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New hunter looking at a rifle

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by robabeatle, Oct 3, 2020.

  1. Oct 3, 2020 at 3:16 PM
    #1
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Got some birds under my belt with a 12 ga and now looking to get a rifle but not spend a lot as I am new and believe in starting basic and then upgrading later. I have no clue other than a friend saying a .30-06 is good for deer and elk which is what i am looking to get into. I am very fit and someday plan to do big mountain hunting as well. I am in S AZ now.

    I am seeing a local guy selling a Stevens 111 with scope and strap for $275. Looks used but in good shape but I plan to check it out in person tomorrow.

    Any thoughts here?
     
  2. Oct 3, 2020 at 3:49 PM
    #2
    thearborbarber

    thearborbarber New Member

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    Stevens is a good quality budget rifle and 30-06 will fill you needs well.
     
    Finnbear and robabeatle[OP] like this.
  3. Oct 3, 2020 at 4:41 PM
    #3
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    30-06 is always a good choice, probably my overall favorite. If you don't mind a little recoil go for it.
     
  4. Oct 3, 2020 at 4:49 PM
    #4
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    A 308 will give you essentially the same performance, slightly less at really long ranges, as a 30-06. It'll also do it with less recoil, and more prevalent ammunition. Though, prevalent ammunition is not something that anyone has right now.:laughing:
     
  5. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:15 PM
    #5
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    @robabeatle What is your budget for the rifle and optic combined?
     
    robabeatle[OP] likes this.
  6. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #6
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    I bought a 30-06 in a sporter hunting rifle. I would go .308 or .270 if i could re do it. Save your shoulder, modern ammo has really good .308 stuff
     
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  7. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:35 PM
    #7
    Warden3564

    Warden3564 New Member

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    Hornady makes a lite load that helps with the recoil, I use them for whitetail. Makes the 3006 a pleasure to shoot.
     
    robabeatle[OP] likes this.
  8. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #8
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    This is probably the most important question. We have to understand if you want a $300 rifle or are ok with a $1k rifle. Also, don’t exclude 6.5 creedmore. The ballistics are nuts on it, but it also depends on what you’re trying to hunt. Not sure where you live, but make sure you look at cartridge laws to ensure what you buy is able to be used for what you want to hunt. Here in indiana, we can only do straight walled rifle cartridges on public land, so it eliminates a lot of stuff out there.
     
  9. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #9
    Brandisher

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    Agreed with others above, you need to tell us your budget before we are able to chime in with recommendations.

    If you are benchmarking sub $300 for a new rifle and respectable scope, I can’t help you. $1000 there are a lot of good options.

    Found a good deal a few weeks ago, FN Ballista in 338LM and 308 conversion with an SB PMII 5x25 scope for $8000.
     
    robabeatle[OP] likes this.
  10. Oct 3, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #10
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone. I was hoping to spend $400 tops and $300 would be nice. I am the type that prefers to learn on something not state of the art and earn my way up to better gear. I live in AZ if that helps.

    My friend in town that hunts said its a good deal so i'll likely go for it.
     
    lonedrake and MJoeP like this.
  11. Oct 3, 2020 at 6:03 PM
    #11
    Shaff777

    Shaff777 Rocking the Tundra since 2010

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    dude- you’ll never regret having a 30-06. Savage makes a great rifle, and it will be plenty accurate for deer or elk hunting. Keep in mind- you’re not after a bench rifle. No need for a 1k rifle when you’re just starting out. I think you have the right idea.
     
  12. Oct 3, 2020 at 6:37 PM
    #12
    Warden3564

    Warden3564 New Member

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    I thought I read a review of the best budget rifles and the Stevens did very well.
     
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  13. Oct 3, 2020 at 6:39 PM
    #13
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Savage is an incredible rifle in your price range. I have one, it is clunky but accurate as heck
     
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  14. Oct 4, 2020 at 5:50 PM
    #14
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    0178C655-E551-4796-B80C-87726B201846.jpg Thanks again everyone.
     
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  15. Oct 4, 2020 at 6:16 PM
    #15
    thearborbarber

    thearborbarber New Member

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    She's been used but will be a good rifle nonetheless.
     
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  16. Oct 4, 2020 at 7:29 PM
    #16
    rockmup

    rockmup New Member

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    Find a used Remington Woodsman or a Savage Axis if you want new. No matter what you get, put a muzzle brake on it, your shoulder will thank you and you won't be afraid to shoot it and practice.
     
  17. Oct 4, 2020 at 10:37 PM
    #17
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Whats the specs brother? Congrats
     
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  18. Oct 9, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    #18
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Not sure what you are looking for but it is a Stevens 111 Series K .30 -06 with Stevens Optics.

    Took it out once so far. I like.
     
  19. Oct 9, 2020 at 6:16 PM
    #19
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Can't beat 30.-06. Great all around caliber. Plenty of different factory rounds to chose from. A reloading wonder. Plenty of brass to be had. Even more bullet choices to chose from and powder. You can neck down 06 brass to 25.-06 which is kuul deer killer. The budget Savage Axis has a free floating barrel if I recall correctly and an adjustable trigger which is unusual at that price point. Not a bad way to go to start with. You have to start somewhere.
     
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  20. Oct 9, 2020 at 6:29 PM
    #20
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    .308 and .270 in a light weight short barreled sporter will kick big time too. There are very good recoil pads that any decent gunsmith can put on. When I was a lot younger I had an old Winchester 45-70, octagonal barrel with a steel butt plate...now that had recoil....buffalo killer back in the day...
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2020
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  21. Oct 9, 2020 at 6:37 PM
    #21
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    :thumbsup:
     
  22. Oct 9, 2020 at 7:45 PM
    #22
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    .25-06 is a very intriguing cartridge. I’ve never shot one but it seems super unique
     
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  23. Oct 9, 2020 at 8:00 PM
    #23
    Shaff777

    Shaff777 Rocking the Tundra since 2010

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    25-06 is old school. It used to be really popular back in the day. It’s flat shooting, and a great deer killer.
     
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  24. Oct 9, 2020 at 8:12 PM
    #24
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    22-250 is great for varmints. Old school. 30-06 has been around since...1906.
    257 Robert's is kuul too. Doesn't hurt to revisit these old calibers. Quite frankly the old Savage lever action chambered in .308 was ubiquitous back in the day. If you can find one in decent shape... buy it.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2020
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  25. Oct 9, 2020 at 8:13 PM
    #25
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Old school is good:thumbsup:
     
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  26. Oct 9, 2020 at 9:54 PM
    #26
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    yes!



    does it burn out barrels pretty fast though? Seems like screaming velocities
     
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  27. Oct 10, 2020 at 6:01 AM
    #27
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I had a Sako chambered in .25-06. Decent rifle. Never had any issues even when the barrel would get quite hot at times. The .25-06 screamed but a bit less recoil than the 30. As I mentioned, easy to reload. You simply neck down. 30-06 brass.

    I had a custom rifle made for me chambered in 7X57 years ago too. Basically a .275 Rigby. Hell of a rifle with a FN receiver and a star gaged barrel. Shot super tight groups. Quite comparable to the .30- 06. The 7X57 was developed by Mauser for the Spanish several years before the 06.
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2020
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  28. Nov 2, 2020 at 7:16 PM
    #28
    TundraPJ

    TundraPJ New Member

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    Nice, I’m not sure what Steven’s optics reputation is, but that is something you can always upgrade down the line if needed.

    30-06 is a great cartridge. I got a Remington 700 twenty years ago in 30-06. It’s still my deer rifle but I’ve upgraded the scope a time or two.

    Enjoy!
     
  29. Feb 7, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #29
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    I’m in the market for a deer rifle. No rush though. A neighbor is offering to sell me a Steyr Safebolt chambered in 30-06 Springfield with a pretty decent Nikon scope on it. I can’t find much about this rifle online, just a used listing at Bass Pro’s website for $800. Neighbor wants $400 for his with two 5-rd mags.

    Any experience or buying advice among the Tundra crew?
     
  30. Feb 7, 2021 at 10:28 AM
    #30
    Nomoredomestics

    Nomoredomestics New Member

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    You'll be fine with any of the cartridges mentioned. My best advice would be that whatever rifle you decide to go with(which doesn't need to be expensive to start out) sink as much as you can afford into a scope. You can put good optics on a mediocre rifle and have a good shooter. Put junk optics on a high dollar rifle and still may shoot like junk.
     

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