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re: Deer hunting rifle for a beginner *Update-page 4*
Posted on 2/28/24 at 11:55 am to CobraCommander83
Posted on 2/28/24 at 11:55 am to CobraCommander83
.308 is a great whitetail round. Congrats.
0
Posted on 2/28/24 at 12:27 pm to CobraCommander83
quote:
Ended up getting the Winchester. I liked the Ruger but I wanted a 308. The XPR felt fairly comfortable and the trigger felt smooth. Don’t know much about the XPR and don’t know if it is a good rifle. I haven’t had an opportunity to shoot it yet.
The only knock on the XPR is that trigger, with some of them coming off the line heavy or with inconsistent pulls. They also had a recall on them a few years back, so it would be worth checking if your gun was old stock and included in those years. If you like the trigger and it feels smooth to you, then you got one of the best options in that price range.
Posted on 3/4/24 at 7:18 am to TheDrunkenTigah
As mentioned in my OP, don’t really have any experience with hunting rifles. A few questions on trying to get everything established.
What brand and grain rounds would be good for shooting at a range and what would be good for deer hunting?
Best way to sight the scope?
Any suggestions on any accessories (sling, bipod, etc) for the rifle?
What brand and grain rounds would be good for shooting at a range and what would be good for deer hunting?
Best way to sight the scope?
Any suggestions on any accessories (sling, bipod, etc) for the rifle?
Posted on 3/4/24 at 8:18 am to CobraCommander83
Not sure why I got downvotes, because the 30-30 has been around for more than 100 years and has taken almost every North American game animal. I started out with a Winchester 30-30. Still have it.
So,here you go. Try a variety of ammo. Most times a rifle is particular what you feed it.
You can buy a laser bore sighter for .308. Stay away from the cheap junk on Amazon. Sight mark makes a decent bore sighter. It will help you get on target before you get to the range.
Winchester has an excellent ballistics program on their website. I printed out my ballistics and taped it to my rifle stock.
A sling is a good idea.
A good cleaning kit is essential. Otis makes some of the best. A Tipton gun butler helps with the cleaning tasks.
Good luck and welcome to the show. Hope this helps out.
So,here you go. Try a variety of ammo. Most times a rifle is particular what you feed it.
You can buy a laser bore sighter for .308. Stay away from the cheap junk on Amazon. Sight mark makes a decent bore sighter. It will help you get on target before you get to the range.
Winchester has an excellent ballistics program on their website. I printed out my ballistics and taped it to my rifle stock.
A sling is a good idea.
A good cleaning kit is essential. Otis makes some of the best. A Tipton gun butler helps with the cleaning tasks.
Good luck and welcome to the show. Hope this helps out.
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 8:20 am
Posted on 3/5/24 at 6:36 am to CobraCommander83
Everyone may have different methods but this is what I do. Go buy a few different boxes of hunting ammo to see which one your gun will group the best. No 2 guns shoot the same ammo the same way. .308 ammo will come in 150 grain, 165 grain or 180 grain mostly and will be bonded or ballistic tip but that is a whole new discussion. They will all kill a deer. The 150 grain will be fine for whitetail but you need to see what your gun shoots best. The twist rate of the barrel may prefer a little heavier bullet so I'd try the 165 or 180 as well. Also, don't buy a bullet that isn't always in stock. You don't want to get it sighted in and then can't get more of the ammo you chose. Personally I always buy the cheapest deer bullets available hoping one of those will group the best before I move up to the more expensive brands. (Just make sure if you are hunting with it not to use "match" type ammo.)
I always shoot mine at 25 yards at first and get it dialed in there and then move out to 100 yards. That way you aren't missing the whole target at 100 when you first shoot it. Start shooting the different types of ammo you bought. Ideally you would like to get something to group 3 shots at 1" or better at 100 yards if possible. Once you find the one that your gun shoots the best, zero it in at 100 yards and stick with it and use it exclusively. Don't ever hunt with a bullet you haven't zeroed to your gun.
Be aware that your gun barrel will heat up while sighting it in and this could affect accuracy so you will want to let it cool after every few shots while at the range. You will also need a sling for hunting and a solid base for sighting it in. And don't rest the barrel on the base you are shooting from. Always rest the forward grip instead. Learned that the hard way years ago.
My .02 cents. Thanks.
I always shoot mine at 25 yards at first and get it dialed in there and then move out to 100 yards. That way you aren't missing the whole target at 100 when you first shoot it. Start shooting the different types of ammo you bought. Ideally you would like to get something to group 3 shots at 1" or better at 100 yards if possible. Once you find the one that your gun shoots the best, zero it in at 100 yards and stick with it and use it exclusively. Don't ever hunt with a bullet you haven't zeroed to your gun.
Be aware that your gun barrel will heat up while sighting it in and this could affect accuracy so you will want to let it cool after every few shots while at the range. You will also need a sling for hunting and a solid base for sighting it in. And don't rest the barrel on the base you are shooting from. Always rest the forward grip instead. Learned that the hard way years ago.
My .02 cents. Thanks.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 6:57 am to CobraCommander83
quote:
Eastern SC (Pee Dee Region).
I would love to own that section of loop Pee Dee near Society Hill.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 9:45 am to CobraCommander83
quote:
What brand and grain rounds would be good for shooting at a range and what would be good for deer hunting?
You need to hunt with the same ammo you site your rifle in with. As someone else said, go buy a box of 3 different type of hunting ammo and see which groups the best out of your rifle and go with that. Be sure that you give your barrel time to cool between shots. Remember that your first shot while hunting will always be a cold bore shot. Once the barrel warms up, your point of impact will change.
quote:
Best way to sight the scope?
You can remove the bolt and bore sight it to get it on the paper. The easiest way to do this is to get the rifle stationary (you can do this at the range, at your house, where ever). Look through the bore and get locked in on an object. Then make sure your crosshairs are close to your point of aim. After you get it bore sighted, shoot 2-3 times at 25 yards to get it close then back it up to 100 yards. You should be 1-2 inches low at 25 yards if you are zero'd at 100 yards.
quote:
Any suggestions on any accessories (sling, bipod, etc) for the rifle?
Bipods are heavy and bulky for whitetail hunting. I like the Claw slings. They are rubber and don't slip off my shoulder. LINK
Posted on 3/5/24 at 10:05 am to CobraCommander83
My go to is Federal Fusion but there are plenty other good choices in 308. I would try different ones and see which groups the best. Maybe try the 165 gr fusion and maybe some from Norma as well.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 2:52 pm to CobraCommander83
quote:
Best way to sight the scope?
Like others said. Bore sight it 1st.
easiest way to dial it in.
Have a good rest.
at 25yds.
Put cross hairs on the target shoot.
Put cross hairs back on initial aimpoint
adjust the cross hairs to the point of impact with the turrets.
Shoot again and make any adjustments needed.
back off to 100yds and verify.
This is the easiest and fastest way to sight your rifle.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 9:05 am to Canon951
quote:
Canon951
Thank you for the advice.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 9:12 am to dstone12
quote:
I would love to own that section of loop Pee Dee near Society Hill.
Yeah, there are some great hunting land around there.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 9:30 am to CobraCommander83
quote:
Yeah, there are some great hunting land around there.
I did a solo, two night float from Rockingham to Soc Hill in October.
Got down past the fall line and looked to the left of my canoe and saw a 5 foot gator swimming beside me about 15 feet away.
Didn’t know they came up that far.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 9:38 am to Canon951
quote:
Everyone may have different methods but this is what I do
Follow this advice. I've got a Tikka .243 that thinks Federal Fusions are bespoke handloads, other factory ammo not only opens up but will have a poi shift as well, as much as an inch or two at 100 yards. Got a Tikka .270 last year and Fusions are just middle of the pack for it.
Find a good factory round, stick with it. Buy several boxes and you'll be set for a while.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 9:43 am to dstone12
quote:
Didn’t know they came up that far.
The Pee Dee almost has a little of everything. Seen bears around also.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 6:03 pm to CobraCommander83
Only thing I’ll add to what everyone else has said is don’t drain your wallet chasing the perfect factory load for your gun if the first one does what you need it to do. A deer’s lungs aren’t an inch around, and most of the pointed soft point bullets from any major ammo company are going to perform about the same terminally, will just be marginal differences in group sizes and POI. 308 is typically pretty forgiving. That said, most people don’t shoot enough with their hunting rifle so if you have a place and the means to do it, cycle through a few boxes and just keep track of how it groups.
Posted on 3/6/24 at 6:20 pm to Flats
quote:
Find a good factory round, stick with it. Buy several boxes and you'll be set for a while.
Emphasize the several boxes. Not a whole bunch.
I'm packing up my whole house for an interior remodel. So loading ammo into ammo boxes. I had 15 unopened boxes of 300 wm and 2 50 cal cans of .308 hunting ammo. That doesn't include my match .308 ammo for my ar10.
This post was edited on 3/6/24 at 6:21 pm
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