looking for first rifle
 

i'm looking to buy my first rifle .. what are some good ideas ?

i will prob. be doin alot of boar hunting with it ? maybe a 30-06 ? and what make

thanks for the help

RE: looking for first rifle
 

The 30-06 is a great all-around caliber. Should be perfect in a good bolt action gun. Look in guns from Savage, Stevens, Remington, Winchester, Weatherby, Tikka/Sako, and CZ. That should give you a start. Give us a price range for the gun and we can further helpadvise you.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Since most boar hunting is usually a short range situation and thick cover try a
Rem Model 7 in 308 with a 2x7 or even a 3x9 scope. This combo is also great for deer and black bear.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

30-06 would be great, but if you get that, you won't need another rifle in your life, so if you're married, get a pump-action 7mm-08 or .308, so that you can make an excuse to buyanother rifle.:D

If you don't think you'll want to buy more rifles in the future, get the 30-06, a good auto-loader, like a Remington Model 760, with a 3x9x40 or as was already mentioned, a 2x7, it'll put 'em down well.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

The 30.06 would be a fine choice but I would get it in bolt action.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Bolt action isn't as good as auto-loader for close brush hunting, for close ranges, an auto would be as good if not better for hog hunting in close range, IMHO.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Just a couple o' questions first...

1) Have you ever shot a rifle before?
2) If so, was it a rimfire or centerfire?
3)How did you feel about the recoil? The muzzle blast?
4) What style was it - pump, semi auto, bolt, single shot, etc.?
5) Do you have anynostalgia for a certain kind of gun, like a lever action?
6) Do you/can you/would you ever reload your ammo?
7) Would you spend more on ammo. to have a more specialized cartridge?
8) Is this only a boar-and-smaller gun, or would there ever be larger critters on the menu? How often?
9)Will there ever be smaller critters on the menu: varmints, rabbits, squirrels, etc.?
10) Will thisbe a brush gun, or will you ever get some 200+ yard shots?
11)Do you hunt in chronically rainy areas?
12)Do you treat your tools with kid gloves, or are you rough on them?
13)Do you like wood or plastic/composite?
14) Would you cry if you scratched the stock on a wood gun?
15) Are you looking for a small initial investment, or would you like to get a lifetime gun right away?
16)Have you been to a gun store to hold several different kinds of rifles? Which ones did you like? Which ones liked you?
17) Do you have any strongbrand loyalty among gun makers?
18)How often will you practice shooting?
19)How often will you actually hunt?
20)(There HAD to be 20 questions, dontcha know!) Will you be carrying the rifle for long periods o' time, perhaps in the mountains/hills, or will you find a rest or a stand, & shoot from there?

I could throw out no end of suggestions, and the ones already mentioned may be just the ticket. If you can give us a little more information, we'll get you "dialed in", as it were.

Take Care,

FC

RE: looking for first rifle
 

FC, that was an excellent list of questions, I'm going to have to ask for permission to quote you sometime.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Many thanks, YG, but I'd suggest quoting someone much smarter than me!

FC

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Brass: I answered your post in Hogs / Exotics, and since I know the type of country you will be hunting, I can give some general advice. First, the 06 would be a fantastic calibre for the long range possibilties in the type of country you will be hunting. If not, the 270 , 280, 7-08, .308, 7 rem mag, 300 mag would all work well. Personally, Ishoot either my.308 ormy 7 rem mag in the Central Ca area for large game. I also suggest a bolt action rifle forbest accuracy. And,put good glass on it. And sight in around 3 to4 inches high at 100 yards. This =glass on hairout to 325 yard for all of the above.Oh, and shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot when you aren't hunting.

As to rifles brands, I own at least one rifle from every major American manufacturer, and they are all good. My personal favorite is my Weatherby Vanguard SMOA; but Remington, Winchester, Browning, Savage, Rugar, etc. all make (made in the case of Winchester) more than adequate hunting rifles that will give you a lifetime of service. Go to a gunstore and find out which one fits you best!

RE: looking for first rifle
 

thanks for all the info ... and yeah i have shot rifles before and other guns.

i would mostly prob be hunting boar and other game about the same size. And i would hunt other stuff like varmint but do you guys think a good rifle would be for that ?

RE: looking for first rifle
 

When I was faced with this situation, I settled on a .30-06 (a Savage 110, since I could find a left-handed one, which I needed).

A down-loaded .30-06 round (such as Remington's Managed Recoil ammunition, which I simply love for deer hunting) is great and easy on the shoulder.

Heavier loads will knock down about any of God's critters, and when I go hunting for hogs, I want to be prepared in case a big boar gets in my path.

Pretty good versatility, I think. At least it's good enough for me.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

In that case, I'd probably say .243 or .25-06.

The .30-'06 is seldom inappropriate for anything, but it's more than you need for the critters you've said you're chasing. With either of these cartridges, you'll end up with an easier-shooting rifle,so you'll be likely to practice more. Any rifle that will take a hog will take a deer, & vice-versa. They'll both reach out to 300 yards with no problem. And these 2 can take varmints without vaporizing them, in case you want to save the pelts. Ammo's widely available, & not too expensive, and there are a wide variety of rifles chambered for those cartridges.

Of course, these aren't the only answers, & one could make very persuasive arguments for everything from .22 hornet, or .204 Ruger, or .223, or .260, or .270, or 6.5x55, or 7mm-08...

As for rifles, do what DGH recommended: go to the store, & see which make/model follows you home! There are very few rifles that are absolute junk, so pick the one that fits you best, & you'll be happy with it. And don't forget to budget at least $150 for a scope!

FC

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Based on what you are telling us that you want to hunt. I might suggest the .308. Lots of good ones out there. Personally, I am biast toward the Remington rifles, but there are lots of excellnt companies out there. The .308 is big enough to kill hogs, Deer, small bears, pretty much anything in the lower 48 states. It is effective out to a pretty good distance. If youare really good, easily 500 meters for some larger game with the right ammo and shot placement. NOT A SHOT FOR BEGINNERS. You can use this to hunt some Varments. I used mine to shoot Prarie Dogs in South Dakota out to 700+ meters. Some luck involved in hitting them at that range, and some lots of experience to get close. IF you by factory ammo, you will pay as little as $15 a box, up to $25-30 if you buy top quality stuff. You can hand load excellent loads for about $8 a box. I loaded .308 that shot less than 1/2 MOA at a hundred. This is definatly not the do all answer to a rifle, but certainly makes for a good first rifle. There are better rifles for each game out there, but this really works well for all of them.

Some excellent Rifles to look at in .308:

Remington 700 LTR. Very well balanced. A little whippy to shoot, but manageable. Light enough to carry round the woods and hills, and accurate enough to shoot out to 600-700 meters. Short enough and easy to work in close if needed. I looked at one last year new at a gn shop in Savannah GA for right around $800-900.

FN SPR: Another tactical rifle, but if you pick it up, you will think, this, is the perfect PIG GUN. my buddy owns a gun shop in Cali, and when he got one in, everybody who picked it up said the same thing. It would be perfect for pigs and deer. It was wonderful to shoot. Groups nice and tight. (this is an expensive rifle)
(sorry everybody, this has really gone up in price since I last looked at one. I would still reccommend it though)

CZ makes some fine rifles. I have not shot them, but I have never heard anythingbad about them. Much more affodable than the ones above, still good guns.

For an excellent scope, for the Price, I really reccommend the Nikon. There are others that I like better, and they are all well over $1000. (Nightforce, Zeiss, Schmidt and Bender) The Nikon is durable, and very clear. YOu can get into one for $250-300. That is what I had on my Remington 700.

Just some recommendations from my own experience. Good luck finding what you want.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

Correction from Above:
Sorry, I misspoke myself. The FN Rifle that I wanted to reccommend in their PBR. Patrol bolt Rifle. This is the shorter version of their SPR. It is to the SPR what the Remington LTR is to their 700 PSS. A little shorter, and lighter.

Still worth looking into.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

I would take a look at the tikka's in 308,7/08 and 25/06.I have shot a lot of different calibers in them and they will shoot.There is nothing wrong with the other manufactors mentioned just another suggestion.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

There ARE several other good companies out there. I only mentioned the ones that I am personally very familiar with. I try to stay away from giving advice on buying something that Ihaven't had a chance to play with myself. Please don't take that as they are the only ones that are good. You might also look into a Thompson Center Rifle. TC makes a great rifle that you can change out the barrels on to get a totally different gun. That would really be worth looking into. They are somewhat pricy for the initial investment, but, when you want a new gun, you will pay less for a new barrel than a whole new gun.
good luck to you.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

How about a lever gun in .30-30 or .35 Remington?

RE: looking for first rifle
 

great ... thanks for all the info guys

RE: looking for first rifle
 

anyone shoot the remington Model 770 ( 30-06 )

if so, how is it ?

RE: looking for first rifle
 

I have not shot nor felt the Remington 770 but I have heard they are just a different version of the 710 and to stay away from them. I would recommend the Remington model 700sps in either blued or stainless,the 700xcr or the Model 7. Best to handle all of them to find out what fits you. 270win or 30-06 is a good choice. That way you can go to any ma and pop place to find ammo if you do not reload your own ammo. This is just my opinion which other may differ from.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

From what Ive read Its all good advice, only thing I could add is borrow, rent or some how try the cal. of your interest before buying. good luck

RE: looking for first rifle
 

I got a weatherby vanguard for my first years ago and absolutly love it. Dead on accurate, well priced, and will compete agaiints any gun in it's price range.

Good luck

RE: looking for first rifle
 

The .30-06 is about the best all around cartridge their is. That being said, I totally agree with younggun308's comment that once you own a .30-06, you really don't need another rifle, and who really wants to be done buying rifles, come on. I may be speaking out of turn, but I have never really understood why someone would want a .308 Winchester over a .30-06? Maybe I am just naive, but what would be the point? I have owned a 7mm-08 and really loved it. I think the 7-08 and .243 are the best manifestations of the .308 Winchester cartridge. Being .284 caliber over .308, allowed me to shoot some smaller bullets for varmints. Eventually though, I traded the 7mm-08 for a .243 and now had an outstanding varmint and small deer gun. Anyway, I am rambling. The .30-06 will do about anything you ever want a rifle to do, maybe not the latest cartridge out there, but still a dandy.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

The 760 is a PUMP action rifle from Remington. Although its not a auto loader, it would be a great choice. I have had four of them in 30-006 and never had a problem one. They are also as accurate as most bolt guns. All of the ones I have had would beat 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards with almost any load.

RE: looking for first rifle
 

That is pretty much complete. Excellent list!

Tom