First hunting rifle - suggestions

[reach]

Hi all,

I just challenged the CORE test at the Tradex show this weekend, so I hope to be out in the woods this fall. I was hoping to pick your collective brains about a starter rifle for deer.

Would an older used gun such as the '64 Winchester Model 70 30-06 for sale by 240gord http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=3416 be suitable as a starter gun for a beginner? It has a fixed 4x scope, right? Should I be concerned about getting a variable scope? 240gord, feel free to brag up this gun if you like. Is $500 a good price? (That's what you have posted over on another forum.)

Or would I be better off looking for a lever 30-30 and staying on the Coast? Or buy a low-end new rifle like the Stevens 200? With something like a Bushnell 3200 it would be in the same ballpark price-wise.

Too many options for a newbie...

[000buck]

like buying anything on line you have not seen it. the model 70 is "the riflemans rifle"(quote taken from a model review of peterson's hunting) and i personally own a model 70 270 win, a beautiful firearm. Check with people who know gord (no slight intended to gord) but satisfy yourself that its the deal you want to make. 500 is a good price for a mod. 70 in good shape. 30 06 is fine cartridge for almost all big game so there's no problem there. scopes are easy to get later 4x mag is ok on the coast unless you plan on shooting sheep.

sounds like the right tool to me but make sure its the right tool for you.

[willhunt]

the handi rifle is a good start they are inexpensive and shoot very well. they come with a weaver style scope rail and are under $230 U.S. and many calibers are available.

[todbartell]

you're gonna get a ton of opinions on this

I would get a good all around cartridge first, with a variable scope. something that can handle deer, bear, and moose out to 250 yards

for a lower cost rifle, take a look at the stainless Remington Model 700 SPS.

Cartridges it comes chambered in that would be suitable for moose include : 270 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, 308 Win, & 30-06. No need for magnums here. Price in WholeSale Sports or Russell Sports is $599 canadian

Go with a good scope right away, even if it means saving longer to get it. My preference strongly runs towards the Leupold VXII, but for $200 less, a guy can get a real decent scope in the Bushnell Elite 3200. 3-9x40mm would be the best choice. Just as important is good scope mounts, and I prefer Leupold mounts, but Burris makes an equally good set.

A total package, shipping and taxes in (ordered from Alberta) would be $1000.

You really cant go wrong with that setup for years and years of good use in my opinion.

whatever you choose, good luck and shoot straight

[Mr. Dean]

The 30-06 is a FINE all around cartrige. The Mod 70 is a FINE rifle. 500 bucks w/ scope, rings and bases IS a FINE price - IF in decent shape.

The scope will work OK. But I'd be saving up for an Elite 3200 variable - Under 300 bucks new, taxes included, if you shop around.

Nothing wrong with second hand guns as long as they have been taken care of.

Look at it this way - For $800.00 you can own a decent quality firearm, capable of taking most any, if not all N. American Game. For much less than a buget banger that is new in the box.

However, I don't know anything about this seller or the firearm in question.

Good luck!

[ringo]

The 30.06 does it all in North America, mine has taken many deer and some moose. A 4x scope is a good compromise on a 30.06, one of mine is scoped 4x and another with a 6x. They are very accurate, recoil is modest when compared to a magnum, ammo is readily available, resale is good. The Winchester Model 70 is a tight, quality built rifle that should give several lifetimes of service. Please don't buy a 30-30 lever action (old dated cartridge that does not have the performance or ballistics of the 30.06). You can purchase the rifle and then upgrade the scope as funds come available. Good luck on your purchase

[Chris8]

This is similar to what I did, bought a used rifle with a 4x scope on it (redfield also, go figure) for use last year, and I plan to upgrade it in time for this year's hunting. I ended up with a very nice rifle while staying within my budget, and the 4x scope certainly got the job done.

As far as 30-06 goes, I like the caliber. Got my first couple of deer with one of those.

[sub urban bow hunter]

i saw that gun at the duncan show, i think, its nice, good shape, worth it at $550
also variable scopes are fun for a while, then you realize that its always at about 4x.
30-06 is very good and relatively inexpensive cartridge.

[240gord]

Hi,it was at the Duncan gun show,it is a nice gun,shoots good,a 30-06 is a good all a round gun,I think it would make a good starter gun as you can hunt anything with it,play with it for awhile then up grade the scope(you can sell it with out problem).my sons first gun was a 30-06 now I can not get it back
Gord.
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Honda CB350F history

[reach]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I have an uncle in Chemainus so I might get him to stop by and take a look. Gord, I'll contact you for a phone number.

Or, since I'm in no rush, maybe I'll head up to the Kamloops gun show in a couple of weeks and try a few on for size. Then again, I was complaining about too many options before... I don't think that would help in that department.