touchdowndallas2000 Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I didn't grow up around hunting and only have a couple of shotguns, a muzzle loader, and recently a compound bow, because that is what we are able to hunt with in OH. A couple of the guys I hunt with go out west to Wyoming every couple of years for Antelope and Mule deer. I am going with them in 2010. My brother in law has a rifle that I can borrow but I am interested in buying my own. I am curious to hear what everyone's opinions are on good "first" rifles. I don't need the top of the line but don't want junk cheap stuff either. Thanks a ton for the advice. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn57 Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Some good rifles in price are Rem 700, Savage, Win, h&r and the vangaurd line of rifles. A .270 win, .308, 7mm rem mag, 30-06 and 25-06 would all be good calibers. You will difently need good glass to go on the rifle for hunting out west. Nikon Buckmasters line of scopes are pretty good and won't break the bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shorty785 Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 i would got with a 270, a 308 or a 7mm rem mag (which is what i shoot) i would also go with a 300 wsm all are great guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redgreen Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 If it's deer and antelope, then, the 25 06 is an excellent choice. Also great for varmints too. Debones em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
touchdowndallas2000 Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks a lot for the quick advice. I will take what you guys have given me and start looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I love my Ruger M77 stainless 7mm Rem. Mag. It is the one I grab most of the time. It offers a wide range of loadings that will allow you to take antelope or small deer all the way up to Moose and Black Bear. Match the bullet to the game and away you go. A 30-06 will do pretty much the same thing too. Love my Ruger though, call it the workin' man's gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 .30-06, .300 Win Mag or .300 WSM would be my first gun. I started with a .300 WSM so I had all my grounds covered, I could hunt moose, deer, bear, wolves and even varmints with it if I wanted to. Then I went to my .25-06, it's good for pretty much anything as well, other than moose, I'd want at least 180gr bullets for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Think I would opt for anything from a .270 up for hunting out west, you want something that is going to deliver enough energy at the ranges you are comfortable shooting to and the .270 should be ample. Lot of great options out there in rifles. Shoulder as many different rifles as you can. I like browning A bolts, but my preferred deer rifle is a remington model 700 chambered in .270, it has worked well for me over the years. I would not hesitate to take the .270 out west for mulies and antelope, actually have a plan in the works for Wyoming to go after antelope and mulies for myself and my oldest daughter sometime in the next 2 or 3 years. If you are looking for something a bit more economical, might take a look at the savage model 10's or the stevens line of bolt rifles, they are good shooters too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 My first instinct for someone looking for one economical, "do-all" rifle with a good deal of quality and user-friendliness would be a Weatherby Vanguard in .300 Win Mag. It'll be a shooter. It won't bust your bank. And it'll allow do anything you want to do in North America (and almost anything in the rest of the world) with much confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Whatever you do, don't buy it at Vance's. They charge a premium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Jay, I use a NEF 270. with a 3x9 40mm, 150 gr. I have taken hogs out to 400 yards, some people laugh at NEF but I don't. The additional barrels are afordable for different calibers. This rifle replaced a Savage 110 which was stolen out of my truck. A friend of mine states "Beware of the one rifle owner". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookieee Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Browning a-bolt or the new x-bolt in 300wsm its a all around rifle and the price not to bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Jay, I use a NEF 270. with a 3x9 40mm, 150 gr. I have taken hogs out to 400 yards, some people laugh at NEF but I don't. The additional barrels are afordable for different calibers. This rifle replaced a Savage 110 which was stolen out of my truck. A friend of mine states "Beware of the one rifle owner". I've got 3 NEF's and don't laugh a bit. All three are toped with Nikon scopes and shoot sum MOA. Also agree with the 270, but if I found a deal on a 308 or 30-06 I would jump on it. I do have an h&r 25-06 that would do what you described, but I think the 3 I mentioned would be more versatile for what you want. Regardless of what some might have you believe, it doesn't have to have the word Magnum attached to it or WSM to be an effective weapon. You could get an Nef and top it with a Nikon for what most guns cost. If money were less an object for me I would probably have a rem 700, or Wetherby Vanguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
touchdowndallas2000 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 lots of info on here...thank you all very much. It seems that 30 06 seems to be what has come up most. Although I am only looking to hunt antelope and mulies in the coming years, it sounds like if I did decide to hunt something else, this will handle the job. I don't have a lot of experience with the different makes, and have never shot a rifle. I have a 20ga Mossberg and a 12ga Remington 870 which I really like. I have never heard of NEF but like the idea of reasonably priced. I will keep all input in mind and try to hold all and shoot as many as I can get a hold of. I am probably not looking to buy until late summer or early fall. Thanks again to everyone for all of the great advice and insight. I really appreciate it. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 No matter what you try be sure the rifle fits you well. As well try the trigger it should go off with just pressure. If the rifle fits you and the trigger is good that rifle will be a real joy to shoot and you will shoot it better than one that does not have those qualities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 A few years ago i was in a club that had some very long shots on transmission power lines. Definitely something i wasnt used to, having shots farther than you could possibly make. I upgraded from my 270 A bolt to a WBY 300 mag. Very nice gun for long range, and priced well in the Vanguard series. I've hunted with almost everything, but if youre going to sink some cash into a western hunt with some distance to glass, i would definitely recommend a mag of some sort, the 300 is nice, but i havent shot any of the short mags yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalfZabotskowitz Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Rifle: Tikka T3 Out of the box performance Caliber: 30.06 RZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I plan on getting a Remington 700 SPS in .270. Around here I'll just be able to use it on coyotes, but I hope to go out west in the future and it should be able to do anything I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricF Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 What about a Marlin bolt. I've taken a look online myself but not at the shop yet. I'm considering one for my daughter in .243. Seems cheap enough, but quality as well. I searched for reviews and they all came out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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