New to shooting - need some help...

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LordKermit

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I am looking for a rifle and a shotgun.

I am left handed and have some shoulder issues from multiple dislocations from sports accidents over the years...so looking for a caliber that wont give me too much issues on the kick.

Eventually want to hunt for deer and possssssssibly moose one day, but most likely not.

I have heard good things about Tikka, but am looking for suggestions on both brand and caliber. Looking to spend around $2-2.5K.

Cheers.
 
Sounds like you need one of these bad boy combos!

ACR with a Masterkey... Get your RAMBO on! lol

scarH004.jpg
 
Hey Kermit,

Know the feeling on the bad shoulder... I seperated mine and ripped the rotator cuff in a work accident, it is still "kick sensitive". Not sure where you are located and if you are looking for a shotgun or rifle for deer.

If shotgunning, think serious about a 20 gauge auto. I've used one for the last three years with good results on 3" mag slugs. Mind you we are in a shotgun only area in southern ON, hunting light brush and field edges with shots under 50yds. For ducks/geese I use a Remington 1100 in 12 gauge with no problems from the kick, it is just too heavy to haul around for deer. Being a leftie, be careful on ejection... (if they are ejecting rearward from the right, you eat the cases! ask my daughter!)

If rifle, I use a Reminton 700 in .243 for coyotes with a good butt pad and it works well... after a day on the range I am sore though. Mind you deer hunting you shouldnt be burning that many rounds and will need a little heavier load maybe. Again depending on what and where you are hunting in and what the shots are like. (ie distance, terrian, brush)

As for moose, cant help you there, even the 30-06 in an auto sends me into pain and finger twitches after a coupe shots... Id hate to see what a .300 mag would do!

Your budget seems good enough to find what you need with some left over for modifications if needed (ie butt pads or porting) if you are more interested in "working guns" than show guns. Your best bet, if you have the option/connection, is the "borrow and try" route to see what works for you. (You will find most hunters/shooters love to show off their "toys")

Good luck and remember there is always Tylonel and/or a stiff drink when it gets too sore!
 
Shotgun, auto loader for sure. 20 guage less kick but there are some 12 guage auto loaders that have virtually no kick compared to a pump. I shoot a Winchester SX3 in 12 guage and can shoot all day long no problem

Rifle, maybe a 243 or 308. 308 is good for moose as well as deer. I guess it will depend on your tolerance. Remember more weight in the rifle equals less kick. I have a tikka t3. They shoot nice but more kick as it is a lighter gun.

With either of these I'd recommend a limbsaver butt pad. I find they work really well. There is also the option of a wearable shooting pad, but I have no experience with these.

Trinimon, I got to get me one of these. That's awesome!!!
 
The thing to remember is that the larger the calibre the more the recoil. I used a 250 Savage to teach smaller beginners. Felt recoil is minimal. You combine that with a quality stock that has some slight cast off, and you'll find that that you will enjoy the experience. That said, being a south paw is going to severely limit your cartridge selection.
Personnally I'm a quarter bore advocate, and have found even the vaunted "starter" centerfires in 6mm(243) can produce a good rap. If the savage doesn't work for you try the Bob. once again agood stock and a rifle in 257 Roberts.
After that go to a 6.5 (264). A lot of those calibres are soft recoiling a 260 Rem in Left hand shouldn't be hard to find.
Good Luck and good hunting
 
LordKermit said:
I am looking for a rifle and a shotgun.

I am left handed and have some shoulder issues from multiple dislocations from sports accidents over the years...so looking for a caliber that wont give me too much issues on the kick.

Eventually want to hunt for deer and possssssssibly moose one day, but most likely not.

I have heard good things about Tikka, but am looking for suggestions on both brand and caliber. Looking to spend around $2-2.5K.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I have a Tikka T3 varmint, chambered in 6.5X55 that I am happy with. I bought it used and it came with a muzzle brake: Recoil is less than my unbraked 222rem but ear protection becomes even more necessary because of the brake, not that it isn't necessary without. The T3 varmint is a heavy barrelled rifle with stock barrel length about 24" plus brake so this makes heavier carrying, but more comfortable recoil: It is fine for deer and adequate for moose, although I'd opt for a 270win if I wanted to hunt anything in North America, but as you increase cartridge performance, recoil increases. Something lighter than 270win, but at or above the standard 6mm(243) class. 243win is popular, 6mm Rem, 257 Roberts, 250 Savage, 260rem, 6.5X55swede even a 30-30win if your intended range won't be to far.

A 20gauge shotgun would be kind to your shoulder, particularly a semi-auto model: Depending on the extent of your shoulder injury, a 12 gauge might prove a bit uncomfortable especially shooting a few rounds of skeet. I've used a Remington 1100 since I was a kid, but my first shotgun was a single shot Cooey: Turns out the latter is a mistake and I expect it is because of that gun I still have a lingering irrational issue with flinch.

Your price expectation is sensible and should suffice in securing decent arms with spare for some ammunition.
 
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