Looking to start hunting.. how to choose a rifle

[Whelen B]

xopher check out sticky top of Hunting and Sporting Arms about choosing a first hunting rifle.

Remember, barrel life for hunting rifles is very short.

My 2 cents.
Most hunting barrels will out live the hunter. Little worries about this usually unless you hot load or have an over bore screamer - or live at the range. Practising lots with my hunting rifle is what I prefer to do. And I never get enough range time - life happens instead.

 

[mkrainc]

What are some ways of picking out a hunting rifle for myself?

If it were my first rifle for hunting, I'ld be looking for something that shoots a common, easily found cartridge that will drop a very wide range of animals.

A .308 is such a cartridge, and the range of brand names in firearms that shoot this is almost limitless.

Note that I said "first rifle." You can widen out your choices later, .223 for small game, shotgun for foul etc..

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[M'aiq the Liar]

xopMy 2 cents.
Most hunting barrels will out live the hunter. Little worries about this usually unless you hot load or have an over bore screamer - or live at the range. Practising lots with my hunting rifle is what I prefer to do. And I never get enough range time - life happens instead.

What I'm trying to say is, don't shoot it like its a .22LR or an SKS.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Here is putting barrel life into perspective for hunting.

I figured for a 50 year hunting career of big game in Sask. with 10 rounds each year to sight in and these numbers for game if you were able to get to hunt each and every one of them 2 White tail, 1 mulie, 1 moose, 1 elk , 1 caribou , 1 antelope and 1 bear.I also factored in 1 miss per hit on each of these animals.

That is 700 rounds for hunting and 500 for sighting in of 1 rifle for 50 years of hunting, 1200 rounds total.

The overbore chamberings will still maintain totally acceptable accuracy for hunting with this amount of use.

IMO it isn't something that shouldn't even be mentioned for consideration to a new hunter wanting a new rifle, there is enough information to sift through as it is, no need for another factor to confuse someone.

Like stated earlier, go and handle as many rifles as you can , shoot some if possible, if it fits you and is comfortable and balances well you will know it when you feel it.Then find the options in that rifle that you want.

 

[blasted_saber]

My suggestion would be a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39mm. Since it has Iron Sights and normal range for taking a deer is 50 - 200 meters, you don't need optics. If you don't want that, then I’ll let you in on a secret about caliber selection. It all depends on how dead you what that deer. I personally really like the .270win. I only buy the high priced Hornady ammo because it stops me from using my CZ 550 LUX as a target rifle. Remember, barrel life for hunting rifles is very short. If you want to shoot lots, then get an old Swedish Mauser or Mosin Nagant for that.

99% of hunting rifles will have "hunting accuracy" far longer then needed by their owners. Or owners kids. Or grandkids.