Buying first hunting rifle

[KMDavenport]

Well...

Got Two(2) Patriot Vortex Scoped Synthetics in .270 WCF, for my boys... both are ~ 1.5 MOA accurate with factory ammo. $400/pop.

Any rifle can be ammo picky.

Lot of rifle for the price.

Your call.





GR

Not knocking you or your choice, I'm glad you have good results from your rifles. I have a Army buddy that bought one and averaged 3-4.2 moa at 100 yards with 5 different loadings. I would like to say it was just the rifle he bought, but his LGS swapped it for another with almost the same results. Between that and my own research, I think I'll pass on the Mossberg.

 

[Legionnaire]

All three are "good for the money," as is the Patriot mentioned by @Garandimal. Handle them all and pick the one you like best.

 

[KMDavenport]

All three are "good for the money," as is the Patriot mentioned by @Garandimal. Handle them all and pick the one you like best.

I went to my LGS today, didn't quite care for the way the Ruger felt in my hands, the Weatherby was nice, it had more substance to it. They didn't have the Mauser, so I'm still looking for one to check out. I also liked the Kimber that was mentioned here and the Remington model 7.

 

[Garandimal]

Not knocking you or your choice. I have a Army buddy that bought one and averaged 3-4.2 moa at 100 yards with 5 different loadings. I would like to say it was jist the rifle he bought, but his LGS swapped it for another with almost the same results. Between that and my own research, I think I'll pass on the Mossberg.

Would check the scope/mounts and the bedding first... and then send it back to the mother ship.






GR

 

[Legionnaire]

I went to my LGS today, didn't quit care for the way the Ruger felt in my hands, the Weatherby was nice, it had more substance to it. They didn't have the Mauser, so I'm still looking for one to check out. I also liked the Kimber that was mentioned here and the Remington model 7.

A Remington Model 7 will set you back more than the others, but it is one of my all time favorites. I still own 7s in .223, 7mm-08, and 7mm SAUM, plus a semi-custom in .243 Ackley Improved. I'd pick a Model 7 or a Kimber over any of your originally listed three, but they are not bargain guns.

Oh, and welcome to THR!

 

[cdb1]

I didn't realise that the Ruger and Mauser's receiver was that closed off. Seems like that would limit your ability to clear a malfunction.

I guess small means different things to different people. In my mind the ejection port on the RAR and M18 are tiny and do make it considerably more difficult to clear an obstruction or jam.

I also believe the reason companies make rifles with small ports has nothing to do with improving accuracy and everything to do with cost savings.

 

[LoonWulf]

I guess small means different things to different people. In my mind the ejection port on the RAR and M18 are tiny and do make it considerably more difficult to clear an obstruction or jam.

I also believe the reason companies make rifles with small ports has nothing to do with improving accuracy and everything to do with cost savings.

Some of the issue can be worked around.
Point gun up, drop mag, shake gun, insert mag, chamber new round, shoot.
If you try to dig around in there, then it's mostly luck to get the round to go where it's supposed to.
The small port gun are also almost impossible to single load quickly. You really NEED to drop the nose of the round into the chamber.

Open top, are much easier to manipulate, and single load. Tho a cartridge jam is almost worse in that if your guns hinged you have to drop the whole ammo stack....I've played with enough rounds that didn't quite fit a magazine that I'm pretty quick at it now, but a dms still faster.


I also agree it's a cost cutting measure doing the small ports, tho they probably do help with receiver rigidity. I talked to one of our forum members about cutting a chunk of the top out of one, but I still haven't tried it. Maybe if I get a cheap American in .243 or something.

 

[redneck2]

I suppose I have a different take on guns and gun collections (typically accumulations, not really collections). At one time I had over 70 guns, over 50 of them rifles and shotguns. After years of handling, insuring, oiling them, and then stuffing them back into the gun safes, I finally figured out that I would be a lot better off with less guns and using each one more.

Anyway, I am at the point that I can buy as many guns as I want. I have one big game rifle, a Browning X-Bolt in 7 mag. It will handle anything from antelope to bears. Your .308 will do the same thing. The Browning is the best there is. Has to be true, because that’s their advertising .

Point is, I’d get ONE of something that’s absolutely the best you can get. I’ve shot some really big deer, but missed the deer of a lifetime (actually a dozen lifetimes) because my crap scope fogged up, so I’d most strongly suggest getting a REALLY good scope. Fortunately, there are decent scopes for relatively small amounts of 2020 dollars.

Point is, buy quality, not price. Get good with one gun. Find a load it likes and use it. I wish I had spent my money on hunting trips rather than guns. At this point in my life, the guns are gone and so is my chance to hunt.

 

[Legionnaire]

^^ Experienced wisdom here.

 

[Poper]

I'm new to rifle hunting and not wanting to break the bank on a new gun, but would like a good gun for the money. I'm looking at the Ruger American, Mauser m18, and the Weatherby Vanguard. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Here you go: https://www.eurooptic.com/Mauser-M18-270-Win-22-Synthetic-5rd-Mag-Bolt-Action-Rifle-M180270.aspx
Mauser M18 for $399. I bought one in .243 Winchester just because of the price. Quality of the gun is top notch including fit and finish. Accuracy is guaranteed to be less than 1 MOA for 5-round group. For a first hunting rifle at this price, you can't go wrong. The price leaves some dough for a decent scope and rings.

#2 recommendation: Tikka in the caliber of your choice. A bit more expensive than the Mauser, but an exceptional value and excellent shooter.

Weatherby Vanguard: I gave one to #1 son in .30-06 a few years ago. Great rifle, very accurate. Heavy as hell, though. Wouldn't want to carry it all day, that's for sure.

Can't Speak for the Ruger American Rifle, but had a Ruger Hawkeye in .308 Winchester. Excellent gun. Accuracy was ok. About 1.5" at 100 yards with 165 grain Hornady SST's in a handload.

Savage: Excellent rifle. Catch the 10 or 110 on sale and you will probably be pleased with it. Had a 110 in .270 Winchester years ago. Good shooter. Wish now I had kept it.

I hope this helps.

 

[Poper]

I believe Ruger America is made in Arizona, someone correct me if I’m wrong.
The last Ruger firearm I had ( Blackhawk) was built very well and shot great.
My gun smith says the Ruger receiver is very strong with a short bolt throw 60 degree iirc

I don't think so. Last I heard they are only making their semi-auto pistols in the Prescott plant, according to the security guy at the entrance check point. (I tried to drop off a GP100 for some work.)

 

[Poper]

It's going to be .308, as I am familiar with the caliber.

Many thanks for the information that has been given so far. I didn't realise that the Ruger and Mauser's receiver was that closed off. Seems like that would limit your ability to clear a malfunction.

I have hunted with bolt action rifles for 40+ years. I have never had a "malfunction". The only time I had an issue that forced me to use my back-up rifle was when I slipped on a rock under the fresh snow right after leaving the warm cabin. I fell face-down, my Remington 788 flew off my shoulder and came out of the snow encrusted in a block of ice and snow. Not the gun's fault.
That old 788 is still shooting small groups and still has its original DBM. When I carry it, I like to keep a spare magazine in my pocket. Just in case.

 

[Jeef]

Pr

I suppose I have a different take on guns and gun collections (typically accumulations, not really collections). At one time I had over 70 guns, over 50 of them rifles and shotguns. After years of handling, insuring, oiling them, and then stuffing them back into the gun safes, I finally figured out that I would be a lot better off with less guns and using each one more.

Anyway, I am at the point that I can buy as many guns as I want. I have one big game rifle, a Browning X-Bolt in 7 mag. It will handle anything from antelope to bears. Your .308 will do the same thing. The Browning is the best there is. Has to be true, because that’s their advertising .

Point is, I’d get ONE of something that’s absolutely the best you can get. I’ve shot some really big deer, but missed the deer of a lifetime (actually a dozen lifetimes) because my crap scope fogged up, so I’d most strongly suggest getting a REALLY good scope. Fortunately, there are decent scopes for relatively small amounts of 2020 dollars.

Point is, buy quality, not price. Get good with one gun. Find a load it likes and use it. I wish I had spent my money on hunting trips rather than guns. At this point in my life, the guns are gone and so is my chance to hunt.

Some of the best advice I've read and that's why I'm on this site.
To learn from others through their questions and answers.
Thank you.

 

[BigBL87]

I really like the Vanguard that I picked up. It is a heavy barreled 223. Probably the nicest feeling rifle I own, which isn't a huge sample size so take it for what it's worth.

However, a word of warning... if you pick one up and get 2 piece bases, do NOT trust the base manufacturer if they say to get the Remington 700 bases. I ended up figuring out there is a slight height difference in the back mount between the two, and it ended up with my Vanguard shooting almost a foot low at 50 yards with elevation maxed out. I took off the bases and ordered a DNZ mount, and like it better overall. I haven't had it back out since I swapped the mount, though.