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New Hunter - First Hunting Rifle Suggestions

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SolaBeard

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
107
Location
East Tennessee
Hey guys! I'm a bit embarrassed to admit, but I'm in my 30s and have never been hunting, nor have I ever owned a rifle. I'm in East Tennessee, and the goal is to go hunting next season. I would like to go ahead and buy a rifle within a month or two (been wanting one for a while anyway).

With that being said, I've being doing a ton of research on rifles and calibers/cartridges, and while I'm not dead set on a caliber, I'm leaning toward a .308 or a .243.

So far, these are the rifles I'm considering:
- Savage Axis II
- Ruger American
- CVA Scout
- Henry Single Shot (H015)

A few things I'm contemplating:

1) I love the thought of a single shot rifle. I think a slow, methodical, picky style of hunting would be challenging, yet rewarding. I know this can still be the goal with a bolt action rifle, but there's something about a single shot I'm drawn towards.

2) I'd like to stick with a budget-friendly option considering other gear I'd need to buy.

I'd really appreciate any and all input you have about these guns or similar ones that I didn't mention. Looking forward to getting in the woods later this year!
 
I agree with Larry on the Ruger out of the ones you listed. My suggestion would be a Remington 700 .243. You can find used ones all over and you'll be able to rat hole a few boxes of ammo fairly cheap. Both are great rounds but the type of hunting you referenced would lead me to steer you towards a .243.

Side note on the Ruger American, it's a lite, synthetic rifle so you're gonna have more felt recoil in .308 than you would in .243

Congrats on your hunting decision. You're never too old. It's such a satisfying sport regardless of the results. Hunt trees and take in the sunrise and you'll never be disappointed.
 
Just my opinion, but I'd go with a Ruger American and definitely in 308. Plenty of ammo for a 308 right now. Very little recoil. In my experience a 308 has proven to have a lot of knockdown power. Sure a 243 will be plenty. I've killed deer with both. It's about shot placement, but If you happen to pull off or the deer turns or ducks…the 308 should do it's job.

Good luck
 
Definitely Ruger American and caliber choice is up to you. I'll admit 308 is plentiful right now but 243 is not hard to find either. The 308 will and can kick like a rented mule if using higher weight bullets. Me personally, I like the 243 cause I feel like the lighter recoil lends to me being more accurate.
 
I like your idea of the Ruger American. And between those two calibers I'd choose 308. Ammo is very easy to find for it almost anywhere. I would just find a certain ammo and grain and stick solely with it for hunting. However 243 is a great round too.
 
SolaBeard said:
Hey guys! I'm a bit embarrassed to admit, but I'm in my 30s and have never been hunting, nor have I ever owned a rifle. I'm in East Tennessee, and the goal is to go hunting next season. I would like to go ahead and buy a rifle within a month or two (been wanting one for a while anyway).

With that being said, I've being doing a ton of research on rifles and calibers/cartridges, and while I'm not dead set on a caliber, I'm leaning toward a .308 or a .243.

So far, these are the rifles I'm considering:
- Savage Axis II
- Ruger American
- CVA Scout
- Henry Single Shot (H015)

A few things I'm contemplating:

1) I love the thought of a single shot rifle. I think a slow, methodical, picky style of hunting would be challenging, yet rewarding. I know this can still be the goal with a bolt action rifle, but there's something about a single shot I'm drawn towards.

2) I'd like to stick with a budget-friendly option considering other gear I'd need to buy.

I'd really appreciate any and all input you have about these guns or similar ones that I didn't mention. Looking forward to getting in the woods later this year!
Click to expand...
A 308 is a great choice. I've seen tons of ammo for sale. Plus it's a deadly round. Depending on how Far East you are in TN. The task of finding deer will be the challenge. So don't handicap yourself right off the bat. First rifle would be a bolt action tiger most likley. Or know what distances most of your shots will be. Thick stuff might want a short lever action. In 44 or a30/30 but in all the gun will have to fit your budget and style of hunting.
 
all would be fine start up guns. Personally i would go cva scout- even though i have no experience with them. They look simple and at 5.8 pounds would be a joy to carry. 308 would be my choice for caliber due to versatility (the ability to shoot a wide array of bulet weights ) but also inherent accuracy and readily available ammo
 
I'd pick the Ruger out of those mentioned, and 243 or 308 is fine imo.

Personally, and meaning no insult to anyone, I'd hold out and save for a little higher quality rifle. JMO, and again meaning no insult, as I love my old budget Savage 110E 30/06 that I bought as a fifteen year old kid, and nowadays I carry on rainy day hunts.

I'm ending the season carrying it this weekend, and short of being as ugly as homemade sin, it's super accurate and dependable. Again, just my stupid old opinion.
 
Not a fan of any of those brands. Ruger would probably be the best out of that group. A rifle is an investment think of it that way. The bigger investment is the scope on top of it, would rather carry around a 300 dollar gun with a 800 dollar scope then a 1000 dollar gun with a 150 or 200 dollar scope.

I would personally add tikka to your gun list for the money it is leaps and bounds better than any listed in my personally opinion.

As far as caliber I hate a 243. I would go with a 308 if you are set on those. If not a 25-06 7mm08 or a 270 are my personal favorites and are flat killers.

Also I would personally stay away from a single shot. Go to the store and pick them all up.
 

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