First Rifle

rookie wildcat said:
Shouldn't that read "the .30-06 and it's ugly step children the .270, .280, .308, 7mm-08, the .260 and the .243"? Since, as we all know...EVERY ONE OF THOSE traces it's parentage to the mighty '06!! Which was based on the earlier '03 cartridge which creation was based on heavy research on the German M/88 round (even though they say it wasn't, but the case similarities are too coincidental). So, I guess it all gets traced back to the Germans...so I suppose all of these "American" cartridges are really "European" ... BWAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
The 30-06 even has a parent case. The 30-03.
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I believe I said that ... Thanks ...
 
Rifle: Savage 11 FCNS chambered for the 7mm-08 $715 MSRP
Scope: Leupold FX-3 6x42mm MSRP $500, or Leupold FX-3 12x40mm MSRP $625
Bi-pod: any bi-pod that can swivel with adjustable height of 9" - 13"
 
AR1724 said:
Appreciate the advice, and yes from what I've been reading .308 seems to be the best bet. Just been seeing a few threads advocating for Remington, Tikka and Browning. So many options these days...
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308 is a great allrounder, easy on the shoulder, generally a bit lighter than a 30-06, great on deer, good on moose with a good bullet.

Of those three brands if you are looking at new, I would buy a Tikka T3 over the others and have owned several of all.
 
Target shooting and hunting larger game will leave some compramise in one or the other.
Not many hunting rifles make good target rifles, so you will need to lean more on the target side.
Based on that .308 is going to suit you well.
I would go with a 20" Remington 5R MilSpec which will keep the weight reasonable and short enough to be handy for hunting yet you can target shoot it all day and it will do it well.
 
I can't believe that there isn't a little more more support for the 30-30 as a first hunting rifle. I have used one for years now and only pull out the x-bolt 308 for when I anticipate longer than 100-150 yd distances or for moose. You can get 30-30's almost anywhere in great condition fairly cheaply and, of course, so is the ammo (an important consideration if you want to spend lots of time at the range for fun and practice). A new hunter might find the 30-06 a bit more uncomfortable to shoot as well unless you go semi-auto like a BAR (which is a beautiful gun in any calibre IMHO).
 
AR1724 said:
I plan on purchasing my first rifle within the next month. I have been shooting my fathers guns up until now and am having difficulty deciding which way to go. I want a versatile gun in terms of being able to dispatch a variety of Ontario big game as well as being capable of semi-long range target shooting (not planning on being Mark-Wahlberg but would enjoy getting out to at atleast 500 yards). 1500$ would be my approximate price range including optics. Any opinions and experience is greatly appreciated.
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Have a look at the Sako A7 Combo-Package, comes with a basic scope @ $1250-1300, drop the other $200-250 on extra ammo and learn the gun!

.308, 30-06, .270 will do everything you're wanting to do with lower cost factory ammo compared to other calibers.
 
spy11 said:
I can't believe that there isn't a little more more support for the 30-30 as a first hunting rifle. I have used one for years now and only pull out the x-bolt 308 for when I anticipate longer than 100-150 yd distances or for moose. You can get 30-30's almost anywhere in great condition fairly cheaply and, of course, so is the ammo (an important consideration if you want to spend lots of time at the range for fun and practice). A new hunter might find the 30-06 a bit more uncomfortable to shoot as well unless you go semi-auto like a BAR (which is a beautiful gun in any calibre IMHO).
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Maybe because OP says he wants to do some long range out to about 500?....
 
I have a hard time with 30/30. That being said, a high quality Lee-Enfield sporter from Parker-Hale or Churchill would do everything you need quite well. But then again I like old junk.

303 British has killed more game in Canada than all if the others combined I bet. Certain rifles (two Rosses on my rack) will shoot the heavy 220gr hornady 308" bullets very well and this is a very good combo for thick brush, thick hide and medium ranges. Most Lee-Enfields really like 180Gr flat based bullets and I believe many of the factory loading a use them? 150 grainers for deer and dogs. And you would have tons of money left over for glass and lots of ammo, maybe even enough to get reloading. I've been at it a few years now and I won't be upgrading from my Lee-Enfield or Ross sporters anytime soon.
 
AR1724 said:
I plan on purchasing my first rifle within the next month. I have been shooting my fathers guns up until now and am having difficulty deciding which way to go. I want a versatile gun in terms of being able to dispatch a variety of Ontario big game as well as being capable of semi-long range target shooting (not planning on being Mark-Wahlberg but would enjoy getting out to at atleast 500 yards). 1500$ would be my approximate price range including optics. Any opinions and experience is greatly appreciated.
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I'd seriously consider a rifle cambered for 260 Remington. Better long-range ballistics than the .308 and a third less recoil. The 6.5 mm bullets can take big game all the way up to moose. Good Luck!
 
.270 if you plan on only hunting, .308 if you want to do some serious shooting + hunting, that's my take on it.
 
vpsalin said:
.270 if you plan on only hunting, .308 if you want to do some serious shooting + hunting, that's my take on it.
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There's shootin more serious then huntin?

No reason a .270 with good ammo can't hold MOA out to 500 and beyond. On the flip side a .308 can be made a smidge shorter/lighter and still have more reach than you need.
 
Boomer said:
There's shootin more serious then huntin?

No reason a .270 with good ammo can't hold MOA out to 500 and beyond. On the flip side a .308 can be made a smidge shorter/lighter and still have more reach than you need.
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I was referring to the fact that you can find 'target grade ammo' and load for yourself 'match grade' ammo much more easily for .308. You can also find surplus pinking ammo much more easily for the .308 then for the .270. If that is something that is important to you in between your hunting sessions then I would lean towards a .308 win over the .270. If all you do is hunt then the .270 has the edge.
 
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I agree with a .308 for your application. As for a gun.. What action do you like? For a lever go savage 99 or winchester 94 (30-30). Bolt winchester m-70. Pump remington 760/7600. For an auto BAR's are my fav. That my 2% of a dollar.
 
vpsalin said:
I was referring to the fact that you can find 'target grade ammo' and load for yourself 'match grade' ammo much more easily for .308. You can also find surplus pinking ammo much more easily for the .308 then for the .270. If that is something that is important to you in between your hunting sessions then I would lean towards a .308 win over the .270.
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I'd probably come to the same conclusion, and my one target rifle is a .308, but target rifles make poor hunting rifles for general utility. Conversely, a hunting rifle that's chambered for a flat shooting cartridge can do many things pretty well, given an appropriate load. Much of the surplus .308 ammo that's available now is Berdan primed, so while it can be used for Mexican Match, or Mexican Premium Hunting, the cases only survive a single firing for most of us, and the moisture inhibiting sealant in the case necks is work intensive to remove from a primed case. Thus commercial brass that can withstand 10-20 reloads, are actually more cost effective, and for that reason the .308 is no better a choice than any number of similar cartridges.
 
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