What would y'all recommend as a first rifle for my son? He will be hunting with some trusted friends and I want to get him his own rifle for his birthday. He is going to be 18 so I don't need a youth gun. I am familiar with handguns, but I don't hunt at all so I am lost in this realm. Thank you to everyone for your help!!!!
What is a decent rifle for a first time uses?
- Thread starter kimma11
- Start date
What is he hunting?
John Norris
New member
It would probably be worthwhile taking your son around to a couple of different stores so he can try out a few and find something that really fits him....
We need to know what he is planning on hunting, and where...because some states have regulations on caliber for different species... here in mn for instance if you are deer hunting you cant even use a rifle for deer in about half the state, you are required to use a shotgun with slugs.... or if you can use your rifle it must be over .22 cal and be center fire.... kinda small in my opinion but.... i like the .308 and .300 win good all around caliber deer elk hog....bear if thats your thing.... .243 is the lightest cal i would go for deer.... anyway now that im done rambling...
my favorites'
for a light target and small game rifle
I love my ruger 10/22 all sorts of things he can do to personalize it... great lil shooter accurate and dependable...
for deer my fav is the remington 700 in 308 for (bolt action).... also browning BAR in .300 (semi-auto)its a bit heavy for white tale but well you dont have to track them very far.... both nice shooters very few problems
then there are the ar's and ak's not really made for hunting but they work i have a few cousins that love the sks and the ar-10's but the way i see it if you cant hit the deer in the first shot well the other 19-29 are not going to get it either....
We need to know what he is planning on hunting, and where...because some states have regulations on caliber for different species... here in mn for instance if you are deer hunting you cant even use a rifle for deer in about half the state, you are required to use a shotgun with slugs.... or if you can use your rifle it must be over .22 cal and be center fire.... kinda small in my opinion but.... i like the .308 and .300 win good all around caliber deer elk hog....bear if thats your thing.... .243 is the lightest cal i would go for deer.... anyway now that im done rambling...
my favorites'
for a light target and small game rifle
I love my ruger 10/22 all sorts of things he can do to personalize it... great lil shooter accurate and dependable...
for deer my fav is the remington 700 in 308 for (bolt action).... also browning BAR in .300 (semi-auto)its a bit heavy for white tale but well you dont have to track them very far.... both nice shooters very few problems
then there are the ar's and ak's not really made for hunting but they work i have a few cousins that love the sks and the ar-10's but the way i see it if you cant hit the deer in the first shot well the other 19-29 are not going to get it either....
GastonSnyder
New member
i dont know whats he hunting would surely come to a conclusion on the track
Lol I never even considered the various type of hunting. I just don't hunt!!! He is going deer hunting and then if our friends are lucky enough to win a license in the lottery he will go Moose hunting with them. The rules for moose hunting are so strict I am not to worried about him having a shotgun for this, but he will want his own for the deer hunting. Thankyou
wolf_fire
New member
My first recommendation would be getting on site with your states's hunting rules and regulations. This will let you know what seasons your state has for certain game. It will also let you know what types of weapons are allowed for which seasons. Ask your son what types of game and in what season he would like to participate in. This will at least narrow your search as to what type of firearm you will need.
From there go to the gun shop and let the dealer know that your son wants to get into hunting ___fill in the blank____. The gun shop will be well-versed (hopefully) in what rifles/shotguns would be best for the particular type of game your son is wanting to go after.
Best wishes.
From there go to the gun shop and let the dealer know that your son wants to get into hunting ___fill in the blank____. The gun shop will be well-versed (hopefully) in what rifles/shotguns would be best for the particular type of game your son is wanting to go after.
Best wishes.
Burtboomer
New member
Good answer wolf. I might look at few gun ranges as they have different rifles that you could rent and try. Then go from there. Good luck
golddigger14s
SFC At Fort Lewis, WA
For a moose a Mosin Nagant would be a good inexpensive choice.
Warbirds
New member
No way. Horrible idea. Where are you going to get a reliable hunting round that is big enough to take down a moose?
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wolf_fire
New member
Many Nagants were re-calibered in a .30-'06 round. Plenty of take down for a moose.
Warbirds
New member
The "cheap" mosin nagants aren't the rebarreled ones. They are the ones with the bore of .311-.312 while the bullets that are suitable for large game are .308 if you are reloading for 7.62x54r.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Much of this is subjective and personal preference. Personally I would focus on the deer. We have moose here in Colorado, but it requires like 12 preference points and is a once in a life time hunt. So what I did was buy .308. I purchased this for deer and elk because I can get tags for these animals every year.
.308 and 30-06 are close is size and price. There are some differences that some people prefer over other differences. Go to some gun shops and get their thoughts
.308 and 30-06 are close is size and price. There are some differences that some people prefer over other differences. Go to some gun shops and get their thoughts
wolf_fire
New member
I would agree with you on that caliber for the deer and elk in CO, however in PA, they are a bit smaller and a younger inexperienced hunter might prefer a .243 which is plenty of firearm for the deer here.
S&W645
NRA Life Member
There are soft point rounds made for the 7.62X54R. S&B makes them as does PPU. The PPU being the more accurate.
SlyFerret
New member
A .22 is a great first rifle. Ruger 10-22 is a classic. Reliable and accurate.
I particularly enjoy. 17HMR. I recently bought a Henry varmint express that is a real hoot to shoot. Its a lever action. For me, that adds to the fun.
No matter what you buy him, it will probably be a gateway gun that starts an expensive addiction.
-SF
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
I particularly enjoy. 17HMR. I recently bought a Henry varmint express that is a real hoot to shoot. Its a lever action. For me, that adds to the fun.
No matter what you buy him, it will probably be a gateway gun that starts an expensive addiction.
-SF
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
buckey01
New member
I guess that I might as well add an opinion. The tried and true Remington model 700 with either wood or synthetic stock and a 3- 9 power scope should be ideal. The .270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield are adequate for most North American big game, except perhaps grizley bears. The rifles and ammo are moderately priced. The recoil is not too unpleasant for an average sized male.
golddigger14s
SFC At Fort Lewis, WA
A soft point 7.62X54 will take about anything down.
farsidefan1
New member
My dad started me out with an old single shot. He wanted to teach me to make the first shot count. It worked. He also taught me when we were deer hunting that if I heard one shot it meant someone got their deer. 2 shots = maybe, 3+ probably no deer. These days I don't think an 18 yr old will be "down" with a single shot but they were very instructive. Besides, I was 12:dance3:
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