Looking to start hunting.. how to choose a rifle

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xopher

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My friend just linked me to this great video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=byChkCfZqbE

My dad who is an ex hunter, is getting the entire family ready for hunting this year and im lacking a rifle at the moment.

If you skip to end of the video, the hunter in the video explains the importance of purchasing a rifle that really suits the individual.

What are some ways of picking out a hunting rifle for myself?
 
My dad has arranged for us to shoot on his friend's friend's farm. Its suppose to have a nice number of deer during hunting season.

Im assuming the terrain will be flat with possible hills (ill ask in a bit)

In terms of experience, Ive owned and shot firearms my entire life (im only 21). Im just lacking a rifle dedicated to hunting.

In terms of budget, a rifle sub $1000 would be great as my project guns need funding at the moment.

My dad has a good number of rifles from back in the day and im planning on trying them out at the range once a get a chance.
 
Superbrad said:
Budget
Fit for you in your budget
desired action
desired caliber for what you wish to do with it

The list goes on and on...
Click to expand...

Good advice there. I highlighted the most important part. Most guys either 'know' what the best gun is, or are told and run out and buy it. Problem is, no matter how hand of god accurate your gun is, if it fits poorly you will shoot poorly.

Decide what action and caliber you want and go to a gun store with with the largest selection you can. Try out as many guns as they have within your price range. Buy the one that fits you best.
 
Comfort comfort comfort!!!!!

The rifle that says "hey, I belong on your shoulder" when you pick it up.

After that you can figure out the fine details and chambering.

A shooter that is deadly accurate with a .260 will put more animals down humanely than a shooter who is piss poor with a .338WM.
 
Start by choosing a caliber and cartridge. Pick one that has a recoil you can handle and that's fun to shoot. Find a buddy that has one and go to the range and try it out. Now you've narrowed the caliber down. Next, choose 3 or 4 rifles that are in your budget and read up on them. Go to the store and touch them, toss them up and see how they feel. You'll find that there's one or two that feel better to you than the others - hopefully your choices in rifles has been one that you feel will be accurate, some come with a guarantee of accuracy (I tend to focus on them)... Now you know what you want, start shopping around for a deal - try and get it for the best price you can so that when (if) you sell it you'll get a decent buck for it.
If your budget is 1k, there's plenty of quality guns within that amount. I would suggest looking at the moa guaranteed offerings like TC, Weatherby etc.
Have fun and do your homework, you'll be glad you did!
 
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Start by choosing a calibre? Sure, then choose a cartridge in that calibre. Since just the thirty calibre cartridge range goes from the .30-30 to the .300RSAUM, and the 338 have several cartridges to choose from, and even the 6 and 7mm cartridges should be looked at. All fine families of cartridges in a large number of suitable calibres, you should be able to find something to suit you without having to kill yourself.

Remember, folks, although the calibre is .30, the cartridges only start with that, for example... .30-06,.300WM. if we are going to give advice like pros, then let's use the right terminology so that we look like it.
 
Also remember that a poor fitting rifle will not allow you to absorb/distribute/feel recoil properly.A normally light recoiling rifle may feel too sharp to your shoulder if it doesn't fit well.

There is a reason that they make rifles with many different options.

You can get the same fitting rifle in different chamberings,finishes, actions, etc..............which will also translate into different budgets within the same fitting rifle.

That is why I go with fit and feel first.
 
Take a look at milsurps... there are lots of well priced, accurate enfield .303's out there for example. Mine killed a deer at 225 yards this past fall :)
Sporterized ones go cheaper because the purists/collectors don't want them and that leaves a lot of dough for a great scope and lots of ammo for practise.
 
Go handle some rifles and find which models fit you best. Then look at what they are chambered in. Once you find the gun that fits you best it will likely be offered in something very capable of putting deer down.

Here's a scenario. If you try out a 7mmRM and think it is comfortable to shoot, then go purchase a budget gun and it is anything but comfortable, what happened? Maybe you're friends rifle fit you better, weighed more, had a stock design that absorbed energy more efficiently or simply had a better recoil pad!

TC, Weatherby, Marlin, Remington and Savage are good options to look at. Also check out a website like Tradex (banner above) for some great deals!
 
deer-occasional long shots?-caliber-6.5x55 swede,rifle -husqvarna from Tradeex,scope 4 or 6X m-8 Leopold.The whole thing ,including a couple of boxes of shells will run you under $500 and if you hold it straight, will drop anything you point it at
 
Paatz said:
Don't forget to include optics in your budget.
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Yes! Dont forget optics!! The gun is only as good as the shooter, the shooter is only as good as his scope imo. And with a limit under 1000 bucks, you can do anything. right now (if i remember) Wholesale sports has tikka t-3 hunters with rigs and burris fullfield 2 scope for 999 (depending on caliber just the gun is 939 and thats a 250 dollar scope). After tax might be a hair over 1000 but it will last you for ever
 
My suggestion would be a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39mm. Since it has Iron Sights and normal range for taking a deer is 50 - 200 meters, you don't need optics. If you don't want that, then I’ll let you in on a secret about caliber selection. It all depends on how dead you what that deer. I personally really like the .270win. I only buy the high priced Hornady ammo because it stops me from using my CZ 550 LUX as a target rifle. Remember, barrel life for hunting rifles is very short. If you want to shoot lots, then get an old Swedish Mauser or Mosin Nagant for that.
 
Since I'm a CZ fan, I have a biased opinion on CZ rifles and will always recommend themno matter what. My bother got a Savage 110 can't remember the actually model number but it’s a 110 series. It’s chambered for .270WSM. He really likes it and would recommend it to anyone. He got his unfired still in the original package but second hand for only $350. Normal price is $650 and it comes with a scope and sling. Just throwing this one in because I gave a biased opinion since I’m a CZ fan. Oh!, If you want something used, take a look at a J.C Higgins M50. Sears brand rifle with a mauser 98 action. You can pick these rifles up for a bargin price, and their quality is matched to todays $1000 rifles.
 
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