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Kid Hunter
06-26-2008, 07:19 PM
hey I'm not too sure what kind/caliber gun would be the best for my first gun. I was thinking about possible getting a 30-30 or a 30-06. I would mainly be using it for deer hunting and would probalby do some target shooting for fun as well. If you know anything please post. Any help would be good.


thanks

Mr. Friendly
06-26-2008, 09:00 PM
I'm planning on buying a decent .22LR or .223 (if the lady responds to my queiries...she sorta gone silent on me) to be my first rifle, with plans on going up into the .303/.308/.30-06 or maybe even something as big as a .300 Win Mag.

if you go to www.canadiangunnutz.com, ask for membership to the Equipment Exchange group and look through all the used firearm options there...they even just installed a 'rimfire' only forum. rimfires are good because they're so cheap and you can learn to shoot with a low beginning expense. :)

Angel
06-26-2008, 09:07 PM
heres my advice for you. I would recommend not cheaping out on a gun. a good gun can last you a life time. a well priced, good quality gun in my opinion is the Tikka t3 270. that will do deer and most anything else. thats the gun i own and its the best money i have spent for hunting so far. hope that helps:wink:

riflebuilder
06-26-2008, 09:17 PM
30-30's are fun to shoot not much recoil and are cheaper. A good 30-06 can be your one gun for all if you get a good one that shoots, most do. So either way you can't lose

todbartell
06-26-2008, 09:17 PM
243 Winchester in a Remington 700 SPS

Deadeye
06-26-2008, 09:48 PM
I'm in that position myself. I left the army in the early 90s and haven't shot anything since. I'm planning on getting a semi .22 because I figure it's gonna take A LOT of ammo to get back on that bike, lol.
Not sure about scout sights though.

The Dawg
06-26-2008, 09:49 PM
243 or 270

moosinaround
06-26-2008, 09:54 PM
How big or old are you? Can you handle a little recoil? 30'06, good caliber hunt anything with it. 270 is ok could certainly hunt deer and moose. But if you want to hunt everything get a 300 win mag! I just love my 300 win mag! Moosin

shotgunjohn
06-26-2008, 10:10 PM
Our younger son started with a pump action 30-06. Low recoil because of the weight and action type. Lots of choices in ammo from cheap loads for target shooting up to premium loads for hunting in a wide range of bullet weights. He shot everything from Islnd blacktails to moose and bighorn sheep with it.

dumprat
06-27-2008, 12:13 AM
Buy something simple like a .308. Cheap to shoot and easy in the shoulder. A good shot with a small gun beats a miss with a big one anyday.

Mr. Dean
06-27-2008, 10:15 AM
I'd need to know more about ya before recommending.
What shooting experience do you have?

A good thing to do is try on some different guns at a range. If you're from my area, you're more than welcome to join up with me on a 'range day'. I have several calibre's that you could try.

This is something that I have extended too several other newbish members. The one's that have taken me up on it were extremely glad for doing so.


WTS, There's nothing wrong with having a decent .308 in the closet. It will hunt *most* game and is an excellent calibre for range games.

But IF you can shoot a .300 WM,,, go for it! Any other purchases thereafter will only be for "creative" reasoning's. :smile:

Now if you got zip for experience, a good .22 LR is good to have also. They help keep the eye in check and are great for hunting grouse, rabbits, squirrels and smaller cats (Bob's and Lynx).

I also share the setiments of buying the best that can be afforded. Quality irons last loooong time.

rishu_pepper
06-27-2008, 11:02 AM
243 Winchester in a Remington 700 SPS

Words from a Remington fanboy :wink:

A Stevens 200 in 243 up to 308/30-06 will serve you well, only $300. Leaves good extra money for a decent scope like a VX2 or Bushnell 3200/4200.

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 12:33 PM
ok sorry I would have posted again sooner but I was having trouble logging in. I think I'm around 100 pounds and as for previous shooting experience I've shot a .22 and a 12 gauge so I can handle a bit of kick. I just wanna make sure the gun will take down what I wanna kill, like I said in my first post that'll be mostly deer. I am in Surrey so if anyone lives close and has a used gun they wanna sell or know any stores in the area that would be cool too.

rishu_pepper
06-27-2008, 04:57 PM
Damn should have checked this earlier. I went up to the PoCo range from 1:30 to 4pm just today. Beautiful day to shoot and small crowd. Would have showed you my custom 25-06 Win M70 and Savage 99 308, both very capable deer rifles. Next time perhaps? I'm free next week too (and until the end of summer lol)

brian
06-27-2008, 05:40 PM
From my experience shooting a 12 gauge and shooting a hunting rifle are pretty different experiences. For the hunting rifle you need precision and any nudge, fidget, or (wait for it...) FLINCH will throw your shot off wide. To be good with a rifle you can't just handle recoil you must master recoil. I've seen far bigger men than you with nasty flinches from their big booms. You are quite small and I assume fairly inexperienced with center fire rifles so I'd recommend a lighter caliber like a .243. This rifle with the right bullets will kill deer just fine. You stand a much better chance of killing them if you can hit them. And you won't hit much if you are flinching. OR just listen to Bartell, he knows what he's talking about.

anglo-saxon
06-27-2008, 06:25 PM
I'm assuming you have limited shooting/hunting experience if this is your first gun. That being so, I would seriously advise doing your personal research about what kind of shooting/hunting you intend to do. That includes what kind of game/terrain you are going to hunt/hunt in (deer, moose, bear/close country, i.e., "bush", or open plains, for instance).

.243 is about as light a caliber as you want to go with for hunting, given that if you'll only have one gun, you will want an "all-rounder" (unless you intend to hunt light game forever). A .243 optimum bullet weight is around 80-85 grains. Anything heavier would need tighter rifling than most .243s are cut with. Mine shoots well with 85 gr, but will not stabilise a 100gr, which needs a 1:9 twist for aceptible accuracy. Therefore, my gun is generally good for light skinned game like deer. I have taken a few muleys with it in Alberta.

The 30-06 is a an excellent round and has taken more game in N America in recent times than any other round (even surpassing the old 30-30). Having said that, the .308 Win is in my opinion far more versatile and a fair bit cheaper to shoot, plus it comes within a hair of 30-06 performance. The .308 Win cane be loaded with 110 grain for varmints (shooting VERY flat!) and with 150-168 grain for medium game, on up to 200 grain bullets for heavy close game. The .243, by the way is just a necked-down .308, just as the .270 is a necked down 30-06. The .270 is another great round and I know an elk hunter who shoots nothing but .270. 135-150 grain bullets are optimum for ,270, thoug. The lighter the bullet, the more sure you have to be of specific bullet placement to ensure an ethical kill.

I would not recommend going with a heavy round such as the 300 Win Mag or the 7mm Rem Mag. They are a lot of power for no apparent reason. Costly, too.

Someone earlir in the thread mentioned the Stevens Model 200. In my opinion, this gun is one of the best kept secrets on the gun market. It is essentially a Savage without the AcuTrigger and placed in a budget stock. For the price (they run around $360) you cannot go wrong. I just bought one for my sone in .308 Win. I would highly recommend that gun in that caliber for general purpose hunting and shooting. An outstanding entry-level gun that will last you for many years!

Do yourself a favour if you are going to order it online and buy it through Wholesale Sports in Calgary or Edmonton. You'll pay about the same for shipping if you were buying it in BC online, but you'll avoid the PST.

Finally, the scope. It doesn't matter how lavish you plurge on your gun, if you put crappy sights on it, that's what you gun is worth. Now, you would probaly not be putting a $1,300 Leupold (or even one half that price) on a Stevens 200. But, you will get fair service out of one for $250-ish if you buy Bushnell or similar. I would recommed a 3-9 variiable with a 40mm objective lense. That would give you a decent all-rounder without breaking the bank. Don't forget your bases and rings when you order and have a gunsmith or gun shop fit it all together for you unless you really know what you're doing!

Check Wholesale Sports catalog out online. Well worth a look.

Good luck!!

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 08:58 PM
Wow lots of great info and help, thanks to everyone that posted. If anyone else has more information please continue to post.


Thanks

wsm
06-27-2008, 09:03 PM
6.5x55, 270win,would be my choices for youngster. 243 is good but a little light for a nervous, youngster my .02 cents

todbartell
06-27-2008, 09:08 PM
sitting down behind a 308 or 30-06 for a day at the range isn't as fun as sitting behind a 243. it'll be alot more enjoyable with a lighter kicking gun, and you'll become a better shot. And that is the key to a quick kill - shot placement

.308win
06-27-2008, 09:26 PM
Words from a Remington fanboy :wink:

A Stevens 200 in 243 up to 308/30-06 will serve you well, only $300. Leaves good extra money for a decent scope like a VX2 or Bushnell 3200/4200.

I have a Stevens 200 in .243 thing shoots awesome! Also have a 7mm-08 in Rem 700 sps DM, shoots pretty darn good also! Both are good economical rifles, remember, get what is right for you, Meaning fit and feel! get out there and put a few to the shoulder and see what you like! Keep us posted on your choice! Hope I could have been some help!!:redface:

Perry

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 09:31 PM
I have a Stevens 200 in .243 thing shoots awesome! Also have a 7mm-08 in Rem 700 sps DM, shoots pretty darn good also! Both are good economical rifles, remember, get what is right for you, Meaning fit and feel! get out there and put a few to the shoulder and see what you like! Keep us posted on your choice! Hope I could have been some help!!:redface:

Perry


Thank you I checked out the stevens 200 and it looks like a pretty good gun, it has different calibers that i would like to have and it looks like an all around good gun from what I read.

wsm
06-27-2008, 09:31 PM
6.5x55 is a happy med

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 09:53 PM
6.5x55 is a happy med

Thanks WSM This does look like a pretty good gun as well I did a little reading on it and it looks and sounds pretty good. What kind of game is it good for?

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 10:38 PM
.308 would be my choice-almost as powerful as a 30-06-has light recoil- seen many,many animals (deer, moose..) drop with only one shot.

Ok thanks I'll check that one out as well.

.308win
06-27-2008, 10:52 PM
.308 would be my choice-almost as powerful as a 30-06-has light recoil- seen many,many animals (deer, moose..) drop with only one shot.

Man! Forgot the .308! Actually own one of those also!...243win, 7mm-08rem, 308win, all great choices, Less we forget the .260!!! I'm a big fan of the .308 family!!!:biggrin:

Perry

Kid Hunter
06-27-2008, 10:57 PM
ok thanks .308

Crazy.kayaker
06-27-2008, 11:04 PM
I purchased a .22 Ithica and a .308 Winchester M88. I'd recommend either a 30-30, 30-06, .303 or .308 anything in the 30 Cal Family will take down a deer and most other large game if you ever want to go hunting for other large game.

wsm
06-28-2008, 08:30 AM
Thanks WSM This does look like a pretty good gun as well I did a little reading on it and it looks and sounds pretty good. What kind of game is it good for?
you put a decent bullet through it and it will put pretty much put anything on the ground with no problems. just ask on this site lots of guys use them. personally the only game i wouln't shoot with it , buffalo-because it's illegal, and griz because i would FEEL better having something bigger. i wouldn't hesitate to shoot anything else. it has a better bullet selection than .270 cal does. my .02 cents

Kid Hunter
06-28-2008, 11:02 AM
Ok WSM I'll check out that gun more and see. It sounds like a good gun.

anglo-saxon
06-28-2008, 11:22 AM
I'd recommend either a 30-30, 30-06, .303 or .308 anything in the 30 Cal Family will take down a deer and most other large game if you ever want to go hunting for other large game.

Except that while the 30-06 and .308 will perform similarly, the .303 will be a steeper trajectory with same weight bullets (they tend to "lob") and the 30-30 is different altogether (tend to be round-nosed bultes for lever guns....slower, closer range usually required, more math involved for loger ranges).

Kid Hunter
06-28-2008, 12:00 PM
that's good stuff to know thanks

todbartell
06-28-2008, 12:33 PM
take a good look at the 340 Weatherby Mag in a Mark V Lazermark rifle. TOp it with a Swarovski and you should be good to go.

rishu_pepper
06-28-2008, 03:18 PM
take a good look at the 340 Weatherby Mag in a Mark V Lazermark rifle. TOp it with a Swarovski and you should be good to go.

Stop messing with the guy :lol:

Kid Hunter
06-28-2008, 06:27 PM
Ok now that I've had soo much help with figuring out what is a good kind of gun to get does anybody know of any good stores online or in Surrey or near Surrey where I could find and check out some of these guns?

Again thanks for all the help:smile:

wsm
06-28-2008, 06:29 PM
specialty shooting sports. before they shut down

kloosterboer
06-28-2008, 06:32 PM
Try http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/main

riflebuilder
06-28-2008, 07:01 PM
A 6.5x55 in a modern rifle is hard to beat. They kill like lightning with a lot more knockdown than you would think from a small caliber. A 260 Remington is a good choice as well. But I am a 6.5mm fan. You should hook up with some of the guys here on the site and try afew differnt rifles before you buy.

Kid Hunter
06-28-2008, 07:20 PM
thanks riflebuilder I was thinking about the 6.5mm it looks pretty good

anglo-saxon
06-28-2008, 07:26 PM
Try http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/main


What he said. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, order it from the Calgary or Edmonton stores to save the PST (the shipping cost will likely be the same as if you got it from the Kaploops store).

Oh, and did I mention .308 Win? :oops:...:smile:

Kid Hunter
06-28-2008, 07:40 PM
thanks anglo yes you did already say .308 and I've been looking at those, they seem like they would make a good choice. It's gonna be hard to choose what kind of gun I want now that I know of all these good guns.

wsm
06-28-2008, 08:49 PM
JUST MY OPINION. the 308win is an extremely versatile cal, i dont think there is anyone here that would argue. but based on the amount of recoil created by the 308 in MOST rifles it is chambered, i think you would be better of with the 6.5x55. in most cases it would be more comfortable for plinking,and hunting alike. practice makes perfect, but if you create a flinch do to recoil early, it could be difficult to correct. the 6.5 will do every thing the 308 will do and even shoot longer ranges a slight bit better. the only advantage the 308 has over the 6.5 is bullet selection. my .02 cents.

Beaver Trap
06-28-2008, 08:54 PM
I agree you can't go wrong with a 308.win. I own many guns and still prefer hunting deer with my 308.win.

wsm
06-28-2008, 09:44 PM
thanks anglo yes you did already say .308 and I've been looking at those, they seem like they would make a good choice. It's gonna be hard to choose what kind of gun I want now that I know of all these good guns.its not to hard to figure out first is price then comfort & fit. those narrow things very quickly

Kid Hunter
06-29-2008, 04:37 PM
Ya I guess it won't be too hard once I actually start to price them out and see how they feel for me and stuff.

Viking
06-29-2008, 11:35 PM
You should be able to pick up a Whetherby Vanguard rifle, 3-9x40 scope mounted,sling and case in the caliber you like for about $700 at wholesalesports

Kid Hunter
06-29-2008, 11:41 PM
Ok thanks viking

steelheadSABO
07-06-2008, 08:20 AM
stevens 200 in 270 or 308

BEARSLAYER
07-14-2008, 04:29 PM
just a little advice from someone that has hunted over 40 years . pick a short action 308 -243 -284 cal. and shoot a gun that fits you a lot at least 200 hundred rounds before hunting season.

Kid Hunter
07-14-2008, 04:48 PM
ok sounds like good advice thanks

Kid Hunter
07-24-2008, 07:43 PM
I have another little question. Compared to a 30-06 how much recoil does a .308 have?

.308win
07-24-2008, 08:06 PM
I own a 308 and have shot 30-06, the 30-06 did have a little more punch, but personally i didn't think it had a significent difference. Do you have access to a 308 and 30-06 that you could test fire? Your on the right path take your time and get what you are comfy with. Good luck, happy shooting, and keep us posted!!

Perry

anglo-saxon
07-24-2008, 08:09 PM
There's probably not much in it, overall. 30-06 is a longre cartridge with more powder, but the gun is heavier, too. Don't forget, we're talking "felt" recoil. Plus there is perceived recoil which isn't recoil at all, but such things as muzzle blast, noise, etc. which, if not managed, can add to the firers perception of recoil as they occur at the same time as the butt comes back into the shoulder. Bullet weight is another factor. Generally, a lighter bullet with produce less felt recoil.

There's nothing wrong with a decent recoil pad, but my personal advice would simply be to learn how to hold the gun properly so the recoil isn't a factor. My youngest boy was putting 3" buckshot out of my 12 guage when he was 9 and loved it.

Shooting position is also a factor. The first time a fired my Lee Enefiled No. 3 Mk 4 with its brass butt plate from the prone position, I nearly broke my collar bone (or so it felt). Ten rounds of that and I was ready to go kneeling. Much more comfortable!!!

Kid Hunter
07-24-2008, 08:19 PM
thanks for the help .308 and anglo..... Keep it coming

brian
07-25-2008, 08:46 AM
the .270 (7mm) 30-06 .308 are all in the same ball park with muzzle blast and recoil. There isn't much difference between them. The .270 and .308 are roughly equivalent and the 30-06 is a bit heavier recoil wise.

I find this to be a pretty good article comparing the different calibers.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/what_to_expect.htm

Kid Hunter
07-25-2008, 10:37 PM
thanks brian that article was actually quite helpful.