How to Start?

S

snpotratz

Inactive
Hey guys and gals,

I've been shooting handguns and tactical shotguns for over 10 years, but have never really shot rifles. Living in Montana, hunting is a big thing and something I would love to do. Any suggestions on a first rifle? I suppose the ultimate goal would be deer and elk (because they are rather tasty.) I'd appreciate any advice on getting started. Thanks for your time!
 
30-30

Get yourself a Marlin 336 30-30. Good for Deer and Elk, pretty cheap to shoot as well. It doesn't have a lot of recoil either. If you wanted something flatter shooting then go with a 308 win, Savage,Stevens, Ruger, remington and Howa all make some good bolt rifles with fair prices. I think a Marlin 336 30-30 with some Leverevo ammo would be perfect for your needs though to be honest.
 
First thing to do is take the state hunter safety course and buy your hunter orange gear and start scouting and learning the prey before you even worry about the rifle...;) Once you own the rifle, shoot many hundred rounds learning all you can with the fundamentals...:) Your hunting experiences will be much more enjoyable and memorable for all the right reasons...
Brent
 
Take a hunter safety education course given by your state game department would be my first suggestion...

And welcome to TFL and to hunting! :)
 
I agree take a hunters safety course first. Where do you work, if you have some hunters there see if they will mentor you. Ask them to let you shoot a couple of their hunting rifles to find out what you can handle. Can't go wrong with a .30-06.
 
+1 Taylor

Also, don't get caught up in the magnum frenzy. When I started 40 years ago, my first rifle was a 7mm Weatherby. My favorites now are 308, 280, 6.5-06, and 260. I've found that standard cartridges kill just as dead at the normal distances game is taken without the mess. As you get older, recoil becomes more of a factor in shooting precision.

My .03......
 
Get yourself a Marlin 336 30-30.
Click to expand...

He's talking about Montana - not the swamps of the south. Shooting distance out there can be LONG. He needs something he can be comfortable with out to at least 300 yds.
 
NEVER recommended for ELK.
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Bet dollars against dog turds that at 50 yards and under, the elk won't know if it was a .30-30 or .300 win mag that stung his lungs and heart...:D
50 yards is realistic since many elk are arrowed every year...
Brent
 
Tons of people here in Oregon and Washington hunt Roseys ith 30-30's.
People hunt moose and black bear as well. These aren't armor plated humvees you know.
 
how to start

I have a remington 770 in 7mm mag but I kinda wish I would have bought the 700 instead. If I went & bought a gun to replace this one it would be a savage or rem. 700 & probably in .270 instead of 7 mag. I live in texas & .270 is good enough for the deer & hogs around here.
 
Feel free to further ask questions of us... I know I like, very much, to share what little I know to others in need of a bit of hands on info. I work hard begging to learn as well as my school of hard knocks learnin' I love to hand off to others.
Brent
 
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