Yet Another First Rifle Thread ;)

Redhouse

Redhouse

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
45   0   0
Location
Edmonton
Howdy from Alberta. I'm 44 and haven't hunted big game before, nor shot a rifle bigger than .22. I am probably a month away from my PAL, will almost certainly have it before the season's out. I'm not going after anything more than deer for the moment, and will have the ability to hunt about anywhere in Alberta - though I am NOT going to go mountaineering or anywhere too far off the beaten track.

Also, I expect to put in a fair bit of range time punching paper etc., to get a feel for a) my abilities b) recoil c) using a scope d) getting a feel for range and allowances for distance. I figger I might put 2-300 rounds out on range before I ever walked the fields and woods looking for a live target. And I don't expect to even consider any shots 200+ yds my first time or 2 out.

Given the 2nd consideration and based on the reading I've been doing (massive, to say the least), I've been considering a varmint barrel .308. Ammo is going to be retail purchase for now, so I want to minimize cost and maximize availability. I understand that a varmint barrel won't heat up like a 'standard' barrel, I don't think I have the patience to wait a minute or 2 between shots or 4-5 min between 3-4 shot groups on the range so that's where that idea comes from.

I've handled in stores a couple of varmint barrelled rifles and found:

-both of them to be very very front heavy, and generally heavy. I'm not going mountain climing or on multiple day hikes, if I walk 20-30km in a day will I *really* feel the 2-3 lbs difference? Will the front heavy balance bother me when I line up a shot standing up?

-the Savage 12 series I handled today had an awfully flimsy (synthetic) stock. Ie., I grabbed the forend and it moved all over, could easily manipulate/squeeze it with my hand, it would obviously bottom out the barrel on a bench rest. Are the Rem SPS Varmint as bad? Or the Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Specials? If I go varmint, those are the 3 I've been leaning towards, particularly the Savage due to the Accutrigger, which I have dry-fired a number of times and really like, and the accuracy I have been reading about.

I know you folks fairly regularly change out factory stocks, but I don't know that I want to make *that much* investment just yet......

Or would you suggest I'm probably better off with a standard hunting rifle, and just be patient at the range?

I mentioned .308 above...my dad actually suggested .30-06 but I don't see a) much ballistic/performance difference between the 2 out to say 300yds or b) any varmint type rifles in big game cartridges other than .308 - seems to be .204, .223 then .308, without any .243, .270 and so forth in between. I'm sure I'd be perfectly happy with a .270 or something like it, no real need for me to get into the 30 family.....by the same token, if I understand things correctly, neither is .308 'overkill' for deer and if I choose to go after a moose/elk next year I'd have what I need already.

Long winded SOB, ain't I? :wave: Your thoughts?
 
Forget the heavy varmint rilfes. They are OK at the range or for blasting rodents. You will soon tire of all that weigh and regret the purchase.

You will be well served by either a 270, .308 or 30/06 for either deer or moose, pending proper bullets. Tons of factory ammo for both and reasonable recoil.

The Remington SPS is a good buy and can be upgraded later with a custom stock if you wish.


.
 
I think the .308 is fine. I would not recommend a heavy barrel varminter for hunting unless you are going to be sitting fields most of the time. If you are, well then it would be okay.

I'd look at Ruger, Remington, Tikka or Brno.

The Remington CDL is a nice rifle. Tikka T3 is great for out-of-the-box accuracy (although I am not a Tikka fan).
 
308,30-06,270,280 all will get the job done. but I would prefer a .260 nice light and accurate package.
Everything is a trade off, but I wouldn't go for the varmint barrel, just too heavy to carry.
as far as shooting standing up, You should always try to use a rest, tree,rock what ever you can.
take your time at the range.
 
Welcome to the site, and congrats on your decision to purchase your first rifle. First, for what you want, I would stay away from heavy barrels. They do work well in the sit down and wait role, but as a general hunting rifle, buy a standard weight barrel. Even the heavy barrel is going to heat up, and it will have to cool. The synthetic stocks being 'flimsy' is common on the lower end rifles. But wood stocks will flex as well. The trick is not allowing the stock to contact the barrel on a floated channel. You choice of calibers is limitless. your going to hear about the 6.5, thru .375, but I would say a nice light .270 Winchester or 7mm-08 would be plenty for you. The recoil is modest, the ammo similar to .308, price wise, and they are both some of my favorites. The .270 was my first 'long range' centerfire, and will always hold a place in my heart. And I think the 7mm-08's are just cool. If you plan on hunting deer, perfect. If you plan on hunting elk or moose, they are also up to the task. If you don't plan on buying many rifles, I offer this useless suggestion; Buy a wood stock, with blued metal. As pointless as it may seem, your going to pull it out for your friends, and admire it. A plastic stock with white metal just doesn't have the same feeling. A synthetic stock and stainless steel is by far superiour on a hunting rifle. They are tough as nails, and can handle almost anything you throw at it. But your not living in Alaska, nor on the coast. A good oiling will keep it looking good for decades, and it will be somthing you will be proud to own. As for optics, buy a good scope. That's one purchase you'll never regret down the road. You can see through lesser scopes. Even in low light, but the sharpness and durability isn't the same. Budget $300 low end for a scope, the more the better. Get a nice sling that sticks to your shoulder, and a good soft case. After that, be sure to buy hearing and eye protection. Your choice on models are also limitless, except by your budget. Just remember, you don't have to spend huge sums to get good accuracy, and as long as you can put your shots into a paper plate, that's accurate enough. Good luck with your decision, and welcome to the nuthouse.
 
Demonical said:
The Remington CDL is a nice rifle.
Click to expand...
X2 ....... I forgot about the CDL, and I have one myself. :redface:

Range003.jpg
 
If you would like a really good .308 with a relatively heavy barrel, but good handling characteristics, go and buy yourself a Kimber 84 Longmaster Classic. 7 1/2 lbs with a great barrel. Top it with a good piece of glass. If you can't bank roll a Kimber, go with the Rem 700 CDL. It'll do you good.
Welcome to the hunting fraternity, you'll never look back.
 
OK so it looks like varmint is a unanimous reject for carrying.

Kimber out of the range for now, $$ wise.

I don't know what it is about Remington, but my heart just doesn't go 'pitter patter' when I see one - tho I admit that CDL is nice looking.

I LOVE the Savage Accutrigger, HATE their synth stock. Maybe a 114 series?

I like the looks of the Vanguard (Weatherby) stocks also, but haven't tried hefting one to see how it feels. I'm relatively tall and thin (6', 170) with a long neck, so the angles and big cheek piece look like they might be comfortable for me.

I'm not hung up on wood or synth, blued or stainless. Whatever comes along that suits me best at the time is what I'll buy. I'm not concerned about either damage or resale....so if I go wood and it gets a bit dinged up, doesn't much matter as I tend to not resell any of my gear from other hobbies.

I have been watching the EE, but as mentioned in my first post I'm a month-ish away from my PAL so can't go there just now.

As you can see by the names I'm using, I'm trying to stay *relatively* low-mid budget....tho I know enough to stay away from the Savage & Vanguard package deals with the poor rings n scopes. That said, I did have the thought cross my mind to buy one of their packages and put the scope on a .22 for plinking, and get a better scope for the package gun.
 
SuperCub said:
Forget the heavy varmint rilfes. They are OK at the range or for blasting rodents. You will soon tire of all that weigh and regret the purchase.

You will be well served by either a 270, .308 or 30/06 for either deer or moose, pending proper bullets. Tons of factory ammo for both and reasonable recoil.

The Remington SPS is a good buy and can be upgraded later with a custom stock if you wish.


.
Click to expand...

what he said
 
I think you'd be quite pleased with a Ruger Hawkeye, Weatherby Vanguard, Remington CDL or a Tikka T3. Savages are also a good buy for under $600. I shoot a .308 regularly on paper and game, and it'll do everything you need it to. Also, skip the heavy barrels.;)
 
Redhouse said:
That said, I did have the thought cross my mind to buy one of their packages and put the scope on a .22 for plinking, and get a better scope for the package gun.
Click to expand...

Don't even consider using that Simmons POS for anything. I bought the 111FCXP3 (w/o accu), and the gun is actually quite nice. It's well-built, feels solid and tight, although the stock is a little on the soft side. It does shoot well however. That scope though is something else. My .30-06 version shook it off after 60 shots through it, and my $50 Bushnell Rimfire scope is more enjoyable to look through (clearer, brighter, BETTER). As soon as I have the $$$ I'm throwing a Leupold on top of some weaver mounts and burris zees to replace the scrap metal it came with.
 
If you're thinking about hunting, why not get a CZ-858?
The ammo is super cheap. You can pick up 1120 rounds for about $200, and you could practise your shooting that way. Super cheap.

Then when you're ready to take her hunting, you just buy a box of soft point stuff and you're on your way. It's big enough for deer and moose and won't break the bank.

If you pick up one of the kits from Marstar, you would get a 10 round magazine included...that'd be a nice small magazine to take with you hunting!
The CZ-858 wouldn't be incredibly accurate, but it would be accurate enough for hunting. It would give you about 2-2.5 inch groupings at 100 yards.

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-VZ-58L/index.shtm
 
martinbns said:
There is a really nice ruger tang safety 30-06 with a scope for $600 shipped on the EE. A way better gun than a savage or sps.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a soft spot for those tang safety Ruger 77's, too. [Got a minty one in 7x57mm... :cool: ]. Anyway, yeah, it would be a good rifle to get. I'd soon ditch the scope on it though in favour of a Bushnell 3200 or Leupold VXII 3-9x40mm and you'd be in business. Doubt it would be any more accurate than a Savage or Rem SPS, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom