First rifle

O

onedayaway

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Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Hey everyone, mailed off my pal/rpal a couple weeks ago and starting to look for my first rifle and need some advice. Looking for something inexpensive that would make for a paper puncher, but that could also double as a deer rifle if called apon. For the most part it will just be used for recreational target shooting and getting used to recoil. I'd like something I could spend a few hours shooting with out developing a flinch I don't need the biggest baddest magnum on the block nor do I need moa accuracy. I'm NOT looking for one rifle to do it all, I'll move to the larger calibers as needed. When used for hunting the majority will be in thicker bush with a max of 200 yards with 99% likely being under 100 yards.

However if possible it would be great if it was short and light that could do as a hiking/camping rifle however then I'm sure I'll be moving into calibers that are uncomfortable to shoot unless there's something that could touch bases on both for a happy medium.

I'm just not really sure what to expect for recoil or where you start to cross that uncomfortable edge.. I'd like either a bolt or lever action.
Anyone have any suggestions for model/calibers?

Thanks guys!
 
Post your location, somebody here will probably be willing to take you out shooting different rifles/rnds to give you a better idea.

IMO a great place to start is lever action 30-30 or nice quality bolt action rifle. Check trade ex for great quality on a budget.
 
Yeah I really like the looks of the marlin 336 in 30-30 although even a local shop has a win 94 30-30 for $299 but I must say I prefer the look of the marlins.

I'm in Edmonton
 
I'd take a long hard look at one of the packages they put together with a Savage bolt action and a scope in .270, .308, or 30-06. Not a lot of money and very accurate. If and when you want to move up, you can keep it or get most of your money back on a trade/sale.
 
Well I see WSS has the savage packages on for $429, but just unsure if the .243 would be too light and the .270 or 30-06 might be too much recoil for longer trips at the range?
 
My first thought would be a .243. But if you want something that will shoot paper but be available to hunt game from coyotes to Elk I would suggest a 7mm-08. It has more power than a 270 with much less kick. As for the action choice you could go for a Browning Lever Rififle which will give you a choice of many calibres that will serve you well for practice and hunting. Although I love my 30-30, it is an impracticle rifle for the begining hunter.
 
What is your budget limit, including optics? Cheap to some guys is $1000, others its $500...

If you're not reloading, then .243 or .308 will give you the best value...
 
I would say $600 would be about the top of my budget.
The two that seem to be calling my name right now is the base savage package or the marlin 336W.

I plan to start reloading after I have enough cases and shoot enough to justify it.
 
onedayaway said:
Hey everyone, mailed off my pal/rpal a couple weeks ago and starting to look for my first rifle and need some advice. Looking for something inexpensive that would make for a paper puncher, but that could also double as a deer rifle if called apon. For the most part it will just be used for recreational target shooting and getting used to recoil. I'd like something I could spend a few hours shooting with out developing a flinch I don't need the biggest baddest magnum on the block nor do I need moa accuracy. I'm NOT looking for one rifle to do it all, I'll move to the larger calibers as needed. When used for hunting the majority will be in thicker bush with a max of 200 yards with 99% likely being under 100 yards.

However if possible it would be great if it was short and light that could do as a hiking/camping rifle however then I'm sure I'll be moving into calibers that are uncomfortable to shoot unless there's something that could touch bases on both for a happy medium.

I'm just not really sure what to expect for recoil or where you start to cross that uncomfortable edge.. I'd like either a bolt or lever action.
Anyone have any suggestions for model/calibers?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

First rifle? As in you don't have any? If thats the case, then how come no one here has recommended to get a .22 yet??? My advice, get a .22 right off the hop, and many bricks of ammo. Cheap cheap shooting.

As for recoil, everybody is different, but for the most part I would say .30-06's and under are well tolerated by most.
 
Have shoot 22's etc in the past however one of those will be getting purchased as well for cheap plinking.

It seems as though I've watch things go by on the EE while watching in the past few weeks, but with no pal it's not like I can actually buy anything that comes up I'm interested in...
 
A 270 wouldn't be a bad thing, nor a 30-06. Depends if you're a big dude that can handle a bit more recoil or if you're smaller. A 308 would be ideal or a 7mm-08. Best type of rifle to start off with, IMHO, is one of the standard short action rifles in 308 or 7mm-08. They'll handle most everything without being obnoxious or injurious to your shooting skills. If you decide you want to go bigger later on then you can, but there's no benefit to starting too big.
 
No beast of nature, that's for sure.
I'd say I'm average... 5' 10" 175lbs.

What are the remington 770's like or would that savage be a better choice?
I notice the rem 7's come in 7mm-08 package.
 
With $600 to spend I'd get a "New" stevens 200 for $350 in 243 or 308 and buy an elite 3200 for around $200. If you are mainly shooting paper and deer hunting then 243 would be a nice light shooter to get used to recoil as you mentioned. The recoil in the 308 is not excessive just more.

For guys that don't have a big budget, I think the stevens or savage combo is the way to go. I already have one stevens and am currenlty looking at getting another.
 
rwesley said:
My first thought would be a .243. But if you want something that will shoot paper but be available to hunt game from coyotes to Elk I would suggest a 7mm-08. It has more power than a 270 with much less kick. As for the action choice you could go for a Browning Lever Rififle which will give you a choice of many calibres that will serve you well for practice and hunting. Although I love my 30-30, it is an impracticle rifle for the begining hunter.
Click to expand...

Eh? How do you figure that???:confused:
 
I would personally recommend starting with a 243. Light on the recoil, wide selection of bullets covering all of the bases. You can punch paper, hunt small game through deer with this cartridge.

As for accuracy, a savage or stevens package will give you the best chance of being able to hunt ethically. Remember that the gun only shoots as well as the operator, so learning to tolerate recoil with a light to medium kicker is a good place to start.
 
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