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Hey guys i am new to the forum and new to the hunting world but am really looking forward to getting out there and getting my hunt on! i am looking for a little insight as to a good rifle to start my hunting arsenal with any and all suggestions will be appreciated. I am looking to hunt White tail i currently have a british 303 Lee Enfield and it is a good rifle ammo is about the sam as gas prices *too much* like i said any input is appreciated Thanks

Now you started it, everyone will be fight everyone

"Keep the 303 and reload"

"Buy a 270"

"No!!! A 30-06"

"Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Kimber, so on and so on."



What is your budget?

I would like to stay in the 600-700 range but am will to save a little on the side to make up some difference if need be.

Seems to me that a Remington 700/Winchester Model 70 in .270, 30/06, 308, etc... topped by a Leupold 6x/3-9x40 would be a great way to start hunting. Your parameters aren't too tough to fill, and an accurate bolt gun in essentially any chambering will get the job done for you!

Have fun, it's an awesome new world you're entering in to!

Thanks brothas i appreciate it.. and i cant wait to get out there

Search the used gun racks at your local shops and learn what to look for in a used rifle. Lots of great deals on used rifles out there if you are diligent and know what to look for.

Can't imagine anything better than a .308 with a compact little 2-7 scope. Ammo is plentiful and one of the more affordable rounds to shoot.

In reality, you won't go wrong with anything from 6.5 - .30 caliber in a case based on a .308, 7x57, or 30-06.

Just don't listen to the guys who will preach the .270...they are just riding the coattails of Jack O'Connor.

If I had 700 dollars and hunted whitetails I would buy a decent used rifle like Dan said and a decent used bow because bowhunting is awesome!



A 308 would be the perfect caliber for you, flat shooting, easy to find every where, and will kill anything in North America.

I am also partial to my Ruger 30-06



Works pretty good on squirrels.

You know all he really needs is a Ruger m77 or Hawkeye in 30-06....

Notice my post above?

Yep.....you kind of beat around the bush a little first though...

If you're on a tight budget, a good used rifle may be the way to go. If you're going to shoot factory ammo, focus on the most popular -- and available -- cartridges. For whitetail, the middle of the road is anything from .243 to 30-06. You don't need anything labeled magnum at this point. I would gently suggest .270 (ignore Pastor Dan's blasphemy!) or .308. You don't need wunder bullets for whitetail, either. Fodder like good old Winchester power points and Federal Fusion will kill cleanly and can frequently be found at bargain prices.

I was trying to be semi-helpful.

Welcome to the Fire. If you go used, there are many articles out there telling you what to look for in a used rifle. Avoid the magnums for now, you don't need one. I like the idea of a .308, or maybe a .270/30-06. My Winchester Model 70 in .270 is a soft kicking accurate rifle. I picked it up for $300 in the early 90's and it is a "classic" model with controlled round feeding. When hunting deer I put on a shell carrier that holds nine rounds. Three go in the rifle and the rest just wait patiently.
Never had to fire a second shot yet.

If it is a "good rifle," then reload for it. It is the indian, not the arrow that matters in hunting. The cartridge will do anything you need it to. If your .303 is a P14, then all the better.

Trubio,
Winchester Model 70 in 7-08REM is one of the great all-rounders to start with.

.............270 Win, 7/08, 308, or the 30-06 would be the four cartridges I would consider if you for starting out.

Find some gun shops with hopefully alot of combined inventory and go play with some Winchesters, Remingtons, Ruger M77s, Savages, Weatherby Vanguards, Howa M1500s, plus anything else you can and find what looks the best, feels the best and handles the best for you..............Take notes.

Our little TX deer drop like a sack of potatoes with a well-placed shot using anything from 223-308. I particularly like a Rem Mdl 7 in 250 Savage but it�s a rare gun and the ammo is a tad more expensive than say a 243. For bottomland, estuaries, and thickets I�m fond of a bolt or pump carbine in 35 Rem. (Shots rarely exceed 125 yards and the norm is 40.
Welcome to the forum!

Welcome, grab your guns, a sharp blade and hang on.

Gunner

Join the Rod & Gun Club at the post, meet some other hunters and get them to help you find a good used rifle at a gunshow or local gunshop. A good used Ruger M77, Remington M700, Winchester M70, etc., in a middle size cartridge (.25-06 REM, .270 WIN, .308 WIN, .30-06 SPRG) will do you well. You can browse the classifieds below and find some good deals on a used rifle and scope. Check out the new Redfield Revolution scopes - good price on a good USA made scope with an excellent warranty. Good Hunting!

Noticed you guys failed to mention one cartridge. While its not a common bolt gun caliber, it has been and continues to fill freezers everywhere.....30-30. As long as shots are 200 yds or less a good USED Marlin lever gun with a scope will suffice also. May not be as cool as some other calibers, but many a white tail has fallen to that round thru the years.