Me and a friend want to go hunting this season...

[cbmyers2007]

He has hunted before, but I never have.... I dont have a gun to hunt with right now, but I can probably get my dad to buy it if I pay for it(I'm 17).... I know I have to complete a hunter's safety course and I have plenty of rifle experience(I used to have a .22, but we pawn'd it awhile back)... but I was wondering what a good gun for a first timer would be... I really dont want to spend more than $300 for the rifle and scope.... so what should I get?

Thanks

 

[sumpnz]

He has hunted before, but I never have.... I dont have a gun to hunt with right now, but I can probably get my dad to buy it if I pay for it(I'm 17).... I know I have to complete a hunter's safety course and I have plenty of rifle experience(I used to have a .22, but we pawn'd it awhile back)... but I was wondering what a good gun for a first timer would be... I really dont want to spend more than $300 for the rifle and scope.... so what should I get?

Thanks

Don't know where you live, but it's likely too late to get into Hunter Ed before the season closes. Even if you can get it done in time unless your buddy knows the area you'd be hunting really well, or you've scouted it out already you'll have a tough time finding much.

At any rate, assuming your state and area allow rifle hunting, I'd cruise the used gun section of a few local gun stores for a Savage, or Howa rifle with a scope already mounted. Any caliber from .243 Winchester to .30-06 will be good and reasonable. A good alternative to that would be a Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 in .30-30, .32 Winchester Special, or .35 Remington. The stock irons are pretty good on those rifles, but one with Williams peep sights (or similar) would be an improvement.

Regarless, before hitting the woods make sure you have practiced enough to be able to hit the inner circle of a paper plate every time out to whatever range you'll be likely to take a shot (with your limited experience I'd suggest keeping ranges under 200 yards this season if using a scoped rifle, 100 yards if using iron sights).

 

[Art Eatman]

If he has a place to hunt, just go on along with him, even if you don't hunt this season. There's a ton of stuff to learn, and there's no point in getting focussed on the shooting, alone.

The more time you can spend out in the woods and brush when it's not hunting season, the better. You learn a lot just sitting and watching the world around you. What critters do, the effects of wind direction, and how good you are at seeing animals before they see you.

Learning how to sit still is important. Learning how to keep you lips zipped when other people are around is important. Learning how to walk silently is important.

And it's all fun...

Art

 

[Subby]

It's a little late in the game to get involved this year. What are you planning on hunting? Spend as much time as you can out in the woods, learning the natural rhythm of things. Generally, you want to be as quiet as possible, as still as possible, and as stink-free as possible.

Sub

 

[Lupinus]

This season is to late. 30-30 has probably taken more deer then any other caliber. It's a popular round for lever actions, doesn't go into overkill territory, and has a softer recoil then 30-06 if you worry about recoil at all. Also check local regs some states have restrictions on minimum caliber. Don't want to go buy a rifle in a smaller caliber because you can afford it and not be able to use it.

If your state restricts rifle hunting and you need to use shotgun go with a 12 guage.

 

[redneck2]

It amazes me that guys start jumping in with all kinds of sugestions and have no idea

(a) what you're "hunting" (deer, rabbits, squirrels, pheasant,etc).

(b) what your game laws are. For example, in Indiana, centerfire rifles are illegal for deer.

May need a rifle (either rimfire or centerfire) or shotgun.

May want to figure out what you want to do before buying something

 

[cbmyers2007]

We want to hunt deer, and I don't think matters on what type of gun we use.... but I didn't realize that it was too late, what time should we start next year?

 

[Lupinus]

I would get the hunters safty course booked as early as possible. Esspecialy near the season they fill up fast.

Also never hurts to get the rifle early so you can get in a lot of practice with it.

Also go to wal mart and get a book of the local rules and regs, this time of year they should have them sitting at the sporting good counter or behind it and you will have to ask. Just make double sure of any caliber restrictions and the like.

 

[Bigreno]

We want to hunt deer, and I don't think matters on what type of gun we use

Don't be too sure about this. Depends on where you live. Certain states restrict what rifle caliber (if any are allowed) you can use to hunt deer. Some places require you to use nothing bigger than a 12 ga. shotgun or Archery equipment. You will need to find out about this before you purchase anything.

If you are allowed to use center fire cartridges where you are, I would suggest you look into something in the .243/6mm range. It will effectively take deer and is not heavy on the recoil or intimidating to newer hunters.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would look at used guns at shows and shops. Deer season is going on as we speak in many states. After deer season is over, many people sell their rifles, so you can frequently get some bargains. Pawn shops work too.

As was said, I would book a hunter ed class as soon as possible. Find yourself a suitable 30 caliber rifle and buy it. There are many threads that discuss the merits of the various calibers suitable for deer hunting. A friend just picked up a Marlin 336 (lever action rifle) for $200 used. Many used guns will already have a scope mounted on them. If not, I'd start cheap with the expectation of replacing the scope in a couple of years.