1st rifle, don't know what to buy.

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Dman_21

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Hey everyone,
I am extremely new to the sport of hunting. Just took my hunters education course last weekend. Now gets to the fun part. I am not sure what I should buy.
I dont have a very big budget, looking to spend anywhere from $300 to $600(not set in stone, i understand you have to spend for quality). The game that I have my eye on is deer, but if I do happen to decide I want to go out during moose season then I would need a caliber big enough for them. I am just hoping anyone could give me some useful information, because as of now when I read about the different calibers it all looks like another language to me.
Thanks a lot for your help.
 
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One of the best all-around calibers is 30.06. It'll drop anything in NA.
Your budget is a bit low for my recommendation, but check out the Remington Model 7600 if you're not fixed on getting a boltgun. Good luck.
 
240gord said:
You could get a Steven's or Savage in 30-06.Very inexpensive and what I have heard shoot very well.
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I agree. IMO Savage has made a name as being one of the best value rifles out there. You should be able to pick up a Savage 11FCNS combo, (with scope mounted), in 30-06 for about $450.

You can also pick up a Stevens 200 in 308 for around $350 and choose your own rings or scope.
 
thats exactly what I was thinking. It will be my first season, and its not uncommon for people to pull the trigger and discover they cant handle the killing part. Thats why ideally I would like to set my budget a little lower.
 
welcome. You cannot go wrong with a .308 or a 30-06, there are a few companies selling packages with a scope installed that would fit in your budget. Look for Stevens or Savage combos, the Remington 770 is an option but I'm not sure about the quality. These rifles have synthetic stocks, if you're ok with that they'd be good for you. I personally think that a rifle should have a wood stock, if you agree you can find something easily in either of those calibers on the used market. Checkout the Equipment Exchange on this site. Good luck.
 
No, you should buy something very expensive, and then if you decide you like the sport you'll have saved yourself the hassle of buying 2 guns [no upgrade later on]. And if you DON"T like it, then you can sell me the gun for cheap :)

For deer, and maybe one day moose, the 30-06 is a good way to go.
I'd suggest you increase your budget a tad. Buy a Winchester 70 Featherweight, and put a VX-II 3-9X40 scope on it. That rig will not lose much money if you re-sell, but if you keep it, it'll be a great gun your entire life!
 
x2 on the enfield...you can hunt any big game animal you want and it will be a cheap way to get into the sport.....plus side is they are apiece of history too......check the EE ...lots of sporterized ones show up there cheap .
Lots of good advice and deals here on CGN ....Good luck on your purchase :)
 
The reason calibre discussions look like they are written in a different language is because they are. Usually written in BS. with a little marketing for style!
Cartridge selection is easy
1)Find a rifle you like,hopefully it has a nice trigger.
2)Pick a calibre between 26 and 30 that has a muzzle velocity of 2600+ fps with one of the heavier bullet weights offered.
3)Shoot it a lot.
 
I would not recomend an enfield (and I have a good selection of enfields myself) you want a good hunting rifle you should start with somethin designed for hunting.

I would recomend a savage or stevens rifle, 308, or 30-06, thats more then enough for deer and plenty good on moose. Also the rifle will have a fairly good resale value if you decide that hunting is not for you.

I have several hunting rifles I use for various game and I think that the current savage models are the best out of the box quality for price.
 
jeff270 said:
The reason calibre discussions look like they are written in a different language is because they are. Usually written in BS. with a little marketing for style!
Cartridge selection is easy
1)Find a rifle you like,hopefully it has a nice trigger.
2)Pick a calibre between 26 and 30 that has a muzzle velocity of 2600+ fps with one of the heavier bullet weights offered.
3)Shoot it a lot.
Click to expand...

you forgot: pointy end of the cartridge goes in first and shoot the animal in the front half.
 
mepher said:
How about Enfield in .303 British?
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sigh..... :)


Enfields can be a challenge for a novice shooter, poor headspace, oversized chambers, stock warpage, bad bubba job, bad bedding, keyholeing worn barrels, and many other issues that might put off a novice shooter.

I find its better to start off with something that you know is not going to have any issues and work from there.

Oh nothing wrong with a nice enfield :D its just how do you know the one your getting is nice. First you need to know about enfields, and thats not someting you learn in a few weeks ;) :D
 
270, 308, 3006.

Pick one and have fun. all three will kill any deer, black bear, or moose in Canada. As well as 99% of other game.

All three have pretty well the same availability of ammo (everywhere) and all 3 cost about the same for ammo.
 
I picked up a Savage 111 package deal for $481.00 out the door. I through out the scope and put a Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 on it for $180.

For a cheaper package rifle, it will shoot better than I can. 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups from a rest at 100yrds.

Good package when your working with a budget.
Cheers,

Happy hunting
 
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