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Looking for advise on first riffle purchase #2743952 11/11/11 11:28 PM
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lilchkn Offline OP
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First I would like to apologize if I am creating a topic that has been answered, but this is my very first forum to join. Please be patient.

My boyfriend and I are interested in learning how to shoot, hunt and clean, ect...I have shot a little 22 rifle of some sort once and he has never shot a gun. I would like to buy him a gun for Christmas and have waded through the internet on beginner riffles and have come away confused. We are interested in deer and wild pig hunting. I would like to buy something that is not a toy gun, but not super pricey either. A good reputation is important. We would begin by going to the shooting range and getting comfortable with handling it. We are both pretty small people, 5'8 and 5'1, but both of us are pretty tough. I am particular concerned with getting something that minimizes the risk of hitting something and only wounding it. Suggestions would be a huge help.

Thanks to everyone for sharing!


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: lilchkn] #2743974 11/11/11 11:40 PM
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First of all, you are probably the coolest girlfriend of all time. With the exception of my wife, of course. Get him/y'all a .243. (I know BDM is going to say 7mm-08. Also a good round.) Both have little recoil and will get the job done. You will get lots of advice and almost all of it is valid. Good luck! welcome



"Democracy is a sheep and two lions voting. Liberty is a well armed sheep contesting the vote."
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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: lilchkn] #2743976 11/11/11 11:42 PM
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I would recommend starting with a Marlin XL-7 or XS-7 in a 25-06, 7mm-08 or 270. These run about $300 to $350. Another option is a Tikka T3 which used will run about $500-550. A lot of guys like Remington 700's and so do I, but I have had to have work done on them to get them up to the accuracy of the Tikka or even the Marlins. Savage are also very accurate rifles. If going with Savage try to find one with accutrigger. Dont be intimidated by the high dollar rifles out there i have several custom or semi custom rifles i have over $2,000 in before the scope was added while i love those rifles, my Tikka T3 and Marlin will shoot close enough for hunting purposes any day Good luck!


Last edited by TGO; 11/11/11 11:46 PM.
Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Bear Charge] #2744000 11/11/11 11:47 PM
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There's a thread on here about Height to Caliber Ratio. I think the general concensus was that if you're under 6 ft. in height that you are required to use magnums only. I'd suggest a .338 Win Mag for starters.

Just kidding. Welcome to the forum.

Buy a decent rifle and a good scope. Don't buy cheap optics. Spend as much on optics as you did on the rifle. The rifle is only as good as the optics on it. Good luck.



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: LandPirate] #2744018 11/11/11 11:55 PM
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25-06, 270, 7-08 are all gonna get the job done with little recoil. You can go 300-400 on an entry level rifle but go with something about the same price range to top it off with and you'll have something that you can use forever up



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: BuckRage] #2744046 11/12/11 12:09 AM
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Bear Charge Offline
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I forgot to mention the 30-30. Marlin made them w/ microgrooves and they are deadly accurate if you are shooting less than 200yds. Can be bought used at about $300.



"Democracy is a sheep and two lions voting. Liberty is a well armed sheep contesting the vote."
Ben Franklin
Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Bear Charge] #2744082 11/12/11 12:23 AM
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Get a 7mm-08(if you can afford its bullets), 243, or 25-06.
I would say 22-250 but UNLESS you are VERY confident about your shooting skills and are MEAT hunting and can take a neck/head/shoulder shots than buy it....if not forget i mentioned it.
Same with 223, 222.
Also 270 and 308 are good options if you can handle a bit more recoil.
Fellow THFers correct me if I am wrong(probably am)
Oh and the new Weatheby Vangaurd 2 is a good gun for the money


Last edited by chital_shikari; 11/12/11 02:22 AM.
Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Bear Charge] #2744095 11/12/11 12:31 AM
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I shot my first deer with a 30-30 Marlin when I was a kid. It was a great gun for 100 yard or less shots. I stepped up to Remington Model 700 30-06 about 30 years ago and it has been a really trusty gun. I have only missed a deer twice. One deer was too close and I didn't think to compensate and the other was way further out that I thought (275 yards). My bullets were also too heavy (180 grain). I switched to a 150 grain bullet. I have read that a .270 is a more dependable deer gun than a .243. Everyone has their favorite.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Bear Charge] #2744098 11/12/11 12:33 AM
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#1. Sounds like you're a great girlfriend.

#2. Savage Axis in 7mm-08 with a decent scope. I personally like the Bushnell Elite models or Redfield Revolutions for a decent relatively low priced scope. Put the scope in decent rings, look at Leupold for rings. Be sure to have it professionally mounted and bore-sighted if you aren't experienced and verify that it's sighted in before heading into the field. You should be looking at around $500 for everything. It's a great package for beginners but it'll last you a lifetime. The 7mm-08 is a great cartridge that will cleanly take deer and hogs and most any other animal on this continent, but it's relatively easy on the recoil. Let us know how it works out and be sure and post pics of what you decide on!

Russell
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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: hpb_rst] #2744267 11/12/11 01:32 AM
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Maybe pick up a book on rifle marksmanship to learn and begin practicing the basics. The US Marines Rifle Marksmanship handbook is an excellent start.



Mike
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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: LandPirate] #2744331 11/12/11 01:55 AM
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Tikka t3 lite. 2506 or 243. Minimum kick with medium knock down power. If you can stand it get a 270 or 308. Good luck. Your going to have fun.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: LandPirate] #2744339 11/12/11 01:58 AM
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If you are not used to recoil I'd say go with the .243. I think a .270 might be a bit much for beginners.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: grout-scout] #2744371 11/12/11 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted By: grout-scout
If you are not used to recoil I'd say go with the .243. I think a .270 might be a bit much for beginners.
up and welcome


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: NEVAGA] #2744422 11/12/11 02:30 AM
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.243Win, 257Roberts or 25-06 Rem hands down for a beginner. Look over the trajectories, velocities and energy up to 300 yards. Of course 25-06 is superior to both calibers. I would not buy .270 to start out with. It is a pretty mean kicker. 25-06 could be a keeper if you get a Tikka or Sako (used).



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: NEVAGA] #2744448 11/12/11 02:41 AM
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I agree with the the suggestion of .243 and would recommend the Thompson/Center Venture. It is american made and can be had for < $500. Put a Nikon Prostaff scope on it and you have a very capable gun that will take down almost anything in Texas. Both Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops carry the gun.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: bassman110] #2744613 11/12/11 03:48 AM
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I would like to welcome you to the forum. Next I would say is go to a gun store and pick up the rifles and see what feels right for you. Then you can pick a cal. The gun needs to fit you and feel comfortable. I like the 243 its good for deer or hogs and light on recoil. If you are new to shooting you don't need to start flinching from heavy recoil. Good luck and post some pics of your success.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: bassman110] #2744641 11/12/11 03:57 AM
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I started out with a Weatherby Vanguard Combo in a .270 Winchester. It was pretty accurate out of the box. This is my first and only Deer rifle so far. I am 38 and have only been hunting 3 years and have dropped every deer I have shot (total of 9) with this gun. I replaced the scope with a buckmaster nikon scope. This would be my pick if you are looking for a gun with a bit more power at a reasonable price. I did have a muzzle break put on my to reduce the recoil as well as added a recoil pad. Very happy with this gun. Listed below is the review.

http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/weatherby-vanguard-review?page=1




Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: pigplinker] #2744650 11/12/11 04:00 AM
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welcome You can consider purchasing a little bit larger rifle such as a .270 and then purchase their Managed Recoil loads to shoot from it till you get more comfortable with it. In a .270 when using these loads it takes the felt recoil or kick of the .270 down to the same as a .243. You are limited to distance of say 200 yrds or less but same point of impact. It comes with a 115 grain bullet also. With them you could also switch to regular loads when hunting as you will normally never feel the recoil due to the excitement of the hunt. Doing this will give you a larger caliber rifle if you are concerned about the killing power. But one very important thing to remember is shot placement. Know your game you are hunting for shot placement. Practice as much or often as you can to get to know your rifle and the caliber to be able to put your shot in the exact spot you want. Good luck.
http://www.remington.com/product-families/ammunition/centerfire-families/managed-recoil.aspx



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: stxranchman] #2744864 11/12/11 05:52 AM
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Yall need a Remington Mod 700 synthetic stock .243 It will work,,get a good scope,,,,,,,your good to go !



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Ranch Dawg] #2744990 11/12/11 11:33 AM
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I agree with Ranch Dawg that is a good all around caliber to use don't go cheap on a scope get a leupold or something compareable and a 50mm objective on the end of it


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: tapout] #2745075 11/12/11 01:06 PM
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While all previous posts have there good points, I'm going to suggest something a little different but I hope you can see the value. For the christmas present go ahead and get something like the .243 for hunting purposes. It's one of the excellent callibers that will serve you well for most if not all texas game animals and varmints. But i would also spring for something like the ruger 1022. It's an absolute fun rifle to shoot without any recoil whatsoever, very cheap ammo, and you'll keep it and have fun for a long time if not forever. And they are pretty inexpensive to boot. Then to learn how to shoot I would go to an Appleseed shoot. Look them up on the web. You will have a great time and walk away knowing how to shoot well before any bad habits develop.



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: splash556] #2745173 11/12/11 01:50 PM
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I would buy a 30-06. There are are plenty on the market and you can buy reduced recoil ammo.



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: TGO] #2745188 11/12/11 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: TGO
I would recommend starting with a Marlin XL-7 or XS-7 in a 25-06, 7mm-08 or 270. These run about $300 to $350. Another option is a Tikka T3 which used will run about $500-550.

Finding a used (since they don't import them in new anymore) Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 would be a rifle that can do it all. If not, then I would go with a .243 as it can do any Texas game. Since it's a first "big" gun I would probably go with a .243 or even .308, considering it will be shot quite a lot for practice. Ammo pricing for 6.5x55 and especially for 25-06 is much higher.


Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: Sami] #2745641 11/12/11 05:23 PM
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http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/

Before you start spending money on hunting rifles and gear, it would be a good idea to take a hunter education class. (see above link) You'll have to have this class before you can legally hunt in Texas, and the instuctors and classmates will be a wealth of information for you.

Welcome to the forum!



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Re: Looking for advise on first riffle purchase [Re: dkershen] #2745661 11/12/11 05:34 PM
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270 is perfect and it dnt kick at all 243 is great 2 and very cheep. Anything bigger than that is just wasting money for deer. Ummmmmm anyone that told this girl to get a 7MM for there first big gun has lost there mind there deer hunting not elk



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