Hunting Rifle

[CM156_v1legacy]

Well, I thought I'd post this here, because I am asking for advice. I'm looking at buying a hunting rifle.

Specifically, I'm looking for one for deer hunting. Now, I've gotten quite a few recommendations. So far, people have suggested, among other things, a Winchester Model 70, a Remington 700, Springfield M1A SOCOM 16, and a Tikka hunter 308.

I shoot left handed, as a note.

So basically, I'm asking what guns you'd recommend for deer hunting.

 

[Pfheonix]

Use a bolt action rifle, because an automatic will result in brass hitting you. Aside from that, go to a weapons store or to an outdoors store like Dick's Sporting Goods and talk to some of the people who work in the hunting section for advice on it. I don't personally own or shoot firearms for financial reasons, but I'm also right handed, so that doesn't affect my ability as much as your left handedness does.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Use a bolt action rifle, because an automatic will result in brass hitting you. Aside from that, go to a weapons store or to an outdoors store like Dick's Sporting Goods and talk to some of the people who work in the hunting section for advice on it. I don't personally own or shoot firearms for financial reasons, but I'm also right handed, so that doesn't affect my ability as much as your left handedness does.

I think you mean semi-automatic, right?

Because, sadly, I can't hunt game with a machine gun. I wish I could though.

Then, it wouldn't be much of a challenge...

Anyways, I have asked a few store members, and those are frequent recommendations I've gotten, along with a few others. Those specifically were recommended to me by a member of this site.

 

[Limecake]

I think you mean semi-automatic, right?

Because, sadly, I can't hunt game with a machine gun. I wish I could though.

Then, it wouldn't be much of a challenge...

please tell me you at least fish with dynamite!

Anyways, I have asked a few store members, and those are frequent recommendations I've gotten, along with a few others. Those specifically were recommended to me by a member of this site.

This is a dumb question since I am not much of a gun guy myself, but is there a gun store that would let you hold these rifles to get a feel for how heavy they are? Because like many things in life I'm sure the choice is pretty subjective. Find which one you could actually see yourself using.

but if you really want to hunt like a boss you should buy a bow!

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

I think you mean semi-automatic, right?

Because, sadly, I can't hunt game with a machine gun. I wish I could though.

Then, it wouldn't be much of a challenge...

please tell me you at least fish with dynamite!

Anyways, I have asked a few store members, and those are frequent recommendations I've gotten, along with a few others. Those specifically were recommended to me by a member of this site.

This is a dumb question since I am not much of a gun guy myself, but is there a gun store that would let you hold these rifles to get a feel for how heavy they are? Because like many things in life I'm sure the choice is pretty subjective. Find which one you could actually see yourself using.

but if you really want to hunt like a boss you should buy a bow!

Well, I'm a resident of Missouri, but I got to school in Illinois. I can't even pick up a gun in this state without a FOID card. Which there's no way I'm getting.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Basically if you are looking for a hunting rifle a bolt action rifle with a fluted barrel and/or fluted bolt. As for caliber .308+ will do the job and still be legal.

It looks like you are looking at solid platforms (Remington, Winchester, etc) but also remember everything else. You need a good scope/peep sight. Also you need a good stock. Basically you need something you can beat up without crying but is still comfortable.

However if you want something that is good out of the box try these guys-

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/rifles/
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/
http://www.steyrarms.com/products/hunting-rifles/

Personally when I go after deer I use either a Remington 700 or a Mossberg 100 ATR in 30.06 but if I had the money I would also invest in a CZ. Those rifles are great out of the box.

I've heard a fellow complain about 30.06 being bad for deer because the amount of penetration you get is either too much or to little.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

I've heard a fellow complain about 30.06 being bad for deer because the amount of penetration you get is either too much or to little.

It can but if you shoot at the heart the exit wound will be more than enough to take down the deer and the tumble will ensure that the round does not go very far (unless you are very unlucky and go between the ribs on both sides). The only time I ever had a problem was when I shot a really skinny deer (I shouldn?t have shot it but I did not see it well enough at the time) and this one time when the deer jumped forward and up just as I shot and the round hit and exited through the liver. I have never heard of the 30.06 having too little penetration against anything smaller than a moose. It also depends on the bullet. Typically I use a soft core. That does the job perfectly well and it usually does not over penetrate.

Also, someone mentioned using a bow earlier and since you have an AR platform you might be interested in this-

I see.

Actually, I don't think I have an AR platform. But I'm looking at one, yes.

Also, the 30.06 is often called a "thirty-aught-six" round, correct?

This guy, by the way, did hunt all around the world. So he could have been talking about shooting something else.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Actually, I don't think I have an AR platform. But I'm looking at one, yes.

I thought you said you got a Colt Carbine in .22. Was I mistaken?

Also, the 30.06 is often called a "thirty-aught-six" round, correct?

Yes.

This guy, by the way, did hunt all around the world. So he could have been talking about shooting something else.

Probably. However your standard North American deer will certainly get taken down by a 30.06 round.

Yes. That's it. So I guess I DO have an AR platform

That makes me feel happy inside for some reason ^_^

The big question for me is if I want to get bolt action or semi-automatic.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

The big question for me is if I want to get bolt action or semi-automatic.

Well, if all you are going to be hunting is deer then you should probably just use a bolt action rifle. The only reason I use a semi when hunting pig is because I need to be able to shoot several of them at one time. With deer you should always go for one shot one kill and a bolt action rifle would be the best way to ensure that.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

Still amazes me that you don't go for headshots with deer. Video games lied to me! (I learned this seven years ago, mind you. It still seem odd to me)

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Still amazes me that you don't go for headshots with deer. Video games lied to me! (I learned this seven years ago, mind you. It still seem odd to me)

HA, yeah. When people hear about me being a competitive shooter some people act like I can walk through a room getting a headshot on each and every person. Most people do not realize how much their head actually moves when they walk. Plus since deer have smaller less advanced brains they can actually take a shot like that (the video is a little disturbing)-

Oh, that made me feel really sad. That poor deer

Then again, the ones in my area starve because they're overpopulated, so it's likely kinder to take them out cleanly

 

[Aur0ra145]

Well, I thought I'd post this here, because I am asking for advice. I'm looking at buying a hunting rifle.

Specifically, I'm looking for one for deer hunting. Now, I've gotten quite a few recommendations. So far, people have suggested, among other things, a Winchester Model 70, a Remington 700, Springfield M1A SOCOM 16, and a Tikka hunter 308.

I shoot left handed, as a note.

So basically, I'm asking what guns you'd recommend for deer hunting.

How much are willing to spend? Also, do you want a scope on it, or are you okay shooting iron sights? How far will your shots generally be on your deer lease?

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Well, I thought I'd post this here, because I am asking for advice. I'm looking at buying a hunting rifle.

Specifically, I'm looking for one for deer hunting. Now, I've gotten quite a few recommendations. So far, people have suggested, among other things, a Winchester Model 70, a Remington 700, Springfield M1A SOCOM 16, and a Tikka hunter 308.

I shoot left handed, as a note.

So basically, I'm asking what guns you'd recommend for deer hunting.

How much are willing to spend? Also, do you want a scope on it, or are you okay shooting iron sights? How far will your shots generally be on your deer lease?

I'm willing to spend up to about $1200

Also, I'd prefer a scope

About 150 yards, from what I understand

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Hunting rifles are for pussy's

Real men hunt with dynamite!

Sadly, I can find no law in my state that would permit such a thing. But I think the experience would be... interesting to say the least.