Rifle recommendation.

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Arkel23

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I have a cousin that is looking into a rifle, he can handle a good bit of recoil, but he was looking into a .338 Win for deer, because he knows NOTHING about rifles. I told him to look into a 30-06 or 7mm Rem mag. What are you suggestions? He's a Mossberg freak so it has to be anything they offer.
 
There's nothing wrong with 338, he could take down a deer at over a 1000 meters without a problem(assuming he knows how to shoot that far).
Sure, it's probably overkill, but if he wants it, why not let him get it. The only thing he'll be hurting are the deer and his wallet.
 
He is a retired Navy Officer, I don't see why he doesn't know more about rifles. The only reason I told him not to get the .338 is because of the ammo price, he can afford it, but I don't think he will be shooting it often after he buys 2 or 3 boxes.
 
Well, I can sort of see where you're coming from with that. But it is his dime.
He'd be no worse off with a much cheaper rem 700 in just about any deer caliber, if he's not trying to peg a target at over 800 meters theres really no need for a 338.
But if he wants it he's still doing no harm. It's not like he's trying to blow 10K on a .50 cal.
 
Steer him toward something that kicks less then a .338 Mag.

Not only is it over-kill for a deer rifle, but it is way over-kill for a first time rifle owner ever learning how to shoot it well.

I would suggest absolutely nothing with more recoil then a .308 or 30-06.
Even a 7mm Mag is too much for a lot of folks who shoot .308 & 30-06.
The faster sharper recoil hurts worse.

In this case, way less is way better!

rc
 
'06 or the .308 would be my recommendation.

Or the 30-30 lever. Seems Mossberg is making on of those now.
 
Steer him toward something that kicks less then a .338 Mag.

Not only is it over-kill for a deer rifle, but it is way over-kill for a first time rifle owner ever learning how to shoot it well.
Click to expand...
I wholeheartedly agree. Unless he just likes recoil, something like a .308, 30-30, 7MM-08, 7 MM Mauser, etc.
 
Even the ones who "say" they like recoil will still be better shots with a lighter kicking caliber.

I guarrentee it!

rc
 
One guy at work is always bitchin' about his .300 WSM and how much it kicks. "But I got a deal on it" he always says. One of the contractors who works with us sometimes was fussing about how much his .300 Weatherby kicked. :rolleyes:

I never fuss about my .30-30 or my .308. :)
 
Hehehehe-

Best thing, see if you can drum up some of your friends that have some big boomers and let him 'experience' the recoil, then let him shoot some of the smaller stuff....

He may just want a cannon....and there is nothing written anywhere that one has to be logical in their selection of firearm for deer hunting, so long as it doesn't cause any undue suffering of the animal....too small a cartridge, bullet, ect...

The 338 will certainly kill deer!
 
Broken, no he does not handload. Walkalong, Lol I don't think he wants to kill elephants :D. Unlce Mike, I only know of one person with a bigger gun than me, and that is a guy with a .300 Rem Ultra Mag. RC, I was looking at the Mossbergs and I don't think they have .308's which is odd, I may have overlooked them though.
 
.577

Arkel23 said:
I have a cousin that is looking into a rifle, he can handle a good bit of recoil, but he was looking into a .338 Win for deer, because he knows NOTHING about rifles. I told him to look into a 30-06 or 7mm Rem mag. What are you suggestions? He's a Mossberg freak so it has to be anything they offer.
Click to expand...

um i would say 303 brit or spring or a .577
 
I think I found a cure for those recoil sensitive...

I bought a 375 H&H M77 Ruger Magnum, equipped of course with Rugers thin hard little red recoil pad, and loaded it with Hornady "HM" loads. At the time I didn't know the "HM" stood for "Heavy Magnum" or extra velocity loads.

After that everything I have shot since feels pretty darn tame... even my 416 Ruger Alaskan with Hornady 400 grain DGS ammo. My 7mm Rem Mag Hawkeye All-Weather seems like a real pussy cat by comparison.

Kind of makes sense I guess... if you ever drove up to 100 MPH or so it feels fast. However go up to 125 and then slow back down to 100 and it almost feels like you could jump out and run alongside the car.

Anyhow, certainly can't go wrong with an 06!

Other than the creeping triggers I like the Hawkeyes... if given an opportunity to do a thorough inspection first. I would not order one. QC can be spotty, but they are a good value for a hunting rifle if you pick a good specimen.
 
Arkel, if he's hunting around here, the .270 is getting very popular as is the .25-06. I'm more of a .30 cal guy, but my next will probably be a .25-06. My in-law in Chester call's it his "deer laser". :D
 
If you really want to convince him to not get a 338, just tell him that with the money he puts into ammo on the 338, he could get a much better 308 rifle with top end storebought ammo and a nice glass on top for what he'd save.
better toys would be a nice incentive
 
where he lives and the landscape that he will be hunting should determine the caliber he chooses. If he lives on the East Coast and wants a caliber like that, then he is a fool. If he lives in the plains states or in the some of the Western states where you make have to shoot from one Mtn ridge to another, then he just wants to blow a big hole in the deer and go, heh heh, I killeded it.
 
If he is only is only going to shoot it a couple times a year, then ammo prices should really be non-issue if he wants a cannon, with alot of kick let him go for it.
 
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