I would caution you on buying a used gun, especially if you are new to the sport and do not know a lot about guns. I have gotten some good deals on used guns in the past, but you have to be careful. Remember some people do not take care of their guns like they should. If you buy used I would suggest to shop from a reputable dealer in your area.

Go with a 30-30,Marlin or Winchester.Light,handy in the brush,more than enough power out to 100 yards,ammo is inexpensive and sold every where,and it's a sturdy,basic,lever action rifle.Wal-Mart has good prices.Enjoy and good hunting.

Savage 110 in anything from .243 on up! Some of these calibers are better suited to specific ranges. (There is no such thing as a "brush buster", so don't get into that trap!) The .308 Win. or the 7MM-08 will do you well just about anywhere!

A lever action 30-30 is not a novice gun. Hammers slip out from under thumbs quite easily. It is a short range, one-trick pony. As Jag said, the concept of brushbusting is a myth. Also, as far as price goes sure the 30-30 may be cheap to shoot, but should price be a limiting factor when so many better cartridges are only marginally more expensive?

i like my remington model 700 adl in 30-06. it has served me well.

We need to know the style of hunting to give any real advise Visitor.

Open farmland or vast hills call for flat shooting bolt actions: 243 - 300win mag.
Thick bush ridges and gullies (or drives) call for short, fast actions: 30-30 - shotguns.

Don't buy one gun thinking its better cause its more expensive, I've missed opportunities because I had my fancy (expensive) scoped 308 bolt when I should have been carrying my basic (cheap) iron sighted 30-30.

"guns aren't for killing people, guns are for killing dangerous and delicious animals"
- Homer Simpson

Edited by - tschaef on 10/19/2002 20:14:35

frizzellr, did you have a bad experence with a 30-30 or something? They way the guns are made now and days they are very safe, if you know how to use them.

and whats this brush busting thing you have been talking about? I heard you guys say before say a light fast moving bullet will deflect less than a heavy slow moving bullet? So a 17 grain .17HMR will deflect less than a 1 ounce slug would?

Guns cause crime, like flies cause garbage.

3030win, No, what you heard me say is there is no such thing as a bullet that will bore through brush without having its flight path affected.

And yes, I have had to track more deer for people shooting 30-30 win than any other cartridge. It is ok within its short range but people insist on scoping the things and shooting them out to 200 yards and beyond which just doesn't work very well. Why limit yourself to a relic that should be retired to a museum?

Edited by - frizzellr on 10/20/2002 00:54:03

Go with a Savage. They are less expensive than the others and shoot just as good if not better than one twice its price. I wouldn't trade my 116 SS in .270 for a Browning, Win.,Rem.,Weatherby,Sako,Ruger of any other you can name. The .270 is all you'll need in just about any condition for 10 yds. out to 300 yds. It'll drop them on the spot with a good clean kill. Got mine for under $400 brand new and can write my name at 100 yds. and shoot 1" or less groups.
Get it and you won't be disappointed. I guareentee it!

Weasel6

Aww Frizzler it just ain't so. The 1948 model 36 marlin 30-30 leaning against my reloading bench is a better deer rifle than any of yours up to 150 yards, has killed more deer for my dad and I than any single rifle you own (or ever will) and has never lost a deer hit with it. How you can set yourself up as an expert on a rifle you don't use is practically a liberal angle. Sorry your friends can't shoot too, now they probably use magnums they can't shoot either.