what hunting rifle for newbie

Features are important to consider , a gun that "fits" you is important so handle all makes that you can afford. Type of clip magazine /release is to be considered... a hinged floor plate is a great feature . Actions are a choice too . I shoot bolt actions and semi-automatics . For calibres , I've dropped moose with 7mm Remington Magnum , 30-06 Springfield and .338 Winchester Magnum. I've seen hunting partners drop them with .300 Winchester Magnum. These 3 or 4 calibers let you shoot heavier loads for moose and elk. Deer and bear are easily dropped with all 4. SHOT PLACEMENT IS KEY as is the hitting energy out to e.g. 200 yards. A well placed shot destroys little meat if aimed at the heart area. For scopes these days , I prefer Burris , Nikon and Leopold. An extra clip , scope covers and a comfortable sling need careful consideration . $ 1500 should be enough .
 
Rem 700 or Tikka T3. Caliber is always debatable. 30-06 is good all around due to selection of bullet weight (grain).

Don’t forget about how much you want to spend on glass. It’s just as important as the rifle.
 
Jorg said:
Hi,

I am new to rifles and recently purchased a Savage Mark II .22LR which I use at the shooting range to practice.
I would like to start learning to hunt, and am looking for advise on my next purchase of rifle.
Preferably bolt action.
Something I can use for game such as : deer, moose, black bear, ...
Comments and suggestions please.

Thanks!
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A bolt action is the way to go imo, and a stainless synthetic rifle for easy care. A 270 winchester would be a great cartridge to start with, it's flat shooting and not too much recoil for a new hunter. Lots of factory ammo for the 270. I would suggest a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather or a Ruger 77 stainless.
 
For moose I prefer a 30-cal slinging 180gr bullets. 308 works (I have one) but a 30-06 is a bit better (I don't have one). I use a 300 WM but it is a bit much for a beginner and really not needed for 95% of hunting. Ammo is dirt cheap for 308 and 30-06 so you really don't need to reload if you don't want.

The Savage 110, Remington 783 or 700, Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard, Winchester XPR, and Tikka T3 are all decent. Just don't get the cheapest cheap rifles like Ruger American, Savage Axis, etc.

For scopes on the affordable side I like cheaper Leupolds or a Bushnell Elite 3500.
 
Lots of good advice. The biggest being go to a gun store and shoulder the rifles and see what feels good. Stay away from the real "Budget" rifles although the Rem 783 in the wood stick is fairly appealing and is getting some great reviews. There's also a few using it as a platform to build Percision rifles so that says something.

If you go look at the Tikka's, Weatherby/Howa, Savage 10/110 series, Rem 700, Browning. Buy what feels the best and top it off with some good glass and you'll be happy. Even if you spend a bit more than your budget it's okay. Buy good stuff and it will. Last you.

As for Calibre, I'd personally go with something like the 308, 270, 30/06, 7mm-08 for a new shooter. No ridiculous recoil so no bad habits created. All have ammo fairly easy to find (7mm-08 maybe a little more rare in small town), and reasonable in price.
 
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Don't overlook the Husqvarna rifles imported from Sweden by Trade Ex. They're lightly used but in good condition. I have one (manufactured late 1950s) and am very pleased with it. These had a very good reputation in Canada in the 1960s and I well remember when my Dad got his back in the day. Efficient, smooth modified Mauser action. (Some of the earlier ones are in an FN-made standard Mauser action, but I prefer Husqvarna's in house modification -- no stripper clip cutout, smaller safety and mag release.) Mine has fixed sights which are bang on a 100 yards. Easily scoped. Swedish steel. Quality walnut stock. Trade Ex's imports have obviously been owned by hunters, not been shot out at a range. Lots in 30.06. Good value (around $600). I understand there's some limitation in Sweden on the number of firearms a person can own, which apparently explains how Trade Ex is able to acquire so many nice older ones.
 
It's hard to say what will work for someone over the internet, even harder to tell someone what they need knowing nothing about them.

After many years and many thousands of dollars, I can tell you it is not an easy task to find what you want right of the bat. People will try to steer you to brands and options they are familiar with or choose simply based on price alone. Don't do it, it's a trap.

Fit is most important, rarely is an off the shelf rifle going to be a perfect fit, it may feel and handle well in the store, but that is very different from the field. If you want an eye opening experience you need to go to a gun maker like Sauer, Hyme, etc and see what measurements they take and their process of fitting a rifle to the shooter. A custom fitted rifle can make a huge difference in how well you can shoot. Unfortunately for a very long time I listened to opinions of people who had basically compromised on equipment but portrayed themselves and the equipment that fit in their budget as the best.

I wish I had even just spoken to a real gun maker from day one rather than listening to the advise of others which basically just wasted money buying new rifles and then quickly selling them at a loss because I was always chasing perfection that was never going to come from a budget off the shelf gun.
 
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Depends on what game you would like to hunt. A powerful rifle could take down a bear/moose but it could be way too powerful for Coyotes or wolves. I would get two rifles, one for big games and one for small games.
 
Unless you are able to make money of preserving the hides on the coyote or wolves or have a buyer for the whole carcass, being over gunned is a non issue.

When I can bill out $130hr through work, my time is rather valuable, so a skinned and preserved hide better be paying good money to make it worthwhile for me to do.

With the amount of predators, the ministry needs to bring back a bounty on them.
 
Jorg said:
Where online can I see this rifle and price (what store)? Not ready to buy, but to see looks and options and price.
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About half the adds at the top of this page are for gun shops with online inventory. Just start browsing through them and you'll find what you're looking for. The only other one I use on a regular basis for online shopping is Cabela's.
 
Brian46 said:
It's hard to say what will work for someone over the internet, even harder to tell someone what they need knowing nothing about them.

After many years and many thousands of dollars, I can tell you it is not an easy task to find what you want right of the bat. People will try to steer you to brands and options they are familiar with or choose simply based on price alone. Don't do it, it's a trap.

Fit is most important, rarely is an off the shelf rifle going to be a perfect fit, it may feel and handle well in the store, but that is very different from the field. If you want an eye opening experience you need to go to a gun maker like Sauer, Hyme, etc and see what measurements they take and their process of fitting a rifle to the shooter. A custom fitted rifle can make a huge difference in how well you can shoot. Unfortunately for a very long time I listened to opinions of people who had basically compromised on equipment but portrayed themselves and the equipment that fit in their budget as the best.

I wish I had even just spoken to a real gun maker from day one rather than listening to the advise of others which basically just wasted money buying new rifles and then quickly selling them at a loss because I was always chasing perfection that was never going to come from a budget off the shelf gun.
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Well, off the shelf perfect fit does exist. You just need an Olympic grade adjustable target stock lol! If you've ever looked at one you'll see how many adjustments are needed to get that 'perfect' fit.

Also, to the original poster, I know everyone keeps steering you towards Tikka, and I do agree they're good, do not under estimate what many have said in this thread, myself included, about picking what fits you and feels good in your hands.
 
Jorg said:
Where online can I see this rifle and price (what store)? Not ready to buy, but to see looks and options and price.
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Op, do you not have any shops nearby to check out options in person? I had a list of left hand rifles I was considering awhile back, I easily eliminated 3 of the 5 when I had them in my hands and I added a rifle to the list on the recommendation of the guy behind the counter at one shop I was in. Online looking only gets you so far, nothing beats holding the rifle and shouldering it. Ask for a snap cap and if you can dry fire the trigger as well.
 
The most important thing to me in a rifle is ergonomics. I have owned, fired and handled many different rifles. I started out basing my preferences off of price and function, and those two things are important. But after finding the brand of rifle that fits me the best and buying multiple of those, my others don’t see much use.

The main thing I look for in a rifle are:
-fit. Does the stock fit me? How does the grip feel?
-bolt lift. I grew up on, and still have many 90 degree bolt lift guns, though I much prefer 60 or 70 degree now. I find I am more likely to set a new shooter up on a 60 or 70 degree bolt as they are less likely to (can’t) squish their fingers between the bolt and the scope. Of course using proper bolt operating techniques can also avoid this, I find most new shooters make the mistake even after being shown that it can happen. And that’s just target shooting, don’t even think about in the heat of the moment hunting! With the shorter throws one can grip it and rip it without a worry.
-safety location. Make sure the safety is somewhere you can comfortably operate it. I prefer tang safeties, right where my thumb sits. I dislike having to alter my grip to operate the safety, that could just be me though.
-sight alignment (a solid cheek weld). When you are shopping, make sure you have the store mock up the scope you are thinking about. Then pick up the rifle, close your eyes and shoulder it. Once it is shouldered, open your shooting eye, you should be looking right through the scope. If you are looking below it you’ll need a riser or something. If you’re looking over it you’ll need higher rings. With my favourite rifle brand, I have the scopes mounted in low rings (ocular bell is JUST above the barrel) and I have perfect sight alignment. I personally don’t care for strap on risers or the likes on a hunting rifle, I prefer the rifle be as streamlined as possible.
-chambering, that one is up to you, just remember that shot placement is what kills, so pick one you can shoot comfortably and well. I prefer efficient short action chambering a for what / where / how I hunt.

I’m not going to tell you what to buy, I’m going to tell you to go and hold as many as you can. It’s nice to find a gun shop where you can dry fire and get a feel for the trigger too, but that is becoming less and less common. Don’t make a rush purchase, find the one that works best for you. That’s my advise, take it or leave it. Good luck and have fun!
 
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