First centerfire rifle

[gondorian]

I'm new to this forum and pretty new to guns in general, and I'm looking for some advice on a good centerfire rifle for me to buy. I think that I've developed pretty good shooting techniques with .22's and air guns so now I'm looking to buy something that goes BOOM instead of boom or pffft.
It must be durable, reliable, and not too expensive to feed. I can't hunt deer with centerfire in my state, but I would probably eventually use it to hunt, maybe hogs, so it must have sufficient power for mid-sized game. It doesn't have to be too accurate because all the places I can think of that I would shoot or hunt with it are not more than 100yrds. And of course I want it to be inexpensive, while still meeting the above standards. I was thinking about getting a Mosin Nagant, would this be a good idea?

 

[cbrgator]

Yes, but it kicks very hard. Big jump from a .22. You may want to try a .223 or .243 first, but if you know anybody with a Mosin, see if they will let you shoot it and then you have an idea.

 

[Schleprok62]

I'd suggest something in a Marlin XS-7 or Stevens Model 200 if you eventually plan to hunt with it. They are around $300 new available in several calibers. Either of those two will give you years of service.

Cheers...

 

[30mag]

I have a Mossberg ATR-100 I love. It's in .30-06. I don't have a problem with the recoil. I'd been shooting 12 gauges before that, so... it wasn't that big of a deal.
A Mosin-nagant wouldn't be a bad idea in my opinion. Of course, you might want to look into getting a synthetic stock for it. The wood stocks are a little bit stiffer, and the synthetic will help reduce the felt recoil a little.

I think that you might want to look into something smaller.
Go for a .30-30. That seems to meet your criteria. A .223 would not be trusted by myself for hog hunting. I've heard stories about the .22-250 not being sufficient, and if I'm not mistaken, the .22-250 is a more powerful cartridge than a .223.

And of course, a mosin would meet your standards. It will have some kick though, make no mistake. It's not unmanageable, and not gonna break bones. But, you might want to work up to it. If you've shot 12 gauge regularly, I wouldn't think it would be too big of a deal for you.

 

[woof]

I think you just described the iconic Marlin 336 .30-30.

 

[Birdhunter1]

All of the above replies have mentioned fine rifles, another one to add to teh list would be a Howa 1500. Caliber choice is the tough one, in a lever gun it's hard to beat a 30-30, in a bolt gun a .243 would be sufficient and easy on your shoulder, but for medium sized game I don't know that I would go any smaller.

 

[30mag]

I think a .30-30 is a good fit.

 

[hunter25]

A 30-30 lever gun would be perfect for your needs. Low recoil, acceptable accuracy, slightly cheaper ammo and a lot of fun.

 

[Daniel1120]

Semi auto, bolt action, lever action, single shot, belt fed... you didn't specify.

 

[30mag]

How about a cheap centerfire belt-fed gun that fires cheap ammo that is powerful enough to go hog hunting?

 

[ccsniper]

cant go wrong with a lever gun in a pistol caliber. if price is a problem, then i would look into buying a mosin. my friend just picked one up for 159ish. and that caliber is quite common around my neck of arkansas. i know quite a few hog hunters/deer hunters, and the 7.62x54 is quite an all around cartridge IMO

 

[shaggy430]

Please do not be another Mosin sheep. Spend your money on something of decent quality.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

So what's the max budget here, $400? $350? What? Are you willing to used, or new only? Do you have good eyesight, and are you willing to use ONLY iron sights? What's the terrain like where you will likely be hunting? Mostly woods, mostly open or a combo in what %? Are you going to start reloading? Are you going to target shoot with it? Do you want small groups, or just minute-of-pie-plate? Not nearly info at this point to make a proper recommendation.

 

[paintballdude902]

either a .243 or a .30-30 either ha enough power for medium game and doesnt kick really hard

.30-30 can be found at any hardware/gasstation/mom and pop grocery store that sells ammo

 

[lipadj46]

Mosins are fine if you want the novelty of buying a $70 rifle and that would be an OK choice. There are tons of other affordable options though from the cheap Mossberg 30.06 to a savage or a Marlin 336 or even a Saiga .223 or 7.62x39 if you want a semi. I'm sure there other budget bolt guns too that other have and will suggest.

 

[gondorian]

I'm looking for preferably a bolt gun, because I like working bolts, much more than levers, following that is a single shot or lever gun. Budget is as much less than $400 as possible. Used is ok. Terrain is mostly woodsy probably 70%. I'm ok with using iron sights as my eyesight is very good when I wear my contacts. I don't reload, yet, and I probably won't for some time so ammo cost is a big issue. Accuracy is somewhat of an issue, I would be ok with minute of pie angle only if the gun cost around a hundred bucks. Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[paintballdude902]

mosins are fun dont get me wrong but it isnt really a beginer rifle just because it has a good kick to it and the sights arent that great alot arent that accurate

i got lucky with mine i have a new england westinghouse 1891 made around 1915 for the russians and it has finnish markings great shooter definitly has more kick than my .30-30 but less than my ishy 2a enfield in .308

i screwed up the first centerfire i got was my ishapore 2a enfield in .308 , its a very nice gun but has a good bit of kick to it decent sights and is heavy. but it has a good bit of kick i had never fired a centerfire till i got it and man i couldnt fire more than 1-2 mags in a range session without hurting.
it doesnt bother me now but it did suck it took me a while to overcome the flinch i developed


the problem with getting a mosin is you may develop a flinch which can be very hard to correct later on if you let it become a normal thing


you may look into a bolt action .30-30 i dont remember who makes them but they are pretty good guns and pretty accurate great woods guns

these are the 3 calibers i would start with all are good enough for medium game and arent too bad to feed i showed a few from different makers of each

.30-30
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128860444
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128973614

.243
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128716884
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128826278
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128398718
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128957267

7.62x39
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128995915
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128959652
there is also a CZ

 

[eventer289]

I can't remember what it is called, but New England Arms makes avery affordable single shot break action .243. A buddy of mine has one for his deer gun and it is a compact little tack driver.

 

[gondorian]

I'm considering it, its called the handi-rifle. It was recommended to me by my uncle who is a long time hunter

 

[PT1911]

I would suggest a 30-30 or even 357 lever gun.. will give you versatility, portability and the range you mentioned... the step up in recoil is also not as severe as some other calibers... you can skip the .223 or .243 unless they just appeal to you... the recoil from them is hardly more than that of a .22. you will find yourself wanting more for your first centerfire... that said, they are more than capable of doing anything you want with good shot placement, I would just suggest the others for your specifications.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

My first choice would be a .308 bolt action, very little it can't do, very accurate, tolerable recoil.

Second choice would be a 30-30 lever action, seems to fit you criteria pretty well.

If you want to get into long range target shooting, tough to beat the .308.

 

[30mag]

I would pick .30-06 over .308.
And I did.
my $.02
It seems like ammo is a little cheaper at most places.

 

[jpwilly]

Please do not be another Mosin sheep.

Wa wa what? Really what is wrong with a Mosin for under 100yrd work?? The 7.62x54R is as powerful as a 30-06 The 91/30 has very little kick compared to the M38 or M44.

Not saying it's the best choice with other great options like 30-30 lever guns, and the plethora of good inexpensive bolt actions like the Weatherby Vanguard, Marlin, Mossberg etc but calling someone a sheep for wanting a mil surp with some history???

 

[paintballdude902]

yeah the mosin is a very good rifle if you take the time to clean it up really good

i dont think its a good first rifle but its still a good gun

handi rifles are good guns but they really only offer you one shot (good and bad) unless you practice fast reloading

its both good and bad because it trains you to take your time and make that shot count bad because well you only have one shot which can prove trouble some hog hunting sometimes those things are like a guy on pcp even with a good shot they can take off and be hard to find

 

[Yo2slick]

Wa wa what? Really what is wrong with a Mosin for under 100yrd work?? The 7.62x54R is as powerful as a 30-06 The 91/30 has very little kick compared to the M38 or M44.

NOOO!!! Dont buy that foreign piece of junk!!! I think comparing the 7.62x54R to the 30-06 is a sin as well.

You cant go wrong with a 30-30. Ammo prices will not hurt as bad and its a good way to introduce yourself to the bigger BOOMsticks. I love my 30-30 and my 30-06.