My first hunting rifle.....NOW!

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

knuckles

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Messages
288
Location
Central, FL
Ok, I am going deer hunting for the first time. My friend will lend me a rifle, but I'd rather go ahead and get one I can learn with, take home and call my own. I am not looking to buy a custom rig, just something that I'll be happy with, which will serve me well in the future (next 2-4 years say) and will do the job. Of course, I'll need a scope and would need recommendations for that at well. Price isn't too much of an issue BUT I would like to keep it as inexpensive as possible. Say <$1000 for both (rifle and scope). Thoughts?
 
I suggest borrowing the friend's rifle for the first time to see what you like and don't like about it.

I borrowed a rifle for my first deer hunting trip.

Pilgrim
Click to expand...

Wise words. I think you may be right there because when it comes to hunting, I have no clue. Thanks for the response...
 
I just got a Savage 116 Stainless/Laminate with a VXIII 4.5-14x40 on it for around $1100. It's the cat's meow for that price range.
Click to expand...

Hm, that's a nice looking gun. What is the VXIII 4.5-14x40? What manufacturer is that?
 
I borrowed a rifle for my first deer hunting trip.
Click to expand...
Borrowing a rifle saves you from buying the wrong rifle up front, but it also is very limiting in terms of letting you practice at being a rifleman BEFORE the hunt.

I generally recommend a 308 boltgun with a Leupold VXII on it as the basic all-around rifle. You can use it for stand hunting of just about any animal in the lower 48, you can use it for still hunting just about any animal in the lower 48, you can use it for target/range practice, and most importantly you can get both accurate hunting ammo and affordable practice ammo for it just about everywhere. A Savage 14 Classic or a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter are perfect all-around rifles that can be readily used for just about any task you can ask of 'em, and neither of them will set you back more than $500. Spend another $300 on a VXII 3x-9x/40 or 2x-7x/33 and you're set for just about any situation that would call for a bolt gun.
 
Borrowing a rifle saves you from buying the wrong rifle up front, but it also is very limiting in terms of letting you practice at being a rifleman BEFORE the hunt.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links to those rifles but I think I'll take your advice (and Pilgrims advice) and borrow the rifle for my first time. I am pretty sure I can get the rifle up front so I can practice with it (which is also sage advice).

My first thought was to get one on my own just to have, but it makes more sense to wait.

However, don't let that stop anyone else from listing what they think a good first hunting rifle should be here. I'll be back to check, and I already have a few good recommendations. Thanks!
 
If your looking for the cheap way out get a New England Firarms/H&R rifle.

about $200= a single shot gun, accurate, although its only a single shot which means you cannot screw up.

I recomend a remingotn model 700 (any variation) with a 10 power scope.

BTW i prefer .308 or .307
 
Pilgrim said:
I suggest borrowing the friend's rifle for the first time to see what you like and don't like about it.

I borrowed a rifle for my first deer hunting trip.

Pilgrim
Click to expand...

Excellent advice!!

I did this as well, and I am glad I did. Getting out in the woods with a rifle will let you know what works and doesn't, and I am not just talking about the cartridge here.

Barrel length, weight of the rifle, type of scope, all of these can affect your hunt in multiple ways, and the only way to really know is to get out there and find out what works and doesn't.

I.G.B.
 
Savage or Remington 700 ADL in .308 or 30-06 should be easy to find this time of year for $350-425. Add servicable glass (Burris Fullfield II - Leupold VXII) mounts and rings and your are looking at $6-800 range. You could save $100 and buy a H&R singleshot or one of the Stevens bolt actions.

David
 
Tikka T3, synthetic in like .270, .308 or 30-06. ($550)
Burris Fullfield II 3x9x40 ($200) Or bump up and get a Burris Signature Series...($400)

Save the rest for shells and range time...or just extra gear.

If you haven't looked into the Tikka guns (Sako/Beretta company), you should. Great triggers, 1 inch at 100 yards from the factory, one of the slickest actions around.

Great guns and tons of threads on here about them.

Good luck
 
What is the VXIII 4.5-14x40? What manufacturer is that?
Click to expand...

Leupold. I have the same model on my Rem 700 .25-06.

However, you do not need that much scope for most hunting applications. My .25-06 is used for a variety of game, including antelope on the open plains of Colorado and Wyoming, where very long shots can be the norm rather than the exception. But I have also become incredibly comfortable with this rifle and have tailored loads for specific tasks. I also have trajectory tables in my daypack that cover wind, temprature, elevation and angle variables. This is just not necessary for most hunting situations, where shots will most likely be under 250 yards.

When we got my sister set up, we went with a Ruger M77 MkII all weather in .280 with a Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x 40mm scope, both brand new. At the same time we picked up a Harris bi-pod and a nice leather sling, along with a couple boxes of ammo. We got out for under $800, including tax. Last year, she dropped a cow elk on the run at 70 yards with this combo.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good hunting rifle.
 
I agree with the advice of borrowing a rifle for your first time.

For hunting, I don't think you can really go wrong with any brand name rifle. My Ruger M77 Mk II All Weather in .270 has been tough, accurate. The integral scope mounts and included rings are nice, although the $60-70 you'll save on rings/bases is well spent on a Timney trigger, so you won't really end up ahead if you go that route.

Since my hunting is almost all still-hunting, and my gun gets more range use than hunting use, if I were buying a rifle today, I'd take a hard look at the Savage 12 FVSS in .308. It has a 26" heavy, fluted, stainless barrel and pillar bedded synthetic stock (stainless/synthetic is definitely preferable to blued/wood for hunting IMO). At 8.75lbs, it's a little lighter than most varmint rifles and the barrel should be able to take more heat than the sporter barrel on my gun, so it seems to be a reasonable compromise. Savage seems to offer a lot of gun for the money.
 
Marlin 30-30 for medium to short distances, and really no scope needed for heavy brush situations. However if it's longer shots I'd recommend finding a used Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 chambered in .30-06 or .308 with a 10x scope. Sportsmansguide.com has a lot of really nice scopes, granted they aren't all name brand, but they should last you 2-4 years and give good service for a really good price.
 
I'd get a Savage package rifle. Under $500 out-the-door, and quite serviceable for your first deer. If you decide you like that sort of thing, you can buy better glass--but you're hard-pressed to find a better rifle for the price.

(This is in fact just what I did, but I'm left-handed, so borrowing a rifle wasn't practical and affordable left-handed rifles are scarce.)
 
Buy your own rifle

There is this little thing called pride of ownership for which there is no real substitute. It's not a large investment to purchase a decent entry level bolt action rifle in a mid-range caliber (.243 up to say .30-06 - used rifles are fine and often a bargain) and either hunt with open sights if the rifle is so equipped or put a decent moderately priced scope on it. And then it will be your rifle, to practice with when it suits you and to tweak so it suits you too if you are so inclined. And when you drop your first deer and grill that tenderloin, it will be different than if it was with a borrowed rifle. Trust me on that one. So if you have the money, spend it, it won't be wasted. At the worst you won't care for shooting and hunting and will either keep the rifle "just in case" or sell it for a bit of a loss which is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. So go buy a rifle, take it to the range, sight it in with a little help from your friends, have fun with it and never look back.
 
Going to have to second the recomendtion for a Savage package series I bought a 111 in .308 manny years ago for under $500 they come with Simmons Scopes in 3-9x
 
I'd go with a rem 700

For 400 I just got an ADL and scope. For the price range of a grand or lower you could get one of the more upscale versions of the 700 and a decent scope to put onto it with no problem.

As to the scope, I haven't done a ton of work with it but aside from paralex being there a little more then I'd like it wasn't downright horrible and for just a hunting rifle would be more then enough to keep me happy.

But like I said, with a budget of a thousand dollars you could go with a bit better version of the 700 and get a nice scope on it. Leopold is great but in my opinion you can get a perfectly good scope for a lot less from makers like Bushnell.
 
There's so many choices. You need to do a lot of research to figure out what caliber you want, and also whether you want a synthetic stock, wood, etc.

If you're hunting in Florida, I'd say something in the 25.06, .270, or maybe .243 class would be perfect. I'm a Remington guy myself. My first rifle was a .270 BDL and it's still my favorite. Just recently picked up a used .270 Remington ADL with a synthetic stock, topped it with a Burris 3x9x40, and the first 3 shots from the bench were less than a quarter sized group at 100 yds, 1 inch high, with zero scope adjustment. I just put it away for deer season. Can't get better than that and I've had enough practice with my other .270 and various rifles recently.

You should be able to get a good Remington bolt action and a Burris/Leupold scope in the $700 range if you shop around.
 
10/22 trigger upgrades

Does anyone know of a good "do it yourself" trigger upgrade for a 10/22. buying a new assembly would run me about 100:evil:. i would rather just buy the kit and learn to do the upgrade to my own but i don't know what kit to trust as i would be likely purchasing over the internet suggestions?
 
Going to have to second the recomendtion for a Savage package series I bought a 111 in .308 manny years ago for under $500 they come with Simmons Scopes in 3-9x
Click to expand...

I bought this same package last year to replace my Rem 7400. I got the synthetic stock, as dropping weight from my hunting rifle was a top priority. The Savage synthetic stock isn't as bad as others have said (IMO). The model number Savage uses is 11FXP3 for this particular set-up. I paid about $400 out the door from my local shop.

The Simmons scope it came with was garbage though. The adjustment ring was extremely tight and I had to really torque down to move it. I recently replaced it with a Nikon in 3-9X40.

The rifle itself is an outstanding value and a great shooter. I really can't say enough about the Accutrigger. I love it.
 
Look for used gun in .308/30-06/.270 already scoped and in good shape. 308 is nice since you can get practice ammo cheap. If you decide that you really like shooting/hunting you can also get a new rig latter and keep this one as a back up or sell it for about what you paid for it. If you buy new off the bat and decide to sell, you'll probably take a hefty loss. Any of the name brands are good, it just depends on what fits you and your particular preferences.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
hunting rifle
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
quicktime
Q
H
  • Locked
Looking for my first rifle.
Replies
18
Views
644
carnaby
carnaby
B
  • Locked
  • Poll
Wanting to scope one of my rifles
Replies
23
Views
770
B!ngo
B
D
  • Locked
First Rifle
2 3 4
Replies
85
Views
3K
HOOfan_1
H
G
  • Locked
First Hunting Rifle?
Replies
12
Views
598
kframe357
K
Back
Top