I decided to take up hunting this year (I have been saying that for at least 10 years) I signed up for hunters safety and decided to buy my first hunting rifle. I decided on the thompson center icon (i love the look and feel of the gun and I work for tc so I get a good deal. I was trying to decide between .308 and 30-06, I thought I had settled on .308 at the last minute I couldn't decide so I bought both. I am getting laid off soon so I can't afford to set them both up right now (optics and such) so the question is which to set up first and what scope? I am thinking of bushnell elite 4200 in 3-9x40 as I found a good deal on one. What do you guys think?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
First hunting rifle
- Thread starter nhsmoker
- Start date
I think that once you get that rifle sighted in you should be killing game pretty easy. I've got a Venture and so far have been impressed with how it shoots, I'm sure the Icon shoots as well if not better. The Bushnell Elite 4200's are great scopes IMO, I have a 4-16X40AO and it is a very good scope. .308 is a very good choice for a hunting cartridge, plenty of choices out there in ammunition and you are set for just about anything that walks on four legs, except the really big bears.
I'd say you did good overall.
I'd say you did good overall.
Bucks Gun Shop
New member
NHS:
No question. The 30-06. It is simply the most versitile caliber for North American hunting there is.
As for the scope, remember the saying -you get what you pay for. Buy the best scope you can afford. This is coming from a guy that has owned every scope out there and usually starts cheap and works his way up the food chain. Don't be like me!
Last thing I will say about scopes - I have NEVER been disappointed in any Leupold scope I have owned. Can't say that about the rest.
No question. The 30-06. It is simply the most versitile caliber for North American hunting there is.
As for the scope, remember the saying -you get what you pay for. Buy the best scope you can afford. This is coming from a guy that has owned every scope out there and usually starts cheap and works his way up the food chain. Don't be like me!
Last thing I will say about scopes - I have NEVER been disappointed in any Leupold scope I have owned. Can't say that about the rest.
I'd get the .308
It has a better reputation for accuracy, which is inherent to the cartridge design.
Bushnell scopes are OK in my book. For deer, you can probably just leave it on 3X and be OK.
It is sad to hear you work for T/C, like their guns enough to buy one, and are getting laid off. I thought they were doing OK, and if I were in the market for a bolt gun, T/C would be at the very top of my list.
It has a better reputation for accuracy, which is inherent to the cartridge design.
Bushnell scopes are OK in my book. For deer, you can probably just leave it on 3X and be OK.
It is sad to hear you work for T/C, like their guns enough to buy one, and are getting laid off. I thought they were doing OK, and if I were in the market for a bolt gun, T/C would be at the very top of my list.
It is sad to hear you work for T/C, like their guns enough to buy one, and are getting laid off. I thought they were doing OK, and if I were in the market for a bolt gun, T/C would be at the very top of my list.
T/C is doing okay we do make a profit but smith and wesson (which owns T/C) decided they could make more profit consolidating production to just their Massachusetts facility (they also got 6 million from the state of mass to open up more jobs in the state.)
On another note I know it seems odd to buy two rifles that are so similar, but I do have a son that wants to take up hunting in a few years and for what they cost me I couldn't possibly pass up the deal.
T/C is doing okay we do make a profit but smith and wesson (which owns T/C) decided they could make more profit consolidating production to just their Massachusetts facility (they also got 6 million from the state of mass to open up more jobs in the state.)
On another note I know it seems odd to buy two rifles that are so similar, but I do have a son that wants to take up hunting in a few years and for what they cost me I couldn't possibly pass up the deal.
Dr. Strangelove
New member
Toss a coin, I guess?
.308 and .30-06 aren't different enough to make any difference hunting at normal ranges on the same game. The scope you're looking at is a good one, it's all in what you personally prefer.
I like the .308, but that's just me...
.308 and .30-06 aren't different enough to make any difference hunting at normal ranges on the same game. The scope you're looking at is a good one, it's all in what you personally prefer.
I like the .308, but that's just me...
Either will do you fine. You probably don't need two. Sell one to buy a scope/ammo. The .308 is cheaper to feed. If you're in heavy woods, the difference in ballistics across the distances that you will be shooting will make the .308 almost an equivalent.
Full disclosure: I have a 30-06 that I don't intend to part with.
Full disclosure: I have a 30-06 that I don't intend to part with.