Deer rifle for a 1st time hunter?

Icefire

Icefire

CGN frequent flyer
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Well I'll take my hunting permit next year for deer and would like to buy an used hunting rifle.

Must be under 300$ if possible, can take a scope easily, action I don't care, ammo = cheap and mild recoil.

I think min. caliber in QC is .243 but I might be wrong.

Thanks :)
 
Wait until your course...your instructor will have some suggestions, and give you the details on what is needed for your neck of the woods.

But if you can't wait, then nothing wrong with the good old .303, or 30-06.
Recoil is a very subjective factor. :D
 
Icefire said:
Must be under 300$ if possible, can take a scope easily, action I don't care, ammo = cheap and mild recoil.
Click to expand...
That list points pretty much right at a sporterized Lee Enfield in .303 British


.
 
The Stevens aside, the used gun rack is where to start looking.
I'm a lever gun nut myself, but that under 300.00 bit puts you pretty much out of the decent lever gun bracket. They can be found, but, most in that range are beaters now.
Just a short while ago, you could get a used Winchester '94 in that range, but the prices have gone way up with the plant closing. (Yes, modern '94 Winchesters will take a low mounted scope, older ones won't)
 
Yeah J/C has it nailed down... the good Levers are up in the $400.00 range. Same for a better bolt, but there are deals on rifles and many can be found if you have patience. Lots of great shooters are available in your price range both privately, on line and at the gunstore if you look hard.
I just saw a nice sporterized Swede in 6.5 with a 4X scope go for $300.00 at the local store...decent stock 90% bluing with an excellent bore. Nothing wrong with milsurp that is for sure.
 
Win 94 30/30 In my opinion. Especially if it's going to be a deer gun. Light and easy to handle. Points really well. I don't think you could go wrong on that choice.

Dave.
 
Another thing you might consider is the terrain that you are going to be hunting. Bolt guns with scopes don't do all that great of a job in heavy cover and brush, where as if you are hunting in open country, with some longish shots, like 150 - 300 yds a bolt gun with a scope would shine. There are lots of good used firearms out there, and a good place to start is right here on the EE, also like was suggested, gun shops usually have a good selection of used firearms.

Good Luck
7.62mm
 
As already mentioned, .303 Lee Enfield. I've got a better track record with my old bubba'd Enfield than any of my other guns. Good for moose inside 300yrds too!!
 
Marlin 336 in .30-30 Winchester. If all your shots will be under 100 yards, the .35 Rem may be a good choice, or even a .44 Mag lever or autoloader. But the .30-30 gives you a bit more range.
 
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