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-Libertarian political philosopher, writer, editor, and web designer. He is the founder of the