Suggest my first big game rifle

SuperCub said:
I'd scan the EE for a used Tikka T3 (for either of those chamberings as well as a 270) and a Leupold VX2 in either 2-7 or 3-9.

Buy good used = save good money.
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Good idea. If you can find a lightly used rifle you like in the caliber you want your going to save some cash you can put towards your scope.

blasted_saber said:
Absurd comment. $800 dollars is more then enough to buy a hunting rifle.

My local Canadian Tire has a Savage Axis package gun in 243 for $389 right now. Is it the best scope? No. Will it get someone started? Absolutely. He could walk into that store, buy that rifle, a 22 or a shotgun, and a box of ammo for each today.

Elitism has no place in hunting. Start where you can
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Very true. No one needs to spend big dollars on their first hunting rifle, you certainly can but you don't need to. In fact, I think some times it's better to start off at the basic entry level/mid level dollar range and use that for a few years and see how you like it. Maybe it's plenty good for all your hunting needs, or maybe after a few years you get something else that you wouldn't have even considered when you 1st started out. A few seasons of hunting experience can be a real education on what kind of rifle/scope setup works for your needs and wants as it's not the same for everyone.
 
Blake94 said:
Hey all,

I am looking for a good deer hunting rifle to use this up coming season and I figured many people would enjoy chiming in to give their opinion. My soft limit is $800, but if another 100 bucks means the difference between a rifle that will last me 5 years vs 20 years, I will happily spend the extra money. I'm not looking to buy the cheapest rifle I can, I want to use this thing for years to come, but I also don't need anything really expensive with all the bells and whistles.

I am considering either 308 or 30-06. I hope to use this rifle to hunt some larger game in the future so I am not really looking for any caliber smaller than that.

So throw it out there! Let me know what you would use if this was your first big game rifle.

Regards,
Blake
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Many choices available of rifles in that price range.

I'm going to go against most of the expert advice here, and recommend you get a bargain rifle like the Savage Axis package that comes with a scope. I don't see much difference between 30-06 and 308, so flip a coin if you can't decide because both are good choices. I like 30-06 but I don't have any special reasoning, sometimes "I like it" is reason enough. :)

Get the Savage. Shoot it, hunt with it, learn from it. Use it as "Rifle 101" to learn more about shooting and hunting. You may find it's all you need, or you may want to upgrade but at that time YOU will know better what YOU want in a rifle. If you want to upgrade later you'll have no trouble getting most of your $ back selling the Savage.
 
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The only way to go is to get an $800 .308 deer rifle now and then an $800 .30-06 moose rifle when you're ready.
Of course don't forget your .223 coyote rifle, your .22 ground hog rifle, your .45-70 bear rifle, your .17hmr rabbit rifle, your .22WMR fox rifle, your 12ga duck shotgun, your... :)
 
My first , which I got last year , is a Remington 700 in 7mm .
I bought it from my dear friend for way less than he had in it . This rifle has been bedded and had extensive trigger work and has a top end Vortex scope on it . I’d shot it a couple of years before and couldn’t believe how soft it shoots , the recoil is like a 223 .
It’s an amazing rifle that can cover anything I might want to hunt .
Thank God for friends !
 
Blake94 said:
Hey all,

I am looking for a good deer hunting rifle to use this up coming season and I figured many people would enjoy chiming in to give their opinion. My soft limit is $800, but if another 100 bucks means the difference between a rifle that will last me 5 years vs 20 years, I will happily spend the extra money. I'm not looking to buy the cheapest rifle I can, I want to use this thing for years to come, but I also don't need anything really expensive with all the bells and whistles.

I am considering either 308 or 30-06. I hope to use this rifle to hunt some larger game in the future so I am not really looking for any caliber smaller than that.

So throw it out there! Let me know what you would use if this was your first big game rifle.

Regards,
Blake
Click to expand...

I would keep an eye on switzers Auctions, or the other online Auctions, Occasionally a Tikka T3 will come up and sell below 800, in 308 or 30-06, I would prefer 308, just for the fact as slightly less recoil then the '06, and a tikka right now seems to be the best bang for your dollar in terms of bolts, Check them out next time you are at you hunting store, plus if you get more for a budget you have lots of stock and accessory options to choose from down the rd,
 
blasted_saber said:
Absurd comment. $800 dollars is more then enough to buy a hunting rifle.

My local Canadian Tire has a Savage Axis package gun in 243 for $389 right now. Is it the best scope? No. Will it get someone started? Absolutely. He could walk into that store, buy that rifle, a 22 or a shotgun, and a box of ammo for each today.

Elitism has no place in hunting. Start where you can
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I've always wondered why people can't understand this. It's not like he's choosing a wife or a pet that he "needs" to keep forever. The OP can be off and hunting with a beater Salvage (or other budget offerings) this year, gaining experience while he dreams of pretty rifles to buy in the future. Keep it for a back up, sell it later, who cares? Just get out there and start hunting!
 
A good used 30-30 lever action, is all you'll ever really need for a hunting rifle. Handy, pleasant to carry and shoot, cheap ammo, and more than accurate enough.

After that, it's very similar to shoes for women, one style is never enough, and you'll want one in every make/model/style and caliber. It has nothing to do with need.
 
I would select a Howa 1500 in 30-06, 270, 308 or 7mm-08. Its the best bang for the buck, especially when you get a package deal with a scope. The Nikko Sterling scopes aren't half bad, and certainly will get you by until you can afford better glass.
 
Tikka T3???

Sure... but there are a lot of good rifles.... buy used, check the EE and local dealers.

I would buy a solid bolt action rifle and probably in .308... this will cover all the bases. Look for the Tikka T3, Ruger M77 Hawkeye or Mark II, Browning X-Bolt, Vanguard S2, Winchester M70 etc...
 
Look in ee for a well cared for 300 or 308 savage 99.. Your welcome. History quality will last for another 100 years. One of the best deer rifles ever built. Period!!
 
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