Newbie rifle for North America

[Cstone4985]

Well I know this has probably beaten a dead horse but I’m mainly an archery hunter. I’ve recently moved and wanting try to hunt with a rifle. Now I’m not new to rifle shooting but it has been many many years since I have shot one and it wasn’t for hunting. Anyways research has lead me to a 308 or 30-06. Having shot the 308 more I’m more partial to it, but not opposed to something else.

That being said I’m looking for a decent budget rifle/scope options. looking at 200-400 yds shots at most.
Like as stated I’m mainly a archery guy and have no clue where to begin I’m a rifle search.

 

[mlob1one]

If 400 yards is your max, consider the 7mm-08 or the 270 win. Less recoil and exceptional ballistics on game up to and including elk.

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[alexanderg23]

It’s hard to go wrong with a 30-06. One of the most versatile cartridges out there.

 

[Cstone4985]

If 400 yards is your max, consider the 7mm-08 or the 270 win. Less recoil and exceptional ballistics on game up to and including elk.

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Thanks for the info. I’ll do some research on those calibers.

 

[Cstone4985]

It’s hard to go wrong with a 30-06. One of the most versatile cartridges out there.

yeah that’s what’s every google search article keeps saying. I might end up getting the 30-06 for its versatility but a few have said if your someone that already has 3006 then stick with it but if your new to the game of rifle hunting they would suggest the 308

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Get a tikka in 308 or 30-06, put a scope you like on it and go shoot stuff.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Tikka t3x with a leupold vx3i is hard to beat For the price. $1100-1200 for glass and gun. 308 or 6.5 creedmor is cheaper and nicer to shoot. 3006 is a bit more crack to it for moose, elk or brown bear but adds recoil and ammo costs.

 

[LightFoot]

The 30-06 is ultra-versitile and widely available. Manageable recoil. Capable, though maybe not optimal, for any midsize NA game. More than adequate for Grizzly. Though it is not a long range cartridge, it will stretch out there for 400 yard shots. Wide range of bullet selection.

It surely isn't a wrong answer.

Good luck. I imagine this will be the first of many rifles you will purchase.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[BeastOfTheTrees]

.300 Wby

 

[Diesel]

I second Tikka for brand (or Sako). 30.06 is a time proven all around caliber. .308 is also and a shorter cartridge allowing for somewhat lighter configurations. 7mm.08 is a sweet spot on the recoil chart. But there are lots of good choices in the middle calibers from .270 to .300.

Since you have been mostly a bow hunter and get the up close thing, I would suggest the 7mm.08 unless Griz is on the menu.

 

[Milestone522]

The 30-06 is ultra-versitile and widely available. Manageable recoil. Capable, though maybe not optimal, for any midsize NA game. More than adequate for Grizzly. Though it is not a long range cartridge, it will stretch out there for 400 yard shots. Wide range of bullet selection.

It surely isn't a wrong answer.

Good luck. I imagine this will be the first of many rifles you will purchase.

>>>----JAKE----->

Like Jake noted one nice thing about 30/06 is that regardless of where you are you can find ammo for your rifle. Even the smallest Mom & Pop Gas station located halfway between somewhere and nowhere that sells ammo and tags will have it. They may only have a few boxes of ammo behind the counter, but there will always be a box of 06’.

 

[Rich M]

You can say the same for a 308, regarding ammo availability - it is available everywhere.

I'm currently stepping down from a 3006 and thinking 7mm08 or 6.5 CM. More 6.5 ammo around and more guns w 6.5 option. It is getting difficult for me to keep considering the 7mm08 due to ammo availability at this time...and I'm talking Bass Pro Shops, not Walmart.

Also considering getting a 350 Legend for normal deer hunting with a low recoil, low noise gun. Yet they are pretty much a 200 yard rifle. That's where they keep losing me.

Anyway - buddy just bought 308 for 2019 hunt and missed 2 bucks on a mule deer hunt due to flinching. One was a real pretty 3x3 with unique antlers.

I got mine but took 2 shots from 243 to drop him - first was a high shoulder shot that hit 1 inch below the spine made it limp, second was a boiler room shot that brought him down. Why'd I use 243? Cause I had it and shoot it easier & better than my 3006. If I had my 3006 and same first shot, he'd have been DRT due to increased energy and penetration.

My advise is to buy the caliber with an easy to manage amount of recoil cause you'll shoot it better. Too many guys get a "big gun" and can't shoot it 10 times in a row without flinching. 15# has been said to be the cutoff for folks with recoil.
Rough recoil numbers -> 7mm08/6.5 CM = 15#, 270/308 = 20#, 3006 = 22-25#, 243 = 10#

Gun weight tames recoil - heavier gun kicks less. Lighter gun kicks more.

Then muzzleblast also triggers flinching and I think that's my problem with my 3006. Am deaf yet have sensitive ears - wear muffs but absolutely hate it when the guys show up at the range with their recoil-less .223 black guns and muzzlebrakes - sends me packing cause of the extra percussion from the gasses & noise going sideways. They say it reduces recoil and I say it increases muzzleblast.

Anyway, a significant "bark" from the gun will cause "shot anticipation" or flinching too.

A suppressor is a wonderful thing and removes that issue but not everyone wants to spend $200 on a license to own a "can".

Yah - I took off on a rabbit trail. 42 seasons of hunting big game and finally got to the point where I want less gun but enough gun at the same time. Might be 6.5 CM. Will retain 30-06 in case I go for elk some day.

 

[jacknifejc]

I’d go with a Sako 30-06.

 

[Cstone4985]

Thanks everyone for the choices think I’ve made a decision.

 

[16Bore]

“I got mine but took 2 shots from 243 to drop him - first was a high shoulder shot that hit 1 inch below the spine made it limp, second was a boiler room shot that brought him down. Why'd I use 243? Cause I had it and shoot it easier & better than my 3006. If I had my 3006 and same first shot, he'd have been DRT due to increased energy and penetration.”

Ummmm......no.

The first shot was a miss, and still would have been a miss with the 30-06.

 

[theddguide]

270 win. Nuff said.

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[clockworkgator]

Check out the Winchester XPR as a Tikka alternative. Some very nice durability features and very high quality barrels. 6.5cm is a great all-around, but a laser for deer.

 

[Clarence]

Thanks everyone for the choices think I’ve made a decision.

Would love to hear what you decided on...even though you may have to endure a few I would haves on here.

 

[16Bore]

6.5CM is far from a “laser”

 

[Cstone4985]

Would love to hear what you decided on...even though you may have to endure a few I would haves on here.

Gonna go with a 308 Winchester model 70. I’m not just going for deer. Mostly elk, deer, bear, pronghorn, and maybe a caribou. Had a gentleman pm me actual ballistic data on the 3006 vs 308. There isn’t much difference at the ranges I’ll be at. Went 308 mainly being most familiar with it based on my military days. You can’t go wrong with either round it looks like.


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