New to rifles looking for suggestions.

It sounds like the whole caliber thing is a bit overwhelming to you. So I'll keep it simple. Some people obsess about calibers and ballistics. I'm one of those people. But I also realize you can keep it simple, and get great results.

Medium Game. I assume you mean deer, antelope, etc.? Or smaller, like varmints?

I don't know what the 223 would do for you. Too small for anything much bigger than a coyote.

For deer and smaller, the 243 is very popular. I think anything smaller than 243 is too small for deer. And it might not be legal. I'm not even too crazy about 243 for deer. Some like it because they can do both varmints and deer with it.

For deer-size game, the 308, 270, 30-06, in order of power, are all very common and capable. You'd be splitting hairs to choose one over the other. 270 is more powerful than 308, and has longer range than 308 or 30-06, but slightly smaller bullets. Want more power and range? Go 7mm Rem Mag.

For deer and larger, the 7mm Mag and 300 Win Mag are excellent choices. These are starting to get in the range of high-recoil rounds, though.

For big stuff, like big bears, a 338 Win Mag or 375 H&H would be good choices. I wouldn't go any smaller than 338.

Everyone has their pet rounds they will recommend to you. (I didn't list my pet rounds. Well, maybe one or two, but only because they are also very common.) But the test is: Is this a real common caliber I can find in common rifles? Can I get the ammo just about anywhere?

Personally, I like the idea of one rifle that can do it all. A 338 is a bit big for deer, maybe a bit small for grizzlies. And it's a handful to shoot. Adding big bears into the equation makes your selection difficult.

I recommend bolt guns, too. But a reliable hunting semi-auto could work fine for small-to-midrange. Anything more powerful than 30-06 (which is rare in an auto) and you'd have to go bolt.

FWIW,

David
 
I can go up to $1000.00 for both but now I am totally confused with so many different calibers. I don't want to end up with a bunch of them but just the ones that are more readily available that would be good for medium type game and one that would put down a brown bear if needed.

I would prefer 2 different and common calibers for the rifles.

Regards.
Click to expand...

You really need to spend some time getting up to speed on calibers no matter how confusing. Caliber selection is where it all starts once you define the animals you are after.

Taking down a brown bear is not something you just throw out as a desire, its a seriously important aspect. Its not a whim, if you are serious about it and in a position to do it. If you can't afford to buy an appropriate rifle then I don't see how you are going to get into hunting brown bears?

You also should define what you mean by medium, it can be local deer or an Elk (moose would be larger). Caribou somewhere in between.

30-06 can cover a lot of that, but your ammo selection becomes critical.

My steps dada father shot at least 6 Brown bear with 30-06, but he knew what he was doing.
 
I'm still voting for .30-06 in a Remington auto. Kill anything from deer to bear. .45-70 is another good option but doesn't have the range. I'm not aware of an auto either. Anything bigger/more powerful than those are massively overkill on deer. Don't be the guy with a .300 Mag deer hunting that says his gun is too small. I use a .243 for deer usually.
 
The late Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake." I'm inclined to agree. You can do light bullets for varmints and run a 220 gr. Nosler Partition for one of the great bears and really never need anything else. Of course you'd have to take up reloading to cover all bases but to keep shooting relatively affordable you'd have to reload anyway. Alaskan Brown Bear guide Phil Shoemaker sometime backs up his client with a 30-06and 220 gr. Noslers although he does use a .458 Win. Mag. most of the time these days. That includes going into the thick and nasty stuff after wounded and very angry bears. I wouldn't worry if that was all I had, an 06 and top power heavy bullet loads although I'd be a lot happier with my .35 Whelen. Even the late Jack O'Connor when asked if he could only have one rifle to hunt all of North America, he answered without hesitation, "The 30-06." There's a reason those experts say that about the 06. It plain works.
I've been shooting something at paper or game since my 11th birthday. Probably 2/3 of that time, I'm 76 as of a couple of months ago, my game has been taken with the 30-06. Like Mr. O'Connor, if forced to have only one, it's be the 30-06. I'd cry like a baby having to give up my .35 Whelen but that's life. :(
Paul B.
 
what range are you expecting to be shooting? that's the biggest question. BTW, there is a semi auto specific rifle board here.

if you live in CT, really the only thing you'd be allowed is a SKS or a remington 750. the SKS has only one option for caliber 7.62x39. this is fine for medium game and depending on bullet selection even big game if you remain within 100 yards.

the 750 has more options which are better suited to either position, currently 243 win, 308 win, and 30-06 springfield are the three available, 243 is the best for medium game, 30-06 for big game and 308 is a good medium between the two.

the sks is definitely the cheaper option, usually in the $350 range for a chinese or yugo model. SKS also has better ammo capacity. it's a PITA from what I hear because most CT FFLs are so gun shy and even though the SKS is legal, many will still refuse to get it for you because they don't want anything coming back to them if they sell the "scariest thing on the menu" and you go out and do something bad with it. the 750 also slightly exceeds your budget but used might fall within $700.
 
SKS isn't legal to hunt with in most states without modifications. They hold 10 rounds, in WV rifles can't hold over 5 if you're hunting.
 
that's false. it's not allowed in SOME states, not most.
TX, AK, MT, ID, WA, WY, TX, UT, VA, ND, AZ, NM, OK, FL, KY, TN, GA, AL, MS, MO, LA, NV, SC, NC, KS, and AR all allow high capacity magazines, and have no caliber restrictions that would prevent you from using 7.62x39. I stopped searching after 26 states because frankly, I have better things to do however, I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that MOST states do NOT have limitations that would prevent the SKS from being legally used for hunting.


EDIT: for poops and giggles I checked CT DEEP, as well, no mention at all of ammo capacity limitations, ironic considering that the state itself has capacity bans. that's 27 states that I've verified allow an SKS for hunting.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top