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tankgirl

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Looking to buy my first rifle and need advice on what would best suit me.

I know that I much prefer a bolt action, would like something that I can use to get some practice at the range and eventually, to start hunting.
I am in every way a newbie shooter, but with the rifles I've tried, my favourite was a Husqvarna (excuse me if I misspelt it)

Any advice for me??
 
I would recommend a bolt action .22 caliber. Cheap ammo, cheap to buy (for the most part), easy to shoot, legal just about everywhere. Teach yourself the basics of shooting before investing in a larger rifle.

If you are flexible on the bolt action part of it, I would recommend a ruger 10/22. They are semi auto.

If you are dead set on getting a larger rifle, I would recommend the savage axis or the savage trophy hunter lineup. You can buy them with a scope in a package deal, they are more accurate hen most people, and they are a ail able just about anywhere that sells hunting rifles and in just about every caliber.
 
What sort of hunting are you interested in using this rifle for? Your profile location is blank, so it might be worth mentioning that some provinces have caliber restrictions for hunting. Here in Alberta for example we have a minimum caliber of .24 for big game hunting, coyotes, rabbits and such don't have that restriction. In some places in Ontario I do believe they are limited to under .27 caliber.
As such, it all depends on if you want to hunt with this specific rifle, or if you wanted to get multiple calibers for the rifle, or get multiple rifles.

If you're looking for cheap get-up-and-go value a Savage Axis is essentially it. Ruger Americans have also been getting very good reviews.

Just about everyone will tell you to start with a .22, but I say that if you know exactly what you want and it's within your reach, go for it. My first rifle was a .308 Ruger Gunsite Scout that probably ended up costing me $1500 at the end of it. That said, cheap .22s are great for playing around and figuring out what you want. Selling it used and only losing $25 is a lot more palatable than selling a more expensive gun used and losing $300 or more.

Husqvarna has some nice stuff.
 
If you're new to the shooting sport, find yourself a decent older bolt 22 rimfire for plinking and getting to know the habits of good shooting.
Anyone you know personally and you trust that likes to shoot?
Ask to tag along.
I see you may wear girlie parts by your CGN handle so a lighter recoiling caliber you might consider would be around the 25-06, 6.5x55, 7x57, 7mm-08
or even a 308 with reduced loaded ammo.
There are a few in between these mentioned, but cost of ammo could be hurtful to the pocket book.
There are better options for econo rifles rather than the Axis as suggested.
For a few dollars more, the Ruger American or the Weatherby S1 or S2 are a far better option.
 
I assume from the flag that you are in NB. I bought my wife a Husqvarna 6.5x55 from tradeex, she likes it, it is a really nice, light kicking rifle, perfect for deer.
 
I recently saw and handled the Savage Lady Hunter. It is available in the following cartridges: 223 REM, 243 WIN, 270 WIN, 30-06 SPFLD, 308 WIN, 6.5 CREEDMOOR, and 7MM-08 REM.

I agree that a .22 long rifle is the place to start, and would suggest the CZ 455, however, my previous suggestion might lead you to a Savage bolt action rifle.
Finding a mentor and joining a Rod and Gun Club will allow you the opportunity to try a number of different styles that are more suited to your stature and hunting desires.
 
I am in southwestern ontario. I just threw the profile together, didnt add too much.
The flag is because I was raised in NB.

I would love to do some deer hunting but seeing as I have no experience, I understand thats not usually the first hunt people do.
 
Unless you're planning on travelling farther north, most of southern ontario is shotguns only for the deer hunt. I would suggest you hang around gun shows and shops and find a balance of what you like and what you can afford. A good used rifle can be had for the same price as a low budget new one. If you like the Husky's, that would be a good place to start. Something else to consider is that in some municipalities in southern ontario you're restricted to .275 calibre or under for small game hunting. Getting a .22 for practice is a good idea too.
 
yeah 22 is the way to go to start
I started with a 22lr bolt from savage it lasted for lots of rounds
my next purchase was a 270win and 12g
if you can go to a gun club and target shoot get a 22 and go check it out you will learn lots and get to experience lots of stuff then maybe make a more informed purchase
a cz 22lr you will never outgrow but for a price a savage mk2 with a 3-9 power scope is a realy good start and you can afford to feed it with the price difference

then upgrade to a center fire if you get an axis keep in mind it is not the cadilac of rifles if you feel you are outgrowing it get a new stock and it will become a new rifle altogether the model 11 or 111 are worth the extra money over the axis that being said I won both and plan on buying more of each
but get something you will enjoy and get out there and have fun good luck
 
I think most people start with a 22, so I would suggest you start there. A 22 can get you out squirrel hunting and many of the skills you learn are directly transferable to a higher power rifle.

Depending where you are in SW Ontario it may be muzzleloader only for deer.
 
If you do start with the 22, I would suggest that you try to find one with the same action and safety position as the center fire that you currently favour.
That way, you get used to the same movements in both rifles.....the 22 serves as the "understudy" to the centerfire.
 
Shooting a rifle is not rocket science, as some on this forum would have you believe. If you the liked the Husqvarna you shot, were fine with the recoil from whatever cartridge you shot, and can afford the ammunition required for practice, go ahead and buy one. Tradex has a pretty good selection, and the 6.5x55 is all you would ever need for deer hunting. They also have a good supply of rifles in 30-06, 8x57, and a few others ... all of which can be fine big game rifles. Not saying a .22 isn't a good idea for economically practicing, both for accuracy and the development of safe shooting habits, because it certainly is. Sounds like you have friends who are into shooting and hunting, and assuming you have a PAL, you are good to go. Just find something that fits you and that you feel comfortable with. Remember you're not marrying your first choice. If it doesn't work out, it's easy to get rid of it and try something different. Have fun.
 
I have a Ruger gunsite Scout. Had it been around when I started with hunting rifles, I think I could have saved some money buying and selling different rifles. The overall weight is nice for hunting, and the short barrel is great for hunting through the bush. The stock also comes with a built-in length of pull spacer system. So it will fit you or anyone else...

It has a great mag system. The 'synthetic' mags that ruger sells for it are great as well, and $42 is tough to beat for a 5 or 10 round mag. Lots of optic considerations. Or save money at first and just go with the iron sights. The contour of the barrel is great for practice. It doesn't heat up and walk shots around like a typical hunting rifle would. Can't shoot continuous strings with a hunting contoured rifle barrel. It heats up and chucks shots everywhere.

It's a .308 so it will take nearly all North-American game. The barrel is a 1:10 twist barrel so you can launch the heavy bullets. The killing power of a 210 grain .308 round is quite substantial. I load 210 bullets for .308 at a muzzle velocity of 2400fps. Down to 1,800fps the hornady hits calculator gives the big 210 out of a .308 a score of 1,194, which is good enough for elk and moose, amongst others. The 1,800fps mark is roughly 500 yards with the muzzle velocity of 2400fps. More than long enough for range.

http://www.hornady.com/hits/calculator

" elk, moose, African plains game, red stag, American bison, and other animals weighing between 300 to 2,000 pounds." taken from the Hornady HITS website.
 
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Assuming you are of average height for a woman try the Lady Hunters or Junior rifles for their shorter LOP, Bear in mind that when you are hunting you will probably be wearing bulkier warm clothes and the shorter LOP will definately be needed

As for Calibre its hard to argue against a 243 except maybe with a 7mm-08 for hunting, especially if you are competant shot. Larger calibres may cause you to develop a flinch and more expensive to shoot

But for plain short range practice you can't beat a 22lr for expense, If you wish to practise longer range rim fire get a 17 hmr, still cheap to shoot but much more accurate at distance
 
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