never rifle hunted before

[scottstef]

I have never rifle hunted whitetail before and am looking at a .308 (was going with a .308 since I like that round for hog hunting as well) in the lower price range to try this year. I will be hunting in Maryland probably on the flat eastern shore, but possible some of the mountains in western Maryland and am looking for suggestions for a lower priced rifle to see if I like rifle hunting. any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Maki35]

Ruger American. Budget friendly and accurate.

 

[Brontosaurus]

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix. Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

rokslide.com

Ice/snow comparison between rifles

I have been asked by multiple people to do an ice and snow reliability eval between rifles/actions/triggers. Tthis is not a “test”, it is just a view at what generally happens. Doing a legitimate test requires more rifles and consistent conditions than I have. So… The rifles: 1). Tikka T3...

rokslide.com

These will help greatly! Good luck in your search!!

 

[cmahoney]

I like the recoil of 6mm’s over a .308.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mountainman406]

Another vote for a Ruger American rifle. Great shooting, easy on the wallet, and easy to resell if you don't like it.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Look at some of the Savages.

 

[scottstef]

Another vote for a Ruger American rifle. Great shooting, easy on the wallet, and easy to resell if you don't like it.

thx

 

[BugleMeTimber]

Tikka or Weatherby Vanguard are great options as well. Wide range of ammo/bullet selection with the .308 win.. Great Choice.

 

[scottstef]

Another vote for a Ruger American rifle. Great shooting, easy on the wallet, and easy to resell if you don't like it.

thx

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix. Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

rokslide.com

Ice/snow comparison between rifles

I have been asked by multiple people to do an ice and snow reliability eval between rifles/actions/triggers. Tthis is not a “test”, it is just a view at what generally happens. Doing a legitimate test requires more rifles and consistent conditions than I have. So… The rifles: 1). Tikka T3...

rokslide.com

These will help greatly! Good luck in your search!!

thx

 

[long hunter]

Lower end Ruger, savage or even some of the Remington's, Haunt the local pawn shops there are good rifles there that can be had for a decent price and a bit of haggling. Be careful on the Maryland eastern shore area a lot of that is shotgun only.

 

[scottstef]

Lower end Ruger, savage or even some of the Remington's, Haunt the local pawn shops there are good rifles there that can be had for a decent price and a bit of haggling. Be careful on the Maryland eastern shore area a lot of that is shotgun only.

I'm down near lower, slower Delaware, we can use anything here....

 

[WCB]

Ruger American, Savage Axis (make sure it has the Accutrigger) would be the top two picks in no particular order. Have friends that bought them for a "truck" or "beater" gun and they end up shooting as good or better than most rifles.

.308 would be a great choice for a first rifle. In case you do like it and want to head out west for elk also, I like it better than a 6.5 creed or any of the 6's. Also, noticed someone tagged the .223 thread. Sorry but I know it CAN be done but there are 100% better options.

 

[Yoder]

I'm a big fan of Savage. Even the low end rifles are super accurate.

 

[PlumberED]

There are a lot of good choices available, Howa, Savage, Ruger, etc. What is your budget for the rifle? Where abouts in Maryland are you located?

 

[scottstef]

There are a lot of good choices available, Howa, Savage, Ruger, etc. What is your budget for the rifle? Where abouts in Maryland are you located?

Live on the eastern shore, but plan to start doing a trip up to green river each year for deer.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My recommendation is a Tikka in 6.5 CM. Backorder a SWFA HD fixed 6 or 3-9 now. Buy Unkown Munitions Tikka rings/bases. Buy a bunch of Hornady ELDX and go shoot!

 

[PlumberED]

Live on the eastern shore, but plan to start doing a trip up to green river each year for deer.

I am in Frederick.

 

[scottstef]

I am in Frederick.

Ever hit catoctin orchards? They will let you hunt there, and have some big does getting fat on those apple trees

 

[PlumberED]

Ideally you should shoot some different calibers and rifles before making your choice. I think a .223 or a 6.5 CM would make a great first rifle, I would lean towards the .223 because it will also make a good training rifle, because of its low recoil and cheaper ammo.

 

[PlumberED]

Ever hit catoctin orchards? They will let you hunt there, and have some big does getting fat on those apple trees

Actually I didn’t know that the orchards would let you hunt their property, I must live in a cave. Catoctin is not too far from me.