First Gun Purchase for new Hunter

[jruby]

I would start with a medium weight 30-06 for starters. My first rifle was a 1903 springfield that had been sporterized. The second rifle would be a 9.3x62. Too much gun starting out can be counter productive. Just my opinion.

 

[Velo Dog]

.30-06 with 4x scope.

 

[Trogon]

somewhat new to shooting, want to be recoil conscious (nothing bigger than .338 cal)
- max shooting distance 400 yards. Realistically 99% of shots will be inside of 250 yards.
- assume all factory ammo usage
- primary shooting will be TX whitetail deer and feral hogs, or at the range to practice. Maybe move up to something Elk sized in the future.
- likely to add a suppressor, but not necessarily immediately
- preference is a bolt action; definitely not an AR platform for this one

I've let him shoot my 25-06, 6.5 Creed, .308, and a couple ARs that dont really count. He only really felt the 25-06, which is why I excluded 30-06 from this list. However, im quite confident with regular repetition shooting my 308, he could do 30-06 no problem very soon after.

I think .30-06 will cover most of your requested requirements as has been mentioned previously by other members. I've had a Winchester M70 in.270 Winchester that wasn't an optimal fit for me and the recoil was sharp and noticeable, affecting my shooting. Not a knock on the .270, more so the rifle. I have a .30-06 Marlin X-7 that I don't have an issue with recoil with a decent recoil pad, stock fit, etc.

 

[KY Hunting Guy]

7 mag or 7 PRC in any modern bolt gun. I say this because he has already taken animals with that caliber and has probably built up confidence in it. The recoil is not a huge issue and can be easily mitigated with a Suppressor. Also this is a very good 400 yard and in cartridge.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Make what you will of the price, but I think something like this would be a fantastic option for your new hunter:

FN Mauser Supreme 30-06 Unfired w Original 3 Position Aperture Sight for sale

FN Mauser Supreme 30-06 Unfired w Original 3 Position Aperture Sight for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Two-position scope relief safety and doesn't appear to have a front sight on muzzle. I have one of those safeties on my Springfield. Not very safe when the scope is removed. The wing is sticking up in the air when safety engaged and too easily disengaged with a light bump against clothing, etc. Ask me how I know! 3-position Model 70 style shroud and safety for 98 Mauser is $200 in the white.

 

[rdog]

Make what you will of the price, but I think something like this would be a fantastic option for your new hunter:

FN Mauser Supreme 30-06 Unfired w Original 3 Position Aperture Sight for sale

FN Mauser Supreme 30-06 Unfired w Original 3 Position Aperture Sight for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

I would love to buy that rifle, but with the current government in Australia a sex change would be less paperwork & most likley funded by the tax payer if you are in the defense force.

 

[Muledeerchaser]

A great first rifle
308 Winchester in
Sako 90 or Winchester Model 70 Super Grade

 

[Hogpatrol]

I voted for the 7mmRM because that's what he's confident and familiar with shooting plus knows it's capabilities. For starters, a Tikka or Howa. If money is no object, a 100% custom.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

All-

I have successfully added another hunter to the world this week, and infected him with the Africa Bug in the process. He joined me for a week long safari (report to come later as I get a chance to write it up), and midway through the week, he was already ready to book a return trip.

As you might expect, in addition to being hooked on hunting, he wants to get his first rifle as well. While I have plenty of knowledge (and opinions) on what to recommend to him, I wanted to get some forum opinions to share with him as well.

On that note, please vote for your recommendation on which caliber is the best for him to buy, and list in the comments your suggestion(s) for Make/Model to suggest. Here are some parameters:
- somewhat new to shooting, want to be recoil conscious (nothing bigger than .338 cal)
- max shooting distance 400 yards. Realistically 99% of shots will be inside of 250 yards.
- assume all factory ammo usage
- primary shooting will be TX whitetail deer and feral hogs, or at the range to practice. Maybe move up to something Elk sized in the future.
- likely to add a suppressor, but not necessarily immediately
- preference is a bolt action; definitely not an AR platform for this one

Looking forward to your thoughts.

@Tbitty
Being a 25 fanatic my vote would go to
The 25-06.
Light in recoil
Will take all the game you mention and more.
Will comfortably reach out to 400+ yards with enough remaining energy to handle deer.

Shoots very flat. A 100gn TTSX loaded to 3,400fps with 54gn of H4350 will be super flat, hit hard and be very accurate.
As for a rifle on the upper end a Weatherby S2 because it has a 26" barrel
Or
A Howa
Both rifles are available at reasonable price and both proven to be very accurate.
Other rifles to consider would be a Savage 110 or Tikka.
Can't go wrong with a fast 25

Exit wound on a 120# fallow shot by my son two days ago with my 25-303 Epps improved with a 115gn Nosler combined technology Silver tip at 250 yds.
Can't argue with that performance
Bob

 

[Safari Dave]

IMO, a .30/06 is the most useful cartridge on the planet.


In 2007, I ask 6 PH's (around a campfire in South Africa), "If your client could bring only one rifle to Africa, what would it be?"

Every single one of them replied, "a .30/06."

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If I where to buy a new hunting set for Africa I would buy......
Blaser or Krieghoff O/U with a few sets of barrels...

9.3x74R double, med to large pg in DG areas
9.3x74R/7×57R Bergstutsen most pg hunting in bushveld
6.5x57R/23ga or 20ga combination

And the a K95 or Hubertus
7x65R

Thats just me and what I would buy now

@IvW
Remember his name is @Tbitty not Rockerfeller.
I would love a nice K95 but I only have a beer income.
Bob

 

[Doug Hamilton]

All-

I have successfully added another hunter to the world this week, and infected him with the Africa Bug in the process. He joined me for a week long safari (report to come later as I get a chance to write it up), and midway through the week, he was already ready to book a return trip.

As you might expect, in addition to being hooked on hunting, he wants to get his first rifle as well. While I have plenty of knowledge (and opinions) on what to recommend to him, I wanted to get some forum opinions to share with him as well.

On that note, please vote for your recommendation on which caliber is the best for him to buy, and list in the comments your suggestion(s) for Make/Model to suggest. Here are some parameters:
- somewhat new to shooting, want to be recoil conscious (nothing bigger than .338 cal)
- max shooting distance 400 yards. Realistically 99% of shots will be inside of 250 yards.
- assume all factory ammo usage
- primary shooting will be TX whitetail deer and feral hogs, or at the range to practice. Maybe move up to something Elk sized in the future.
- likely to add a suppressor, but not necessarily immediately
- preference is a bolt action; definitely not an AR platform for this one

Looking forward to your thoughts.

As others have said, I think a .30-06 or .300 Win Mag would be the best choices. Deer, elk, African plains game have all fallen to these two calibers. Ammo is nearly universally available. The same could maybe be said of the .308, but I've never been a fan. If he needs to start with something that kicks less, I'd suggest 7-08.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

All of those calibers will do the job just fine; but the 308 Winchester does it the most easily, affordably, and universally. Probably has the most available options in terms of rifle models and factory ammo. 308 lets him do tons of shooting practice at the most affordable rate, and with the widest range of bullet selection of all those calibers; and covers the distances mentioned quite well.

I am a big fan of hunting for and finding a classic walnut and blue steel pre-owned rifle; but for the suppressor option, I'd look at a new factory build such as Tikka or Weatherby Vanguard. I also very much like how the Christensen Ridgeline handles.

@cash_tx
My son just shot a deer with my 25. He loves his 308 but now he has used my 25 he has fallen in love with a fast 25. Where he is hunting at the moment ranges can extend upto 400yds so he finds it better than the 08 as it shoots a lot flatter and still has over 1,000fpe of energy at 500yds.
Another 25 convert has been created.
There was a person out where he was hunting that had ( you guessed it) a 243. My son laughed and told him it won't work to well at some of the extended ranges like over 200yds that are out there. My son don't like the 243 either.
Bob

 

[Jhsmith]

All of those calibers will do the job just fine; but the 308 Winchester does it the most easily, affordably, and universally. Probably has the most available options in terms of rifle models and factory ammo. 308 lets him do tons of shooting practice at the most affordable rate, and with the widest range of bullet selection of all those calibers; and covers the distances mentioned quite well.

I am a big fan of hunting for and finding a classic walnut and blue steel pre-owned rifle; but for the suppressor option, I'd look at a new factory build such as Tikka or Weatherby Vanguard. I also very much like how the Christensen Ridgeline handles.

As much as I like 30-06.
Nothing wrong with a 308 for the first gun this Hunter is going own.
You made a lot of good points about versatility availability of ammo and affordability to shoot.
I highly doubt this would be the only rifle this person buys.
That would be like eating one Pringle potato chip.
Introduce him to this forum and we will remedy that situation very quickly.
A 308 and a 30-06 would be a good two gun battery for plains game.

 

[CBH Australia]

@cash_tx
My son just shot a deer with my 25. He loves his 308 but now he has used my 25 he has fallen in love with a fast 25. Where he is hunting at the moment ranges can extend upto 400yds so he finds it better than the 08 as it shoots a lot flatter and still has over 1,000fpe of energy at 500yds.
Another 25 convert has been created.
There was a person out where he was hunting that had ( you guessed it) a 243. My son laughed and told him it won't work to well at some of the extended ranges like over 200yds that are out there. My son don't like the 243 either.
Bob

Ohh, maybe he gets that from you.
I’m sure he would be open to the .243 being a reasonable round for Australia if you had not rubbed off on him.

 

[Ryan]

Well, I voted for the 308, though I own two 30-06. I took one to Namibia twice and nothing walked away. If he's a right hander I'd go with the Winchester M70 for a great first rifle he'll always appreciate. Certainly nothing wrong with the Tikka T3, I can also vouch for the Savage M10. Neither are fancy, but both are known to work well. I own a Savage in 7mm-08 I like more and more every time I shoot it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks for replying so far. Honestly, I already know the answers but part of this post was because he was receiving conflicting opinion and I thought it easiest to show opinions from a large source pool rather than just 2 guys.

More of a thread to get recommendations on the gun selection, less the caliber. But it makes for fun conversation this way!

@Tbitty
Gun selection depending on budget
Howa
Savage
Tikka
Weatherby S2
All under $800usd and all extremely accurate.

Scope Meopta optica 5 in either 2-10 or 3-15 both by 44. Can be had in the USA for $600 or less ( @sgt_zim) can tell you how good they are. He is happy with his.

So a great outfit with scope could be had for less than $1400.

One of the most accurate rifles I've had and the mate has has is the Savage Stevens 200. The one I had in 270 was a less than 1/2 moa so is the mates 223 with a 1:9 twist . The 270 went on to become my 35 Whelen and you know how accurate that is. This rifle can be had 2nd hand for $200 and represents excellent value and outstanding accuracy.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Ohh, maybe he gets that from you.
I’m sure he would be open to the .243 being a reasonable round for Australia if you had not rubbed off on him.

@CBH Australia
Chris for some reason he doesn't like the 243. When we were looking for a rifle for him he could have any caliber he wanted. He chose the 308.
I asked him if he would prefer a243 and was told no I want to be able to cleanly kill game not wound it. This was before I even joined the forum and he had been to a couple of SSAA junior camps. There they were able to shoot rifles from 22lr, 223, 243,308 and others upto and including the 458 win mag. So he formed his own unbiased opinion.
Bob

 

[Tbitty]

As others have said, I think a .30-06 or .300 Win Mag would be the best choices. Deer, elk, African plains game have all fallen to these two calibers. Ammo is nearly universally available. The same could maybe be said of the .308, but I've never been a fan. If he needs to start with something that kicks less, I'd suggest 7-08.

Just curious- why would you not be a fan of the 308, but recommend the 7-08? They are, IMO, essentially the same round.

I personally find no noticeable difference in recoil between the two, and while the 7 might be a bit flatter, the 30 is superior in nearly every major category of terminal performance (again, basically identical).

 

[Tbitty]

@Tbitty
Being a 25 fanatic my vote would go to
The 25-06.
Light in recoil
Will take all the game you mention and more.
Will comfortably reach out to 400+ yards with enough remaining energy to handle deer.

Shoots very flat. A 100gn TTSX loaded to 3,400fps with 54gn of H4350 will be super flat, hit hard and be very accurate.
As for a rifle on the upper end a Weatherby S2 because it has a 26" barrel
Or
A Howa
Both rifles are available at reasonable price and both proven to be very accurate.
Other rifles to consider would be a Savage 110 or Tikka.
Can't go wrong with a fast 25
View attachment 698258
Exit wound on a 120# fallow shot by my son two days ago with my 25-303 Epps improved with a 115gn Nosler combined technology Silver tip at 250 yds.
Can't argue with that performance
Bob

I put that option on the list almost exclusively for you and me!