Any rifle owners or hunters here?

[XLjedi]

I'm looking into buying a hunting rifle...

Just wondering if we have any experienced animal hunters among the silent hunters.

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

I'm looking into buying a hunting rifle...

Just wondering if we have any experienced animal hunters among the silent hunters.

What are you going to hunt?

[Letum]

Yup, until recently.

Just game birds, rabbits and foxes tho. No big game round here.

I don't have a firearms certificate anymore, but I occasionaly take the air rifle for some
rabbits to cook up.

Are you looking for rifle recomendations?

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Happy Times

What are you going to hunt?

Logical question...

Figured I'd wait to see if there were any hunters before going into more detail.

I'll mostly be hunting deer and boar... with possibility of larger game in the north at a later time. I think mostly deer though. I might try for an Elk like once. I believe I've already zeroed in on the right caliber. Based on discussions I've already had with other hunters, I think a 30-06 is the chambering I need.

What I've been bouncing back and forth over is: Bolt Action or Semi-Auto?

My current top pick for a bolt action:
Browning "X-Bolt"
(don't know if I should be looking at the A-Bolt instead though)

My Top Picks for a SAR:
Browning BAR "Mk II Longtrac"
(not sure if the "Lightweight" would be better?)

Benelli R1
(interchangeable barrels sounds good, but the Benelli's seem a tad scarce)



My Issues:

From what I've researched, it seems as though the bolt actions are more accurate for longer distances (200+ yds) but will have more kick, and if a second shot is required I might have a harder time reaquiring after cycling the bolt. Bolt action might be easier to clean and maintain due to the simpler design.

The SAR's have reduced accuracy at distance and possibly some loss of inertia due to some gasses being directed at the reload mechanism. The big plus I see with the SAR is 1) reduced kick and 2) easier to reaquire the target. Minuses... more moving parts, harder to clean, possibly being scoffed at by old hacks who don't like SAR's.

Granted, I've seen it repeatedly said, "you only need to be taking one shot to put an animal down" which is, of course, what I would strive for. On the other hand, with the larger 30-06 caliber, and being a new hunter, I'm also weary of developing a "flinch". In which case, although a SAR might be less accurate, I might be more accurate with it. I've also heard the BAR's can be scary accurate both with and without that BOSS system. :hmm:

I've also been leaning toward a stainless steel finish with a composite stock. ...although I haven't been able to find any SAR's in stainless. This will be a "working rifle" rather than a show piece.



Other Factors:

• Price is not really an issue.
• We can talk scopes after I've picked the right rifle.
• Why not ask on a hunting forum? ...eh, I'll get around to it.
• Very irritated that the manufacturers don't have better info on their sites!

[Happy Times]

30-06 is ok. I would recommend you take the time and learn to shoot with a bolt action rifle. If you want a synthetic stainless rifle and money isnt an issue this is what i would buy.
http://www.berettausa.com/product/sp...FIRSTGROUP.cfm

http://www.sako.fi/

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/specs/85SyntheticSS.pdf

For sights i would go for Zeiss, Swarovski or maybe Schmidt & Bender.

[Sailor Steve]

I have a classic 1903 Springfield, actually built by Remington in September 1942. Got it at a gun show for $60. Bolt action, five shots, fun as all get-out to shoot. I use the original iron sights; wouldn't have it any other way.

The only difference I can see in recoil between bolt and semi-auto is that the latter is heavier. They use the same cartridge. I also don't see why one would be more accurate than the other.

My advice would be to ask around the local stores and see what people say, and see if you can try out everything you're interested in at a shooting range. While I love the Springfield my friend has a heavier M-1 Garand that he swears by. Of course my experience is with the older guns, but I think you'll find that the same is true of modern weapons. The best gun, like the best anything, is the one that suits you; and the only way to find that is try as many as you can.

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The only difference I can see in recoil between bolt and semi-auto is that the latter is heavier. They use the same cartridge. I also don't see why one would be more accurate than the other.

My advice would be to ask around the local stores and see what people say, and see if you can try out everything you're interested in at a shooting range.

The only difference with regard to accuracy that I could think of was reduced muzzle velocity. Higher velocity maybe fires flatter over long distance? ...seemed logical to me anyway.

Yeah, I'm asking around the forums just to see what folks have to say.

Thanks for the input. If you don't think the recoil difference is an issue; that's useful info.

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Happy Times

30-06 is ok. I would recommend you take the time and learn to shoot with a bolt action rifle. If you want a synthetic stainless rifle and money isnt an issue this is what i would buy.
http://www.berettausa.com/product/sp...FIRSTGROUP.cfm

http://www.sako.fi/

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/specs/85SyntheticSS.pdf

For sights i would go for Zeiss, Swarovski or maybe Schmidt & Bender.

Interesting, why do you recommend learning to shoot with the bolt action? ...better feel or somfin?

Thanks for the links. I'll have to checkout those when I get home (they firewall anything firearm related at my office. Hmmm... wonder why?).

I was looking at a 3-9 40mm Zeiss Conquest with that Z-system sight thing or whatever they call it.

[les green01]

really depends what your most comfort with and where your hunting at,for deer i ussual hunt in the woods so my 30-30 is use for that.for long range i use a 30-06 or my british 303 but if your hunting in the woods you be better off without a scope or least make sure you can still use your sight with the scope

[Platapus]

Consider this for the quick one shot kill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M82_Barrett_rifle

Also most suitable for home defense.... assuming that your home is the size of Johor

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

Interesting, why do you recommend learning to shoot with the bolt action? ...better feel or somfin?

Thanks for the links. I'll have to checkout those when I get home (they firewall anything firearm related at my office. Hmmm... wonder why?).

I was looking at a 3-9 40mm Zeiss Conquest with that Z-system sight thing or whatever they call it.

Z-point. Those sound very good, if you put them on top of the SAKO you have a very good package.

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Consider this for the quick one shot kill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M82_Barrett_rifle

Also most suitable for home defense.... assuming that your home is the size of Johor

Uhhh... yeah.... unfortunately, I had to rule that one out cuz it doesn't come with a 5 round clip.

If you like that sorta thing (ie. military assault weapon), I guess the FN FNAR 7.62 would be your rifle of choice?

[RickC Sniper]

I used to hunt a lot before I became disabled.

A Browning A-bolt is a great rifle but so are those others here that have been recommended.

A bolt action is more reliable, easier to clean, rare to malfunction, and a bit more accurate that a semi-auto. The difference in recoil is minimal if the rifles weigh the same.

As for muzzle velocity they should be the same for either. For slightly more get a longer barrel, shorter barrel will drop muzzle velocity a bit.

I still shoot a Browning 22-250 at varmints (prairie dogs) and I have a Burris scope on it. The Burris is comparable to a Leopold scope in quality. I would recommend this combo to anyone.


Don't let the recoil difference sway you, especially if you get a BOSS system on the barrel. It reduces recoil consideraby.

[XLjedi]

Thanks for the input guys, that helps. At least now I think I can pretty much rule out the SAR's. Bolt-action it is!

So now I've got the following list:

• Sako 85
• Browning X-Bolt
• Weatherby Vanguard Sub-MOA

All offer stainless finish and composite stocks.

Any others I should throw into the mix? I did look briefly at the new Winchester M70 SS but I don't think I'll be able to find one of those inside of the next 6 mos (it's kinda plain lookin too).

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

Thanks for the input guys, that helps. At least now I think I can pretty much rule out the SAR's. Bolt-action it is!

So now I've got the following list:

• Sako 85
• Browning X-Bolt
• Weatherby Vanguard Sub-MOA

All offer stainless finish and composite stocks.

Any others I should throw into the mix? I did look briefly at the new Winchester M70 SS but I don't think I'll be able to find one of those inside of the next 6 mos (it's kinda plain lookin too).

Sauer 202 Outback
Tikka T3 Lite Stainless