1st Hunting Rifle

[338Shooter]

Sako!!! If you want a nice rifle to pass on, Sakos are beautiful. A Sako 85 Deluxe in 30-06 would be my pick.

 

[Weatherby]

I've been shooting a Marlin 336, I'm not a fan of Level action rifles.





As far as rifle manufacturers, are there any that should just plain be avoided?

I've been looking at Rem, Savage, Win, Ruger, Sako, Weatherby, etc.

I have deer rifles from all of these manufacturers, except Sako.

They are all good guns, it's just in the shooters preference.

I do like the Rugers, they have a good balance and they aren't really heavy like a Weatherby. However if you go with a magnum caliber, you'll want some weight there.

Personally, I'd go with a Ruger in a 30.06, as the ammo is easy to find.

 

[ef9turbo]

You're gay.

 

[Toney]

What about a 270, i really like mine a 700. I traded it off once was really missing it so i got it back.

I know when i was shopping for a rifle everybody i know that had an 06 wanted a 270.

 

[Weatherby]

You're gay.

Exactly who are you referring is gay?

 

[HiPower]

As far as rifle manufacturers, are there any that should just plain be avoided?

I've been looking at Rem, Savage, Win, Ruger, Sako, Weatherby, etc.

Any of those will work just fine. Depends on how much you want to spend on fit and finish. Some of the cheaper ones can be amazingly accurate. I'm partial to Ruger and Winchester, just because I like the way they look with a walnut handle.

I'd do a 30-06. It will take any game you'd care to shoot with today's bullet selections. In North America (especially the lower 48) it's NEVER the wrong big game cartridge. In some stores out in the weeds, your ammo selection will be quite limited, but 30-06 and a couple others like .270 and .30-30 are always there

 

[penismightier]

I think I've decided on a Tikka T3 Hunter in 300 Win Mag.


And for the scope I think it will be a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12X44.



I can't see much that this combination would not be able to accomplish.

 

[Soulman]

First one to say .308 - ammo is cheaper than just about anything else listed so far and you can shoot mil-surp even cheaper (and its found at most places where .30-06 is found).

Agreed. 308 in a nice bolt gun. Either that, or a Marlin 336. (even though OP said he didn't like the marlins)

 

[Okie4570]

Have a dozen rounds in various calibers from .222 to .458 Lott and have killed deer with all of them, but 99% of the time I'll take my 25 year old ruger M77 .280 or custom remington .280 Ackley Improved.

 

[Tcox]

M82 A1 Scout.