What is a good hunting rifle for a first timer

City Boy said:
Frontier has some used rifles from Europe for sale right now ... a few calibers to choose from that would suit your needs. Honestly, I think those older guns were made better and I’ve been through so many tree branches hunting that can scratch up a stock .. most hunting rifles hardly get shot and the outside can get dinged up anyways. Around the $350-$400 mark and some with scopes.

There was some 30-06
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I like these guns but they weigh 6 3/4 lbs and often have a stock canted for irons and a high mounted scope in combination with a metal or hard plastic pad. Might not be the best bet for a new shooter. If selected with the advice of a more knowledgeable person I think it’s great advice though

If this is a genuine inquiry I’d say check out the stickied “ what hunting rifle should I buy” post in this forum.

Check out a used redfield or vortex diamondback scope. A scope like this will really help with real world hunting situations and the difference in quality between these makes (and surely some others) and a Tasco or bushnell banner of recent vintage is way more than the price difference would suggest. Leupold vx freedoms and fx scopes are great quality for price too but more expensive
 
I would recommend a new, off-the-shelf rifle in a mild-recoiling cartridge. No reason not to get something with a warranty and parts available. Buy the scope separately, package guns are usually crappy on the optics. Although the Winchester XPRs do come with Vortex Crossfires and Vortex warranties those scopes for life directly through them so that's a good option. There, that's my recommendation, get an XPR package in 7mm-08 or .308 and shoot it. If it breaks, Browning Canada is a solid company supporting the Winchester XPR and Vortex has your back on the scope. Ammo will be cheap, can hunt anything, they'll shoot fine, and you can get it fixed if you break it.
 
Tikka in 308 would be a great starting point. If you end up not liking it you won’t have a problem selling it. If you do like it you can upgrade it over the years.
 
Howa or weatherby vanguard (samey same) is the way to go. Solid one piece bold which is easily field strippable, excellent trigger, flat bottom receiver with integrated recoil lug. Proper barrel fit with no barrel nut. Superior in its class sako style extractor. But with confidence.

The tikka is designed from the bottom up to be made cheaply. Lots of shortcuts. They may have a good fit and finish but fundamentally they’re cheap rifles designed around manufacturing shortcuts. Bolt is not easily field strippable. No thanks.
 
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First you need to choose caliber. Then pick your rifle. You will get a crap ton of different answers but until you know what caliber you want they are useless.

if you decided on 3030 it will have way less choices for guns than say 308 or 3006 and again different to 303, 243 or 270 even.


but I say eff it SKS all the way. Everyone should make the sks their first rifle in Canada.


Laugh2
 
thedugaler said:
Looking for information about hunting rifles. What is the best hunting rifle for first time hunters. Something that does not break the bank.
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OP never did come back and fill in the needed details to properly answer his question.

This thread is null and void without those details.
 
There had been plenty of big game taken in the past from sportized lee enfeilds . They are cheap and extremely reliable. Another option is a leveraction 30/30. These two choices have taken more game than anything else
 
Big-boss-man said:
First you need to choose caliber. Then pick your rifle. You will get a crap ton of different answers but until you know what caliber you want they are useless.

if you decided on 3030 it will have way less choices for guns than say 308 or 3006 and again different to 303, 243 or 270 even.


but I say eff it SKS all the way. Everyone should make the sks their first rifle in Canada.


Laugh2
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My brother in law has one remington 870 and one sks. Thats it. Both completely unmolested from factory. He does goose hunting, coyote hunting, and white tail every year. Always gets something.
 
There is a Remington 783 in .308 available for $300 on the EE as we speak. I have seen these rifles and although not a 700 BDL they would be good for Moose to Coyote. Add a new $300 scope or a good used one and you are in business. Only thing is it doesn't have open sights.
 
Really depends on so many factors.
What’s your expectations, budget -who’s bank are we busting?, geographic location - where you will hunt, experience and intended game.
Recommending a great budget rifle like a Remington 783 or Ruger American if your planning trips with highbrows might not meet your desired outcome.
Same as recommending a higher end rifle when you just can’t afford it, or have to afford it at the expense of other family obligations, just isn’t helpful.
Where you plan to hunt is huge as well, if you are subjected to caliber restrictions it isn’t much help if I recommend a cartridge which doesn’t meet the restrictions.
Or why would I recommend a nice wood and blued rifle if your doing a hunt in a wet or salt water climate, looks nice…the first day.
Not much help if I recommend a wonder magnum if your only chasing deer or have no trigger experience or need an ultra light rifle for a hiking hunt, or if your small of stature.
So,
On a tight budget, get a 783, American or Axis in 0/06. Keep it oiled and be happy.
On a family budget, get a Howa 1500 or Weatherby Vanguard in 30/06, keep it oiled and be happy.
Loose budget but not frivolous try a Sako 85 in 30/06 and be happy.
I’m a gun snob and want to show off…get a Sako 85 Greywolf in 30/06 and be happy.
Stuck in a caliber restricted area, move, Or do the same as above in 6.5CM.
And in all 3 cases buy a good scope, never scrimp on glass. I’d rather take a less rifle with better glass than a better rifle with budget glass.
Same goes for mounts/rings.
And for all that I’m partial to the Burris Signature rings (except for Sako - use the Optilocks) and Leupold VX3 or VX5 scopes (lots of other good options but for me these are as reliable as gravity).
This is sure a long post to get to a bolt action 30/06 though, lol.
 
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