Looking for my first hunting rifle

[CalgaryDan]

Hey everyone and thanks in advance for the advice and apologies for the long read.

I’ve been trying to get into hunting the last 5 years but getting married, moving a couple times and having a kid have all knocked it down the list. I’m hoping next year is the year and am already starting to plan things out for next fall. First step is getting a rifle!

Budget is on the smaller side, looking at around ~$1000 for gun and optics.

I want something that’s fairly versatile as deer, elk and moose are all on my wish list and at least for the first couple years I’ll likely only have the one rifle.

I’m a lefty (also left eye dominant) and my experience with firearms is restricted to a lot of .223 and 12 gauge shooting. I’m fairly small framed (5’10” - 160lb) and ideally would like a rifle on the lighter side.

I’ve had a recent shoulder injury and, while hopeful that everything will heal up as good as new, ideally the cartridge would be lighter on the recoil side.

I’ve done a bunch of reading on various calibers but would love some recommendations from people that actually hunt where I live!

[Kurt505]

It might be slightly above your price range but I would suggest a Tikka T3X in 270win and chances are you’ll never need another big game rifle. Top it with a Nikon prostaff 5 scope and that should still be under $1500.

[Jayhad]

Savage Axis in 7mm-08, they are readily available, shoot very well for the money, should fit you well, they have adjustable triggers, comes with a detachable box mag and are a bargain at $449.00, you then have $500 to spend on optics.

[CalgaryDan]

Thanks for the responses so far. Ive looked at some Tikka’s and they are nice rifles. I saw a lot of rave reviews for the Ruger American. Anyone have any experience with that rifle? One round that also caught my eye was the 25-06.

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by CalgaryDan

Thanks for the responses so far. Ive looked at some Tikka’s and they are nice rifles. I saw a lot of rave reviews for the Ruger American. Anyone have any experience with that rifle? One round that also caught my eye was the 25-06.

Tikkas are great rifles and will require little or no upgrading they have excellent triggers out of the box and shoot well. I prefer the stainless as they can take a bit more weather with no rust threat on overnight long backcountry trips. A stainless rifle out of the box will last your lifetime and longer. The 25-06 is a fantastic caliber and works well on elk moose and deer it’s my favourite go to rifle with 100 gr billets. The only down side to the 25-06 is factory ammo may be difficult to find so don’t be afraid to stock up. If you get into reloading the ammo downside is eliminated.

[EZM]

One of the best rifles for the money, and customer reviews are outstanding, is the Weatherby Vanguard 2.

Chambered in something like 7mm-08, 270 or 308 you will have an outstanding "one rifle to do it all". These cartridges are all light recoil for most shooters.

I have 3 of them and all three shoot sub MOA right out of the box with factory ammo. A little bit of work to them an they become tack drivers.

Add a scope for around $300 and you are right around your budget number.

Just try and find a rifle with reviews/performance/value that good at that price point ......

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/29807...t-action-rifle

[Kurt505]

I have a savage axis and a couple Tikka’s, I’ve also owned a Ruger American and here’s how it goes. All three rifles are accurate, as accurate as some that are 5x the price. The stock on all three are plastic, but as the price of each rifle goes up so does the quality of the stocks. The stock on both the Savage and the Ruger is really cheap looking and feeling, the Tikka is a step above. All three have plastic magazines, both the Ruger and the Savage magazines are double stack where as the Tikka is a single stack and again the magazine plastic quality looks and feels better on the Tikka. The bolt on the Savage is, well, I guess you could say it functions, it has a 90 degree throw where as the Tikka and Ruger both have a 70 degree throw. The bolt on the Tikka is one of the smoothest on the market, the Ruger isn’t too bad. The trigger again goes to the Tikka, I think it’s the same one used by Sako, as is the barrel. The older axis model had one of the worst triggers on the market, I can’t speak for the new one.

I can almost guarantee if you by an Axis or American, once you get into Hunting your going to want to buy a higher end rifle. If you buy the Tikka you will be able to buy upgraded aftermarket parts like the trigger guard, the bolt shroud, or even a high end stock.

In my opinion the little bit extra you spend is a huge upgrade in quality.

[JD848]

Ever tikka I have owned or have are the best bang for your buck,like Kurt said there's tons of add ons etc ,for the tikka.If you can find a 270 or 6.5 x55 or the CM,that's the way I would go.I seen 2 stores with the tikka t3x for 999.00

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

It might be slightly above your price range but I would suggest a Tikka T3X in 270win and chances are you’ll never need another big game rifle. Top it with a Nikon prostaff 5 scope and that should still be under $1500.

Yuppers.

I started out with a 270 tikka - lefty.
Changed out original scope for a Nikon buckmasters I think.

Works awesome.

[CalgaryDan]

Thanks for all the feedback. Still a couple months until I plan on pulling the trigger on a purchase. I’m leaning towards a Tikka in either 7mm-08 or 25-06. Will definitely be keeping my eyes open for used ones to help on the budget.

[bman940]

First, I second the PROSTAFF 5 scope choice. Lots of useful features that you will need right out of the box and you won't find yourself wishing for more. Second, the rifle, As a lefty myself I was in a similar situation 35 years ago. I opted for a Ruger 77 30-06 and couldn't have been happier. Great price and it killed what I aimed at. That being said, It was a 2+MOA rifle and hunting the Oregon plains meant some long shots and sometimes more than 1! Don't get caught up on left and right handed rifles. Today I own 2 left handed rifles, a .300 Win ( a great cal. choice) by Hill Country Custom Rifles and my dream rifle, a Weatherby .257 WbyMag. A rifle maker I would suggest is Bergara, they make great rifles, very accurate and priced right. I have a number I shoot competitions with and they are all right-handed. Back in the day, I also found that if you can pick up a good piece of equipment here and there instead of all at once it doesn't hurt the pocketbook quite so much. One big reason I like the PROSTAFF 5 is Nikon's BDC reticle and dialing it into my shooting data. Check out Nikon's Spot On Ballistic Program. It takes the guess work out of holdovers.

[FellSwoop]

Welcome to hunting!
I can't disagree with the recommendations submitted already. If you want something a little different, Tradex canada has Zastava's in left hand. They have several chamberings including 6.5x55. These are a well built rifle compared to the generic stuff at the same price.
Also, the used market is a good way to get higher quality for a price point.
Let us know what you get.

[DiabeticKripple]

Originally Posted by CalgaryDan

Thanks for all the feedback. Still a couple months until I plan on pulling the trigger on a purchase. I’m leaning towards a Tikka in either 7mm-08 or 25-06. Will definitely be keeping my eyes open for used ones to help on the budget.

My Tikka in 308 Win is as accurate as one can hope for. Tons of bullet options too.

[Prairiekid]

I deer hunt with a Tikka M695 25.06 w/Leupold Vari X II 3-9*50mm that I am have been using for years. I took a 10 year hiatus from using it, if you weren't a lefty I would see if you would be interested.

If you can find a M 695 lefty I would strongly consider it

[LJalberta]

Originally Posted by CalgaryDan

Hey everyone and thanks in advance for the advice and apologies for the long read.

I’ve been trying to get into hunting the last 5 years but getting married, moving a couple times and having a kid have all knocked it down the list. I’m hoping next year is the year and am already starting to plan things out for next fall. First step is getting a rifle!

Budget is on the smaller side, looking at around ~$1000 for gun and optics.

I want something that’s fairly versatile as deer, elk and moose are all on my wish list and at least for the first couple years I’ll likely only have the one rifle.

I’m a lefty (also left eye dominant) and my experience with firearms is restricted to a lot of .223 and 12 gauge shooting. I’m fairly small framed (5’10” - 160lb) and ideally would like a rifle on the lighter side.

I’ve had a recent shoulder injury and, while hopeful that everything will heal up as good as new, ideally the cartridge would be lighter on the recoil side.

I’ve done a bunch of reading on various calibers but would love some recommendations from people that actually hunt where I live!

As others have said, it doesn't take a magnum or a bruiser of a round to kill an elk or a moose - don't fall into this trap. They're not wearing body armour, and thousands upon thousands of large ungulates have perished quickly and effectively with smaller calibers and lighter kicking rounds. You're gonna be better off hunting with a .243 you can shoot well than a .300 mag that you can't shoot very well.

I'd echo the suggestion of options such as the 7-08, .260, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .308. Ammo for these are available in many options and are not overly expensive.

Used might be the way to go for that budget, however if you're set on new, I love Tikkas, and if you're looking to keep it cheaper, I'd probably go with a Ruger American and either a Nikon, Bushnell, or Vortex up top. One of the best budget scopes I ever ran was a Bushnell Legend HD (although I believe they're discontinued now).

[junkman]

Ya, first maybe see what you can get in Lefthand. As for calibre, I would suggest .270 for something universal, if you want something more unicorn like maybe the .280. As for brand, can't argue with Tikka, great rifles. I know my sister inlaw has a 6.5X55 and it downed a moose this season no problem! Also a cool little calibre, not entirely different than a .270

also... you can get a limbsaver recoil pads that are pretty slick and do help! I use them on all my guns and why not!

Tikka has got my vote. Buy slightly used better quality vs. brand new it is always worth it.

[outdoorsman12b]

Originally Posted by CalgaryDan

Hey everyone and thanks in advance for the advice and apologies for the long read.

I’ve been trying to get into hunting the last 5 years but getting married, moving a couple times and having a kid have all knocked it down the list. I’m hoping next year is the year and am already starting to plan things out for next fall. First step is getting a rifle!

Budget is on the smaller side, looking at around ~$1000 for gun and optics.

I want something that’s fairly versatile as deer, elk and moose are all on my wish list and at least for the first couple years I’ll likely only have the one rifle.

I’m a lefty (also left eye dominant) and my experience with firearms is restricted to a lot of .223 and 12 gauge shooting. I’m fairly small framed (5’10” - 160lb) and ideally would like a rifle on the lighter side.

I’ve had a recent shoulder injury and, while hopeful that everything will heal up as good as new, ideally the cartridge would be lighter on the recoil side.

I’ve done a bunch of reading on various calibers but would love some recommendations from people that actually hunt where I live!

Keep your eye open for a used tikka t3 or browning xbolt in 7-08 or 308 in the buy and sell on this forum. They both manufacture left hand models and sell on here fairly regularly. Regarding your shoulder I would consider staying away from really lightweight as they will thump you more.