A while back I blogged about a rifle I’m interested in buying, the Kel-Tec SU-16C. I still want to buy it, but I’m not sure if it will be my first.
I’ve never been hunting before and hunting is one of the reasons I want a rifle. Nebraska, the state to which I am moving in a few weeks, looks to be good for hunting big game like deer, antelope, elk, and bighorn sheep. I’ve done internet searches, reading articles and online forums, asking around on the forums, and I’ve gathered that the 5.56mm/.223 caliber round is not good for hunting such big game. I’ve also gathered that bolt action rifles are more accurate than semi-autos. Plus, before I used my SU-16C for hunting I would have to buy a scope for it as well as at least a couple 5 round magazines (NE doesn’t allow any magazine over 6 rounds).
For all of the above reasons, I’m now thinking of buying a bolt action rifle. I’ve narrowed my caliber preference down to .270 and .30-06, at least for now. Which would you recommend? Or would you recommend a different caliber? Such as .308 or 7mm-08? What rifle and/or scope would you recommend – that’s not too expensive, of course.
I found a cheap, introductory Remington that I’m thinking about buying. It’s a Remington 770 (with (a probably cheap) scope included) and costs $365.99 at ImpactGuns.com (.270, .30-06, and other calibers).
Arguments in its favor, mainly owing to its low cost, include: 1) It looks like it would be a good starter gun. If it turns out I don’t like hunting or don’t have much talent for it, I won’t be out much money. If I do take to hunting, I could always save up and buy a better rifle and/or scope later. 2) It will be easier to convince my wife to let me buy it. Only after I’ve demonstrated a consistent interest and some skill in hunting will she be likely to acquiesce to my buying a much more expensive rifle and scope. So what do you think? In light of the foregoing points, is the Remington 770 a decent starter gun? Or should I hold off for a while and try to convince my wife let me buy a more expensive rifle and scope?
Geoffrey is an Aristotelian-Liberal political philosopher and an adjunct instructor for Buena Vista University. His work has appeared in the Journal of Libertarian Studies, the Journal of Value Inquiry, and Transformers and Philosophy. He lives in Edgewood, KY with his wife and two children.
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As you are wanting to hunt large game such as Elk I would rule out the 270 just a little light for such an animal. The 30-06 is Americas favorite by far a versitle round that has the weight and power to kill any animal living on our continent. The 308 is a known very accrite round with less recoil than the 30-06. It is the main round used in todays sniper rifles. The 7mm-08 I dont have personal experience with. I have shot the 7mm mag and the recoil is simmalar to that of the 30-06 it is a faster round but it dosent come in as heavy weights as the 30-06 and for larger game like elk that could come into play. I personnaly own a SIG SHR970 in 30-06 and it is one hell of a rifle. It is however no longer in production and not really easy to find anymore. You can get tem used for around $500-$600 online from gunbroker or gunsamerica. The 770 is not the good old Remington 700 that we all know and trust to the 1MOA at 100yds right out of the box. The 770 is a high production model made cheep to sell cheep. If I were you an was looking for a cheep starter hunting rifle I would look into the Mossberg 100 ATR they are cheep and IMO better than the remington 770. In the long run a gun is an investment you get what you pay for period. The same goes for your scope. if you get a nice rifle and put a shit scope on it the rifle become shit. Get the best scope you can afford. Nikon and leoupold are great choices. Stay away for bargin brands like Tasco, NCStar, bushnell, ect.
Thanks for the advice.
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I live in Nebraska, and as far as the elk and big horn sheep hunting goes, it is very limited, and very expensive. For the average guy, it doesn’t exist. The deer hunting is excellent, a 270 would be a good caliber for hunting in Nebraska. I have a Rem 770 in 270. I paid $270 after a $30 rebate at walmart (11-2007). The gun has a 3×9 scope, it shoots 1″ groups at 100yds. I have read other comments saying that the bolt is hard to operate, and that it is a poor gun. I haven’t had any trouble with it. It is a lower quality rifle, but it is more than adequate to hunt what we have in Nebraska. I believe that it is well worth the $270 I paid for it. It is also capable of shooting elk, shot placement is the key to all hunting anyway. Welcome to Nebraska
I’d say have a look at a Marlin xl7 in .30-06. It’s very accurate and fairly inexpensive.
I don’t have one but it is the leading contender for my first deer hunting rifle. I’ve done a fair bit on internet research and other than a military surplus Mauser, it’s the only decent rifle in my price range.
It has a much better trigger than the Rem 770.
You may be able to find a good deal on a deer rifle in a pawn shop.
They can be half the price of a new rifle and have the benefit of being already broken in.
Thanks, Tarvin. I still haven’t bought a hunting rifle yet, but I’m leaning toward a left-handed Savage 110 now. I’ll look into the Marlin xl7 though.
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