What is a good hunting rifle for a first timer

T

thedugaler

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looking for information about hunting rifles. What is the best hunting rifle for first time hunters. Something that does not break the bank.
 
presuming you're an adult looking for a first? Then are we talking bears and whitetails or moose and elk? Coastal regions, prairie, boreal? Budget? There are all kinds of sales on currently for fathers day if you're purchasing new, but otherwise most will suggest buying quality second hand
 
The one you like best that fits both you and your budget in a caliber fron 6mm-45.
Seriously guys like to rag on " cheap" guns...axis, rem 783, ruger American....ect but they are definitely accurate enough and well made enough that if properly cared for will probably put meat in the freezer every year for the rest of your life. Used guns like husky, parker hale ect are great value and will also last a lifetime. More expensive " nicer" often much "nicer" guns are also great and have their pluses.
The biggest issue with the bargain guns is often guys decide to " get into guns" more and the fit/ finish just doesn't cut it for them anymore and decide to upgrade ...
Best advice would be consider where,what ,and how you will be hunting and tighten your search down based on that. Then figure your budget and shop within that. Buying a good rifle doesn't necessarily have to be a 1k + expense. If you don't have the experience make friends with someone who does who can help you find a quality gun to fit your needs. The used market has both complete rip offs and fantastic deals. Good luck
 
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.
Click to expand...

If you are anywhere near a gun store I would suggest going in to handle and shoulder as many rifles as you can and see what you like, what fits you well and how it feels in your hands. If the store has a used rifle rack make sure to go through those as well. Once you narrow it down to a few different rifles/manufactures you can go from there.
Your going to be carrying this rifle a lot so it needs to be something you like and don't mind hauling around. Keep in mind that the right hunting rifle for you may be completely different then what someone else might like or need.
Have fun with your search!
 
I would definitely go with a bolt action.
Detached magazine
3-9 scope.

Pretty common/typical set up I know. But for good reason.

Cartridge wise the options are endless.
I would stay away from magnums or big kickers.
7-08, 308, 243, 270 30-06.

Simple and common.

Keep in mind. Spend what you pay for your rifle into a scope
Good optics last for years and easily swaped to a different rifle.
 
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
 
Last edited:
Your choices will be influenced by the type of game you intend to hunt, the type of country in which the hunting will occur, your personal prejudices with respect to action type, the cartridge you're inclined to use, and your budget. When you think hunting rifle, what comes to mind? Are you thinking of a long barrel rifle or a carbine? Some folks immediately think of some type of bolt action, but others are drawn to lever actions, falling block single shots, or semiautos. If money is tight, a used rifle might provide you with good quality at a reduced price. TEC Tradex is know for honest appraisals of the used rifles they sell, and for selling them at fair prices.

When considering your budget, consider not only the cost of the rifle, but also the cost of the ancillary equipment you may need, such as a scope and mounts, after market iron sights, a sling and swivels, cleaning equipment, a gun case, etc. Other considerations are whether or not this will be the only rifle you intend to own, or if others will follow. If you intend to be a one rifle owner, it should be as versatile as possible, and versatility is enhanced by handloading if you're so inclined. If factory ammo is what you intend to shoot, look around some of the local stores in your area to see what ammunition is commonly available, and choose your rifle accordingly. The cost of ammo can be mitigated if you purchase it in larger quantities online from one of the supporting businesses found at the top of the page.

What is your shooting experience? If limited, be wary of extremely light rifles chambered for larger cartridges. A .30/06 is a great cartridge, but its a handful for the uninitiated in a 6 pound rifle. In an 8 pound rifle equipped with a good recoil pad, most healthy adults find full power .30/06 recoil tolerable. If you find that your new rifle kicks more than you can enjoy, choose a load with a lighter bullet weight, or perhaps managed recoil loads are available for it. If you shooting experience is limited, a 6.5X55 might be a better place to start. Rifles chambered for this cartridge tend to shoot well, and can be used with confidence on most North American game.
 
For a first time hunter depending on what you are hunting I would choose a gun
1/Chambered for standard easy to find cartridge like a 308, or 30/06, 270 ,etc as the ammo is cheaper and you can get into the more exotic calibers down the road as you desire
2/A rifle that weighs around 7 to 8 lbs with scope as a heavy rifle will get tiresome to carry more so if you are new to hunting
3/Bolt action as you can get a nice used bolt action fairly cheap compared to other actions and for a new hunter a bolt action would
probably be the safest(stay way from semi autos until you have experience
4/Shop around a bit at the gun stores and try to find a gun that fits you properly depending on your physical build
5/For myself personally I would pick up a gun that also has iron sights plus being drilled and tapped for a scope


Unless your lucky and find the gun of your dreams you will eventually move on to other guns down the road and either get rid of it or keep it for a backup gun etc.When I was young most of us gravitated to the old Lee enfields for our first gun as the were cheap and plentiful and were good solid guns but after a few years they were sold off to buy something more suited to our tastes
 
Last edited:
Boomer said:
Your choices will be influenced by the type of game you intend to hunt, the type of country in which the hunting will occur, your personal prejudices with respect to action type, the cartridge you're inclined to use, and your budget. When you think hunting rifle, what comes to mind? Are you thinking of a long barrel rifle or a carbine? Some folks immediately think of some type of bolt action, but others are drawn to lever actions, falling block single shots, or semiautos. If money is tight, a used rifle might provide you with good quality at a reduced price. TEC Tradex is know for honest appraisals of the used rifles they sell, and for selling them at fair prices.

When considering your budget, consider not only the cost of the rifle, but also the cost of the ancillary equipment you may need, such as a scope and mounts, after market iron sights, a sling and swivels, cleaning equipment, a gun case, etc. Other considerations are whether or not this will be the only rifle you intend to own, or if others will follow. If you intend to be a one rifle owner, it should be as versatile as possible, and versatility is enhanced by handloading if you're so inclined. If factory ammo is what you intend to shoot, look around some of the local stores in your area to see what ammunition is commonly available, and choose your rifle accordingly. The cost of ammo can be mitigated if you purchase it in larger quantities online from one of the supporting businesses found at the top of the page.

What is your shooting experience? If limited, be wary of extremely light rifles chambered for larger cartridges. A .30/06 is a great cartridge, but its a handful for the uninitiated in a 6 pound rifle. In an 8 pound rifle equipped with a good recoil pad, most healthy adults find full power .30/06 recoil tolerable. If you find that your new rifle kicks more than you can enjoy, choose a load with a lighter bullet weight, or perhaps managed recoil loads are available for it. If you shooting experience is limited, a 6.5X55 might be a better place to start. Rifles chambered for this cartridge tend to shoot well, and can be used with confidence on most North American game.
Click to expand...

Good in depth info.:) Well put.
 
chasseur said:
For a first time hunter depending on what you are hunting I would choose a gun
1/Chambered for standard easy to find cartridge like a 308, or 30/06, 270 ,etc as the ammo is cheaper and you can get into the more exotic calibers down the road as you desire
2/A rifle that weighs around 7 to 8 lbs with scope as a heavy rifle will get tiresome to carry more so if you are new to hunting
3/Bolt action as you can get a nice used bolt action fairly cheap compared to other actions and for a new hunter a bolt action would
probably be the safest(stay way from semi autos until you have experience
4/Shop around a bit at the gun stores and try to find a gun that fits you properly depending on your physical build
5/For myself personally I would pick up a gun that also has iron sights plus being drilled and tapped for a scope


Unless your lucky and find the gun of your dreams you will eventually move on to other guns down the road and either get rid of it or keep it for a backup gun etc.When I was young most of us gravitated to the old Lee enfields for our first gun as the were cheap and plentiful and were good solid guns but after a few years they were sold off to buy something more suited to our tastes
Click to expand...

All good advice but some of us still have that old British
 
billbmcleod said:
All good advice but some of us still have that old British
Click to expand...
I still have one too my BSA Lee Speed
image.jpg
 
Your gonna get information overload but wth I'll put in my 2 cents. A bolt gun with a decent 3-9 scope in 308, beware of package deals with a scope as the scope is usually 3rd rate at best. The bolt gun is simple and easy to operate safely and 308 ammunition is relatively cheap and plentiful so you can afford to practice some. As to make of rifle in the budget area its a ford, chevy, dodge arguement as all will function safely but some are nicer looking or handling (in the eyes of the beholder of course) If your willing to go used a nicer rifle can be found for about the same price as a budget entry one. Have fun looking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom