Looking for feedback or alternate options for my first hunting rifle
- Thread starter Declared Bishop
- Start date
The deer aren't shooting back, don't need a tactical or chassis rifle for hunting, theyre usually pigs to carry around and if youre just starting hunting you wont be shooting long range so you wont get the benefits of a chassis system lol if you are insistent on a chassis, the are some made for hunting, check out some of MDT's lineup
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Seeing how far diverged the current choice is from where I’d steer you, I’ll avoid a lengthy explanation of the merits of a boring, some would say Fuddy, conventional hunting rifle. I will say you’ve received a lot of good cautionary advice above to look at more conventional choices, but, that rifle will kill deer as well as any .308.
To leave it to a few sentences, many of us would love the opportunity to revisit picking our first hunting rifle. My own take, would be choose something blue collar heirloom quality you’ll appreciate in twenty five years, as your old steady. .308 is a great choice, I would choose a different rifle if hunting is the focus however.
To leave it to a few sentences, many of us would love the opportunity to revisit picking our first hunting rifle. My own take, would be choose something blue collar heirloom quality you’ll appreciate in twenty five years, as your old steady. .308 is a great choice, I would choose a different rifle if hunting is the focus however.
+1. In my experience, substance always trumps style. Always. I don't know how many guns I have owned over the years where I was drawn to it because of "tacticool" only to sell it not that long later (the list is long).
Gimmicky, novelty, and niche type of styles may first appear as interesting or even compelling, but then over time, you come to appreciate the things that cannot necessarily be articulated mostly on an aesthetics level.
This has rung true in my life in not just firearms, but also in picking cars, and even friends and significant others. And unfortunately, sometimes despite friends and family providing some pitfalls of buying a certain car or dating a certain person (oftentimes based on their own experience), I was too stubborn to listen or too enthralled at the choice that I really just wanted and hoped others would agree. In the end, I learned the lesson the hard way.
I have one of those Stevens 334 in 6.5Creed. I nice rifle. Handles well and shoots very well. I would make an excellent hunting rifle in 308.
The only adjustment needed is to LokTite the rail screws, if they are not done at the factory.
The only adjustment needed is to LokTite the rail screws, if they are not done at the factory.
What ever you do, don't buy a used Husqvarna Commercial '98 Mauser; if you do, you will never be happy with new manufacture rifles.
Seriously, Check out these older rifles; even the '96 sporters are very sweet rifles. I have 4 Mausers; two are M96 military rifles in 6.5 x 55, two '98s, one in 7 x 57, one in 9.3 x 62; and a Zastava M70 also in 6.5 x 55.
Handling modern Savage, Mossberg, Winchesters, Remingtons, have no appeal any more. I'm not a fudd, but I do like quality and workmanship. More than one dealer has them; I have bought very nice stuff from Intersurplus.
Seriously, Check out these older rifles; even the '96 sporters are very sweet rifles. I have 4 Mausers; two are M96 military rifles in 6.5 x 55, two '98s, one in 7 x 57, one in 9.3 x 62; and a Zastava M70 also in 6.5 x 55.
Handling modern Savage, Mossberg, Winchesters, Remingtons, have no appeal any more. I'm not a fudd, but I do like quality and workmanship. More than one dealer has them; I have bought very nice stuff from Intersurplus.
While still a push feed rifle, I would be inclined to give them a try for the money. There are many good shot-guns and hand-guns from Turkey; I would suspect that this might even be an introductory price to establish a foot-hold, and they may well increase in value a lot.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have one of those Stevens 334 in 6.5Creed. I nice rifle. Handles well and shoots very well. I would make an excellent hunting rifle in 308.
The only adjustment needed is to LokTite the rail screws, if they are not done at the factory.
That’s an attractive rifle, just looked at the price point too, impressive. Nice seeing a sight on the end of a barrel for a change as well.
I have one of those Stevens 334 in 6.5Creed. I nice rifle. Handles well and shoots very well. I would make an excellent hunting rifle in 308.
The only adjustment needed is to LokTite the rail screws, if they are not done at the factory.
GANDER...looks like a fun plinking/testing day with your 334 !
I like what you did with the green masking tape on your ammo box ! Never thought of that. Used to have post it notes on the lid inside..but now, I usually write on my cases with my mini sharpie. Buuut, it's a PITA removing it later with alcohol...lol
Sorry, I thought I had come back here to fill y'all in on what I did...
I purchased the Stevens 334 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor based on the recommendations in this thread. And this is how it currently sits, ready for some more range "testing" and for this fall when hunting season starts up!
