I've been hunting off and on for about five years. After a year out of the country (Korea) I'm itching to get up in a stand. I'm going home to Georgia for two weeks over Christmas and plan to buy a hunting rifle. My father-in-law has suggested several options mostly either in .308 and 7mm-08. All I know about guns has come from him. I value his opinion and will probably go with one of these. Which manufacturer makes the best rifles in these calibers? I know this is subjective but thats what I'm looking for, personal experiences.
Best rifle for a beginner?
- Thread starter Redleg
- Start date
Gunslinger
Moderator
I'm a Remington fan myself. In a bolt action they offer the model 700. They also make a semi-auto and a pump in the model 4 and model 6 respectively.
A lot of folks are Winchester enthusiast and they offer the calibers you are looking for in a bolt action model 70.
Another option that is less expensive and a fine rifle in it's own right is the Savage model 110.
Welcome to TFL.
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Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
A lot of folks are Winchester enthusiast and they offer the calibers you are looking for in a bolt action model 70.
Another option that is less expensive and a fine rifle in it's own right is the Savage model 110.
Welcome to TFL.
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Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Either cartridge will do just fine. If you foresee hunting larger deer or even elk in the western states, you would probably do better with the .308--heavier bullets are available.
Basically, any brand of rifle will shoot as accurately as you will need, and better than you can hold. My suggestion is compare the fit and feel as YOU hold the rifle. Whatever feels best to you is the "best", IMO.
For the relatively close range hunting common in Georgia--few shots over 100 to 200 yards, and most in the 20- to 75-yard range--you won't need a high-power scope. A scope equivalent to the Weaver K4, or a variable in the 2X7 range. Simmons and Burris are good mid-price scopes. And there are always the good old Leupolds; if you go that route, I'm partial to the VariX II in either 2X7 or 3X9--having one of each...
FWIW, Art
Basically, any brand of rifle will shoot as accurately as you will need, and better than you can hold. My suggestion is compare the fit and feel as YOU hold the rifle. Whatever feels best to you is the "best", IMO.
For the relatively close range hunting common in Georgia--few shots over 100 to 200 yards, and most in the 20- to 75-yard range--you won't need a high-power scope. A scope equivalent to the Weaver K4, or a variable in the 2X7 range. Simmons and Burris are good mid-price scopes. And there are always the good old Leupolds; if you go that route, I'm partial to the VariX II in either 2X7 or 3X9--having one of each...
FWIW, Art
Art,
You hit the nail on the head. Most of the lanes from our stands are between 50-150 yds. I just picked up a slightly used Vari-X II 3-9X40 for whichever gun I end up going with.
I'm leaning towards a .308 Ruger model 77 or Remington 700.
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Matthew J. Giegler
US Army
Fort Irwin, California
You hit the nail on the head. Most of the lanes from our stands are between 50-150 yds. I just picked up a slightly used Vari-X II 3-9X40 for whichever gun I end up going with.
I'm leaning towards a .308 Ruger model 77 or Remington 700.
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Matthew J. Giegler
US Army
Fort Irwin, California
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Redleg, you artillery? I wuz AAA SP, way back yonder.
My wife's home is just outside Thomasville, GA, and hunting-country around there is pretty thick. I've hunted near Tallahassee and around Blountstown; same deal. No way a guy can walk and hunt. Sneaky-snake, yeah, if you're good at sneaky.
Surprisingly, I've jumped a heckuva lot of deer in central Texas at close range (walking), and even from stands have seen bucks within 100 yards.
Best luck to ya!
Art
My wife's home is just outside Thomasville, GA, and hunting-country around there is pretty thick. I've hunted near Tallahassee and around Blountstown; same deal. No way a guy can walk and hunt. Sneaky-snake, yeah, if you're good at sneaky.
Surprisingly, I've jumped a heckuva lot of deer in central Texas at close range (walking), and even from stands have seen bucks within 100 yards.
Best luck to ya!
Art
Art,
I WAS FA from 95-98 before becoming a medic. I was on 109A6 155mm SP Howitzers at Fort Sill, OK and Fort Stewart, GA. I've only been hunting a couple times back home with my father-in-law because I've always been gone for hunting season. 95-96 Egypt, 97-98 NTC and 98-99 Korea! Now I'm in country but still can't go hunting. I can't wait for this trip home! Thanks for the help.
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Matthew J. Giegler
US Army
Fort Irwin, California
I WAS FA from 95-98 before becoming a medic. I was on 109A6 155mm SP Howitzers at Fort Sill, OK and Fort Stewart, GA. I've only been hunting a couple times back home with my father-in-law because I've always been gone for hunting season. 95-96 Egypt, 97-98 NTC and 98-99 Korea! Now I'm in country but still can't go hunting. I can't wait for this trip home! Thanks for the help.
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Matthew J. Giegler
US Army
Fort Irwin, California
Redleg, does the Army still train medics at Ft. Sam? I was there in '68 -- boy do I feel old just saying that!
Just to throw in my 2 cents -- I've owned a couple of Rugers and a couple of Remington 700's. However, I currently prefer my new Browning A-bolt Stalker. It is in 7mm-08 and is the most accurate and consistent rifle that I have ever owned. Even with it's sporter weight barrel and without the BOSS option, it is amazingly accurate. I have a Leupold 3x9 Vari-x II on it.
Art has a good point about going with the .308 if you think you will ever hunt animals larger that southern whitetails. You could put heavier bullets in the 7mm-08, but the trade off would be longer bullets and less powder. Whereas, the larger diameter of the .308 allows you to upsize the bullet without all the added length.
Good luck with your choice and have a great hunt!
Just to throw in my 2 cents -- I've owned a couple of Rugers and a couple of Remington 700's. However, I currently prefer my new Browning A-bolt Stalker. It is in 7mm-08 and is the most accurate and consistent rifle that I have ever owned. Even with it's sporter weight barrel and without the BOSS option, it is amazingly accurate. I have a Leupold 3x9 Vari-x II on it.
Art has a good point about going with the .308 if you think you will ever hunt animals larger that southern whitetails. You could put heavier bullets in the 7mm-08, but the trade off would be longer bullets and less powder. Whereas, the larger diameter of the .308 allows you to upsize the bullet without all the added length.
Good luck with your choice and have a great hunt!
Legionnaire
New member
Redleg,
I like the Remingtons as well, but favor the Model 7 over the 700 for the short action .308, at least for a hunting rifle to be used at the ranges you mention (I'd want a 700 if setting up a beanfield rifle). The Model 7 is very quick to hand. Mine is set up with a Leupold VX-II 2-7x. Sweet package that has served well for many years.
I like the Remingtons as well, but favor the Model 7 over the 700 for the short action .308, at least for a hunting rifle to be used at the ranges you mention (I'd want a 700 if setting up a beanfield rifle). The Model 7 is very quick to hand. Mine is set up with a Leupold VX-II 2-7x. Sweet package that has served well for many years.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Aw, jbgood, you young whippersnapper! Ya shoulda partaken of the joys of Frozen Chosen, back in good old occupation duty daze in '54/'55!
At least we could occasionally go duck-hunting, or "liberate" a 600-round can of carbine ammo and go to the beach at Inchon and give seagulls a hard time. Three or four M-2s on full-auto can create clouds of feathers!
As usual, Art
At least we could occasionally go duck-hunting, or "liberate" a 600-round can of carbine ammo and go to the beach at Inchon and give seagulls a hard time. Three or four M-2s on full-auto can create clouds of feathers!
As usual, Art