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Started By
Message
Decided to get serious about hunting
Posted on 9/28/19 at 8:30 pm
Posted on 9/28/19 at 8:30 pm
Looking for help improving my current set up. Just some background on me. I've never been a hunter. Recently became interested. Currently have the cheapest of cheap setups and after last season I realized I need to improve. I'll be hunting whitetail 90% of the time. The other 10% will possibly be antelope, mule deer, and if I'm lucky elk. I'll be hunting in anything from timber to 500 yards of open field. I'm comfortable in taking shots up to 175 yards but looking to improve. First is a rifle. I'm looking at a Winchester Model 70 featherweight. I've went to my gun store and shouldered the model 70, Rem 700, M77, X-Bolt, and Tikka T3. Model 70 felt the best with the Tikka in second but I'm open to opinions. I'll need to put a scope on it as well. I'd like to stay under $400. I know nothing about scopes. So I'll need lots of help here. I've been looking at the Leupold Vx-3i's. I'd also like a good pair of binoculars. Didn't realize how handy they were until a friend recommended me to use a pair of his. I'd like to stay under $200 for that. All help is appreciated.
This post was edited on 9/29/19 at 10:11 am
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Posted on 9/28/19 at 8:52 pm to GAFF
That scope will be just fine for what you're trying to do. I have some nice Bushnell Binos that are great. You can probably get a good pair for about $100
Posted on 9/28/19 at 8:59 pm to GAFF
The VX3i is a good choice for a scope. I’d look at Leupold and Vortex for scopes and find what you like in your price range. I will say that I’d shoot higher bc you’ll want something better in 3 years. For your variety of hunting you’ll get much more in the $600+ cost. Same thing goes for the binos. I’d recommend Vortex and Zeiss. Look at buying Vortex Razors or Zeiss Conquest used for $850ish and you’ll be much happier. They’ll last you 10+ years. That’s just my thoughts. I did what you’re thinking about doing but 3 years later spent the big money.
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:09 pm to GAFF
I wish you would have written about asking about the ways you’re going to carry a firearm safely (since you’ve posted that you’ve never hunted) and asking more questions about how to handle yourself in the outdoors before just jumping into money and guns.
I’m not knocking you.
You can’t go from A to Z without having plans for all the other letters inbetween is what I’m trying to relate.
I’m not knocking you.
You can’t go from A to Z without having plans for all the other letters inbetween is what I’m trying to relate.
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:28 pm to HollyWoodCole
quote:
I wish you would have written about asking about the ways you’re going to carry a firearm safely (since you’ve posted that you’ve never hunted)
Never said I have never hunted. Just that I wasn't a hunter. Meaning I never took much interest in it. I'm competent with firearm safety and the outdoors. I shoot sporting clays year round, hunt dove and waterfowl. You could say I'm more of a shotgun kind of guy over a rifle. I carry a concealed pistol on me almost daily. I'm also a wilderness search and rescue member for my fire department. Not to be snide but if I had needed info on how to properly handle a firearm I wouldn't have come to an Internet forum for advice. That would be something that needs to be hands on in my opinion. I'm mainly needing help on big game hunting and rifles. Maybe I should have said that in my OP.
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:35 pm to LEASTBAY
quote:
That scope will be just fine for what you're trying to do.
Any recs on magnification and objective diameter? I'm kinda lost on what's good and what's not. Would like something that can be used in the thickets as well as the fields.
How do the Leupold's compare to Vortex?
quote:
I’d recommend Vortex and Zeiss. Look at buying Vortex Razors or Zeiss Conquest used for $850ish
I see what you're saying about buying up and quality but I'm not sure I'm there yet to justify dropping that much on some binos. Is the drop off that bad from the Vortex Razors to the Diamondbacks?
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:40 pm to GAFF
You seem to be on the right track with your gear. Try to get into a hunter safety course if you can find one. If not, there are some online ones.
A few simple safety rules from someone been doing it for 40 years.
Always carry a good light and a back up.
Always keep a compass with you.
Always make sure someone knows EXACTLY where you're going to be.
Make sure someone knows about how long you'll be in the woods, if you decide to stay longer let someone know.
ALWAYS wear a safety belt when hunting in an elevated stand.
During gun season wear twice the amount of blaze orange that your regs require.
A few simple safety rules from someone been doing it for 40 years.
Always carry a good light and a back up.
Always keep a compass with you.
Always make sure someone knows EXACTLY where you're going to be.
Make sure someone knows about how long you'll be in the woods, if you decide to stay longer let someone know.
ALWAYS wear a safety belt when hunting in an elevated stand.
During gun season wear twice the amount of blaze orange that your regs require.
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:45 pm to GAFF
quote:
I've never been a hunter.
Shotgun/buckshot in heavy brush.
Rifle for clear cuts.
I killed my first deer when I was 10 with a lever action Winchester .357
My father wouldn’t let me carry before that age.
You can probably watch a ton of YouTube viddys to perfect your craft now.
Posted on 9/28/19 at 9:45 pm to bamarep
quote:
bamarep
Thanks bud. Actually got my Hunters Safety card about 15 years ago. Not sure how it is outside of GA but you can't buy a license without having it here. The tips are appreciate though!
Posted on 9/28/19 at 10:14 pm to GAFF
For binos if you want a good in between look at maven c1. I liked them optically better than the Leopold bx4 or the vortex viper. Doesn't hurt that they come in way under on price. Check out reviews before you buy, a whole lot more glass for the price
Posted on 9/28/19 at 10:40 pm to smoked hog
Tikka or X-bolt are both fine rifles.I recommend 7mm magnum,hammers deer and will handle elk.I’m partial to Leupold in scopes and binoculars.
I carry 2 compasses,I got “turned around “in Tensas one night.I knew which way I was supposed to go but I was sure my compass was broken.Got out my 2nd compass and they both showed the same thing.My sense of direction was broken,not my compass.
I carry 2 compasses,I got “turned around “in Tensas one night.I knew which way I was supposed to go but I was sure my compass was broken.Got out my 2nd compass and they both showed the same thing.My sense of direction was broken,not my compass.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 12:25 am to GAFF
A 3-9x40 will do just fine for 175-200 yard shots on deer. I would spend more on a better quality 3-9x40 than a cheaper quality 50mm objective scope. I bought a meopta 3-9x40 last year for my 35 whelen and I’ve been really impressed by the quality. I think it was around $450 but you could probably find it cheaper online somewhere.
I can’t help with the binoculars because I’m in the same situation you are with them. I’ve never owned them because I’ve never needed them for the type of hunting I always did. Going to Missouri this year and I’ll be buying a pair so I’m glad you started this thread. I would assume the quality of the razors would be much much better than the diamondbacks after pricing the riflescopes. Razors run in the $2,000 range and diamondbacks in the $200-300 range.
I can’t help with the binoculars because I’m in the same situation you are with them. I’ve never owned them because I’ve never needed them for the type of hunting I always did. Going to Missouri this year and I’ll be buying a pair so I’m glad you started this thread. I would assume the quality of the razors would be much much better than the diamondbacks after pricing the riflescopes. Razors run in the $2,000 range and diamondbacks in the $200-300 range.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 6:31 am to LSUA 75
I also like the 7 a lot, seems like the last stop before needing a brake
Posted on 9/29/19 at 6:55 am to GAFF
Take a look at the Bushnell Legend L Series Binos.
They are budget glass in the $150-$200 range but very good for the price in my opinion. I have the 10x42.
They are budget glass in the $150-$200 range but very good for the price in my opinion. I have the 10x42.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 9:11 am to GAFF
quote:
I'm looking at a Winchester Model 60 featherweight. I've went to my gun store and shouldered the model 60, Rem 700, M77, X-Bolt, and Tikka T3. Model 60 felt the best with the Tikka in second but I'm open to opinions.
I'm assuming you meant to say a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. If so, it's a fine gun. There's a lot of good guns out there and so it comes down to personal preference in the end. I have several rifles, including a really nice custom built rifle that my FIL left me. I consistently find myself reaching for my Mod 70 Featherweight when I deer hunt. I love the three position safety, bolt breaks down easily for a thorough cleaning and it's a tack driver. Very comfortable gun to shoot. A little pricey, but not terrible.
If you are hunting in thick woods or really rough brushy terrain, a handheld GPS can be invaluable. A compass is a great thing to carry as a backup to the GPS. But a GPS can be used to mark the spot where you shot the deer, hold your tracks when tracking a deer, and mark a downed deer if you have to leave it to get help. Not to mention keep you from getting lost.
This post was edited on 9/29/19 at 9:52 am
Posted on 9/29/19 at 10:25 am to Tigerhead
quote:
I would spend more on a better quality 3-9x40 than a cheaper quality 50mm objective scope.
All things being equal how much improvement is the 50mm over the 42mm? Is this an area where I definitely want to pay up?
quote:
a handheld GPS can be invaluable
Can you recommend a good one?
quote:
Razors run in the $2,000 range and diamondbacks in the $200-300 range.
Yea after looking I realized the price difference
Didn't see where he said USED for $850. Is a 10x too much in clear cuts? I know it'd be perfect for the fields but I don't want to over do it when I'm in the woods.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 10:40 am to GAFF
I would go Tikka in 6.5x55. It is plenty enough to kill what you want including elk. If you can bump your scope budget to $500, get the new Meopta Optika 6. They are the best scopes for the money rn.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 12:14 pm to GAFF
quote:
Can you recommend a good one?
Not really. The one I used was a Garmin. It was a good one but I'm not sure if they even make it anymore. I haven't replaced it because I lost my hunting spot.
I would look at reviews and get one in my price range. I'm sure there's plenty of good ones out there.
Posted on 9/29/19 at 1:28 pm to GAFF
What caliber are you going to get? When I bought my all around rifle 48 years ago, I bought a 30/06 Remington 700 Bolt action. I can kill anything that walks with it. I will probably Krylonize it this year.
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