Advice on first Hunting Riffle

WildWaldo said:
I want to get in to hunting next year and am going to need a riffle for the task.
But I am not sure what I should get/look for.

-I will be looking for something mainly for Deer and possibly Elk.
-Budget is an issue so cheaper is better but I don't want garbage.
-I am left handed and left eye dominant.(Right eye is very weak)

1) What Caliber should I get? I was thinking of 30-06 as it looks to be one of the most common and a good all around cartridge.

2) what manufactures should I look for / avoid?
I was looking in Basspro the other day and they had a Savage bolt action combo with scope for around $500. looked like a good price but don't know much about them.

3) Should I look new or used? Used should be cheaper but I don't want junk and it maybe harder to find what I need.

4) Should I Order something left handed or just learn to shoot a right handed gun? I have a 22 bolt action rife that is right hand and I have no issues shooting it left handed, But having a bigger heavier gun and being in the woods I am not sure what it will be like to use.

I know a lot of this maybe personal preference but any advice would be helpful.

Thanks
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You in the brush or truck huntin? If in the bush stay away from the bolt actions, I don't care what anybody says If yogi comes outta nowhere from 20 yards I'm sorry to say your slow bolt and scope Isn't gonna save your ass, might as well use it for a club instead:nest:...Lever or pump, especially the blr 81 there nice fast guns I am also a southpaw shooter.

30-06 is gonna flatten whatever critter you load up here In North America no problem so caliber choice Is great!
 
WildWaldo said:
I want to get in to hunting next year and am going to need a riffle for the task.
But I am not sure what I should get/look for.

-I will be looking for something mainly for Deer and possibly Elk.
-Budget is an issue so cheaper is better but I don't want garbage.
-I am left handed and left eye dominant.(Right eye is very weak)

1) What Caliber should I get? I was thinking of 30-06 as it looks to be one of the most common and a good all around cartridge.

2) what manufactures should I look for / avoid?
I was looking in Basspro the other day and they had a Savage bolt action combo with scope for around $500. looked like a good price but don't know much about them.

3) Should I look new or used? Used should be cheaper but I don't want junk and it maybe harder to find what I need.

4) Should I Order something left handed or just learn to shoot a right handed gun? I have a 22 bolt action rife that is right hand and I have no issues shooting it left handed, But having a bigger heavier gun and being in the woods I am not sure what it will be like to use.

I know a lot of this maybe personal preference but any advice would be helpful.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Read the sticky, Noob! :owned:



Just kidding, kind of. Mad Dog just stickied a great thread started by Ruffed Grouse. It has loads of great info, and you should really take a good read of it. It will get you up the learning curve quite quickly.

w:h:
 
Yep, but find an older one.
A real Marlin, not a Marlington or Remlin.

And you are seeking a RIFLE, pronounced ruh...eye...ful, not a riffle, rif...ff...fffle.....:cool:

And a 30-30, pronounced......turdy-turdy or from the east side terdy-terdy.....:eek: :p ;)
 
Seriously consider a .308 in semi or bolt action. With a wide variety of loads - and the ability to get the ammo anywhere in North America - you can take everything from varmits to moose. You dont have to break the bank. Early this year I got a gently used Ruger M77 Hawkeye ( .308) - here on CGN for $ 550.00 shipping included - and its an awesome rifle, love it.

Last year I bought a new Benelli shotgun, for over $ 700.00 but - while its a great gun - should have looked for a used one first.

Check out the equipment exchange here first, and, all the popular cartridge sizes are represented there like 30-06, . 308, .30-30, .300 Win Mag. You cant really go wrong with anything in .30 caliber for a big game rifle.
 
Probably the cheapest new set-up that is friendly to a left-handed, left-eyed shooter is a H&R Ultra or Handi-Rifle, in .30-06 or .308, with a Redfield Revolution 3-9x40mm (or if you can catch the Boxing Day Special at Wholesale Sports a Bushnell Elite 3200 in 3-9x40mm is only about $150. Update, I checked the flyer again and it's $169. Don't know if that's only Boxing Day or starting Boxing Day.)

For good quality in a used rifle, site sponsor T.E.C. (Trade Ex Canada, see banner advert link at the top of the page) usally has a good selection of classic bolt-actions and you may find a left-handed one. They are known amongst the Gunnutz for being truthful in their descriptions of their used stock, reasonable with their prices, and all-around good to deal with.
 
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Another vote for a 308. The bonus to it over the 30-06 is normally it's about 1/2 lbs lighter and there's nothing the 30-06 can do that the 308 can't do as well so to me it makes no sense in carrying a heavier rifle.

If new is the route your going. I would say go with a Savage. Either the lower end Stevens 200/Edge or a 111 Series will server you well and both are available in left hand usually at no extra charge. If used is an option I would say a Tikka is the one. Also available in left hand and can be found for about $600 in the EE.
 
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