Thread: Trying to decide on my first hunting rifle

Remington Model 700. Great rifle and you can get it in many different calibers. The caliber I shoot most often is 30-06, but 308 is a great caliber as well. If you really want stopping power you can get a 338. The caliber is something you will need to chose based on what you want to hunt. But as far as a rifle that will never let you down I vote for the Remington 700

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Be a man use a bow and arrow.

Reckon you can't go wrong with Missouri style long rifle in .50 double set triggers !!

cheers

Milt, it sound like the people here want you to succeed and enjoy. I'm one of them.

All best of luck.

Thanks for the great information and suggestions, guys - VERY much appreciated. It took me just about forever to figure out the red tape needed just to get into the sport, but the Ontario Hunters Education Program website (Ontario Hunter Education Program - O.F.A.H./M.N.R) made really good sense and simplified the process, including linking prospective hunters to the courses and instructors.

Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions, I think I've settled on a bolt action 308, probably the same rifle as my buddy, the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Steel Composite Stalker ( X-Bolt Stainless Stalker, one Accurate Bolt Action Deer Elk Varmint Big Game Hunting Rifle for Extreme Conditions., Browning Firearms Product) due to the wet/snowy weather when our deer season takes place (first Monday in November and lasts 14 days).

You've also convinced me of the need to practice my shooting technique with a .22 - any suggestions on a decent but value-priced rifle? Finding a range here to practice will also be challenging, since most are private clubs in these parts - more research will be needed in this regard.

Thanks again to everyone who already responded - any more suggestions for a new hunter would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

Originally Posted by Milton Man

Thanks for the great information and suggestions, guys - VERY much appreciated. It took me just about forever to figure out the red tape needed just to get into the sport, but the Ontario Hunters Education Program website (Ontario Hunter Education Program - O.F.A.H./M.N.R) made really good sense and simplified the process, including linking prospective hunters to the courses and instructors.

Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions, I think I've settled on a bolt action 308, probably the same rifle as my buddy, the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Steel Composite Stalker ( X-Bolt Stainless Stalker, one Accurate Bolt Action Deer Elk Varmint Big Game Hunting Rifle for Extreme Conditions., Browning Firearms Product) due to the wet/snowy weather when our deer season takes place (first Monday in November and lasts 14 days).

You've also convinced me of the need to practice my shooting technique with a .22 - any suggestions on a decent but value-priced rifle? Finding a range here to practice will also be challenging, since most are private clubs in these parts - more research will be needed in this regard.

Thanks again to everyone who already responded - any more suggestions for a new hunter would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

you might also think about an air rifle....not sure what the limits are on psi and muzzle velocity are up there but some of the lower powered ones don't even require a permit

an air rifle is also cheaper than a .22 (especially the ammo) and good for practice....better with an air rifle makes you better with a rimfire makes you better with a centerfire. it might also be easier to find a place to practice with an air rifle

Even the cheap Savage tube fed .22's are capable of hitting the same spot repeatedly at 50 yards. Just get a .22 that's comfy for you.

If you're looking to customize/upgrade it down the road, the Ruger 10/22 can't be beat.

Milton Man,

+1 on the Remington 700.

I would suggest the 'PSS' model (or similar). Very robust, under-stated looks and very accurate.

If you do go for the Remington, if it has the old-pattern trigger I would get a gunsmith to adjust it to a creep-free 3.25 lb pull off. The standard trigger pulls on the ones I have seen were about 8 lbs !

+1 on the 0.308W - a fine choice of calibre; with the correct bullet weights and construction, you are good to go for quite a range of quarry.

A quality scope and mounts is money well spent !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Couple of things. I'm not as old or experienced as others here, but am rather a gun enthusiast.

First, Browning is a good choice. I have a Browning lever action 30-06 that I bought at the ripe old age of 13, along with a Simmons "AETEC" scope. That combination served me well, with a record shot at a 110lb antelope at 600+ yards. However it was that hunt that convinced me of the need for a nicer scope, and now the Leupold scope I went with cost more than what I paid for my rifle. It is far better, but at <$200 the Simmons was a fine scope.

My grandpa used to always say if you have to skimp on the gun or the scope, get the expensive scope. I think all of his hunting rifles had scopes that cost more than the gun.

While the stainless/composite is a fine choice for the reasons mentioned, blue/wood really doesn't require an undue amount of maintenance. You should clean any gun after use, or after a day in the field. With some basic precautions blue finish will not be any worse.

Though I know you have made your choice, I would have gone with the 30-06 (which I did). It gives you a greater range of bullet weights and loadings. Here in the US I believe it is the most popular hunting round, followed by the 270 magnum (or was a few years ago). As I said my relatively short barrel (22" I believe) was able to take down an antelope at over 600 yards.

However the ability to share ammo with your hunting buddies is worth something as well.

Persionally id say the old ought six for a hunting rifel i use one ever year for whitetail and bear and ive never had a deer get away from me, i havent ever shot a bear. The reason i have an ought six is becuae my uncle got me a used one when i turned 12 and i loved it so much i still have it. they are a great gun for long range and the thick pa woods,

Rule 1: reliable shot placement trumps all discussion of which cartridge.

well said Pinklather