First Rifle
 

I am going into my 3rd season hunting up here in Northwest Lower Michigan and I've been using my brother-in-law's old rifle. Well, I'm in a position to get my own now and after some research I've decided on either a .30-06 or a 7 mm Mag. Any advice, suggestions, etc.? My budget is around $500 and I'm left-handed so I know that limits my choices a little bit.

RE: First Rifle
 

Go to the amo web sights and read about and look at ballistics data for the new WSM in .270 and 7mm. You may like what you see.[8D]

RE: First Rifle
 

Of the two I would go for the 30-06...:D

RE: First Rifle
 

why the .30-06?

RE: First Rifle
 

Both the 30-06 and the 7mmMag will kill anything you will probably hunt. It is a toss up, and you have to decide. I have both, but if forced to select only one, I would chose the 30-06. You might want to read up on ballistics, bullet selection, offerings by the various manufacturers, etc. If you have the money, I would go with a Rem 700, Win Model 70 Classic, or Ruger 77, in Stainless Steel, and weather resistent stock (laminated or fiberglass). Any of these guns will do all you want to do (and there are others as well), and will likely last you your entire hunting career.
Just my opinion, you understand, and you are going to get other opinions.
Good Hunting,
Hal

RE: First Rifle
 

Remington 7oo LH BDL 30-06. You would never really need any other gun to hunt all North American Big Game. Savage, Ruger, Browning, Sako, Winchester and Tikka also make a good LH bolts guns in 30-06. If you wany to shoot a right hand bolt then I would take the Remington 700 ADK Synthetic in 30-06. I am left handed but shoot mostly right hand bolts. Also consider the Remington Pump in 30-06. They will shoot as good as most bolt actions and are accurate and reliable. I have had three of those. Two in 30-06 and one in 270.

RE: First Rifle
 

I've heard of feeding problems with the WSM cartridges because of the steep 35 degree shoulder angle, is there any truth to that?

RE: First Rifle
 

I would go with the .30-06 because it is just about the same preformanc as the 7mm mag but a little bit better ammo selection in my opion. Once you decide on what gun you want here is a couple of sights i keep my eye on and find good deals time to time.


www.gunbroker.com

www.auctionarms.com

good luck.

RE: First Rifle
 

The first rifles did but thats not a problem anymore. I have a model 70 270 wsm (same case as 300) and it feeds flawlessly.

RE: First Rifle
 

The .30-06 is a great cartridge. It's velocity and energy make it a devastating caliber against everything in North America. The weight and load selection is great, and reloading is cheap. I have a Rem 700 ADL that I swear by. It's my favorite rifle by far, and the only gun I cherish more is my grandpa's old Wingmaster.

RE: First Rifle
 

Flip a coin. Good luck.

RE: First Rifle
 

I think I'm going to go with a Tikka T3 chambered in a .270 WSM with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm scope.

RE: First Rifle
 

Personally, I would go with the .270 Win. However; it sounds like you made a good decision.

Enjoy your new rifle! There's just something about your first rifle too!
Matt

RE: First Rifle
 

Congrats on your choice, i realy love the 270wsm. I cant realy comment on the t3 but the one i seen looked like a nice rifle. I use the same scope on my 270whizzum as youve decided on. I plan on putting a sightron II 4.5-14x42 on it this summer though.

RE: First Rifle
 

thank, I think I'm going to like it a lot. The only problem is that right now there aren't any left-handed T3's. I emailed Beretta and asked them if there were going to be any for 2004 and they haven't responded yet. Should I just get a right-handed one and make the adjustment? Remember, I'm a new hunter so I'm not used to doing anything yet.

RE: First Rifle
 

:) Hello friend. If it was me , and granted its not . But if it was I would look into buying a Savage rifle, in a 7mm rem mag. For the money you cant get a better rifle on the market. I still have my first 270 cal. Savage modle 110. I am not an expert on looking at books, but I do love to hunt . I am not a big 30 cal. fan . Even though they have proven themselfs time and time again. But I do like my 7mm rem mag. I guess it really comes down to what you like , and what you want to buy . Not what we would like you to buy. whatever you get , you just need to shoot it enough to gain enough confidence in it so that you will enjoy it. Hunt safe. Thanks Leroy.

RE: First Rifle
 

NWMhunter, Don't buy a right handed gun. If you blew a primer or case, your gun is designed to dicharge the gases away from your face. And for most guns, thats out the side thats with the exposed bolt. As for your choices on calibers, check out some ballistics and then ask yourself if you will need to shoot beyond 300 yards. Why? A .270 Win and the 7mm remington mag have very similar speeds and energies out to that range. But the .270 will kick you less, use less powder, and have a quiter muzzle blast than the 7mm. And with only.007 difference in bullet diameter, it seems clear which would be nicer to shoot. My friends bother lives and hunts out east and carries a winchester 30-06. He quite likes it, and you have a very wide choice of bullets to shoot in weights from 55 grains up to 220. But it too will kick a little more than the .270. Hope this helps.

RE: First Rifle
 

thanks for the advice, I was actually considering just going with a right-handed gun if I couldn't go left-handed. I wasn't aware of that safety issue.

RE: First Rifle
 

Just so you guys know, Tikka won't be making any left-handed T3's until 2005.