First Hunting Rifle Suggestions

[Richardh30]

Hello all, I’m in the market for my first hunting rifle. Ideally I’d like a rifle for hunting Mule Deer, but that’s potentially powerful enough for Elk. I’m looking for something in the sub $1000.00 range

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

Winchester Mod. 700 30-06

 

[Snake Charmer]

308 or something in that category, Go to Fine Firearms in La Mesa with a budget in mind as to how much you want to spend to set yourself up, talk with the staff about what you want to do (John the manager is someone I have hunted with for many years and he and I have always shared consenting opinions. They can give you many options beyond a 308 as well as optics wise once they hear your goal's.

 

[ilovesprig]

Winchester Mod. 700 30-06

Or a Winchester Mod. 70 in 30-06.....lol

 

[Wildgame]

Hello all, I’m in the market for my first hunting rifle. Ideally I’d like a rifle for hunting Mule Deer, but that’s potentially powerful enough for Elk. I’m looking for something in the sub $1000.00 range

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

How much walking are you planing on doing? Is weigh an issue? I assume you are righty? $1000 without scope? Does recoil bother you? some calibers can punch a little more than others.
Rifles under $1000 are plenty

I got my eye on a Tika T3x Lite.

A lot of people like the Savage riffles as entry level, and then there is the versatility of Remington, and if they made it for lefty I would consider a Mossberg Patriot.

The very little I know is based on research I have done as I look for my own. I would definitely go to the biggest gun store you could find and look and hold as many as you can.

 

[HATCHET1]

I have guys show up every year with brand new rifles out of the box with nice new shinny scopes that the guy at turners bore sighted for them...dont be that guy..take your time...get the right one...if i lived in Ca still..id go to fine firearms and let them set you up..heard nothing but good things about that shop and staff.

 

[Snake Charmer]

The biggest gun store around may not have much knowledge or the best place to get good advice, (Turners is full of salespeople who just need a job) I would look at established dealers with a long track record. Nothing wrong with a 30-06 and in my opinion a great caliber that will never go away, The 308 was develpoed when powders became more efficient and could match 30-06 performance in a short action, I would not hesitate to buy either (I own both in fact). Pick what makes you happy...

 

[ilovesprig]

For under $500.00 you could get yourself a Savage Axis or Ruger American with scope in .270 or 30-06...And still have money left for some pretty nice glass or half a Sitka jacket...

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

half a Sitka jacket...

Lol.. true that.

As others have said I'd go down to Fine Firearms and let John set you up with something rad in your price range. Is $1000 what you're budgeting for just the rifle? What are you budgeting for the optics too? The Tikka T3 is a nice rig.. knew a guy who loved his. I shoot a 10 year old scratched up Browning in .30-06 so I don't know what's the hipster deer gun right now.. Bergara in 6.5 CM? Who knows lol..

 

[Nuevo]

Richard, where do you live? A lot of suggestions for Fine Firearms, but if you don’t live in or around San Diego it could be a stretch.

I too will second the 30.06 by caliber, but there are a number of rounds to choose from that are plenty capable.

I don’t have a problem with going to a store with a large selection. If you go on a weekday morning when the traffic is light, you can hold and feel them all. Don’t be afraid to look at used as well.

 

[ilovesprig]

Again, I think FF's carries Ruger American's...You don't need to go crazy on a deer rifle (shotguns yes, rifles no...lol).

ps...What do you'll think about buying a used Rem 700?

 

[longbowhunter2]

I would buy two rifles..
One for deer, 6.5cm, 308, 243, many others
One for elk & Grisly bear knock down power.. 7 mm, 338 win, 300 mag

 

[longbowhunter2]

Pick up and look at as many rifles before you decide.research + $$
Then go to a local dealer..

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

Or a Winchester Mod. 70 in 30-06.....lol

I stutter 00000000

 

[Hunter527]

My dad got me a 375 h&h for chasing cottontails when I was 12 and I’ve never looked back.

 

[JakeSCH]

just to re-iterate...go down to fine firearms and buy a tikka t3 (I have mine in .308 and it has been successful on both mule deer and elk on several occasions) but at the end of the day listen to John because he will not steer you wrong.

As a side note, do not buy cheap glass. My dad could not take a shot at a cow elk last week because he could not see his cross hairs 10 minutes before the end of shooting time (Nikon Monarch) (granted he is 60 with poor vision, but he could clearly see them through mine after the end of shooting light).

 

[Richardh30]

Lol.. true that.

As others have said I'd go down to Fine Firearms and let John set you up with something rad in your price range. Is $1000 what you're budgeting for just the rifle? What are you budgeting for the optics too? The Tikka T3 is a nice rig.. knew a guy who loved his. I shoot a 10 year old scratched up Browning in .30-06 so I don't know what's the hipster deer gun right now.. Bergara in 6.5 CM? Who knows lol..

$1000 budget would include gun and optics.

 

[Hunter527]

just to re-iterate...go down to fine firearms and buy a tikka t3 (I have mine in .308 and it has been successful on both mule deer and elk on several occasions) but at the end of the day listen to John because he will not steer you wrong.

As a side note, do not buy cheap glass. My dad could not take a shot at a cow elk last week because he could not see his cross hairs 10 minutes before the end of shooting time (Nikon Monarch) (granted he is 60 with poor vision, but he could clearly see them through mine after the end of shooting light).

What scope do you have?

 

[ilovesprig]

Richard,

Still trying to figure out how my dad killed so many big bucks with a .270, Remington 721, and a 2.5 fixed Weaver scope...lol...I'll re-iterate as well...Get yourself a medium grade rifle & scope and buy some good binos.

ps...Do you already have good glass?

 

[JakeSCH]

What scope do you have?

I have a Maven RS.1, but most higher end scopes do a great job.

RS.1

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS.1 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

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