Newb needs guidance
 

Hey guys, gonna totally put myself out here now and just say I am looking to go on a hunt by end of this year. Only experience I have with rifles is the Marine Corps issue M16 A2 and that was about 10 years ago....

I dont wanna be a pest around here, and ask all these stupid questions, been reading some old threads and stuff but really just wanna know where to start....any good reading you can direct me to or whatever. I live on the west coast not too much "country" around....I mean theres plenty of guided hunts within a half days drive that I have found on line, Pig Point Ranch, Raw Hide West, and others but where I live theres realy no hunting comunity so Im left to trying to learn about this stuff on my own.

So any good reading on different types of rifles for hogs, and any good reading for a begginer with zero hunting experience that I should know before booking a hunt would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!

Welcome largeli. An excellent way to start is keep reading this forum! Tons of information goes thru every day. Is it Hogs you are after? Or hunting in general?

Thanks for the reply, romat...yeah hogs seem the most abundant hunting within driving distance, maybe turkey. I wanna eat whatever I kill and I love pork and turkey. Never ate deer, but I guess hunting in general.

Im gonna get a rifle in the next few weeks, any advice for someone who has very little experience with firearms? I mean I dont have "zero" experience, like I said I was comfortable enough with the m16a2 to score a sharp shooter badge in the Marines hitting targets from as far as 500 yards out. But that was 10 years ago.

Rifle Comments:
 

I'll make a few comments, but you'll find there are many different opinions and most of them are probably valid.

As for rifle type, one's personal budget is probably the biggest consideration regarding that choice. I've heard (only hearsay) that some folks are unhappy with the Remington 770 series. The 700 series seems to get good ratings. There are obviously many other good rifles available, Check here and other forums for rifle commentaries.

As for caliber, I like my .308 Winchester. Although I bought it partially because of the variety of ammunition available, in practice I pretty much use 150 grain SP bullets. Other calibers have their own fan clubs. I also have a .223 (AR-15) that I use for shorter range shooting, like when I'm shooting at a feeder site or at a water tank where the hogs are likely to come in close. I only use it for close-in shooting because I just have a red dot sight on it with no magnification rather than a rifle scope. My personal recommendation is that if you're going to use only one rifle, get at least a .270 caliber.

I WOULD SUGGEST A 270 WSM WITH A BREAK ON IT.
research your public lands hunting areas.

right on, thanks for the comments guys! The budget Im looking at right now is around 600bux.

Take a look at these;

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117270

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117249

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=113410

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=87768

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=99595

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=90826

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=86358

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=86703

hunt with whatever you are most comfortable with, bullet placement is crucial on hogs even when using big bore rofles. if you are bookin a hunt, it means you will probably be hunting over feeders, not over 100 yds . a 223 0r 22-250 on a headshot is possible, i prefer a ,338 federal, but have killed alot of hogs with 22 cal. rifles. today most rifle makers are about even, prefer remington or savage. but there are alot of package rifles out there that are good choices. good luck, get a gun you like and leaRN TO SHOOT IT WELL.

thanks again guys for the links and all the info, I really appreciate it.

Hey when I take the class to get my Ca hunting license, will that class give any good info or is it pretty generic and more of a formality?

I guide for a ranch in North Texas, The last couple of years I am seeing more hunters coming in with the Savages, various calibers. They are a good deal and they perform well. For hogs you don't need a monster gun, but being you are just getting started I would recommend a .270 or 30-06. Shells can be purchased everywhere, and there again you won't have to pay the high price of the less-common.
I use a T/C Encore, .300 win.mag, 22.250. .50 cal. muzzle loader, and 12g. shotgun. simply love it!
shot placement shot placement shot placement....

Thanks for the info guys, I think I found a possible first rifle here..

http://www.savage-rifles.com/item/90...FCXP3_Rif.aspx

The Savage 270 with scope. Probably just keep reading up and learn to shoot this weapon for about a year then hopefully go on a hunt.

270 is a great round i've never killed a hog with one but have shot tons of deer with my Remington 700 and love the round.

Tons of information goes thru every day. Is it Hogs you are after? Or hunting in general?

Hunting in general but hog hunting seems to be the direction I'm headed because its easily accessable this part of California. Not a big hunting community in Santa Cruz Ca, but theres a lot of fully guided hog hunts within driving distance.

Largeli, if you have experiance with the M16, you may want to look into a larger caliber AR15 platform gun. I do not hunt with this type of rifle, but there are many GREAT calibers and manufactures out there that make them. An AR15 in 338 or 458 socom will take ANY north american game with good shooting habits. HOWEVER, like some of the others have said, a 270, 30-06, 7mm, 336 in 30-30, will do everthing you will need it to do. The best advise I can give is to buy a gun that fits, doesn't break the bank and will give you the confidence you need to take game in a ethicale,safe and most of all FUN manner. I and my son hunt hogs with a 270, 30-30, 50cal muzzleloader, 45 long colt lever gun. crossbow, compound bow, 41,44, mag, and a 460 pistol. ALL have served us well.

Right on, thanks Paul I was wondering about the AR15 types. I will definitely check some out.

If ya got the monet and thats what your comfy with then ya can't go wrong. I know CA has some different gun laws than we do here in Co. I would be sure to check that stuff out first.

I have been thinking alot about the 458 Socom. The review I saw on TV claimed it hits as hard as a 45-70. I looked up the bullet spec on Midway USA's site and they were right on with that info.

Either way you go I hope you enjoy yourself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes we all do. It is all the fun of hunting!

That Savage is a great choice. Get some practice in. The class you asked about, I don't know how CA's class is, but I took Ohio's when I was younger and it had some good info, especially if you're just starting out. Maybe find some State public land near you that you can hunt? and try and get a few hog hunts in. Read as much as you can in the offseason, this forum is a good start! Good luck
-Jake