WTB: Cheaper Hunting Rifle (.30-06 or .308)

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burnt03

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I'm looking for a rifle that I can scope (or already has one) that will be my all around hunting rifle for the next couple years (until I can get a real job and get some cash together).

From the posts I've read it seems that the .30-06 would be optimal, but they seem pretty expensive. I've also heard that the .308 is a good calibre for deer/elk/moose and has a similar flatter trajectory. (Please correct me if I'm wrong here....)

Please let me know what you have or feel free to add suggestions as to other rifle possibilities.

Thanks!
 
I've also heard that the .308 is a good calibre for deer/elk/moose and has a similar flatter trajectory.
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Well - the 308 IS good for moose and deer, i'm told it's getting a little light for elk. And it's not a flatter shooter than the 30-06. Not a BAD choice, but there shouldn't be any difference between the cost of a 308 and a 30-06, and i'd go with the 30-06.

How much do you have to spend? (i take it you've looked at the low-cost savage packages with scope?)
 
Yes, in a different thread someone had suggested the Savage/Stevens 200 package and if I can't find a used rifle for less than that, I may go that direction but it's still more than I'd like to spend (though I may not have a choice).

From scanning through the buysell posts, it looked as though the .308's were generally cheaper than the .30-06's. (there's a Rem742 for $350 for example)

Chances are, moose and deer are all that I'll be going after for the next while. Are there any other common calibres that might do the trick?
 
back to burnt03..........

I suggest you ask the mods to move or delete this thread, since this is not a discussion forum and there is LOTS of advice for a fellow in your situation. I would ask that it be MOVED to the "Hunting and Sporting Arms" forum where there is no scarcity of opinion and debate.

For example, somebody might tell you why a 742 might not be your first choice in a hunting rifle (don't get me wrong, I have owned several, but it would not be my ONLY hunting gun). You are on the right track with a bolt gun in a common cartridge like the .30-06, but there are LOTS of choices. Old farts like me will tell you that you are better off to buy a classic rifle, but some of the younger warriors will argue that you should buy a new (cheap, ugly, pos) rifle.......... :roll: It is also worth thinking what resale value your rig will have. Some rifles keep their resale value, many do not.

Anyways, before you spend your hard-earned money, I suggest you take a bit of time and get some good opinions from the folks in the discussion forum(s).

Doug
 
Doug said:
back to burnt03..........

You are on the right track with a bolt gun in a common cartridge like the .30-06, but there are LOTS of choices. Old farts like me will tell you that you are better off to buy a classic rifle, but some of the younger warriors will argue that you should buy a new (cheap, ugly, pos) rifle.......... :roll:
Doug
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Doug is right on the money here!- He is a old fart :D
sorry could not refuse that one- but he right get a good classic rifle- value will remain same for many years
 
I'm thinking this pretty much should be moved to 'hunting' or 'hunting and sporting arms' - to be honest i didn't really click in we were in equipment exchange. Not really the place for a debate.
 
You can pick up a savage package deal from SIR for cheaper than most used guns. I'd go with a 30.06 (and I have a .308). The savage packages are an unbeleivable deal. I have shot many many savages...I still haven't shot one that shoots bad! I have also shot a few rifle packages from Savage and beleive it or not they shoot better than most guns at any price! You will notice that the scope cannot keep up with the accuracy of the gun, so down the road just put a good base and rings and set it off with a better scope!

PS a :shock: friend of mine whacked a moose at 400 yards with a package savage last year!
 
That is what I am saying Foxer, can you move it please?
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I'm afraid i can't. My mod-ly powers do not extend to this forum. We'll have to wait for one of the other mods to move it for us. I'll send a note tho.
 
Johan22 said:
Anybody even taking a shot at a moose at 400 yards should not be allowed to ever hunt again....
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Well he got one that makes this comment an oximoron.

This statement is YOUR OPINION ...you don't know if this guy is a sniper in the Canadian army, who has been all over the world training Teachers of sniping schools? You also don't know why the hell he was in that stand with someone elses gun (who he set up)

You'd probably be really pissed if it was a head shot too....wouldn't you!

Anyways just stating some facts that "COULD BE"
 
If you know your weapon well, and it is accurate, why not take the shot? I get 5 inch groups with my Model 70 300 WM...Not sub Moa, but safely in the kill zone of a moose. If I had a chance to take my pack, rest on it or something else, dial in a good 18 inches of correction from my zero and take the shot, I would. I've taken shots on paper at that range a lot, and I would be confident. The round is hitting like a 30-06 at 100 meters or something like that anyway.
 
"...they seem pretty expensive..." Same rifle. Same price. .308 vs .30-06. Same ballistics. The only difference is the ability to use slightly heavier bullets in the .30-06 and, usually, the action length.
Decide how much money you want to spend and pop into your local gun shop or gun show and look for any used bolt action, in either calibre, with a scope.
 
It's not a question of can you hit it at 400 yards or even one mile!!!

It's a question of will your bullet have enough energy at that range to penetrate and kill this animal????


Bob :(
 
Well, the .270 Win with a Nosler 150gr partition did a pretty good job killing my moose dead at 400 yds. Bullet punched a hole in the lungs and it dropped dead in short order. Hit one rib went through the body and ended up between the hide and the rib cage........

270moosebulletlighter.jpg
 
for a bargain hunting rifle, new out of the box, try a Stevens 200 in 308 with a Weaver fixed 4x scope in Burris Zee rings (weaver base).

should be able to get it to the range with only $650 or so invested.
 
The problem is that you generally get what you pay for. Rather than a low cost new rifle, I suggest you look at a good quality used rifle in the caliber and action you are interested in. Check out the "for sale" stuff here, and if nothing turns your crank get a copy of the most recent Candian Access. I've never leafed through a copy of that paper without finding one or two things that really grab me. Beware of military rifles however, although often of excellent quality, they often need a trip to a gunsmith to scope, and are often heavier than a fellow wants to lug through the bush. A visit to your local gunsmith might reveal one or two rifles he might be selling on consignment.
 
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