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New to hunting... What caliber should I buy.

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9.1K views 54 replies 30 participants last post by  Asago0321  
#1 ·
Ok so iam new to hunting, and I dont know alot about rifle calibers, (always had handguns) going to ne hunting deer, elk, and occasional javelina in AZ what caliber do I want 300? 30 06? 7mm? Thank you for the help. Suggestions on rifle brands or models would be awesome also. Not looking to break the bank either.
 
#3 ·
any of the calibers you listed would work fine. the 30-06 is probably the best of the three because of the availablity and selection of factory ammo. also the 30-06 is a chambering that just about every maker of rifles offers.

you didn't specify a budget, so there are still many brands to choose from. Remington, Savage, Marlin, Ruger, Browning, Howa, Weatherby, ect., ect.,,,, check out the pawn shops and gun stores for decent used rifles. any upcoming gun shows in your area?
 
#7 ·
I honestly dont know... But from here and talking to local gun shops and some friends, im going with a 30-06 ive got about 500$ can I get a decent rifle for that or do I need to wait and save some more?
You can get a good rifle yes. I have a mossberg 100 in 30-06 that shoots beautifully if you dont mind a lil kick :p. the mossberg was 300 but put a different scope on it or at least get better rings
the Mossberg ATR100 in 30-06 is the hardest recoiling 30-06 i had ever owned. for a hunting rifle i will say it is accurate and well made an would say it's a good option for a hunting rifle if money is tight. i do like my Marlin X7's better, but for the cost of the Mossberg, despite the recoil, it's a very good value. mine would shoot 1/2" groups all day long with handloads, so i will say it's dang accurate rifle for the price. might even check and see if you can find one used. another suggestion on the ATR100, go with a good scope and rings as IneverFTF suggested, as they do need them.
 
#8 ·
Gatoragn said:
I shoot .308, .270, .280 and 7 mm mag., any of these will work for you.

Savage gets a lot of love these days, Ruger American rifles appear to be a good value.

Rem 700, used Browing A bolt, Winchester model 70, Ruger M77, lots of choices out there.
Yep pretty good, except you forgot howa, ;) but everything else is good
 
#10 ·
Don't over look a 308 cal. But a 257 robertsor 260 rem, 270 or 280 would do. Might be better to have a rifle that does not beat on you to much. That way you will spend more time shooting and getting better with it. Today with the bullets avalible to use most any caliber can work well. Just needs a good shooter.

Depending on your buget for a rifle savage/Stevens 200 or Savage Edge, Howa, T/C Venture, mossberg, and going up in price tika, and cz.

Scope. Sightron , redfield, and price keepd going up. Heck they all work. . Maybe look to buy older used rifle scope combo and get a solid well made fiream.
 
#11 ·
i'd go with a simple caliber that's to be had everywhere. The US big 3 are;
30-30, light for elk.
308 winchester, nice all around.
30-06, pretty much all game can be taken with this round, save for thick skinned meanies like cape buffalo.

Go with 30-06 if you can afford the guns that fire it.

If cash if tight, and it always is today, go with a sporty mosin nagant ($120 gun + $70 new stock = $190 fine rifle) in 7.65x54R, which is just fine for everything in the US. Because the mosin, 30-30, 308, and 30-06 bullets all of are the diameter, reloading is very open to you with this cartridge, and practice ammo of the surplus type is dirt cheap.
 
#12 ·
30-06

I have many rifles and have taken game with many calibers. All in all, the 30-06 would be hard to beat, and the ammo is far cheaper than anything that says "magnum". Price a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06. They feel great and will shoot with anything out there. They also have a real nice trigger.
 
#19 ·
mattybock said:
i'd go with a simple caliber that's to be had everywhere. The US big 3 are;
30-30, light for elk.
308 winchester, nice all around.
30-06, pretty much all game can be taken with this round, save for thick skinned meanies like cape buffalo.

Go with 30-06 if you can afford the guns that fire it.

If cash if tight, and it always is today, go with a sporty mosin nagant ($120 gun + $70 new stock = $190 fine rifle) in 7.65x54R, which is just fine for everything in the US. Because the mosin, 30-30, 308, and 30-06 bullets all of are the diameter, reloading is very open to you with this cartridge, and practice ammo of the surplus type is dirt cheap.
I have to second that. I own a 91/30 mosin and I love that gun. the bullets are cheap and are perfect against deer it boar. I payed I think 104 dollars for my mosin and the only thing I've done to it was replace the rear site with a scope
 

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#20 ·
Im a fan of having choices, hard to pick just one cal for anything cept Elephant! If your new, try a few, old not new, nothing wrong with a Shotgun or 2 and a few barrels and a 30-30 or 06. Both can be gotten rather inexpensively and then you can broaden your horizons as you wish. For less than $600, you could have 3 nice pieces, you just have to keep your eyes open for real deals, and just like a car, when in doubt, ask a Mechanic (Gunsmith) to check it out. Get the bare bones and you can build on it custom as you wish, thats where the real money comes in and its often money better spent. Buying used optics can be more risky than a used weapon that's been cared for. Just like a used car, you save huge money.

I have never bought a brand new weapon and Ive never lacked for it. Many critters have fallen to my old Ithaca's, Mossberg and Wards Western. My Remingtons have done their share of whacking themselves.

Gun shows are a great way of picking what your looking for, they offer all sorts of options you can dry fit and play with before you decide. Then start the real Hunt for you new (or Used) Hunting Weapon (or Weapons).

Happy hunting!
 
#21 ·
WebleyFosbery38 said:
Im a fan of having choices, hard to pick just one cal for anything cept Elephant! If your new, try a few, old not new, nothing wrong with a Shotgun or 2 and a few barrels and a 30-30 or 06. Both can be gotten rather inexpensively and then you can broaden your horizons as you wish. For less than $600, you could have 3 nice pieces, you just have to keep your eyes open for real deals, and just like a car, when in doubt, ask a Mechanic (Gunsmith) to check it out. Get the bare bones and you can build on it custom as you wish, thats where the real money comes in and its often money better spent. Buying used optics can be more risky than a used weapon that's been cared for. Just like a used car, you save huge money.

I have never bought a brand new weapon and Ive never lacked for it. Many critters have fallen to my old Ithaca's, Mossberg and Wards Western. My Remingtons have done their share of whacking themselves.

Gun shows are a great way of picking what your looking for, they offer all sorts of options you can dry fit and play with before you decide. Then start the real Hunt for you new (or Used) Hunting Weapon (or Weapons).

Happy hunting!
very well put
 
#22 ·
Top quality firearms will last a lifetime. When I was a teanager I wonted a 270 Winchester rifle and looked at Remington and Winchester rifles. The Winchester rifles cost more and the better grade Winchester cost about $ 50 more than the standard grade Modle 70. I save money untill I could get a Winchester Mdl 70 but I should have waited untill I saved 50 more dollars. That was back in 1952. That old Winchester has taken mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and some unwonted critters. Save some more money and get a top quality 30-06 rifle and scope site and when you get to 3/4 of a century old you can look at you rifle and kow you did the right thing.
 
#23 ·
Caliber, get a 30-06. The saying that you can never go wrong with an '06 is around for a reason. Short of the really big bears, it'll kill anything you put a bullet into the correct place. That's key with any round, bullet placement.
You can get the '06 in any action you want also. Bolt, semi-auto, Remingtons pump and even Brownings lever action.
I love Savage bolt actions, not pretty but great triggers and I've never seen one that wasn't very accurate.
 
#25 ·
+1 for the 30-06 over almost anything else when you consider the cost of ammo, the trajectory and all round ability to be used on pretty much any game you care to mention other than bear (as someone else mentioned). I prefer the 270 since it's that little bit flatter but has much noticeably less recoil so I can shoot it all day long without worrying about flinching. The standard ballistics charts show the 30-06 and 270 are superior to the 308 for trajectory, and very competitive with the ultra-mags and specials but for far less when it comes to ammo cost and availability.

We have a saying in Australia - Savage by name, savage by nature. Regardless of money, I am a huge fan of the CZ / BRNO range of Czech made rifles. They are very affordable, use great Mauser actions, and shoot really well straight out of the box. The USA has much cheaper rifles than Australia, so for the same money you could probably buy a Remington or Winchester which would be a great choice too.

It's all up to you, but for my cash I picked the BRNO rifle chambered in 270 with a beautiful walnut stock, perfectly shaped and placed cheek rest and a thick, factory supplied recoil absorber. Shoots like a dream...
 
#26 ·
Well, if you're really new to hunting,

I'd be looking for a tough set of comfortable

boots, first. For my money, the standard nylon tac boots,

or army surplus both work really well.

Then you will probably be looking for a good set of

binoculars, Bushnell and Nikon sell good product which

doesn't break the wallet.

But if you want to ignore that advice, be sure to spend up on

good socks, and a really well made, thick sling for that rifle.

This way you can avoid foot blisters, and a sore shoulder,

from a lot of unproductive walking around...