Looking for my first hunting rifle

[kolik1]

I recently purchased a 300 Win.Mag. Vanguard S2 for $529 from Prophet river. I wanted to put a Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 (~$300) on it, but sadly couldn't find one nearby so i put a 3-9x40 Revenge (~$200) on it. With Tally rings, before tax it call came to ~$780 with scope mounted and bore sighted at prophet.

I love the rifle, action is buttery smooth. 3lb 2 stage trigger (.5lb then 2.5lb to break) has a nice sharp break to it, I've always liked a little bit of play in the trigger pull, not a lot but a little. The Revenge's eye relief is a little lacking for a 300 win mag, so when I can I'll be picking up a Revolution.

 

[dugasgunner]

Have a look at T.E.C TRAD EX for a great Husqvarna 96 or 98 in 6.6x55, 7x57 or 8x57. Super high quality used rifles on a budget.

 

[jay007]

I just bought a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40AO, has dead-hold BDC reticle, Loving this scope for the price, and Vortex lifetime, unlimited, unconditional warranty! right around $350.00

 

[Freedomjerr]

If you want a reliable solid accurate rifle on a budget I would get a Wheatherby Vanguard 2. Super value on a quality gun.

 

[Tikkam65]

Do a 308 in remington 700 sps for 700 dollars then a nikon buck aster 6x18 x40 for 300

 

[connexion123]

$350 for a scope, look into Bushnell Elites or Leupolds, should be good for your purposes, they work for mine.

Vortex is a good option at that price too.

 

[connexion123]

If you want a reliable solid accurate rifle on a budget I would get a Wheatherby Vanguard 2. Super value on a quality gun.

Quite.

 

[connexion123]

Have a look at T.E.C TRAD EX for a great Husqvarna 96 or 98 in 6.6x55, 7x57 or 8x57. Super high quality used rifles on a budget.

All good calibres. I have a Mauser 98 in .30-06. Parker Hale. Really good shooter. Got a 9.3x62 from tradeex as well. Good gun. Mauser action of course. The 8x57 or 9.3x57 are good but if you're brand new to it and not reloading I'd personally do 8x57 or 7x57

 

[JRodko]

Do a Vanguard s2 stainless in anything from 243 to 308 probably closer to 308. Then throw a nice 4-12 on it and you will be set. I use a diamondback 4-12 with bdc on my coyote rifle and it is absolutely awesome for the 200 I paid for it new. Use your savings for ammo and a range membership and practise lots.

 

[TheTooner]

Do a 308 in remington 700 sps for 700 dollars then a nikon buck aster 6x18 x40 for 300

If you want a 700SPS shop around, you might find it for $500.

 

[kennymo]

Vortex is a good option at that price too.

Yep, missed that one. The warranty is astounding.

 

[unstableryan]

Hello. I suggest a tikka t3 in 6.5x55. Shoots great, recoil is mild, velocity is enough but not too much that core lokt's etc aren't great hunting bullets. Cup and core bullets work great at 6.5 speeds. Also 6.5 bullets are heavy for calibre, so you get these long skinny
bullets that have great penetration on animals. My tikka t3 in 6.5 weighs 7 pounds with my Bausch and Lomb 2-7x32 and 7 lbs 10 oz with my vortex viper 4-16x 44 LR.

I was going to buy one in 25'06 but the more research I did, the more it pointed to 6.5.

 

[unstableryan]

I just bought a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40AO, has dead-hold BDC reticle, Loving this scope for the price, and Vortex lifetime, unlimited, unconditional warranty! right around $350.00

When I was looking for a new scope my friend took that scope off of one of his rifles and lent it to me to see if I really wanted it. After a hundred rounds or so in a short period of time, I picked up the viper 4-16 x 44 HS LR instead. The diamondback is good, but not exceptional.


Btw, the viper is not perfect, my dad just picked out a Swarovski 3-10x42 that I like more than mine... But I'll compare them soon in low light and see how different the really are.