Good hunting rifle and caliber?

[echo1]

Does it have to be new? There are some real bargains in the used market, PAX

 

[OpusX]

Looking to get into hunting, would likely be dear/boar. Possibly elk but that’s looking like a bit of a stretch. Any recommendations on a good hunting rifle/scope? I’ve built an ar, but it doesn’t seem like people build out their hunting rifles, they just buy them outright.

Something in the middle price wise, kind of like a bcm. Not cheap but not gucci, but a good rifle.

Thanks

Depends how far you plan on shooting, and whether you actually plan on hunting elk or not. Also, do you want detachable mag, or hinged floor plate?

If you're just getting into this and want an excellent rifle that won't break the bank, I'd recommend something from Bergara's B14 Wilderness line, or if you want to spend a bit more Christensen's Mesa line. They're hands down the best bang for buck rifles/manufacturers in their price range, and built on Rem 700 actions so they're endlessly modifiable. Again depending how far you're shooting, for optics I'd probably pick either a Leupold 2-10x or 3-15x. High quality, excellent warranty, and very lightweight.

As for caliber, don't try to get fancy with it. If you're just hunting deer and boar and don't plan on shooting over 300 yards, stick to .308. It's cheap, available and has plenty of energy to get the job done. If you plan on shooting further or stepping up to elk, either .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag or .300 WM. For people who don't want to deal with the recoil, suck it up or buy a brake. Pick a caliber that actually carries its energy over distance so it drops your animal on the spot and doesn't take you on a wild goose chase, or run off to die a slow, painful death in the brush.

 

[DuckDawg22]

I asked myself the same question you have, and am now in the process of building a 6.5 Grendel upper to use on an AR lower. The cartridge is ballistically similar to .308 under 300 yards and should be plenty on deer or hogs. I too, have that dream of taking an elk, but decided that if I ever make that hunt happen, I'll pick up a used bolt gun in a larger caliber. People have taken elk with the Grendel too, so it's not out of the question if you're hunting somewhere where you can get in under 150 yards. Right now, a bolt gun would just take up space in the safe for something more fun to shoot.

 

[Contendi]

Looking to get into hunting, would likely be dear/boar. Possibly elk but that’s looking like a bit of a stretch. Any recommendations on a good hunting rifle/scope? I’ve built an ar, but it doesn’t seem like people build out their hunting rifles, they just buy them outright.

Something in the middle price wise, kind of like a bcm. Not cheap but not gucci, but a good rifle.

Thanks

This is my first year hunting and after talking to several friends I settled on the Ruger American Predator Gen II in 6.5 Creedmoor for $629.99 shipped. I found a used Leupold VX-R 3-9x50 CDS with mount for $230 on ARFcom. Went with Hornady for target and Barnes lead free for hunting ammo.

I also found a used Grendel 6.5 complete upper on Reddit for $425. This is probably the cheapest route if you already have an AR.

Good luck man!

https://www.simmonssportinggoods.co...er-green-splatter-adjustable-synthetic-stock/

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...an+whitetail+6.5+crd+129g+interlock+20rd+box#

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...+ammo+6.5+crd+120gr+tipped+tsx+boat-tail+20ct

 

[Warpspeed]

Thanks for the different ranges. Is there a big difference between say a mid tier and an upper tier hunting rifle? Or would you say it’s more quality of life improvements rather than performance?

Bolt/action smoothness and fit are probably the biggest differences.

 

[BigBossman]

Does it have to be new? There are some real bargains in the used market, PAX

That's what I was thinking. Used but not abused Winchester Model 70's are everywhere, and at all price points. Hard to go wrong with a Winchester 70 in .270, .308., or 30-06. All the cool kids think those cartridges are obsolete, so you can find a bargain.

 

[RustVendor]

I wouldn't touch 6.5 creed for hunting in CA just for the reason that we have to shoot non-tox and it's going to be a pain to find. For example: Sportsman's has 4 different non-tox 6.5 options but 23 different 308 options in non-tox. Even if you are reloading everything is going to be harder to find and more expensive.

 

[NATEWA]

I use a Rem 700 in .270 win for pigs and deer. I have a Howa .243 I could use for deer but typically use it for coyotes. Also have a varmint 223 upper I typically use.

Friend used a 6.5 creedmore on a boar on our last hunt. Put two rounds in it. Copper isn’t the best for dropping animals but it’s what we have to use in CA.

6.5 PRC is an awesome caliber and would be great for deer and pigs.

I just put together a 7 PRC - Bergara with an Athlon scope. I like vortex - have vortex scopes and binos.

 

[H. Bowman]

You're going to get 9,000 answers from 7,000 people, and many off the wall ones that have no base in reality.

Pretty much any of the well known manufacturers are making excellent out of the box rifles these days. Start shopping, find one that catches your eye, and buy it. It'll shoot just fine I'd wager.

Things to consider are caliber, safety location, whether the bolt opens when the safety is engaged, floor plate or blind magazine, threaded or not, blued or stainless, wood or synthetic...

I hunt mostly with a Browning X-Bolt Medallion. It's been a fine companion for many years and many dozens of big game animals. I've also used a Winchester 70 and a Ruger American and a Ruger M77 and a Christensen Arms and a menagerie of old lever guns and...and...and...

 

[H. Bowman]

Anyone talking about dropping big game with a 5.56 round has never hunted big game.
.22 LR projectile is 5.55 if I'm not mistaken, not really much difference is there other then adding mass.
I used to shoot rabbits with my brothers Winchester Hornet, deadly for the cottontail lol.

I've killed a bunch of deer and pigs with .223, using partitions, bear claws, and TSXs.

I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner, but it works fine if you understand and stay within it's abilities.

 

[Yoteassasin]

in California the gold standard is a 243 a 7-08 or 308 is just dandy too . I’ve killed more pigs with a 223 than most hunters will ever see but as an all around CA gun a 243 shooting 80-85gr copper is deadly . I’ve seen antelope , bears , pigs , deer all bang flop and you can keep your target in your sight the entire time .

 

[recpark99]

Been hunting deer and pigs for decades with my Remington 700 ADL 30.06. I've shot them from 50 to 425 yards no problem. I'd suggest finding a used 700 , Winchester Model 70, or get a Tikka, Vergara and a decent scope. You don't need to spend thousands to get a decent setup. Spend lots of time at the range and know your rifle. Good luck!

 

[H. Bowman]

in California the gold standard is a 243 a 7-08 or 308 is just dandy too . I’ve killed more pigs with a 223 than most hunters will ever see but as an all around CA gun a 243 shooting 80-85gr copper is deadly . I’ve seen antelope , bears , pigs , deer all bang flop and you can keep your target in your sight the entire time .

Yep, copper bullets in a 243 make it seem much bigger. I love mine. Just bought a bunch of Cutting Edge Bullets for it to play with since I ran out of Barnes.

 

[Jimi Jah]

Some states now require a straight walled case. The 350 Legend was developed for those laws. I bought a 350 upper for around $250.

 

[BigBossman]

I've killed a bunch of deer and pigs with .223, using partitions, bear claws, and TSXs.

I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner, but it works fine if you understand and stay within it's abilities.

I used to hunt with a guy that used a .223 Savage Axis for everything. I don't recall any of the animals questioning his choice of caliber.

 

[Korben Dallas]

30-06 is the most commonly available cartridge and rifle platform.

Deer, Elk, some Bear, maybe moose. All have fallen to the 30-06.

Find a nice rifle you like with quality glass and go get you some meat.

 

[Ryan Gosling]

Anyone talking about dropping big game with a 5.56 round has never hunted big game.
.22 LR projectile is 5.55 if I'm not mistaken, not really much difference is there other then adding mass.
I used to shoot rabbits with my brothers Winchester Hornet, deadly for the cottontail lol.

would just like to mention
One of the largest grizzlies ever recorded was killed in 1953 with a single shot from a . 22lr rifle wielded by a 63-year-old grandmother in Canada.

not that id recommend any other sane person to do the same

 

[Yoteassasin]

I used to hunt with a guy that used a .223 Savage Axis for everything. I don't recall any of the animals questioning his choice of caliber.

What happened to him !! He ghosted hard
Sascha right ?

 

[BigBossman]

What happened to him !! He ghosted hard
Sascha right ?

Yup. He got banned a few times, and the last one I think was permanent. He ended up moving out of california, I think maybe Kentucky but I lost contact with him. He is an interesting fellow.

 

[Radman64]

would just like to mention
One of the largest grizzlies ever recorded was killed in 1953 with a single shot from a . 22lr rifle wielded by a 63-year-old grandmother in Canada.

not that id recommend any other sane person to do the same

Men have killed a Lion with their bare hands. i would imagine it has the same success as dropping a large Grizzly with a .22 lol.
Sure the .223 round is lethal but it's ballistics I would never use for large game let alone at distance.
No one is hunting Elk, big Deer or Moose with a .223 that really hunts.
As far as CA boars go I hunted them for many year's in the Santa Clara mountains back in the 80's bagging a 90 pound pig with a 12 gauge slug.