First Hunting Rifle

LeJuque&Friends

LeJuque&Friends

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Hello Gun Nuts.

I'm looking at getting my first hunting rifle for next falls hunting season for mule deer and I'm look for someone’s experience with a rifle they would recommend to take a look at.

I know that I want a bolt action but I would like to get one that has iron sights but this seems difficult to find. I went to my local gun shop and they had nothing with iron sights but they suggested a CZ 550 LUX or FS model and another guy there suggested a Remington 798. Any suggestions, and experience with either of the rifles mentioned or others would be greatly appreciated.

I'm pretty excited about this since this will be my first time hunting something that doesn't have feathers.

LeJuque.
 
If it your first rifle at least buy one with some quality. You will have it for years to come and not have any problems with it. As far a calibers its up to you. My first rifle was in 308 WIN. The 270 and 30-06 are excellent calibers also.
 
If it were me, I'd get a new Winchester model 70. The rumor is that the new ones are some of the best ever made, methinks that means it will be something you can be proud of owning and passing on to your children someday, or alternately it will be worth alot of money. The Alaskan model in 30-06 has iron sights and gives you the choice of blued or stainless, although it is heavy and has a long barrel. The upside of being heavy though, is it'll make it easier for you to practice shooting. Alternatively you can get a gunsmith to add iron sights to any rifle you buy, so I personally would not make that the main criteria of your choice, as it eliminates lots of other opportunities for you. Besides, chances are you will never use the iron sights in a hunting situation.

Other options I would recommend looking into that have good value are the Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka, savage or a used rifle from trade ex canada.

A used rifle may be your best bet as lots are available with excellent quality, low price compared to new, and WITH iron sights.
 
The CZ 550 LUX performs as good as it looks. Set trigger, check piece, slick good looks, control feeding, three locking lugs, Iron sights, very well constructed, and will last you a life time so as long as you use it as a hunting rifle and not a target rifle. The only thing that’s really odd about them is the mounting system for scopes. The good thing is, the rifle comes with the scope rings and you can still use the iron sights with the scope on. Perfect for if you damage your scope well hunting.
 
Seriously......get a 303 off the exchange and have fun!
Cheap, great accuracy and will kill anything (caveat: shot placement).
 
I was just on trade ex canada and they sure have a lot of Husqvarna sporters chambered for 30-06. Anyone have one of these? I was also on Firearms Canada looking for a used CZ 550 and only found one CZ 550 American for sale. Sure has a lot of CZ 858s for sale. Also saw a lot of Remington 700s and Savage 110 but non with iron sites.
 
The cz 858 is a completely different firearm, not what you're looking for.

The Husqvarna rifles are considered some of the best bolt action rifles ever made, if you like blued/wood you can't go wrong with one.
 
Checkout those zastavas as suggested on tradex,I could be wrong but doesnt zastava make the main components for rem 798.
 
The Ruger American Rifle has raised my eyebrows.
Site sponsor has an ad taking orders on them now.
Under $500 with taxes I believe.
Another one that has caught my interest is the Vanguard S-2.
Nothing wrong with an old mauser 98 either.
Trade X will look after you as well.
Tough call, old habits that have proven themselves or
new, new, new............
 
When I hunt mule deer I tend to cover a lot of ground on foot. I like lighter rifles, and my favorite cartridges to shoot at mulies are .270 or .280 [same thing, really].

I like the Husqvarna Lightweights and the Remington 700 Mtn Rifles as my favorites, and I own a few of each.

Honorable mentions go to Browning X-bolts, and my Tikka T3 Hunter, in 7mm WSM and 6.5-06 respectively.
 
i think unless you have much experence on the trigger 30-06 probaly isn't that best choice unless serouis big game is in the near future.

243 or 260 270. would be good. ive seen too many young/new shooters try and be manly and own the biggest gun but can't shoot it with any accuracy.
 
tylerjwitty said:
i think unless you have much experence on the trigger 30-06 probaly isn't that best choice unless serouis big game is in the near future.

243 or 260 270. would be good. ive seen too many young/new shooters try and be manly and own the biggest gun but can't shoot it with any accuracy.
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I find that has more to do with the weight of the gun, stock design/fit and the quality of the recoil pad. Sure the cartridge is a factor, but I'd say the three things I mentioned when put together are much more important. For example, my 300 win mag shooting 180gr bullets feels more comfortable than my 30-06 shooting 150gr bullets at a slower velocity, because of the combination of the above factors.

I would say that between the cartridges the OP is thinking of, the features of the specific rifle he wants is far more important than which cartridge it is, as they will all serve him well. Choose the rifle you like and go with that, so long as it's one of the mainstream cartridges you won't go wrong if the rifle is right.

I'd say 30-06, 308, 270 are all winners, secondarily 7mm rem mag, 7mm-08, and 243 are options as well but wouldn't be my choice for a first. YMMV
 
I agree the rifle is as important if not more so than the caliber (with in reason) but having said that one of the favourite hunting rifles that i own is my 270 husqvarna it is a great cal for deer and the mouser action will never give you any grief.
 
I was at my local hunting/fishing store today and the owner had his own personal CZ 550 FS he wanted to show me. Nice looking gun and it feels nice when aiming it. His is chambered in 6.5x55 and he says its his mule deer gun. He told me none of his distrubutors have any CZ 550 rifles in stock but he said they're taking orders and the rifle would be here by spring if I want it. I just have to have my order of what I want in before the end of January. Anyone know of a reason why I shouldn't go through with this order? I also think i've desided on getting what ever rifle I get in .270win. He also said he would give me a small deal on the rifle. Normal price is about $1060 with out taxes but he said he would give it to me for $1120 with taxes in so thats $1000 with out taxes. I told him Id think about it and come back tomorrow.
 
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