Hunting & Fishing New hunting Rifle Suggestions

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bradpierson26

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Minuteman
Sep 4, 2009
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Greeley, CO
#1
I am brand new to hunting and I'm looking for rifle suggestions. My girlfriend has hunted all her life but doesnt know a whole lot about rifles or ballistics or bullet choices. She wants to take me out for my first trip so i have come here for help on a few topics.

Quick background: Uncle sam taught me to shoot. I got a part time job at dicks sporting goods to get a discount on the gun and all the other hunting gear. i thought i could use my new .308 rifle but its like 12lbs unloaded and only getting heavier. Im an avid outdoorsman but 12lbs through the mountains maybe be excessive.

I want something that i can use on elk and deer alike. That said, i have decided on the 30.06. i can use 220's on elf, 180's on deer or even 125's on antelope! The terrain will be typical rocky mountain stuff.
I will use talley base/ring combo and I think i have decided on a Zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44mm mil dot. that comes to like 19oz (a little heavy).

now the hard part- the rifle. I like the savage 114 American Classic but im by no means sold.
1)I want a wood stock, im not worried about dinging it up in the woods. A little more weight than composite stocks will help the recoil - not that 30.06 is bad.
2)I want a new rifle. i know every reason in the book that a used one could be better but i just want new and i couldnt tell you why.
3) $600-$900.
4) DBM would be optimal

I dont reload so what factory loads should I try first. I have heard excellnt things about nosler partitions...

so what do you guys think?
thanks
 
#2
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

The '06 will work but I would stick with on bullet. 180 if that is what you want to use. You will get lots of suggestions so weigh each carefully. I hunted with an '06 for years and it did everything any caliber will do. If you were unsure of a caliber I would suggest a 7mm. Remember it is more about bullet placement than anything else. Get out and shoot as much as you can.

Good luck
 
#3
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

sounds like a good start, I agree with deuce, stick with one bullet, the more variables in you equipment equals more variations in point of impact.(bad) the '06 is a great cartridge, capable of anything north american, I would go with the best your wallet can buy. Savage makes a great rifle BTW, I would not skimp on the glass, its harder/more expensive to make good glass than a rifle, so get the best you can.reload for sure, and practice every chance you can.

P.s. I dont think 12 lbs of rifle is too much.
 
#4
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

12 lbs is not much--my ar-10 weights about 12 or 13 loaded and I carry it around all day with about 75 lbs or so of other guns and gear. You also won't go wrong with .308.

Regardless, if you must have a new rifle (I get that itch about every couple months), and if you want something cheap, effective, and durable in 3006, you might consider the mossberg ATR 100. Sure it's a cheapass $300 rifle, but you can't go wrong with it for hunting. It's a bolt with a 4+1 capacity. It's light as well and you won't feel too bad if something happens to it. I got the synthetic stocked one and it came with a cheap scope--I was incredible how accurate it was OTB. If you want to shoot over 100 yards though, I suggest ditching the scope for something better...

Don't worry about recoil--3006 is barely anything. A lot of people first getting into hunting opt for the lighter calibers out of fear for the recoil of the 3006--I assure you the fear is baseless.

 
#5
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

$600-$900 for the rifle or the rifle and scope?

In the same rifle, a .308 will be a hair lighter because the action is shorter. Performance will be indistinguishable and you can get ammo anywhere just like the .30-06.
 
#6
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

I would suggest the Savage and try to convert you over to the synthetic Accue-Stock. It's just more robust and reliable, and essentially impervious to the nastier quirks of nature. I'd suggest this. If you must have wood, then this.

I have a lightweight .30-'06 and use Remington Core-Lokt Express loads for my primary hunting needs. The 150's, 165's and 180's are fine, though I think that 150 would really be about as heavy as you would ever actually need to go, and judging from my rifle's recoil, could be the better choice. I never shoot heavier than 168SMK's.

The 125gr managed recoil loads are adequate, but I'd save them for less distant shots on smaller to medium sized game.

I found that a simple Limbsaver Slip-On recoil pad made a large and most pleasant difference with my .30-'06 and my Win '94AE .44Magnum Carbine, as well as adding a fair bit of LOP to suit my taller than average stature.

No need to deal with substantial recoil when there are simple remedies so easily available.

BTW, several of my hunting guns wear camo in the form of the Remington's removable Vinyl Realtree Camo Tape. Simple, neat, and comes off easily when the season's done. Realtree Camo stocks can be pricey.

BTW, how much is a Non-resident Elf Tag?

Greg
 
#7
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bradpierson26</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> i can use 220's on elf, </div></div>

Didn't realize there was a season for those. Must be tough critters to warrant 220's. i never liked'em, anyway...small hands...smell like cabbage.

06 is a great caliber. Try out some pawn shops and find you a Remington 700 (tons around here) bought one the other day for $200 cash. Check the local wanted ads and try gunbroker. You can find good deals on slightly used rifles and get a great rifle if you look hard enough.

Here is another tip. By a scope second hand off of your auction website of choice for about half and send it back to the factory to have it checked out and cleaned up on the warranty (ie Leupold). You can find great deals if you look!
 
#8
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

IMO, if I were to buy a factory rifle, I would look at Tikka, Howa, Sako, and Browning A-bolt (in that order). These always shoot very well with the one's I have tested. The Savage's shoot pretty good as well, and offer the wood stocks. I'm glad to hear you like the 30-06. It is more than capable for anything in N. America.
 
#9
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: silverphoenix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">12 lbs is not much--my ar-10 weights about 12 or 13 loaded and I carry it around all day with about 75 lbs or so of other guns and gear. You also won't go wrong with .308.

Regardless, if you must have a new rifle (I get that itch about every couple months), and if you want something cheap, effective, and durable in 3006, you might consider the mossberg ATR 100. Sure it's a cheapass $300 rifle, but you can't go wrong with it for hunting. It's a bolt with a 4+1 capacity. It's light as well and you won't feel too bad if something happens to it. I got the synthetic stocked one and it came with a cheap scope--I was incredible how accurate it was OTB. If you want to shoot over 100 yards though, I suggest ditching the scope for something better...

Don't worry about recoil--3006 is barely anything. A lot of people first getting into hunting opt for the lighter calibers out of fear for the recoil of the 3006--I assure you the fear is baseless.

</div></div>

I have one and it is great. Id suggest a wood stock on it though
 
#10
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

non resident elk tags are just under $500....maybe $492 if I remember right.

If you are going to buy a rifle with a wood stock look at them first because they all have different finishes and feels. There is a big difference between the Browning with a gloss finish and a satin oil finish.

Which brand???? That's the question of the year.
 
#11
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

I'd change things up a bit. Remington Laminated stainless mountain rifle in .30-'06 ( if you must, but, consider the .280), Leupold vx3 3.5-10 M1 elevation turret, mouonted in talleys. 168 tsx will flatten your tragectory a bit, and it'll kill everything you care to point it at.
 
#12
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

I'll be the odd man out and say 6.5Creedmoor. I haven't shot any elf like the OP suggested but, I have shot both deer and elk and I was very pleased with the results both shots I'm refferring to right around 500yds 502 for the elk 489 for the deer. I'd not hesitate to shoot anything in NA either with it. Barnes bullets all the way for medium range big bodied heavier boned game
 
#13
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

If you're used to your .308 and shoot well with it, then that's what you take on a hunt. (On your first couple seasons of hunting at least). Just make sure it fits perfect, and is set up perfect and tested before you go.

For what you're probably going after, that's enough gun for now (but I sure wouldn't go any smaller either). What you should be learning is all the things that will get you real close to make a precision shot. There's a ton of stuff going on, and that you should be thinking about, when you're hunting, so the shooting under pressure has to be automatic. It has to be done with what you're used to and good at.

Weird shooting positions, a target mostly behind cover and getting ready to leave, lousy or no field rests, being out of breath, heart pumping loud enough you can hear it, hands shaking, scope fogging over just from your sweat - that will make a 100 yard shot feel like 300. Use what you know, until you get a lot better at hunting.

The weight of it does not sound that bad, just make a point of getting into much better shape & strength of you think it will be a problem. Anyway, it's a small fraction of what all the other gear might weigh together, like water, one or two dozen rounds of ammo, knives, axe, bone saw, rope, plastic tarp, electronics, maps, bit of food, maybe a pack frame for bringing out the meat/hide/head, heavier overclothing for bad weather, binoculars, high country boots, etc etc.

How are you bringing out the carcass? Horses, quad, or hike? At worst, you'll have to carry out maybe 150 pounds of meat (at a time) plus your gear, at altitude through multiple valleys. A few ounces here or there in the rifle aren't going to mean much under those conditions. Don't worry about a specialty short or thin-barreled 'mountain rifle' - that's a very special setup with it's own set of problems.

If you're still scouting for a new rifle for down the road, first start off with the cartridge. The only good reason for new rifle is because the old one is broken, or wrong in the first place, or you need different ballistics for different conditions or animals. Assuming you're doing mountain hunting up to elk size the best choice would be 300 win mag, using 180 gn hornady corelocked or nosler partition handloads over RL22 or RL25 or IMR7828 powder, set up to run between 2900 and 3050 fps depending on the best harmonics of your barrel. Factory 180s with Noslers are OK too.

Then, you find a new factory rifle (for cost, and modern construction, and barrel condition reasons) with 26-inch, standard profile barrel in that caliber. Get a good stock, preferably a good synthetic or laminate, in some brand known to have good base accuracy out of the box. Get the stock length perfectly custom-fitted with permanent limbsaver pad. Adjust trigger. Add a good scope. Tune to perfection.

Then, if you are rich and want to get exotic, a fast 338 or heavy 375 might be the next step.

$.02
 
#14
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

Elf are tough! So you better buy the biggest mother f&$#er that dicks has!!
grin.gif


JK with you bud. All of the calibers you mentioned will get the job done!And you are right not to want a heavy ass rifle to do it all with! (just ask 7mmRM about it)
 
#16
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

Just picked up a Savage 110 in .308 for my dad from Cabelas. They had some special going on (not sure if it still is); the gun plus a Cabelas 3-9 scope was $530 out the door. Scope isn't the greatest but can be replaced. From the reviews of people on this site, I found out the newer Savage rifles are good to go. As far as caliber, everyone else hit it on the head. At least up here (Midwest) you can find .30-06 and .308 in every sporting goods store. Someone said a 6.5 Creedmor??? Probably a nice gun but good like finding ammo at Bob's Exxon station in bumble-(*&^ nowhere.
 
#17
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO, if I were to buy a factory rifle, I would look at Tikka, Howa, Sako, and Browning A-bolt (in that order). These always shoot very well with the one's I have tested. The Savage's shoot pretty good as well, and offer the wood stocks. I'm glad to hear you like the 30-06. It is more than capable for anything in N. America. </div></div>


This is sound advise--Tikka makes a damn good, and accurate rifle right out of the box. I have one in .270 and it shoots 3/4" at 100 with my handloads.

Light weight--check
Wood--Check
30-06--Check
 
#18
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

Elf's are quite hard to hit too! That don't stand still at all. Especially once they know you're after them. The season is about to close come Thanksgiving though. Should open up again December 26th.

I have a classic BDL in .06. My first rifle. 22" and a joy to carry. Pretty stock and all.
 
#19
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

My sug. to you would be a tikka t3 you can get it in a wood stock and is around 560 600 new they are made by sako tested to 1 moa from the factory everyone of them for the price your not gonna find a cheaper more accurate rifle out of the box. and the action is smooth as silk. Hope this helps.
 
#21
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wolfman1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd change things up a bit. Remington Laminated stainless mountain rifle in .30-'06 ( if you must, but, consider the .280), Leupold vx3 3.5-10 M1 elevation turret, mouonted in talleys. 168 tsx will flatten your tragectory a bit, and it'll kill everything you care to point it at. </div></div>

+1, personally, the 280 is a great recommendation.
 
#22
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joe-n-TX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Elf's are quite hard to hit too! That don't stand still at all. Especially once they know you're after them. The season is about to close come Thanksgiving though. Should open up again December 26th.

I have a classic BDL in .06. My first rifle. 22" and a joy to carry. Pretty stock and all.</div></div>


Elf hunting and Reindeer hunting...aahhh the holidays are here again. Got a nice Elf last year...
 
#23
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

If you want tried and true, and the classic look of a beautiful hunting rifle (I think thats what your looking for with preference of wood stock and 30-06). Get a Winchester Model 70, I can't believe no one else has mentioned that! You can get some really nice used ones for a fair price, and a new supergrade "classic" with the controlled round feed like the pre-64's for the top of your price range. I have a 1972 made one, some bash the quality compared to the pre-64, but I will definately say it is far better quality than my new remmy 700, man the thing is tight and solid. I love it....
 
#24
Re: New hunting Rifle Suggestions

I think the 220s would be a bit heavy in the '06, even for elk. Most guys I know use the 180s, those seem to be a good combo of speed and weight in the '06.

The 308 is also a great cal for the game you mention. They will kill elk dead if you do your part.

I agree with the suggestions for using one bullet - at least stick to one weight ie 180s. It wouldn't be too bad to use one type of bullet for elk, and another for deer/lopes as long as you shoot both enough to know the difference. If not, stick to one load.

Partitions are great bullets, esp. for elk. You might want something that expands a little faster for deer and lopes although partitions will work just fine on them too. Personally, I use Barnes 168s in my Tikka 308 and 200gr Accubonds in my 300 RUM - for everything... and both of them work great on all three animals.

Also great advice on the 30'06 and 308 in terms of round availability at any gas station.. I've forgot my ammo on a big hunt and was damn glad I could buy some at the local gas station/sporting good store/cafe.

I own 2 Tikka T3 lites - one in 243, one in 308 (with a 19" barrel). My family loves them. The hunters that I have lent them to love them. My son loves the Tikkas so much he gave me back my custom built Rem 700 .260 (McMillan stock, schneider barrel) and absconded with my 308 tikka. Can't go wrong with a savage either though.

Finally, weight... it's like recoil. Some people don't mind carrying a 13lbs gun up and down mountains, some do. I'm not big on heavy guns. I love carrying that little Tikka and it kills deer and elk dead as hell...that is until I got my custom built 300 RUM, but that is a different beast altogether.

Hunting elfs just depends on the hunting district you're in...it's easier to get tags in some districts.

Best of luck.
 
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