New to hunting-Rifle question
 

I am getting into hunting, seriously, for the first time in my life, and as a college student I don't have very much money. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a decent rifle for as little as possible. I was also wondering what preferences ya'll have as far as rifles. This gun will just be until Christmas when I can get something else, but I need something until then. I would really appreciate any insight an experienced hunter could give me. Thanks in advance.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

I'll start this off,heck go to Walmart and get you a 30-30 if your hunting is less than 100 yards.Asking us what rifle we like is like asking what kind of wife we prefer.You're going to get a lot of different opinions.

Hunting is not a sport,it's a lifestyle.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

You can pick up a 30-30 at most Wally Worlds for around $265-275. Which is a great deer gun within its limits. If your looking for a little some thing more, Look into a Remington 700adl, they come in 30-06, 308 and 270. They cost a little under $380 I belive. If you already have a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun, you can also use that as a deer gun if you don't have the cash for a new rifle.

Guns cause crime, like flies cause garbage.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Thanks for the replies so far. When I was younger I hunted with a 30-30, but where I will be hunting now it is not really practical. Thanks for your replies, and look forward to hearing more.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Goto all the pawn shops and gun shows in your area. You can, if your luckly you can pick up an old 308 or 30-06 ect for cheap. Ive seen 30-06 for as little a $125

Guns cause crime, like flies cause garbage.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

First of welcome to the board!

To find used guns, newspaper classifieds, web, gun shows, pawn shop and gun dealers.

Calibers, 243, 270, 3006, 308 or what about 303 brits...Have seen the old 303 take loads of deer and should be able to find one cheap.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Since you are expecting to get a better rifle for Christmas, I'd suggest two good but inexpensive options. Either a British .303 or a Mauser 8mm military surplus that you can get for less than $200, you can find hunting ammo fairly easy and they both have the stopping power and range of a 30.06 or .308. I prefer the British Enfield SMLE or No.II because it's battlefield sight is great for hunting.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

New England Firearms has the handi-rifle that are pretty reasonable in price.And you can get them in just about any caliber.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Is there any chance you could borrow one until Christmas?

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

I probably could, but I would like to have an extra rifle anyway, and since I plan on hunting a good bit this season I don't really want to borrow one. I like the gun show/ pawnshop idea, and that is probably the route that I will take. I have other guns that I could trade, and that is probably my best option. I appreciate everything that ya'll have posted, and I would still like to here if anyone knows of a good caliber of rifle that I would not think of. Thanks again.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

In addition to all the 30-30,30.06, 308, 270 calibers (not to mention the current magnum craze) a few of my favorite non-standard calibers include the .257 Roberts, 6.5X55 Swede, .303 British, 7x57, 8mm, 7.62X54 Russian, and the .375H&H (but its alittle too heavy for whitetails).

Also check out the CZ and Tikka's for bolt actions. Also the H&R Handi Rifle built by New England Fires - as mentioned early - are accurate little rifles. Ruger makes the H&R barrels and Marlin markets them.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

some other calibers to consider, 7mm-08, .243win. I use the .243, but would like a 7mm-08 myself. It's being taughted as the best all round deer rifle ( for the moment anyway) It rivals the .30-06 in terrminal balistics but without the recoil.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

NEVER EVER EVER get rid of any gun. never sell, trade in, swap guns. you will always be wanting that gun back again.

propmahn
you can never have too many guns

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Mosin Nagant carbine. M91/59, M44 or any other that looks in good shape. They fire the 7.62x54R cartridge which falls between the .308 and .30/06 powerwise. These rifles are cheap, rugged, compact enoungh for brush hunting and will anchor most North American game at sensible ranges with good hunting ammo. Sellier & Belliot 180gr soft points are what I use in my 91/59.

Mine cost $80.00 Canadian and it's in real good shape. I bought a Savage this spring but I will keep the Mosin for sentimental reasons (Christmas gift from Mom) and because it is a blast to shoot.

Good Luck.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

DaNewf is talking straight up about the Mosin Nagant M44s, M91/59, and the M38s - all three of those are fine shooting Russian designed military bolt actions w/@20-inch barrels. And he was kidding about being a blast to shoot, especially at the first crack of dawn or at twilight - the muzzle blast is impressive. The Mosin Nagant 91/30s are also good budget firearms. But for a little more weight, you can get a Finn M39 MN (same 7.62x54R caliber)with a Sako barrel that will out shoot better than most of us can see. Handloads and a good 300meter range will make a believer out of most shooters.

Propmahn is preaching the absolute gospel, never..ever sell a gun. Build a bigger house, buy a bigger gun safe, sell the boat and motor, but never, never, ever sell a firearm...just add to your collection.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

Favorite Sticker: Vegetarian is Indian for Lousy Hunter

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

given the various hunting enviornments found across the country i would say that the 30-06 is the best all around caliber. i have shot antelope, muley, whitetail and elk with an old remmington of mine, some out as far as 500 yrds and some close as 50 yrds. the 30-06 has so many different factory loads they will match any situation.

savage arms offers a package deal consisting of new rifle, sling, hard case and scope for like $350.

Jason Root

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RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Don't know how much money you got, but if you have say, $300 or so to drop right now, consider doing something like this:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976268697.htm

I'd get a used slug gun or a shotgun with a rifled barrel. Heck, I've seen new 870 express combos for cheap cheap cheap. It ain't sexy and you gotta take real good care of it (you should do that anyway), but it gives you a lot of flexibility and is an all around good bang (hehe) for the buck. You get a rifled deer slug gun (some hunting places will ONLY allow you to use slug guns) AND you get a turkey, dove, squirrel, grouse, etc., etc., gun.

Then for Christmas get yourself a sexy rifle. If you're big, consider getting a moose tagger that you can use for deer too. Remington makes excellent rifles (the 700 BDL line) that drive tacks right out of the box and that are not terribly expensive for what you get. You'll then have two guns that will allow you to hunt anything in North America.

If we're talking real cheap, like $80, then you gotta go used - REAL used, like pawn shop stuff. I've never bought anything from a pawn shop, but I suspect you've waited too late for that. Likely lots of guys are looking for guns for the upcoming season. But around April, just before taxes... (hehe)

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

I wouldn't trade my Savage .270 for a brand new anything. Save ya' bucks and buy a Savage in .270, .30-06 or a 7mm-08. All are good all around rounds. It'll cover just about anything up to as far as you need to shoot. I'll put my Savage up against anything out of the box for accuracy out there. You can't beat them period. I bought mine in SS for under $400. A blued one was about $350.
The Rem. and Win. are good don't get me wrong but my Savage will shoot just as good if not better.
The Mosin/Nagant 7.62x54R, British .303 and German 8mm are good but they'll kick the s--t out of ya'. Be especially careful buying them at gun show though. Alot have seen there better days and the rifling is shot, barrels rusted and worn out firing pins. Ya' get whatcha' pay for when ya' buy a rifle for $50. Go with the Savage, you won't be disappointed I promise you.

Weasel6

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

Lots of good advice here, but since you're looking for ideas you may not have considered, I'll offer another one. Since you're getting a good rifle for X-mas, I'd consider getting a good 12 guage shotgun with a rifled deer barrel now. You'll never have a more versatile weapon...deer, turkey, ducks, squirrel, you name it, you can hunt it. There are millions of good used Remmingotn 870s out there and they are terrific guns. The first add-on barrel I bought for mine was a deer barrel with rifle sights, smooth bore, with a screw-in choke. I think it cost under $100 (several years ago). For years I put in a rifled choke for deer (shot a sabot slug) and a mod cyl choke for turkey. I love the rifle sights for turkey...much better than just a bead. Now I have a fully rifled deer barrel...but I still use the other one for turkey. And when I want to go for ducks I just pop on the original barrel the gun came with. You could probably get a good used 870 for $100 or less and the add-on barrel for under $150. Heck, you may already have a good shotgun and you could just buy the barrel :) I like mine for deer so much I've left my rifle in it's case for the last 8 years ;) You will be AMAZED at the accuracy and knock-down power of this weapon/sabot slug combination. Good luck.

RE: New to hunting-Rifle question
 

What about a nef in 30-30 it'll cost a couple hundred. But you can put different barrels on it for all kinds of hunting.

Gun controll is using both hands!!!