First hunting rifle/ optic help

[flyboy3394]

Any of the recommended rifles should work fine. Much of it boils down to taste. For instance the RAR, Axis, 783 and Tikka have very small ejection ports which make it difficult to single feed a cartridge and more importantly to me, make it much more difficult to clear a jam. Not a big deal to some people but to me it is. That is why I prefer the Vanguard, 700 ADL and Howa.

When it comes to optics you have to decide for yourself. I try to get customers to look through several brands of scopes because most of them will see better out of one of them. $200.00 will get you a 3-9x40 that will allow you to take coyote, hog and deer out to 400 yards. Burris Fullfield II and Vortex Diamondback fall in that category. If you jump up to $400.00-$500.00 you are getting much more scope. Over $500.00 and the scopes are better but the law of diminishing returns comes in to play. Just my two cents.

So would you argue that even for my first bolt gun, the extra cost associated with that larger ejection port is worth it?

[lewdogg21]

Hunter here, not target shooter or marksman. There has been a lot of good advice and some not so much with the best advice coming from those who have photographic proof that they have killed lots of stuff.

I wouldn't worry about the ejection port size on a bolt gun. Frankly, I've never had a bolt gun jam but I guess if the extractor broke then yeah, you wouldn't be able to get the cartridge out of the chamber.

My advice is go to a gun store and handle the various models to see what you like and what fits you. I sold a vanguard series 1 just b/c I hated the stock and bought a tika t3 instead. I personally really like a synthetic stock rifle for hunting b/c it will get thrashed a bit. Buying used is a great way to save big $ and get something quality for a cheap price. However I would make sure you have quality bases, rings and optics as when you have a failure and miss or can't see the deer in the scope b/c of fogging the $100-$200 you saved will feel like the most expensive $ not spent ever.

For screaming deals watch the marketplace here for rifle and possibly 24hour campfire or gunbroker. For optics 24 hour campfire is awash with leupolds which is a smart choice. Another budget minded optic I like are the burris fullfield II's. I've seen lnib or nib of those go for $125 as of last week over there.

If you can, take divernhunter up on his offer. He has as much knowledge as probably nearly anyone on here about shooting critters.

[Horrendo Revolver]

So would you argue that even for my first bolt gun, the extra cost associated with that larger ejection port is worth it?

No I wouldn't. It matters to me. It may not matter to you. There is an argument to be made that the narrow ejection ports make for a better receiver because there is more metal which makes it more rigid. Sure have been a bunch of Tikka's sold. Contrary to popular belief, when it comes to firearms there is usually more than one correct answer. I prefer a hinged floor plate to a DBM and a blind magazine to a hinged floor plate. That definitely puts me in the minority. My best friend will only hunt with Remington pumps and semi's in 30-06.

I only punch paper when I'm sighting in, I hunt. Maybe my preferences would be different if I did a lot of target shooting.

As an aside, it constantly amazes me how much men agonize over their firearm choices and I'm guiltier than anyone. I've just spent three weeks not being able to decide between 12 and 20 gauge for a dedicated turkey gun. Finally made the decision and ordered one today. Picked 12 gauge based on the fact it will sell easier than a 20. But I don't sell firearms, I keep them.

I work around 30 hours a week at the Ft. Worth Cabela's gun counter and when I'm at work I mount all the optics. I also have my own optics mounting business. As such I mount 15 to probably 40 scopes a week. We sell more expensive rifles but our best sellers are RAR, Savage Axis, Tikka T3 Lite and Weatherby Vanguard S2. We carry Remington 700 ADL seasonally and they sell very well. Remington discontinued the ADL a few years ago in favor of the SPS, but a number of big box stores have ADL's made for them.

[MJB]

OP remember your most likely to shoot one bullet......maybe 2......if your a real bad shot but lucky......3 times

[Divernhunter]

Lewdogg21--Thank you for the kind words.
All the op---or anyone else---has to do is ask and I am willing to take them to the range with several different brands and cartridge choices to try.
Please beware I do NOT and will not own a 270 or 243--personal choice---so I cannot let them try rifles/pistols in those cartridges.

[flyboy3394]

Lewdogg21--Thank you for the kind words.
All the op---or anyone else---has to do is ask and I am willing to take them to the range with several different brands and cartridge choices to try.
Please beware I do NOT and will not own a 270 or 243--personal choice---so I cannot let them try rifles/pistols in those cartridges.

Where are you located? I am in San Jose but definitely willing to drive to shoot with you!

[ExtremeX]

I went with the Ruger American in 243, and its actually a really nice rifle considering the price, but if I had the chance to do it over I would have went with the Tikka T3 Lite, a Winchester Featherweight, or maybe a CZ...

It doesn't cost that much more to get a lot more... the Ruger American is priced to compete with the bottom of a heap, but offers a lot for a starter rifle.

As far as calibers, I would opt for a .270 or .243 or anything else easy to find if it meets your criteria. 7mm-08 is another one that I like, but I lean towards 6mm or 6.5mm bullets. Consider reloading as it opens a lot of doors, but you don't need to go there as there are plenty of good off the shelf choices too.

[Divernhunter]

flyboy3394--I am located very near Modesto. PM me if you want to shoot

[Bakerloo]

Lewdogg21--Thank you for the kind words.
All the op---or anyone else---has to do is ask and I am willing to take them to the range with several different brands and cartridge choices to try.
Please beware I do NOT and will not own a 270 or 243--personal choice---so I cannot let them try rifles/pistols in those cartridges.

An extremely generous offer. 2 thumbs up!

[alfred1222]

I shoot a Remington 700 AAC with a 20" bull barrel in .308. Not the typical hunting rifle, but it works for me, and I'm making shots out to 400 yards. The reason I picked it is because I have to hump my gear in and out, usually a few miles to a stand, and the short barrel makes going through the bushes easy. OP, I would definitely save up for the Remington 700 over the 783

[Whiterabbit]

The only problem with CZs, at least in safari calibers, is that they have issues with feed and function especially with flat nose solids. Plan on spending $200-$300 getting it tuned.

You are welcome to shoot my CZ550 as much as you want, tell me it doesn;t feed.

Of course, I don't shoot FN's, but you said especially, not only.

[Horrendo Revolver]

You are welcome to shoot my CZ550 as much as you want, tell me it doesn;t feed.

Of course, I don't shoot FN's, but you said especially, not only.

I have two 550 Americans, they feed great and are my two favorite rifles.

You will notice he said safari. It is a fact that some 550's in dangerous game cartridges don't feed as well as they should out of the box and must have some work done on them.

[Whiterabbit]

I should have said safari. My 550 is in 510 wells express. Started life as a 416 rigby. The rails needed zero work to feed 510 wells every single time.