choosing a rifle and cal for someone Dear

[two-dogs]

Have a inexperienced shooter wanting to start coming along on our hunting trips and is very eager to start filling the deep freeze. Has RPAL and all the smarts and coarses to go with it. Has plenty of .22 experience, but limited in the larger cal's. Just some experimental bench rest shooting here and there with cals up to 7mmRM, which was tried today. That one was well over "top end"! And considered away too much! A touch of scope eyebrow happened! I was severely scolded for being a GD F'en stupid A hole to even suggest tring this cal Prolly was the "throbbing" doing the talking! There is some criteria in the decision as to what, it is as follows:
>all weather rifle, stainless/synthetic
>usage: Deer size cal that gets the job done
>mildest possible recoil, as not to spoil this potential new hunter with a flinch, as per shooter requested, time limited, but will make every min count, hunting in a few months time, will be supervised at all times during the hunt.
>detachable mag
>will have a scope on it (a Leupy, of coarse!)
>limp noodle pad, availability

other notes:
>size: L - XL, no micro's required, long arms, big bones (and swears like a soldier)
>ammo availability - no consideration necessary, mostly factory ammo purchased well ahead of time, with some hand-loads available in the very near future and then on there after.
>does not need to be the first and only nor last gun for this task
>is on a budget, but I'll up the anti to excellent quality, nothing less, so no low end bargain buster's. New, and or good used, all in the running!

My thought's are: 260 or 25-06 for the cal and for the rifle, if they are out there in these cal's:
>Tikka T3
>Sako A7
>Browning A-bolt Stalker
are there more, and if so, what would you suggest? Rifles and cals? Thx in advance for your suggestions.

 

[stubblejumper]

A t-3 in 260rem or 7mm-08 would be ideal, although I would scope it with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $467 at Dantes.

 

[sealhunter]

A t-3 in 260rem or 7mm-08 would be ideal, although I would scope it with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $467 at Dantes.

I agree...

Great rifle, great cal.

 

[Ruffed Grouse]

Maybe 7mm-08 has a slight edge on ammo availability.

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[calalta]

Good choices, a .243 will have even less recoil.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

700 Mountain LSS in 7mm-08.

Only issue is you would have to add the DM.

Agree with using the Zeiss for optics.

 

[sillymike]

something in 6.5x55 ? Like the Tikka

 

[RememberTheSomme]

The DM idea with the"all weather" is knocking the hell out of your options on a budget.
I personally don't see a need for a DM on a sporter, and if he could drop that prerequisite, it opens up lots of good budget options like the M700SPS SS in say .308Win?
If thats firm than the ones already mentioned are your best bet.

 

[philthygeezer]

.260, 6.5x55 or 7-08 in a standard weight bolt gun. I like the idea of the .260 Rem.

 

[Ormachek]

.243 fits the ticket for light recoiling deer, if he can handle a little more think .260(or its older brother 6.5x55), 25-06, and 7mm-08

 

[2kjb2kjb]

Browning Xbolt Stainless Stalker in .243.

 

[tikka]

delete

 

[tikka]

700 Mountain LSS in 7mm-08.

Only issue is you would have to add the DM.

Agree with using the Zeiss for optics.

Excellent choice choice.
This is my 30-06

Another great choice would be 75 or 85 Sako Finnlight in .243, 260Rem
or 7mm-08.

 

[diemaco]

Have a look at .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .300 Savage and 7x57 as other light recoiling options

Maybe a husqvarna from tradex in 6.5x55?

 

[rem338win]

Try the new A7 package in .270 Win, and he will be very happy.

 

[Rory McCanuck]

oops

 

[Rory McCanuck]

Sorry to be all tightfisted and practical, but how a bout a .303?
You likely have two just sitting there, neglected.

There is some criteria in the decision as to what, it is as follows:
>all weather rifle, stainless/synthetic

A swipe of minwax with your fingers, wipe down when done.

>usage: Deer size cal that gets the job done

They won't bounce off.

>mildest possible recoil, as not to spoil this potential new hunter with a flinch, as per shooter requested, time limited, but will make every min count, hunting in a few months time, will be supervised at all times during the hunt.

Not a punishing recoil, and a slip-on pad would help.

>detachable mag

For getting in and out of the truck....check

>will have a scope on it (a Leupy, of coarse!)

I wouldn't antagonize the purists out there, but it's easy to find one that already has a mount on it.

>limp noodle pad, availability

A recoil pad?

other notes:
>size: L - XL, no micro's required, long arms, big bones (and swears like a soldier)

check

>ammo availability - no consideration necessary, mostly factory ammo purchased well ahead of time, with some hand-loads available in the very near future and then on there after.

check your glove box, probably some still in there.

>does not need to be the first and only nor last gun for this task

No, but it could be

>is on a budget, but I'll up the anti to excellent quality, nothing less, so no low end bargain buster's. New, and or good used, all in the running!

blow the budget on a good scope.

My thought's are: 260 or 25-06 for the cal and for the rifle, if they are out there in these cal's:
>Tikka T3
>Sako A7
>Browning A-bolt Stalker
are there more, and if so, what would you suggest? Rifles and cals? Thx in advance for your suggestions.

Well, ya got me there, those are a lot ###ier. They'll do the job too.

 

[kamlooky]

There's a Ruger M77 in 25-06 looking for some action.
Blue/wood/tang safety.
This one shoots to please.
PM me if you're interested.

 

[stubblejumper]

Another great choice would be 75 or 85 Sako Finnlight in .243, 260Rem
or 7mm-08.

A great choice, but way more expensive than the OP's selections.

Sorry to be all tightfisted and practical, but how a bout a .303?
You likely have two just sitting there, neglected.

They were made to be neglected. They were popular for one reason, and one reason only, that being that they were available cheap as war surplus guns.I wouldn't force someone dear to start out with a surplus 303 when there are so many better choices.

 

[rookie wildcat]

OP,
You have an inexperienced hunter who wants to start this year, you have 2 months or so for training and you want to spend money? Well, it is your money, so spend it how you will, however, a nice 303 will get the job done.

Started all of my children on a cut down .303. Underloaded the rounds to about 1600fps and gradually increased them as they got older and bigger and more experienced. My youngest son took a deer with it at 150yds his first year hunting.

Why in the world are you and some of our members suggesting that you would want to buy a new hunter an outfit that costs thousands of dollars? You don't even know if he is up to the task of actually dropping the hammer on an animal! Or, if he does, will he continue more than once.

Find a loaner rifle that fits him, down load some rounds to keep the recoil manageable and build up from there. The answer is to get him shooting with confidence. THEN figure out what you want to get him. And there is nothing wrong with hunting with a .303. I STILL do when the situation calls for it.