Looking for my first hunting rifle

seannpoli

seannpoli

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So...what should I get and where?
I am thinking I won't be hunting anything larger than deer to start.
I have a budget of about $750. I would like to add a scope and have a budget of about $350 for that sooo what should I get and where?
I don't care about the weight between 4.5 pounds and 8 pounds, I can handle it.
I have heard Ruger, Sako, Winchester, Tikka and on and on.
Is there any difference between wood and synthetic in the shot?
Thanks for your suggestions.
STP
 
Some questions that will help get your question answered, lever, bolt, semi, or single shot, you said deer hunting would it be in the open or the brush, would you be looking for one all round rifle or would you add a rifle later for larger game. You will get lots of advice about different brands but nobody can answer what feels good on your shoulder.. Do you want removable clip or hinged floor plate, will you reload or prefer readily available Common calibers. I would suggest a seperate search on the different stock materials, synthetic, laminate, wood or composite because again nobody can tell you what your tastes are. There are always lots of good rifles on this sight, in the "equipment exchange forum" you can apply for access to it.
 
Any of the brands you mention will do just fine, you can add the Weatherby Vanguard and Savage in there if you want, maybe a basic Browning X bolt too. I've been really liking the Vanguards as of late, but it all comes down to personal preference. Go play with as many rifles in your price range as you can at the gun shop, see if any buddies might let you try their guns and go with what you like. Being your first hunting rifle, a moderate caliber might be appropriate. 243, 308 or 270 Win, 260 or 280 Rem, etc.. all perfectly capable of taking deer sized game with easy to handle recoil.
 
See which one fits and feels best. Be sure to try them all if you have a chance to. Don't worry about accuracy because I think they would all shoot great buying new. If you buy used you always take the chance of buying someone else's problem. If it's your first,buy new is my suggestion. For glass same thing go to store and ask for all the options in your price range and have a look through them as well. See what you like and have your cell phone handy and check some reviews on it real quick. Good Luck and have a blast I remember when I bought my first new rifle that was an exciting day.
Cheers
Geoff
 
go look at and handle as many as you can. You will soon see what you like the best. Many moons ago my first hunting rifle had to be a s/a, then I went to bolts, levers, pumps and single shots. I do like them all, but the levers have a special place in my heart. Funny thing is that after all these years, I want a s/a again! But it has to be a Browning Shortrax with the oil finished stock in 308 or 7mm-08. Welcome to the sporting world of hunting and shooting. You're gonna love it!
 
Your budget is high enough that you can get a rifle that will last a lifetime.

For your $350, I'd skip the Bushnell scopes and get a Leupold for sure; they're just way tougher than the Bushnell offerings.

As others have said, handle many different models of rifle and find one that fits you best. As for the chambering, since you are talking deer and such, I would stay away from anything magnum. Personally I'd look at stuff like 6.5x55, .270, .308 and 30-06, all excellent all-arounders for big game up to and including moose.
 
seannpoli said:
So...what should I get and where?
I am thinking I won't be hunting anything larger than deer to start.
I have a budget of about $750. I would like to add a scope and have a budget of about $350 for that sooo what should I get and where?
I don't care about the weight between 4.5 pounds and 8 pounds, I can handle it.
I have heard Ruger, Sako, Winchester, Tikka and on and on.
Is there any difference between wood and synthetic in the shot?
Thanks for your suggestions.
STP
Click to expand...

What area of the country are you in? One of the best things may be to get out to a range with a few people and try a few different calibers/brands out and see what you like/dislike
 
Looks like you have a great budget to work with a lot of people are asking a lot of questions about intended use, area you live and so on. So here is my opinion, Savage Model 14/114 in 270win, topped with a Leupold VX2 3x9x40 with Leupold PRW rings and bases. A nice shooting, nice looking, reliable rifle. and if you plan on maybe looking at larger game then Deer consider the same chambered in 30-06. Just my opinion, but a nice simple hunting rifle set up that will last you a lifetime.
 
As others have said, look at lots, handle them in person if possible and choose what "feels right" for you. Whatever a rifle can do, if it doesn't fit you well you won't get the full accuracy potential from it.

Avoid the Remington 710 and 770. Their new 783 might be worth a look, but your budget will get you the plain SPS version of their 700 which has been the industry benchmark for decades. Savage's 10/110 or 11/111 or 14/114 might be the answer. (10,11,14 are for short action calibers, 110,111,114 are for long action, otherwise they are the same.) Their budget line Stevens 200 is basically the same action in a plainer package and very good value at the price. The Marlin XS7/XL7 gets similarly good reviews (again, same design, XS is for short action calibres, XL for long action.) Ruger has recently entered the same market segment with their new American and people speak well of them. Mossberg's ATR100 is also good but not better than the Stevens 200 and not as popular so resale value may be a concern. If you don't like any of those look also at Tikka's T3 Lite and Weatherby's Vanguard (made by Howa and also sold as a Howa, but not as common.)
 
My opinion would be a Tikka T3 in .270 or 30.06. Leupold VXII is probably a solid choice for your price range. Common calibres are probably a better bet for starting off. (cheaper, easier to find at Canadian Tire etc) Wood or synthetic is personal choice. Synthetic stocks are supposedly less affected by weather, but Ive never tested that theory personally.
 
I don't know anyone that has just one gun, it doesn't really matter what you buy for the first one, they are all good and you will buy many more in the future. If you are new to shooting I would recommend a caliber with moderate recoil.
 
If your tight for cash get the nicest rifle your budget allows and worry about the scope and rings later. Its easy to come up with a few bucks for other things later. There is a journey before you reach the destination.
 
I'm not privy to your situation, so this may or may not be useful advice. My opinion is that if you are looking for something to keep long term, you should buy the best you can. In your shoes, I would be looking real hard at a new M70 and 2nd-hand optics.
 
IMO the Weatherby Vanguard is about as much bang for the buck as you can get. I have two and I love them. However in that price range there are LOTS of hunting rifles that could fit you better.

Took one of my best friends shopping for his first rifle this summer. Spent 2 hours on a quiet day in Whole Sale Sports looking at and going over ever rifle in his price range. He eventually decided on a Winchester M70 in a synthetic stock. If you are able I suggest going into a store and handling as many different makes and models as you can.

Glass, I love my new VX-2. 3-9 LR duplex.

As far as caliber, whatever you can shoot comfortably. If your a new shooter I'd start with, 7mm-08, 308, 25-06, 270 or 30-06. Whatever floats your boat.

Cheers,

Karl
 
IMO you should buy a quality bolt action... Something that you can keep and will never outgrow (in a usage sense, not an age sense)... It will be special to you when you harvest your first deer with it. To me, that is a Ruger 77 (blued walnut) or a Win 70 (also, blued/walnut)... And get one in .308 Win caliber (many reason's for this besides performance)... I would be shopping all of the online "used gun" vendor's and the EE (watch the prices though)... For scope there are lots of good ones, but you can't go wrong with a Leupold VXII in 3-9. You would never regret this combo.
 
i'd recommend a 6.5 or 7mm calibre, perfect for deer and a pleasure to shoot. 6.5x55, .260 rem, 7x57 or 7mm-08 would fit the bill. I'm thinking winchester model 70, its classic and quality. As for scope 3-9 works fine but the magnification is not needed for big game hunting. A 2-7 or 1.5-6 scope is perfect. The benefit of lower power scopes is that it has a wider field of view and you get on target quicker in the bush. Its easier to use with both eyes open. Unfortunately the more is better mentality has left us stuck with the 3-9 scope as the norm.
 
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