First hunting rifle

nagol

nagol

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Location
corn field
I shoot paper, 22's and mil surp's for the most part. I have some family who are life long hunters and the reality is that hunting is why I got my lisence. But I made the decision to work on my shooting skills before trying for a kill.

Being far more comfortable with recoil at this point I am looking for a first hunting rifle.

I have found a rifle I like but need advice on caliber...
This will be for game as small as boar and may one day see use on moose and elk. Deer would be the primary use and coyote if the buggers are after the livestock.
My choices are
270 win
308
6.5x55

Any advice one way or the other would be helpful. Its unlikely that I will be shooting past 200y as that's the max I have tried at the range.
 
My first rifle was a 270 and I shot everything from rabbits to moose. I used different grains of bullets from 90 to 150 but my main quarry was deer and a 130 grain bullet worked great.
 
I'd say 308. Great all-around caliber, available in shorter actions, huge range of ammo available. I'm partial to larger diameter hunting calibers. If Moose and elk are really on the menu at some point, get a 30-06. The others will do the job but the range of options from an '06 is huge.
 
I shoot russian. 25, 39 and 54r
7.62x51 in the reserves back in the day.
I have shot 303 but don't own any.

270 seems to have a lot going for it but the 308/51 has wide availability.

If it makes a difference I am looking at a cz550fs. Just something about the classic lines.
 
DTM5 said:
I'd say 308. Great all-around caliber, available in shorter actions, huge range of ammo available. I'm partial to larger diameter hunting calibers. If Moose and elk are really on the menu at some point, get a 30-06. The others will do the job but the range of options from an '06 is huge.
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I always found the 30/06 and the 308 to be close enough in most ways, to not make much of a difference.
 
All the calibers you suggested will do the job for sure. .270 is a great round but the 30-06 in my books is a great first rifle for someone going into hunting. Larger bullet and easy to up or down load grain for whatever you are hunting. Plus you can find rounds pretty much anywhere from here to afteics. But again nothing wrong with the .270 or .308 either. My two cents
 
PEKS said:
Prefer 308 all day long, but find a rifle that fits you, then decide..
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Same. I like the 308Win. And if I was to be looking for a budget minded rifle with great features, I would grab a Ruger American Predator in 308. In fact... I grabbed one in 22-250 for a dedicated coyote rifle...

Cheers
Jay
 
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While not necessarily a popular style currently, I love the lines. I can only find stock in 308, 270 win and 6.5x55. So while other cal's can be tempting I'm restricted to these three.
I have seriously attempted to limit the. Umber of calibers in stock, I've failed at 9 and counting. I have TRIED to explain to the wife that it's like any tool... you need the right one for the job, she doesn't quite understand. But really??? She shoots 3 of the current options stocked. Lol
 
nagol said:


While not necessarily a popular style currently, I love the lines. I can only find stock in 308, 270 win and 6.5x55. So while other cal's can be tempting I'm restricted to these three.
I have seriously attempted to limit the. Umber of calibers in stock, I've failed at 9 and counting. I have TRIED to explain to the wife that it's like any tool... you need the right one for the job, she doesn't quite understand. But really??? She shoots 3 of the current options stocked. Lol
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Have you shouldered this rifle? Personal fit is far more important than cartridge choice imo. That rifle is built for shooting with open sights, a scope can be mounted but with that style of stock you will not get a good cheek weld.
 
Great rifles my dad loves his . He picked one up in the 6.5x55 very accurate, very little recoil .
He does find it to be a little on the heavy side and a bit bulky compared to his browning lever in 257 Roberts and my full stocked Ruger 77's .
One thing that can be a game changer for some people these rifles can only be had with a floor plate in the 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 calibers the 308 and 270 have detachable box magazines apparently the differing preferences between north America and European shooters .
And of course 308 and 270 Winchester can be found easily which while the 6.5 has made a huge comeback not so much .
Let us know how it works out .
 
nagol said:


While not necessarily a popular style currently, I love the lines. I can only find stock in 308, 270 win and 6.5x55. So while other cal's can be tempting I'm restricted to these three.
I have seriously attempted to limit the. Umber of calibers in stock, I've failed at 9 and counting. I have TRIED to explain to the wife that it's like any tool... you need the right one for the job, she doesn't quite understand. But really??? She shoots 3 of the current options stocked. Lol
Click to expand...

That a Zavasta? I've a Zavasta and it isn't set up ( for me ) to use with irons nohow. Awesome for a scope though.
 
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