First rifle - advice needed

K

Kcaps

Regular
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Calgary
I'm a brand new hunter and just got my PAL this week. This fall I went out on my first deer hunt and bagged a whitetail buck with a borrowed Browning A-bolt SS in 300 WSM. I'm looking to pick up my first hunting rifle in the next little while.

I'm a very sentimental guy, and I would love the idea of being able to pass my first gun down to my son when he is older. Having said that, as a young guy with a family, I am still price sensitive.

I am looking for advice in both the caliber and the gun department.

As for caliber, I think a .270 win would suit my needs. I live in Calgary and will be hunting around here and in southern Alberta mainly. I will likely go deer hunting, but would also like the ability to take a bear, elk, or even a moose. I do not have a lot of shooting experience, and I understand that new shooters will often develop a flinch and other bad habits when shooting larger calibers, that is why I thought .270 would work well. Any and all thoughts on caliber would be appreciated.

As for the gun itself, I have handled a few guns, but only shot the Browning in center fire. I like the idea of a stainless barrel as I will be hunting in snow (plus they look cooler in my opinion), but I am not sure the extra cost is worth it as it can often add $200 or more dollars to higher end guns. I like a detachable mag for ease, but should I totally exclude those with floor plates? I've never used one, but they just seem so much more annoying to load and unload. As for price, I like nice things, but only if they are worth it. I'm still trying to decide if a Browning is worth 2-3X more than a Savage Axis. I saw a new Remington 700 SPS with a stainless barrel for $589, which seems like a good deal as well. So, is stainless worth it? Are more expensive guns REALLY worth the extra money?

I am not opposed to buy used, but it gets really overwhelming looking at everything. Because there are so many different options, it is easier to narrow down my search by only looking for certain calibers, guns, or options, but then I worry about missing a great deal because the gun was 30-06 instead of .270.

I know this is a long post, and that these questions are asked often. I have read dozens of threads, so I am not ignorant, but I also know that the guys on here are great, and willing to help a newbie, so I thought a new thread couldn't hurt. Remember, I'm a newbie...

Thanks in advance!

*EDIT*: As many have commented on it, I thought it would be worthwhile adding that I am interested in reloading. I know only what I have learned through research and by watching youtube, but it is something I am thinking about for sure in the future.
 
Last edited:
Go to your nearest gun shop and handle a few. If you have some pals with a few rifles, ask them nicely to bring you to the range and let you try theirs out. After handling a few you'll begin do develop an opinion on what you like as well as which brands fit you the best. Once you've narrowed it down to a few brands and calibers you can start looking for suitable models in new or used. In my opinion, it's your best value to get as good a rifle as you can afford in used. A quality rifle is something you can hand down with pride - or re-sell for no loss if you take care of it and buy wisely. Try and stick to something in 6.5mm - .30 caliber in non magnum.
 
what is your budget?

If you want to have a family heirloom to pass down from generation to generation I suggest you to save and buy once.

More expensive guns are usually worth the money, there is exceptions but you pay for quality.

If I was to do it over again, I would just have bought a 308, I started going hunting with my parents before I was 5, have all kinds of calibers and started out thinking I needed a magnum like a lot of new shooters but you really don't unless it is something specialised for real long range hunting like a 338 Lapua/50bmg
 
In the West, where hunting shots are often at longer ranges than we see in the east, a 270 would be an excellent choice. It is good for everything from pronghorn to moose.

I have both stainless and blue barrels. The blue ones have light rub of silicon on the outside and I oil the inside and them run a dry patch through. this leaves a tiny amount of oil film on the inside and i have never had a rust problem on a hunt. Stainless might be nice to have, but not a deal breaker, in my opinion.

A removable box mag is handy, no doubt. Just make sure it is clicked properly in place, so you don't lose it.

As for rifle, buy whatever feels good in your hand. I would look at Tika, Savage and browning.

If you want a real quality 270, I have a old FN made rifle with an integral magazine that is a work of art. This kind of rifle sells for $900 with the scope.

sale270Browning4.jpg


You might want to take a look at what Tradex has. The old rifles are often better made than new ones.
 
Glad to hear about another person getting into hunting, or back into hunting.

Of course what you're going to hear is all opinion, so I'm going to provide mine.

My first deer rifle was a Remington Model 760 in .270. The .270 round is fantastic for deer, I would consider it a little limited in it's range for Elk, and I don't like it for Moose. Maybe I just suck at hunting Elk but it always seems like I was at the outer limit for a .270's range when hunting them, 400yards and better. As for Moose, it doesn't have the hitting power in my opinion. I would consider a .308 or a .30-06 for an "All Purpose" hunting rifle if recoil is a concern. Keeping in mind a .270 is pretty much a necked down .30-06, much in the same way a 7mm-08 is a necked down .308. The recoil is negligible between the 2 rounds.

When looking for a rifle, find one that fit's you nicely. Obviously since price factor's into the purchase I wouldn't spring for a SS barrel, that money would be better spent on better glass and/or rings. Personally I'm going to recommend looking at the Weatherby Vanguard S2's over the Savage Axis or the Remington's. The brother in law purchased an Axis in .30-06 last year and I found the stock to seem "cheaper than it should be" but he liked how the rifle fit him so he took it. I purchased the S2 in 300WinMag last year, it seemed like the stock, while still polymer, was a much more solid stock. I've put about 6 box's of Winchester Power Max factory ammo through it and was able to shoot 1" and slightly smaller groups at 100yards. The S2's also run in the price range that you've implied ($400-$600), and are probably the best rifle you are going to find for under $1000. They primarily come with synthetic stock's but there are also models with wood stocks that run for about $700-$800.

I'd not recommend the Remington's in your case, as you're like me and want to have a rifle that can potentially be handed down. Remington has had some spectacular quality assurance issues with their manufacturing since about 2007 or 2008, unless you want to buy their top end M700's as they seem to be better off. The older Remington's are fine rifle's however if you want to look for a used one (sorry I wont part with my 760 :p).
 
As for cartridge .270 is a great choice for Alberta, but I wouldn't pass a great deal up because the rifle was in a different cartridge. .30-06 would also work just fine.

As for detachable mag vs. Floorplate it is completley personal preference. Both are just as quick to unload, but a DM is easier to load. However a floorplate never gets lost and makes for a cleaner rifle. And unless you're a road hunter the 3 extra seconds it take to load rounds into a rifle with a floorplate does not make a difference. I wouldn't exclude a rifle because of one.

Stainless vs. Blued. A well cared for rifle will not rust and a poorly cared for rifle will rust no matter what type of metal ot is made out of. I've done week long tent hunts where it has rained daily with a blued rifle and not had a problem. In Alberta I don't see an advantage to stainless, in a humid climate it may be worth it.

As for rifle, a Savage axis or Remington SPS really isn't a heiloom piece. Both will work great for all your hunting needs in AB, but neither will be a proud heirloom. A nice wood/blued Win model 70, Ruger m77 or even a Rem CDL will be a much nicer gift one day and all are reasonably priced. In my mind twice the price of a cheap Savage for a Ruger or Winchester is definitly worth it.
 
Don't get wrapped up in looks too much or what others think what looks good. Hunting isn't supposed to be a fashion show.

As another has suggested go to the store and handle the rifles, put them to your shoulder and such. As an ill fitting firearm truly sucks to live with. Don't spend money at a store that won't let you safely do this.

You will know when you pick up and shoulder the right one for you. Try to wear the same jacket you will be hunting in.
Assuming you know the proper offhand shooting stance.

Good idea on the .270 btw.
Keep it simple, have fun. :)
 
Last edited:
You have a very good post and a lot of good ideas. I like the idea of you ruling out any of the calibres with belted ammunition they have tagged the name "magnum" on. The two calibres you mention are absolutely ideal for a life long rifle that will be handed down to a son.
I have had more than fifty years experience with each of a 30-06 and a 270, as well as several other calibres. In the field, there is little difference between the two, if you are a hand loader. If you are not a hand loader, ammunition (meaning the bullets in them) will be hard to find and expensive, which will be suitable large, heavy boned animals.
A whole host of writers will soon say that you should hand load, so I may as well be the first.
The calibre I would highly recommend would be the 30-06. In my opinion, it has everything going for it and would be perfect for you. Load it full up for most of your hunting, or you could load it down a bit to decrease recoil if you wished, or load it up full tilt plus, for the largest and toughest game in Canada. Load it down to 30-30 class for a son starting out and still have a good hunting rifle with low recoil.
I would also rule out so called stainless barrels. I have personally seen how a blued barrel can last a lifetime and still be in excellent condition to hand down to a son, or grand son.
Next, get a good used rifle.
I just drool when I so often see on the equipment exchange here on gun nutz, the great, older hunting rifles for sale at often less than the price of a new gaudy looking rifle! In my opinion again, best for your buck rifles out there are Husqvqrna's with Mauser 98 actions made in the 1950s and much of the 1960s.
You would soon get used to just pushing the little button to release the hinged floor plate, for unloading the magazine. And you will never lose your magazine!
 
CrMo steel is harder and longer wearing than SS. So if you're looking for an "heirloom" piece it's the better steel choice. Though it woouldn't make much difference if you keep the shot count low. .30-06 gives you the most bullet choice of any calibre; however, if you're going to start experimenting with bullet weight you'll want to get into reloading.
 
If you like the Browning you borrowed, go for one of those. If the price for a Browning is outside of your budget, like Ganderite said, check out Tradex; a good quality used rifle trumps a bargain basement economy rifle. The .270 is a fine cartridge and will do you well, but its not the only one. Don't pass up a quality rifle at a fair price because its not a .270, keep you options open. Rifles in .30/06, .308, and 6.5X55 often come up on the Tradex site. Best of all, the prices are reasonable, and the condition they list you can take to the bank; these guys are very honest in the appraisals and are great to deal with. Other cartridges you might consider are .280 Remington, .260 Remington, 7X57, and 7mm Magnum (yes its a magnum, but it kicks more like a .30/06). To my way of thinking, general purpose big game cartridges start with the 6.5s, but some guys like the .25/06 for everything up to and including moose.
 
Last edited:
If you like the Browning, you might want to check out the 'grey stock' X bolt, or a grey A bolt if you can find one. A slightly less fancy stock for a discount price. The X bolt also has a nice detachable rotary mag if you like them. I'm a floorplate guy myself, it's not fun to lose a mag in the woods.
As for the 270 Win, it's one classic open country deer cartridge and it's probably done in more deer and moose than several of the 'magnum' cartridges put together. You're likely on the right track with a little milder round in a first hunting rifle.
Blued steel is nothing to worry about as long as you clean and treat your gun properly. Keep in mind that stainless isn't a license to abuse the crap out of your firearm without consequences. Pile on the neglect and, well, I have a couple of friends with corrosion spots all over their 'stainless' rifles.
One more thought, check out a Vanguard, it's in a similar price range to some of the less expensive Browning and is a heck of a good deal for what you get IMO. Though I fired my first X bolt this past summer and it was no slouch either. Good luck!
 
I'm going to say something that may raise a few feathers: If it's going to be a family heirloom, buy the best quality, rarest rifle you can afford. Keep it in a common caliber so that ammo can be readily found in future years. So avoid the words "ultra" or "super". If it's hard to find the right ammo now in your area, how do you think it will be in a decade? Buy a rifle brand known for it's name, it will actually contribute to it's worth in the future. I've seen Browning's hold there money & go up in price, but never seen that in a Stevens or a Savage for that matter. Not saying there bad rifles, just economical & entry level, that most trade off in future years.
To do this & still afford it, look high & low for a used one in very good to excellent condition & try to keep it that way as best as possible. You may even find it with a quality scope & mounts. So you saved a few more bucks right there! Do your homework & be patient, without procrastinating when you do find it; as it will be snapped up in a heart beat if it is a really good deal.
 
Boomer hit the perfect cartridge on the head kinda as an after thought...........the 280 Rem, superior in my opinion to either the 270 or 30-06 and falls in the same recoil category. Living in Calgary you will have no issue finding ammo for it. It's enough different that you won't be one of the crowd, you'll stand out a bit. It's been around for more than 50 years and although not in the top ten selling cartridges every year, it has a strong enough following that it will be here 50 years from now and ammo will be available for it. The 280 is also a handloaders dream, easy to get to shoot and loading adds another 20-30 bullets and weights for versatility. JMHO
 
I throw in something a bit different here. Since you've shot the 300 WSM you might like the 270 WSM; its Fast, flat shooting and is a great caliber. The 7mm WSM is another awesome round for flat shooting, fast - but not as common. And the 300 WSM is another great round. I prefer a hinged floor plate as one does not have to be too concerned about loosing a magazine("clip"). I've lost a few "clips" in my day, and yet I haven't had any bad experiences with a Hinged floor plate. The single shot break barreled rifles are ok - but you only have one shot and most of them usually need a pet load. I'd be a little reluctant to buy a used semi automatic as some owners shoot them with a "machine gun" type of shooting when they practice, and this can create some issues. Nothing wrong with used, and it's always possible to get something used that has been well cared for. I recommend a bolt action over other possibilities.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom