New Hunter, tips anyone?
06-03-2009, 04:40 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kentuckay.
Posts: 183
New Hunter, tips anyone?
Alright, im a new hunter. I'm taking my hunters education course on the 11th-13th. I've grown up around guns and hunting and its now my turn to have some fun. Im 15 and looking for a good deer rifle.
I've taken the .308, .270 and the 30-06 into serious consideration. I'm 185 lbs and 6'0 if that helps with picking out a caliber.
Any tips on anything hunting, particularly a gun is greatly appreciated. Oh and by the way my price range is 300-500.
I've taken the .308, .270 and the 30-06 into serious consideration. I'm 185 lbs and 6'0 if that helps with picking out a caliber.
Any tips on anything hunting, particularly a gun is greatly appreciated. Oh and by the way my price range is 300-500.
06-03-2009, 05:39 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kentuckay.
Posts: 183
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
Okay, as long as our dealer can get it i am getting the Marlin XL7.
Now my question is what scope should i get and what caliber?
I'm leaning toward the .308, ny input is greatly appreciated.
Now my question is what scope should i get and what caliber?
I'm leaning toward the .308, ny input is greatly appreciated.
06-04-2009, 01:45 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,242
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
308 is a great caliber for deer and bear. You will be well served with one. Scope-wise, a 3x9 seems to be the standard, but I think a 2x7 is a better all-around selection. Low power for upclose shooting in brush, and 7 power is plenty to look for horns. I end up keeping mine on 4x most of the time anyway.
06-04-2009, 10:10 AM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 122
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
First of all, it's great to see youngsters like yourself excited about hunting. It will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and great memories.
I have two .30-06's and one .270, and I think that they are both great all around cartridges. You've made some very good and wise choices so far ..... excellent job. The '06 is the most versatile caliber you've listed, and the .270 is a little flatter shooting/less recoil. They are my two favorite cartridges. I give the nod slightly to the '06, just because if it's versatility.
In the 300-500 dollar range, I know you like the Marlin, but I suggest that you be patient and look for a good, quality used gun. You'll be able to get a lot more value for your dollar. It's amazing how many used guns are hardly shot. Let someone else take the financial hit for depreciation!
As far as scopes, take a look at the Optics and firearms forums on this site. A ton of great information and opinions -- enough to drive you crazy! I'd recommend a quality 3-9x40 like a Leupold VX-2, Bushnell 4200, or Nikon Monarch, but there are many great options out there to choose from.
Again, welcome to the sport!
I have two .30-06's and one .270, and I think that they are both great all around cartridges. You've made some very good and wise choices so far ..... excellent job. The '06 is the most versatile caliber you've listed, and the .270 is a little flatter shooting/less recoil. They are my two favorite cartridges. I give the nod slightly to the '06, just because if it's versatility.
In the 300-500 dollar range, I know you like the Marlin, but I suggest that you be patient and look for a good, quality used gun. You'll be able to get a lot more value for your dollar. It's amazing how many used guns are hardly shot. Let someone else take the financial hit for depreciation!
As far as scopes, take a look at the Optics and firearms forums on this site. A ton of great information and opinions -- enough to drive you crazy! I'd recommend a quality 3-9x40 like a Leupold VX-2, Bushnell 4200, or Nikon Monarch, but there are many great options out there to choose from.
Again, welcome to the sport!
06-04-2009, 10:18 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 3,050
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
The .270 is probably the all around most popular. I have a Browning A-Bolt WSMand a Ruger M77 in .270. I have also owned a Rem. 700, but sold it to a friend years ago. Not that it was a bad gun, the 700 is a great gun. Any of these three are excellent guns. The .270 is a flat shooting caliber, especially the WSM. They are great for short and long range and pack plenty of power. The .308 is a good choice also. I have one of them too, but I prefer the .270. It's all aboutpersonal preference. As for scopes, if you can afford it, look at the Zeiss Conquest. In the $200 to $400 range, check out the Nikon Monarch series , Burris Fullfield, and Bushnell Elite series. I would stay away from Bushnell unless it is in the Elite seris.
06-04-2009, 10:55 AM
#8
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kentuckay.
Posts: 183
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
First of all, it's great to see youngsters like yourself excited about hunting. It will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and great memories.
I have two .30-06's and one .270, and I think that they are both great all around cartridges. You've made some very good and wise choices so far ..... excellent job. The '06 is the most versatile caliber you've listed, and the .270 is a little flatter shooting/less recoil. They are my two favorite cartridges. I give the nod slightly to the '06, just because if it's versatility.
In the 300-500 dollar range, I know you like the Marlin, but I suggest that you be patient and look for a good, quality used gun. You'll be able to get a lot more value for your dollar. It's amazing how many used guns are hardly shot. Let someone else take the financial hit for depreciation!
As far as scopes, take a look at the Optics and firearms forums on this site. A ton of great information and opinions -- enough to drive you crazy! I'd recommend a quality 3-9x40 like a Leupold VX-2, Bushnell 4200, or Nikon Monarch, but there are many great options out there to choose from.
Again, welcome to the sport!
I have two .30-06's and one .270, and I think that they are both great all around cartridges. You've made some very good and wise choices so far ..... excellent job. The '06 is the most versatile caliber you've listed, and the .270 is a little flatter shooting/less recoil. They are my two favorite cartridges. I give the nod slightly to the '06, just because if it's versatility.
In the 300-500 dollar range, I know you like the Marlin, but I suggest that you be patient and look for a good, quality used gun. You'll be able to get a lot more value for your dollar. It's amazing how many used guns are hardly shot. Let someone else take the financial hit for depreciation!
As far as scopes, take a look at the Optics and firearms forums on this site. A ton of great information and opinions -- enough to drive you crazy! I'd recommend a quality 3-9x40 like a Leupold VX-2, Bushnell 4200, or Nikon Monarch, but there are many great options out there to choose from.
Again, welcome to the sport!
The guy I am buying through can get me a .270, .308 and 30-06 at $446, and these are brand new. They are the savage rifles with accu trigger and 3-9x40mm scope.
All im debating now is the caliber, is there any advice on choosing a caliber?
I'm guessing .308 or 30-06 because there is a possibility i will be doing some elk and bear hunting.
06-04-2009, 11:12 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Almost Heaven,WV
Posts: 4,087
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
ORIGINAL: fishguts
Get a scope powerful enough to clearly identify other hunters.
Get a scope powerful enough to clearly identify other hunters.
06-04-2009, 11:26 AM
#10
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kentuckay.
Posts: 183
RE: New Hunter, tips anyone?
Yikes!!!!..........Never use your rifle scope to identify other hunters. That's what binoculars are for.