Purchasing First Rifle

[Recon By Fire]

I really am looking foward to buying my first rifle in the next couple of weeks. I am thinking of a Smith and Wesson 30-06; the only problem with this is that the amo is so darn expensive. What are some of my other options.

Thanks

 

[GTKrockeTT]

was in the same boat a month ago. ended up with a Howa 1500 Lightning for 3 bills.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22770

 

[GTKrockeTT]

BTW, have you seen this:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22423

 

[Art Eatman]

You might give some thought to a .308, because of the availability of inexpensive practice/plinking ammo. This is the "buy in bulk" stuff, buying 500 or 1,000 rounds at a time.

For such as deer hunting, it takes a very few shots to get sighted in, and after that you don't shoot all that many deer. So, buying a box of the Hornady or Federal "nearly a magnum" ammo won't hurt your billfold.

A good rifle lasts through several lifetimes. No real point in saving a hundred bucks or so, now, if you find something you'd like to keep for the next several decades...

Art

 

[TechBrute]

.308 is inherantly more accurate, as well.

 

[DAL]

Art has a very good point, as usual, on this one. As much as I like my old .30-06, if I had it to do over again, I'd buy a .308. Not that there's anything wrong with the good ol' ought six, mind you; it is a grand old workhorse of a cartridge.

The big advantage of the '06 is its versatility if you handload, IMO. Of course, that is negated somewhat by the large variety of factory loads.

Aw heck, get whatever strikes your fancy. You can always buy another rifle in another caliber later.
DAL