First Gun Purchase for new Hunter

[Tbitty]

I’ve got a guy headed to Africa for the first time in 2026 that I’m going through the same process with… he’s done a little hunting in the US.. taken a couple of hogs.. tried deer but no success yet, etc…

He has a 6.5 creedmore, but wants something a bit larger for Africa since he knows he wants to go for some heavier PG…

The question is “how heavy”… he doesn’t want something that barely surpasses the creedmore and doesn’t really add much to his arsenal… but at the same time isn’t wanting to step up to something like a 375 that he thinks would never be used for anything else other than Africa…

So in his case I’m trying to point him to a 300 mag of some sort..

And we’re also having the platform debate.. he’s pretty sold on Christensen.. I also love Christensen, but have been trying to point him to something more traditional for his hunt…

That's basically where I landed, except a little lighter than the magnum since it's overkill for anything below elk size and he doesn't have any gun yet. It's a do all with ammo everywhere; if he needs more gun its a good excuse to buy another!

 

[DG870]

I voted for the 308. Many great rifles to choose from - tikka, weatherby vanguard, bergara, browning ….. Ammo selection is good with choices for practice ammo and premium readily available at reasonable prices.

It would be a good place to start because as we all know - no one just buys one rifle - if he gets hooked he will be buying more in no time.

 

[Zinz]

More of a thread to get recommendations on the gun selection

Flame suits on…


If he’s looking to use a suppressor, I might recommend the SIG Cross. It’s a chassis-style bolt action rifle with a folding butt stock and threaded barrel. Very lightweight and packable. My brother and a friend both have one and I am very impressed with them. Super accurate.

I see on their site they are making lots of new models and calibers. My experience is with the short models in .308.

SIG CROSS RIFLE – Bolt Action Hunting Cross Rifle

SIG SAUER bolt action hunting rifles are designed for precision long-range and extreme backcountry hunting. Elevate your hunting experience today!

www.sigsauer.com

…I’m a dyed in the wool, walnut stock gun guy, but these SIGs really work.

Ed Z

 

[mdwest]

Flame suits on…


If he’s looking to use a suppressor, I might recommend the SIG Cross. It’s a chassis-style bolt action rifle with a folding butt stock and threaded barrel. Very lightweight and packable. My brother and a friend both have one and I am very impressed with them. Super accurate.

I see on their site they are making lots of new models and calibers. My experience is with the short models in .308.

SIG CROSS RIFLE – Bolt Action Hunting Cross Rifle

SIG SAUER bolt action hunting rifles are designed for precision long-range and extreme backcountry hunting. Elevate your hunting experience today!

www.sigsauer.com

View attachment 697327

…I’m a dyed in the wool, walnut stock gun guy, but these SIGs really work.

Ed Z

No flames from me.

The cross isn’t something most old foggies like myself and others that frequent here are ever going to buy for themselves… but that doesn’t mean they aren’t perfectly suitable for hunting..

Whether we like it or not, chassis systems are the future… and there are several reputable gun manufacturers building “hunting” rifles on them already… Daniel Defense and Sig immediately come to mind..

They bridge the gap between the hunting community and the tacticool community (which dominates the shooting community in the US) which drives the market… manufacturers want to sell firearms.. and these types of firearms appeal to a large market sector..

And there’s no denying that the systems shoot well, are versatile, reasonable weight, etc etc…

A buddy of mine hunts with this DD system and loves it:

DELTA 5® 6.5 Creedmoor Accuracy Package

Due to considerable demand, we’re building a limited quantity of our DELTA 5 Accuracy Packages. These kits are built-to-order, zeroed right here in Black Creek, GA and guaranteed to shoot .75 MOA or better. That’s right, every DELTA 5 Accuracy Package is zeroed with quality, factory match-grade...

danieldefense.com

 

[Joker12]

I'm A traditional guy so if it were me I would look for either a M70 featherweight or a Ruger Hawkeye chambered for 270win. Other great caliber choices would 308 or that Swiss army knife of cartridges the good old 30'06. With that about 95% of

 

[RLD]

I hunt every legal season I am free in Canada and when it comes to rifles I reach for my .308 far more than any other.

Flat shooting, mild recoil and ammo everywhere.

Great first choice.

 

[ftrovato]

All of the calibers are wonderful. BUT when you say elk are possible, I vote for something bigger.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I started hunting at age twelve with the WWII 30-06 Springfield 03A3 my dad fixed up for me. Sixty years later and it's still doing the job. Dad has been gone twenty-five years but he's still with me every fall during hunting season or when I travel to Africa.

I would suggest the two of you similarly build your lad a keepsake. Get a barreled action or a donor rifle and we can help you finish it up. Pick up a 98 Mauser or Model 70. Parts, stocks, and aftermarket add-ons are more abundant. Springfield is a fine one to build on but donors and parts are becoming less abundant. Or you can buy some soulless plastic thing with spray painted metal off the shelf.

 

[JimP]

I can't believe that you didn't put one of the best cartridges that is still in existence.

The 30-06. While the 308 is quite capable it tops out on bullet weight quite quickly where the old 06 will go up to 220 grain bullets and shoots 180 grain ones very well. I used primarily 150 grain bullets in mine and they took care of anything that I shot up to elk.

 

[Rifleman97]

Any budget constraints? If the budget is low I would highly recommend a Winchester XPR. 3 lug action, short bolt throw, can be had with a wood stock, magazine style is near identical to a tikka and feeds flawlessly, it doesn’t have a 3 position safety but it does have a bolt lock, which has a release so you can cycle the action while still on safe.

For a slightly higher budget I’d go tikka or weatherby depending on synthetic vs wood stock preference.

For a bit more I think we can all safely recommend a good used or new but heavily looked over Winchester 70. (With recent quality control bring a bore scope to check the chamber for chatter and the throat for roughness, and the crown for damage)

Spending more you can get into Montana rifle company, spending more yet you can get into the full customs like granite mountain arms, Parkwest, rigby, etc etc sky is the limit.

When I am teaching a new hunter, I generally push them towards a Winchester XPR or Weatherby Vanguard (same safety design but 2 lug action) to have a cheap yet high quality rifle that will feed reliably and shoot well out of the box, but not be such a financial burden that they can’t afford to buy the other stuff that is often necessary. Such as ammo or reloading supplies, proper clothing and supplies to hunt with, optics, rings, etc.

Then if they get really into it they can sell that gun without too much of a loss and buy something they really want (now that they have some experience in knowing the pros cons and pitfalls of what they have)

 

[wesheltonj]

Well . . ., I don't know his budget. But I would suggest a Tikka in 308, and for a "little" more money a SAKO 85 in 308 (but might be hard to find). For Africa, I would recommend a 375 H&H, better to be lawfully prepared to shoot anything, then have to explain why you shot something with less then the legal minimum.

If I was starting over today, even though I have 4 SAKO's, The Blaser system, with a 375 H&H, 308 Win & 22 Long would be hard to beat other then price.

 

[Beck]

Flame suits on…


If he’s looking to use a suppressor, I might recommend the SIG Cross. It’s a chassis-style bolt action rifle with a folding butt stock and threaded barrel. Very lightweight and packable. My brother and a friend both have one and I am very impressed with them. Super accurate.

I see on their site they are making lots of new models and calibers. My experience is with the short models in .308.

SIG CROSS RIFLE – Bolt Action Hunting Cross Rifle

SIG SAUER bolt action hunting rifles are designed for precision long-range and extreme backcountry hunting. Elevate your hunting experience today!

www.sigsauer.com

View attachment 697327

…I’m a dyed in the wool, walnut stock gun guy, but these SIGs really work.

Ed Z

I hear what you're saying, and I don't disagree. If the guy is into chassis rifles, by all means go that direction, but that is one butt ugly rifle. I think owning a gun that is attractive to the eye of the beholder is important, makes you want to get out there and use it.

 

[SafariCurious]

If semi-auto is legal to use for him I would recommend taking a look at a Browning BAR in .308.

If not, Europtic has some good "close out" deals on bolt action Tikka T3x's in .308 right now.

 

[CBH Australia]

I voted .308 and would suggest the same for a new shooter in Australia for all of the reasons others have stated.

The .30-06 should have been an option but I don’t own one but I have the .300wm.

I used a 7mmRm in South Africa but the pH said the .300wm would be a good choice for South Africa.

All that said I believe the .308 is a good starting point for new hunters in general.

 

[gillettehunter]

Tika T3 is a solid choice. If you want something supressor ready look at the Seekins PH3. They have a number of calibers available with 20 or 22 inch barrels. Accuracy should be superb and the ability to change barrels/calibers at home. I voted for the 7mm. Killed up to eland with that caliber plus a number of elk.
Bruce

 

[Scott CWO]

Lots of options and you can’t really go wrong with the choices you listed. You didn’t list a couple that I would have listed but of what you listed, I chose the 7PRC. It has become quite popular and is available pre-threaded. It’s more of a modern choice and will handle elk if he uses wise shot selection.

If something more traditional is wanted, I would suggest a 30-06 in a bolt rifle over the 308. My uncle from Montana bought me my first big game rifle, a Ruger M77 in 30-06 and a NRA membership at 14 years old. I had already hunted deer with a 30-30 Win Model 94 that my dad already owned. My dad was more of a bird hunter back then. The 30-06 doesn’t have much more recoil than the 308 but a bit more versatile with heavier bullets. That said, my suggested load is a quality 165 grain boat-tail bullet (165 grain Accubond or Barnes TTSX are factory loaded) because it will do it all - deer, hogs, pronghorn, elk, and eland with a flatter trajectory than a 180 grain bullet and he won’t have to re-sight the rifle with different ammo unless he wants to. I’ve shot over a dozen elk with the 165 grain bullet without a problem. If he wants to shoot a 180 grain bullet for elk and eland, I would suggest jumping up to the 300 Win Mag instead of a 30-06 or 308. A suppressed 300 Win Mag would also be a good option.

Like I said, it’s hard to go wrong with a 7mm caliber or a 30 caliber.

 

[Beretta391]

Look at the Christensen Arms Mesa. Ceracoted, adjustable trigger and threaded 22” barrel. My 308 shoots 165 NP, NA and 168 ttsx into 1/2” at 100 yards. Think Remington 700 Mtn rifle from the early 90’s. I have done nothing to mine except set the trigger like I like it and put a Leupold vx5 fire dot on it.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I'm recommending the Beretta BRX1. It is currently offered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 308, 30-06, and 300WM. The BRX1 is a modern switch barrel straight pull rifle; he can start with the 308 and for about $1000 he can buy the 300WM barrel and bolt if he feels the need for something larger. If he is only going to buy one rifle the 30-06 is a great one and done option. As a bonus the barrels are all pre-threaded for use with a silencer. If your friend picks the 308 option, beretta sell an adaptor that allows you to use Mapul P-Mags, adding a different dimension and purpose to your hunting rifle.

 

[MacJenkins]

I voted for 7mag. But only because you didn’t list 300WM.

 

[Zinz]

I did say, “Flame suits on”

The only chassis rifle I own is a Ruger Precision. I hunt with it sometimes, but it’s way too cumbersome to be a “hunting” rifle.

The SIG Cross folds up and can easily fit in a backpack… that is super handy and they are dead accurate with great triggers. The butt stock is very easy to adjust, unlike the Ruger Precision.

For a traditional rifle, I’m a fan of the Weatherby Vanguard rifles. I’ve seen them consistently shoot MOA with cheap ammo. Modern Vanguards have threaded barrels, too.

Mostly…I love the Winchester Model 70 Classic that were made in New Haven in the 90’s.

Here’s one in .30-06

And one in .308 below a Ruger #1 in .35 Whelen.