BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

nickspivey · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: a little rifle help

hello im nick and i need some help picking my first rifle im looking for something accurate out to at least 300yds,bolt action,prefferably in 30-06. Thanks.

Don Fischer · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Welcome aqboard Nick!

It's a pretty much take your pick deal. I can't think of one rifle that has accuracy problems for hunting. Savage has a big following that is well deserved as does Remington. I bought my first Winchester a year or two ago and it is very accurate.

I guess it would boil down to how much do you want to spend. Many times questions such as this end up in answer's relating to product loyality. Pretty much means there's lots of good choices.

30-06 is as good as any for starting. But I would caution against getting to much scope. 3-9 is very popular but there is rarely a situation where more than 6x is really needed. I have several 3-9 scope's, never use them over 6x. So a good range there is 2-7x. My favorite hunting scopes are a 2 3/4x and a 1-4x.

There are quite a few combo rifle/scope set up out there. Most the rifles are more than adequate but the scopes are usually low end. If you find one you like I'd suggest re-scoping it. a good. realiable scope can be bought for around $150 and it will serve you a long time.

ChesterGolf · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:04 am Post subject:

+1
Very sound advice you got. You really don't need anymore advice than that! Thumbs up

nickspivey · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject:

thanks

remington · Sportsman Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 349 Location: Misouri

Remington 700 30/06 with a leupold 3-9x40 with leupold mounts and rings. Go hunt any deer you please.

JCalhoun · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 7:00 am Post subject:

Check out the Stevens 200. It's a Savage with gray stock and without the Accutrigger. They can be had new for around $300. If you don't like the gray then a can olive drab spray paint will fix that.

When you go to get a scope, try to get the best you can afford. You may even have to wait a few weeks to save up enough but you'll be happier in the long run.

Look at the Leupolds, Burris, Nikons, Sightrons and Weavers. Also, when you look at them, check the specifications and see how much eye relief it has. You will want one that has as much as possible. This will help to prevent the scope from hitting your face.

SSgt · Buck Master Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Texas

I wasn't going to reply to this post because I figure you would get a few hundred replys touting favorite versions of the 30-06... but I'm board so here it goes... If the longest shots you are going to be making is 300yds then it really doesn't matter what brand of rifle you get. At that range one's as good as the other. Spend your money on the scope... one that's rated for high recoil and will hold zero. Then zero the rifle @ 200yds and spend some time at the range learning how to shoot it (by that I mean getting comfortable shooting a 30-06) Once you become confident that you can hit your target dead on each and every time an any weather and wind condition... then get out there and start bringing home those trophys.

macro_grp02 · Buck Master Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 15

I can't specifically point to a single firearm...there are too many guns out there that could help you in your quest to be a good hunter.

my recommendation is to visit your nearest or preferred gun shop and ask the owner to let you hold some of the hunting firearms. This is the best way to start since you will have something that feels great in your hands.

Good Northern Boy · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

WesternHunter · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

I agree with that setup as well. You just can't go wrong.

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject:

I had a question for the more experienced members on this forum. I myself own some very nice higher end rifles and was just wondering why nobody ever recommends the BLR for a hunting rifle, the nod always seems to go to the bolt actions. I own some beautiful bolt action rifles that Ive taken a lot of game with but I own 2 Browning Blr's and they are just as accurate as my bolts and are better handling in my opinion so why don't we ever recommend them to new shooters? I'm not picking on anyone in particular because Ive posted responses to new shooters and sportsmen and I also always seem to recommend a bolt action it seems to me the BLR gets overlooked quite a bit amongst hunters.

exbiologist · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:48 pm Post subject:

I guess they are an afterthought, when maybe they shouldn't be. The two that I've fired had TERRIBLE triggers. But for those who like Savage 99s and the like, why wouldn't they like a BLR? Don't know. They seem a little chunkier than most lever guns, but still less than most bolt actions. So maybe it's like a sleeper couch, neither a good couch, nor a good bed.

Don Fischer · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

I think the majority of experienced hunter's simply don't hunt with lever action's period, Browning or otherwise. What does one of them cost anyway?

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject:

I consider myself an experienced hunter and lately my go to rifle is my BLR stainless 7 mag it shoots great groups with plain jane Rem core-lokt ammo the price is a little high for most hunters but I also have some bolt actions that Ive paid well over $2000 for so $800 for a nice lever seems like a good value. As far as triggers are concerned the two BLR's I own one in .308 and the other in 7 mag both came from the factory with a 5lbs pull like any other rifle I own I had my smith adjust them to a nice crisp 3lbs, and I do enjoy the nice detachable box magazine the BLR's utilize it beats dumping the shells on the ground like all my bolt actions. In my opinion the Browning BLR lighting's will hold up against any bolt action rifle I own when it comes to accuracy and reliability.

Don Fischer · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

Must be the cost. $800 is a lot of money for any rifle much less a lever action. Would be tuff to get a lever guy to part with that much money. I've got a mod 70 featherweight I didn't pay that much for.

I am courious, just how goo does it shoot, whats it weigh and how's recoil? I have never handled one. I did shoot a Sako Forester in 243 many years ago though and it was one accurate lever action rifle.