New to hobby and hunting looking for insight

J

JClouthier

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Pembroke, ON
Been around firearms for years now looking to get into target practice and hunting.

Looking for insight.

Hunting will be deer and moose. Would like 1 rifle for both. Thinking 30-06.
Budget 1500$ or lower.

For target practice already have a ruger 10/22
looking for something more fun and for slightly longer range. Maybe 5.56? No clue but would like something that doesn't break the bank to shoot.

Will be getting into reloading

Thanks for input!
 
I'd like to suggest a couple things. First, a .308 might be a better option for 'heavy' hunting - it'll do the job and cost less to shoot and also be more 'manageable' for accuracy. You'll need to practice a bit to get that accuracy and .308 is less costly to do so. Just buy one of the better brands, after talking to range members.
As for lighter rifle for targets, either 5.56 or .223 in a bolt action. Avoiding semis is just foresight with the political climate. You can start for $5-600 and go up to ?$$?.
Reloading will save you money so stock up on supplies asap - ALL components will be going up due to unstable middle-east and European issues. I've heard that all ammo mfrs are looking toward shortages 'coming soon'.
 
For a hunting rifle the Browning AB3 with a Leupold scope combo for just over $1000 would be a good option. Saves having to buy a scope to go along with the rifle, and the Freedom scopes from Leupold are built in the USA and come with a good lifetime warranty. But there are far more, like the Tikka t3x, Howa 1500, Ruger American, Winchester XPR, Mauser M18. You could also go for a used Winchester model 70.

Looking for a fun gun is kind of hard to suggest for. That's one of those things you don't really know you want or like until you start looking. 5.56, or 762x39 isn't a bad choice but they aren't as cheap as they once were. The real cheap to shoot is truly 22lr. But if your not looking for a cool fun 22lr, then maybe something like a type-81 SR or one of the various AR-180 maybe?
 
In your price range or less, probably used, if $1500 is with a scope, Vanguard or Howa, Tikka, Husqvarna 1900, Browning X bolt, might be able to find Winchester 70 or Ruger 77 for a bit under 1500. Intersurplus has pages of Husqvarna 30 06 1900s between $600 and $800. No help here on your fun gun.
 
Tenda just listed a bunch of Howa on sale, the HS stocked version is a sweet deal at $1050
Now it ain't in 30cal, 6.5CM, but it will be fine for deer/moose/target, factory ammo everywhere, easy to load for, I'd grab one if I didn't have a pile of 6.5 already. Stock is around $600 on its own, and HS makes good stocks, the Howa is the same action as the Weatherby Vanguard, nice strong solid steel everything.

https://www.gotenda.com/product/howa-m1500-hs-precision-6-5-creedmoor-bolt-action/
 
Tikka or Howa. Although I've never had a problem with lots of other guns either, they're just kinda where I am at right now. Especially the Tikka.

I'mma go Burris instead of Leupold, but have never had a problem critter gettin with Leupolds either. I just like the older Fullfield IIs and Droptines. Never tried the newer Burris scopes but why not.

308 or 6.5 CM. It'll do anything the 30-06 will, except for perhaps "muh grizzly bears" lol
 
If you're set on 30-06 I'd go Husqvarna 1900 in used or Vanguard in new. But, go to a Gun Shop and handle a few, see what you like.

Target shooting covers a lot of ground, but if a 10/22 is what you use now I'd get a Rossi 92 in 357.

357 shells are relatively affordable as is reloading carbide dies can be gotten cutting out the step of lubricating cases.
 
Stick to 308, savage, tika, howa. 556 has jumped in price so if budgets in mind for a fun target gun an sks is always a good way to go. look on the surplus EE for a russain or chinese sks for 500 bucks and get a can of 720 rounds for 230$
 
JClouthier said:
Been around firearms for years now looking to get into target practice and hunting.

Looking for insight.

Hunting will be deer and moose. Would like 1 rifle for both. Thinking 30-06.
Budget 1500$ or lower.

For target practice already have a ruger 10/22
looking for something more fun and for slightly longer range. Maybe 5.56? No clue but would like something that doesn't break the bank to shoot.

Will be getting into reloading

Thanks for input!
Click to expand...

I think that a 30-06 is a great place to start with a do-it-all hunting rifle. Depending on your style of hunting you can use a slightly heavier rifle to mitigate the increase in recoil over a 308. I would recommend you connect with someone in your area and shoot a few different rifles and cartridges to see how they work for you. Rifle fit can have a significant impact on felt recoil, as does rifle weight so it's important to handle as many as you can and shoot some to get a feel for the recoil.

In terms of what rifle you should buy, the choices are almost endless, but you've done a smart thing in setting a strong budget. I'm a fan of somewhat older rifles...Browning Abolt (or A-Bolt 2), Sako A Series, older Remington 700s (look for a Classic or one from the Custom Shop), Winchester Model 70 Classic. I own a Sako AIII in 30-06 that was my first hunting rifle and you would have a hard time finding a nicer, better built rifle than that. There is a Sako L61R in 30-06 on the EE right now for $1300. If that's in good condition then that would be an outstanding first choice. There is also a very nice looking ZG-47 at Great North for $1095 which would be another great choice. If your budget doesn't include, so much the better, but if you are looking at an all-in package, then I would strongly recommend hitting the EE and finding a used Leupold, maybe a 2.5-8x, or a Burris Signature 3-9x. You could get a good scope for less, but I would rather just get a very good scope the first time.
 
Everyone has pistol calibre on the brain lately; a good .22 will shoot just as accurately and even more so than a .357 will for plinking.

If you are not interested in "classic" calibers 6.5 creed would make a good choice of punching paper and varmint hunting. Lots of ammo choices.

If you like classic calibers and are interested in getting into reloading my personal choice has been 6.5 x 55. Light recoil, comparable with light bullets to 260 remington and 6.5 creed; an old rifle will out perform the Creed with heavy bullets and a modern one rated for SE ammo pressures will outperform the Creed with all bullets ranging from 85/90 gr to 160 gr. retaining more energy down range than most 30 cal loads.
 
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