just don't enjoy it anymore. I've never made a deer hunt and I'd like to work my way into it by next season.
I've been doing some research but would like the OB's opinion on what rifle would be the best for me? I'm not looking to spend more than about $500 until I know I'm hooked.
What do yall think of the Ruger American?
TIA
I've been doing some research but would like the OB's opinion on what rifle would be the best for me? I'm not looking to spend more than about $500 until I know I'm hooked.
What do yall think of the Ruger American?
TIA
20
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:39 pm to Adam4LSU
Ruger American .243. Great gun.
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:43 pm to Adam4LSU
CVA 35 Whelan
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:45 pm to Adam4LSU
Ruger American or a savage not sure on the model is about the best you can get with that budget. Just make sure you put a decent scope on it. 270 is my choice in caliber. I just bought my son a rem 700 in 7mm08 with a Nikon prostaff for a little over 800.
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:48 pm to Adam4LSU
.270, .30-06 or .30-30 would be my suggestions, all will kill deer dead to rights, ammo is easy to find, those are the most popular calibers so you can find good used ones for a lot less than a new one.
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:48 pm to Adam4LSU
12 gauge with 3" OO buckshot
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:57 pm to Adam4LSU
Marlin .30-30
Posted on 11/20/14 at 9:58 pm to Adam4LSU
A CVA scout in 35 Whelen and a Nikon pro staff.
CVA CR4910S $300.00
Nikon ProStaff 3x9x40 $ 150.00
CVA CR4910S $300.00
Nikon ProStaff 3x9x40 $ 150.00
Posted on 11/20/14 at 10:12 pm to Adam4LSU
.270 or 30-06 IMHO. Savage model 110, remington 700, tikka t3.
I don't know if they're still around but I have a savage 110 that came as a package deal with a simmons scope mounted. Around your price range IIRC. May want to look into it, scope isn't the greatest but I'm still using it 8 years later and it has killed the deer just fine.
I don't know if they're still around but I have a savage 110 that came as a package deal with a simmons scope mounted. Around your price range IIRC. May want to look into it, scope isn't the greatest but I'm still using it 8 years later and it has killed the deer just fine.
Posted on 11/20/14 at 10:26 pm to Adam4LSU
I've had my Winchester M70 270 for a couple decades and it should outlast me.
If I had to replace it, I'd get the Savage 110 in either 270 or 308 with a Leupold VX2 in 3x9-40mm. That might be about $600 total if you shop right.
If I had to replace it, I'd get the Savage 110 in either 270 or 308 with a Leupold VX2 in 3x9-40mm. That might be about $600 total if you shop right.
Posted on 11/20/14 at 10:43 pm to Adam4LSU
Posted on 11/20/14 at 10:54 pm to Adam4LSU
7mm-08
Posted on 11/20/14 at 10:55 pm to Adam4LSU
Browning A-Bolt III Stalker 30-06
$499.00
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 Plex Reticle
$199.00
A little beyond your preferred price range, but this set up will last you a lifetime and you can hunt nearly every animal in North America with it. Add Warne bases and rings and and a Browning X-Cellerator Plus Sling and you are good to go. Wait until after this hunting season to possibly get some better deals.
(This was basically my first set up, and I was glad I spent a little extra $$$ to go a little better than what I originally thought I wanted to spend. It shoots cloverleafs at 100 yards, and has dropped countless deer in their tracks.)
$499.00
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 Plex Reticle
$199.00
A little beyond your preferred price range, but this set up will last you a lifetime and you can hunt nearly every animal in North America with it. Add Warne bases and rings and and a Browning X-Cellerator Plus Sling and you are good to go. Wait until after this hunting season to possibly get some better deals.
(This was basically my first set up, and I was glad I spent a little extra $$$ to go a little better than what I originally thought I wanted to spend. It shoots cloverleafs at 100 yards, and has dropped countless deer in their tracks.)
This post was edited on 11/20/14 at 11:43 pm
Posted on 11/21/14 at 12:26 am to Adam4LSU
Adam,
There are a number of decent quality entry level deer hunting rifles. I'd consider the Ruger American you already mentioned, Savage combo, Howa, Marlin. If you catch them on sale or find a good used version, the Winchester M70, Remington M700 and Browning A-Bolt are also good guns. I'd avoid the Remington M710/770. The scopes on the combo packages are not the highest quality, but are serviceable and would allow you to get started w/ minimum $$$ spent; you can always upgrade your glass later. As far as cartridges, I'd suggest one of "the usual suspects:" 25-06***, 6.5X55 Swede***, 260 Rem***, 7-08 Rem***, 280 Rem***, 7X57***, 270 Win, 308 Win or 30-06. You may have problems finding ammo for the cartridges w/ the ***.
There are a number of decent quality entry level deer hunting rifles. I'd consider the Ruger American you already mentioned, Savage combo, Howa, Marlin. If you catch them on sale or find a good used version, the Winchester M70, Remington M700 and Browning A-Bolt are also good guns. I'd avoid the Remington M710/770. The scopes on the combo packages are not the highest quality, but are serviceable and would allow you to get started w/ minimum $$$ spent; you can always upgrade your glass later. As far as cartridges, I'd suggest one of "the usual suspects:" 25-06***, 6.5X55 Swede***, 260 Rem***, 7-08 Rem***, 280 Rem***, 7X57***, 270 Win, 308 Win or 30-06. You may have problems finding ammo for the cartridges w/ the ***.
Posted on 11/21/14 at 5:21 am to Adam4LSU
Don't let a limited budget stand in your way of purchasing a reliable rifle and scope. go see Carson at Bowie Outfitters and get something on their 12 month same as cash plan. He may even give you a few betting tips while you're there. 
Posted on 11/21/14 at 6:18 am to Adam4LSU
Hot Deals @ Academy Sports & Outdoors
Mossberg Model 100 ATR
.243
.270
.308
.30-06
With scope
$279
Mossberg Model 100 ATR
.243
.270
.308
.30-06
With scope
$279
Posted on 11/21/14 at 7:51 am to Adam4LSU
I grew up shooting a good bit, but got on a lease right out of school and needed to get a rifle.
I went for this deal and got the .30-06. Remington 700 ADL, with 3-9x40 scope. $450. You got a Cabela's nearby?
Rem 700 ADL- Cabela's
I'd hunt with it for a season. Use the scope it comes with and get used to the rifle. Take your time to pick out a good scope later on down the road.
I went for this deal and got the .30-06. Remington 700 ADL, with 3-9x40 scope. $450. You got a Cabela's nearby?
Rem 700 ADL- Cabela's
I'd hunt with it for a season. Use the scope it comes with and get used to the rifle. Take your time to pick out a good scope later on down the road.
This post was edited on 11/21/14 at 7:52 am
Posted on 11/21/14 at 8:05 am to Adam4LSU
quote:Great guns but a lot of the savage brands are better (in my opinion) and comparable in price.
Ruger American
Posted on 11/21/14 at 8:45 am to Adam4LSU
Tika3 lite in 7mm08. Accurate guns and this caliber has great ballistics with less recoil. Maybe $650 but not sure. I killed 10 point last year at 200 yards and 11 year dropped doe at 225 a couple of weeks ago with this setup.
Posted on 11/21/14 at 8:50 am to Adam4LSU
I bought my son a Savage Axis. It didnt come with the accu trigger but it literaly take 30 minutes to do a trigger job on it. Under $300 out the door with a scope from the local gun dealer and shoots 1" groups at 100 yards. You can upgrade the glass after you make sure you like deer hunting.
As far as caliber..... go to wherever youre going to be buying the bulk of your bullets and see what calibers offer the most choices. Buy that caliber gun, everything from a .223 on up will kill a deer dead. Dont get caught up in the what caliber is better than the next.
As far as caliber..... go to wherever youre going to be buying the bulk of your bullets and see what calibers offer the most choices. Buy that caliber gun, everything from a .223 on up will kill a deer dead. Dont get caught up in the what caliber is better than the next.
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