johnwilliamson062
Moderator
If you don't know anything about rifles you won't be shooting much beyond 100 anyways. An SKS can handle deer at 100 yards if you do your part. If not it doesn't matter how accurate the rifle is.
If you are on a budget look at milsurp. Best deals are in milsurp for sure. I would highly recommend getting a soft recoil pad for most of them though. Maybe a slip on. They are not as light as most modern sporting rifles either. You can get sporting stocks that help a lot, but the generally longer barrel is harder to remedy.
"30-30 has taken more deer than anyother Caliber in the country." In the last 130 years? Yes. In the last 50? Maybe. In the last 20? I seriously doubt it.
The following rifles will get the job done at ranges a new rifle shooter can likely take and beyond:
Steyr M95 Straight pull bolt and it is only $100!
Chinese SKS Although Russian is probably more accurate I would hate to carry a surplus TULA gun in the woods.
K31 - Cracked stock Awesome rifle, but you can only get the cracked stock ones from dealers now. If you can find one on secondary market in your price range i recommend you buy it.
M1916 Mauser SOme people say these can't handle the 308 loads. i have yet to see any examples of this and I have seen math from a few sources that lead me to believe it is safe. Not what to get if you are timid though.
M96 Swedish Mauser barreled action 6.5x55, which is an awesome round. Barreled action so you can buy a sporting stock and scope it without worrying much about ruining history.
If you are on a budget look at milsurp. Best deals are in milsurp for sure. I would highly recommend getting a soft recoil pad for most of them though. Maybe a slip on. They are not as light as most modern sporting rifles either. You can get sporting stocks that help a lot, but the generally longer barrel is harder to remedy.
"30-30 has taken more deer than anyother Caliber in the country." In the last 130 years? Yes. In the last 50? Maybe. In the last 20? I seriously doubt it.
The following rifles will get the job done at ranges a new rifle shooter can likely take and beyond:
Steyr M95 Straight pull bolt and it is only $100!
Chinese SKS Although Russian is probably more accurate I would hate to carry a surplus TULA gun in the woods.
K31 - Cracked stock Awesome rifle, but you can only get the cracked stock ones from dealers now. If you can find one on secondary market in your price range i recommend you buy it.
M1916 Mauser SOme people say these can't handle the 308 loads. i have yet to see any examples of this and I have seen math from a few sources that lead me to believe it is safe. Not what to get if you are timid though.
M96 Swedish Mauser barreled action 6.5x55, which is an awesome round. Barreled action so you can buy a sporting stock and scope it without worrying much about ruining history.
