First Gun Purchase for new Hunter

[IvW]

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

If only one to start with it would be a K95 or Hubertus in 7x65R.......and then expand from there....

 

[CBH Australia]

@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

Oh, I’m gonna ask him. Maybe even convert him, show him the light.

 

[Field28]

30-06

 

[sgt_zim]

A little late to this party, but out of that list, 308W, hands down.

180 gr pills at 2500 fps will cleanly take anything he shoots with it at reasonable distances.

A new guy doesn't need a cartridge with 600 or 700 yards of reach.

 

[sgt_zim]

@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

I believe I paid about $450 USD at EuroOptic

Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 - Z-Plex Riflescope 1032567 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 - Z-Plex Riflescope 1032567

www.eurooptic.com

Showing $424 right now, but back-ordered.

Excellent scope, @Tbitty

The only thing you need to be aware of is it has a fairly short tube, so if you're mounting on a LA rifle, you might want to go with a Piccatiny rail rather than a 2 piece base so you can get the eye relief you want.

 

[mdwest]

The best deal going on a “deer rifle” scope in my opinion…

Zeiss Conquest V4 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 3-12x 44mm ZBR-1 #91 Reticle

The Conquest V4 riflescopes are for hunters and shooters whose lifestyle and adventures involve traditional and long-range hunting, as well as shooting...

www.midwayusa.com

I’ve got 3 of these on various rifles (including a 308 and a 300 PRC)… they are worth every penny at full MSRP in my opinion… but at 33% off normal retail, they are an absolute steal…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I believe I paid about $450 USD at EuroOptic

Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 - Z-Plex Riflescope 1032567 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 - Z-Plex Riflescope 1032567

www.eurooptic.com

Showing $424 right now, but back-ordered.

Excellent scope, @Tbitty

The only thing you need to be aware of is it has a fairly short tube, so if you're mounting on a LA rifle, you might want to go with a Piccatiny rail rather than a 2 piece base so you can get the eye relief you want.

Or one extended ring will also work with short tube and two-piece bases. But keep in mind as far as I know no one makes QD extended rings so if he wants quick detach option he'll have to go with rail or one-piece base.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If only one to start with it would be a K95 or Hubertus in 7x65R.......and then expand from there....

@IvW
Still $5,000 AUD so out of my price range
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Oh, I’m gonna ask him. Maybe even convert him, show him the light.

@CBH
You would have more chance of convincing people that Donald Trump is gay.
Bob

 

[deewayne2003]

I voted "other larger than .308" because for versatility it's hard to beat a 30-06.

Greater case capacity if he reloads and better choice of bullet weight if he's thinking about stepping up to elk.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Additional info:

Yes, he's a grown man (28), but still new to shooting and my goal is to encourage good shooting mechanics rather than flinching by using a big magnum (which is why 338WM, 375 are no where near this list). ... 30-06 is as "big" as he will go 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 can and do shoot everything up to 375HH. 300WM, 35 Whelen, and anything bigger is not fun for me to shoot at the range, and I shoot a lot. I dont consider myself recoil sensitive, but 7Mag or 30-06 are the top end of what I take to the range when I plan to shoot more than a few rounds (except for practice on specific guns) ... it seems counter-intuitive to suggest these to someone who I want him to want to shoot/practice a lot.

The rifle is doubtful to be used in Africa, unless he gets an emotional attachment to it. I rent because it's easier than traveling with guns.

He only really made 1 bad shot this week on 6 total animals, and it was more the shooting position that got him. Steep downhill on a female waterbuck and he didn't get well set on the sticks. Hit too far back and we had to spend some effort to find and finish that one, but who here can say they've never made a bad shot? It was a good learning moment: dont take the shot if youre not comfortable or confident. All shots with the 7Mag suppressed.

I dont disagree with anyone's suggestions so far (except the 375, which is too much gun for any beginner, I dont care how big you are- those "recoil absorbing" muscles aren't developed on a new shooter or anyone who shoots once a month or less). ... the results of the poll so far are almost exactly what I expected to see.

@Tbitty
My vote still goes to the 25-06, with a 100gn TTSX, 110gn accubond or a 120gn A Frame you will handle a lot of game sizes. Low recoil, easy to place the shot accurately and deadly.
You said he kikes it so get him used to it to shoot well.
Then you could comfortably step up to a 30-06 with reduced recoil loads and work up to full power. That way he has 2 guns that will cover a lot of game.
Bob

 

[IvW]

25-06 is limited in game taking ability and legally also limited in some provinces and countries ad to what you can shoot with it.......that is if you are a law abiding and ethical hunter.....so it would be a poor choice as a first rifle....
Rather go 7x57mm, 308 or 30 06.....

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Back when I was a youngster 7x57 ammo was relatively abundant on the shelves. Seems not so much these days. 303 British ammo has also dried up considerably. A shame because they were great and proven killers of both man and beast. I guess the manufacturers have to choose between novel man-bun varieties and old fashioned stuff. They made the market for the digital novelty-addicted generation so they are bound to prop it up. Fortunately, the 30-06 will never die. Kinda like the Labrador retriever of the hunting dog world. New breeds seem to pop up every year but Labs will never be beat either for the field or the home.

Frankly, it would not surprise me if the world's armies someday returned to 7x57 and 30-06. However, as a rimmed cartridge I'm afraid the 303 will never make a comeback. Sigh!

 

[Don458]

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.

7mm/08

 

[jruby]

@Tbitty
My vote still goes to the 25-06, with a 100gn TTSX, 110gn accubond or a 120gn A Frame you will handle a lot of game sizes. Low recoil, easy to place the shot accurately and deadly.
You said he kikes it so get him used to it to shoot well.
Then you could comfortably step up to a 30-06 with reduced recoil loads and work up to full power. That way he has 2 guns that will cover a lot of game.
Bob

I know a 30-06 has some recoil but comparing it to some of the rounds I shoot which are not as large as those others shoot. I dont even think about a 30-06 having any recoil anymore.