Looking for first rifle

stan5677 · Mar 15, 2015

Looking to buy my first bolt action rifle. I already own a h&r ultra slug hunter and want a rifle to take advantage of some of the rifle counties here in MD. I'm looking for a rifle that can be multipurpose plan on doing an elk hunt next year and looking for one caliber that can do it all at ethical ranges. Nothing past 300 I'll be comfortable with. All help is welcomed.

Boom Boom · Mar 15, 2015

Remington 700 in .30-06 or .308 seems like an obvious choice.

BossmanPJ · Mar 15, 2015

Boom Boom said:
Remington 700 in .30-06 or .308 seems like an obvious choice.

I would suggest exactly this or the Ruger American series is great as well. Either way you won't go wrong.

outrider58 · Mar 15, 2015

...or .270, maybe? Winchester or Remington. Savages are affordable but are low on frills. I'd figure on a caliber, and pick up a few different brands and see which one feels better, fit wise.

jaybee · Mar 15, 2015

I'm not a big bolt action fan that's why I like the rem 760 in 30-06 - I like a qwik second/third shot

it's now the 7600
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/3/products_id/94657

pop a scope on it and a sling and yere good ta go

Mack C-85 · Mar 15, 2015

+ on the 760, I love mine. Accurate, quick follow up shots, not bad to carry. When you push the forearm forward, it naturally pulls the barrel back down on the target.

Mooseman · Mar 15, 2015

I love my Ruger American in 270. A well built, reasonably priced rifle.

iH8DemLibz · Mar 15, 2015

.270 if recoil is a possible problem.

F8L_Funnel · Mar 15, 2015

FN-TSR-XP in .308. It's an absolute tac driver. The 1st time I took it out past 100 yds I was taking 20 oz water bottles at 400 yds. So anything within your self-imposed 300 yd limit doesn't stand a chance. Plus you can "ethically" reach out past that in need be. It has some weight to it but I like that for stability reasons.

Bafflingbs · Mar 15, 2015

Boom Boom said:
Remington 700 in .30-06 or .308 seems like an obvious choice.

bossmanpj said:
I would suggest exactly this or the Ruger American series is great as well. Either way you won't go wrong.

Mooseman said:
I love my Ruger American in 270. A well built, reasonably priced rifle.

If money were no object, The 7oo is hard to beat. I bought the Ruger (American)Revolution in .308, with a Redfield scope, (made by leupold) for $505 delivered. It is supposed to have a sub-MOA accuracy. Feels very good for the money. I may never know the accuracy claim. :innocent0

Boom Boom · Mar 15, 2015

iH8DemLibz said:
.270 if recoil is a possible problem.

Shouldn't make much difference if load and bullet weight are kept comparable. .270 is just a necked-down .30-06 case. The reason to choose .270, IMO, is if you want a flatter trajectory at long range, at the expense of up to 200ft-lbs of energy.

Bafflingbs · Mar 15, 2015

This is a pretty good read about ideal cartridges for hunting Elk. Distances are included, so I thought it very pertinent for your needs.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm

outrider58 · Mar 15, 2015

Bafflingbs said:
This is a pretty good read about ideal cartridges for hunting Elk. Distances are included, so I thought it very pertinent for your needs.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm

The last sentence says it all. No matter what round you use, you gotta be able to it in the right place.

Bafflingbs · Mar 15, 2015

Outrider... That is one scary avatar!

"Everything floats down here."

outrider58 · Mar 15, 2015

Bafflingbs said:
Outrider... That is one scary avatar!

"Everything floats down here."

I got bored today.

Bafflingbs · Mar 15, 2015

I like it. I actually read it when it was in hardback.

outrider58 · Mar 15, 2015

Bafflingbs said:
I like it. I actually read it when it was in hardback.

It's the only SK movie i'll watch. I put it on on rainy days.

stu929 · Mar 16, 2015

Savage hog hunter. I had a remmy 700 that was stolen got this as i couldnt afford the remmy and this is every bit as accurate if not more so.

[/URL][/IMG]
5 shots with a hand load.

kstone803 · Mar 16, 2015

I'm a big fan of the .270 WIN but since I have on already my next hunting rifle is going to be a Weatherby Vanguard II in .25-06. Pretty excited to get it.

Derwood · Mar 16, 2015

I was in your situation 4 years ago. I wanted a good all-around deer rifle that I'd use if I ever manage to get an Elk tag. I eventually narrowed it down to Remmington 700 30-06...but then I decided to try a budget gun first.

I picked up a Savage Axis in 30-06 for $300 including scope and case on a Black Friday sale. As soon as I got home I started having buyer's remorse since I really had my heart set on a Remmington, but after taking it to the range and hunting with it for three seasons, I'm very pleased with it. It shoots very well every time and it's much lighter to carry than the 700--somewhat important when you're hunting in the mountains. However, since it's light it kicks hard. You won't want to shoot more than 10 or 15 rounds per range visit without a towel or something padding your shoulder.

Generally with guns like most manufactured tools, you pretty much get what you pay for. But if you can get the job done with a Ford, why get a Cadillac? That's just my opinion. My most expensive rifle is a $900 carbine lever gun that I bought and hunt with just as often because it's badass and I love it.

Personally, I like the 30-06 cartridge over .308. It's kind of like Ford vs Chevy I suppose--both work and both are easy to find, but I like the history of the 30-06.

Looking for first rifle

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Member

Hold my beer. Watch this.

Ultimate Member

Eats Bacon Raw

Ultimate Member

R.I.P.

R.I.P.- Hooligan #4

When All Else Fails.

Active Member

Attachments

Gozer the Destroyer

Hold my beer. Watch this.

Gozer the Destroyer

Eats Bacon Raw

Gozer the Destroyer

Eats Bacon Raw

Gozer the Destroyer

Eats Bacon Raw

M1 Addict

Official Meat Getter

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics