kinda off topic - need gun advise

[cmdionne]

Have you considered a Marlin guide gun? Lever action .45-70, can't argue with that. With the variety of loads it can handle just about any North American game. Another solid choice for a "one gun" situation.

 

[Munky]

If you are going after elk, I would personally choose the 30-06. I have hunted many years with both calibers for deer and elk, and while I have taken several of each with both guns, I feel that the 30-06 is the better gun. The 700 may well be a 4-500 yard gun, but you will rarely have a shot at that distance that you will want to take. Where I hunt there is a variety of terrain including both open land and thick woods.

 

[newknife]

If you are going after elk, I would personally choose the 30-06. I have hunted many years with both calibers for deer and elk, and while I have taken several of each with both guns, I feel that the 30-06 is the better gun. The 700 may well be a 4-500 yard gun, but you will rarely have a shot at that distance that you will want to take. Where I hunt there is a variety of terrain including both open land and thick woods.

Yea.. I'm not actually going after elk they're just around here as well so I thought that should be considered in the choice of gun.

 

[Robert H]

Scout a 30-30. Best of both worlds.

The top is a Winchester. Plenty of power depending on load selection.

Bottom is a Remington Model 7 in 308. Again a great caliber with an array of choices for different uses. The scout scope gives a quick and accurate sight picture, while allowing longer range shots. I've hit fence posts at 900 yards (lased) with the Model 7.

Savage makes a great factory Scout I would readily depend on as my öne rifle" if I could ever own just one.

 

[Jason Magruder]

I've got to second the advice to get a shotgun. For a "one gun" situation there is nothing more versatile. It's also about the cheapest thing to shoot for fun and practice. Smoothbore with screw in choke for small game and a rifled slug barrel for the bigger stuff. Or just use the smoothbore with Foster style slugs.

 

[PB Wilson]

evbouret, please tell us about those animals you bagged. The top two must've filled your freezer many times over. Wow!

 

[evbouret]

All shot on the Big Island of Hawai'i in public hunting areas.

Top one is a ~1000lb mature feral bull that took a full magazine of 170 grain 30-30s before it stopped its charge 10ft past where we were standing.

Bottom one is a ~700lb feral cow that took one 150gr 30-30- to the neck from 20 yards.

3rd is a mouflon ram I shot with my 30-30 from 50 yards in wide open lava terrain. The whole area for miles looks like the moss covered lava you see in the foreground. Really weird looking area.

4th is a nice boar I shot in the early morning, ~180lbs, 2 7/8" ivory. Took one 150 grain to the lungs. Ran 30 yards before piling up in a bunch of rasberrys. Took two of us to drag it to a clean spot for butchering.

The feral cattle are escapees in state land destroying our fragile native forests. They have been feral for nearly 100 years and many many generations and are wild and very dangerous. The state opened a special eradication hunt for them. To get there you must hike 2 miles through a "trail" to get to a big river, it takes 2.5 to 3 hours to get a measly 2 miles. When I put "trail" in quotes its because there really is no trail. Machete in hand, you follow a bunch of winding clearings and follow some random trail tapes. I had to clear the whole trail twice before trying to hunt it. Once you get to the river you start to see cow sign and can hunt from there. So no matter what, if you bag one you're going to have a hell of a hike out. We fill our bags to the brim and hike out as much as we can in one trip. I estimate we can carry about 50lbs. It doesn't sound like much...But we take both backstraps (new yorks) and one or two of the legs for ground beef. This makes up all the meat we can carry. It sounds like a waste, but I read not long ago that they are going to have helicopter eradications where they shoot and let rot. So at least we got some meat while they were there.

 

[Bwilson]

Anything chambered in 30/06. Different loads make it good for anything coyote sized and up (and by up I mean ANYTHING). It may not be the best "elephant" gun on the planet - but it has killed alot of elephants.

 

[actiondiver]

Knewknife,

Would you mind letting us know what state you are in? When you narrow down your geographic area it will likely change advice as to what "One" rifle would be appropriate for you.

For now I will assume you are in Colorado, although this could apply to Kentucky of Michigan too, both of which have limited elk hunts now.

Marlin makes what could be your ticket. It is the Marlin 336C chambered in 35 Remington. Do a little internet search for more information if you like, but in a nutshell the rifle is the same as the 336 in 30-30 but shoots a bigger, heavier bullet that is more adequate for the occasional elk. One step up in power from there is the Marlin 444.

The 444 Marlin is basically (gun guys - this is a generalization now) a 336 Marlin with an even bigger cambering that can launch even bigger and heaver bullets and are without a doubt enough for elk. Think 44 magnum plus 50%+.

If you think you may need to expand your range a bit on occasion, Hornandy has loads with spire tipped bullets that are made for all of these leverguns too.

All of these guns are availible in stainless if you look around.

All of these guns could easily be your "One" gun, especially if you care to reload, a whole additional topic.

Oh, I almost forgot, Don't forget to look at the Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum or 357 magnum if you will hunt where deer are smaller. Of course in Colorado the 44 would be preferred. These two chamberings gain lots of power out of the longer carbine barrels as compared to short pistol barrels.

 

[newknife]

Knewknife,

Would you mind letting us know what state you are in? When you narrow down your geographic area it will likely change advice as to what "One" rifle would be appropriate for you.

For now I will assume you are in Colorado, although this could apply to Kentucky of Michigan too, both of which have limited elk hunts now.

Marlin makes what could be your ticket. It is the Marlin 336C chambered in 35 Remington. Do a little internet search for more information if you like, but in a nutshell the rifle is the same as the 336 in 30-30 but shoots a bigger, heavier bullet that is more adequate for the occasional elk. One step up in power from there is the Marlin 444.

The 444 Marlin is basically (gun guys - this is a generalization now) a 336 Marlin with an even bigger cambering that can launch even bigger and heaver bullets and are without a doubt enough for elk. Think 44 magnum plus 50%+.

If you think you may need to expand your range a bit on occasion, Hornandy has loads with spire tipped bullets that are made for all of these leverguns too.

All of these guns are availible in stainless if you look around.

All of these guns could easily be your "One" gun, especially if you care to reload, a whole additional topic.

Oh, I almost forgot, Don't forget to look at the Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum or 357 magnum if you will hunt where deer are smaller. Of course in Colorado the 44 would be preferred. These two chamberings gain lots of power out of the longer carbine barrels as compared to short pistol barrels.

I'm in New Mexico. I'll see if I can look at those other Marlin's. I was mainly looking at the 30/30 because it was at Walmart and a good price.

 

[ADD]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of you who have guns could help me out. I'm looking for "one" rifle (all I can afford) that would be dependable in the woods for most medium to big sized game. By my house I can get a Marlin 30/30 or a Remington 700 for about the same price.

What would be a better all around rifle between these two?

(Also, I've never owned a gun before).

Thanks...

What do you want to do with this firearm? Is this strictly for hunting? Will it make double duty for home defence?

The price of ammunition is going up, and if you get something that is relatively powerful you will have to have deep pockets to go plinking.

My suggestion would be to first off to take a hunter education course.
It is the rifleman that drives the rifle. Give a moron a wonderful tool, you still have a moron.

My suggestion would be to get some range time and have some fun with a .22 rimfire. Shop around and find one that you like, since you have never owned a firearm just about any will suit you. For $15 you can plink all day with a .22, $15 wont buy you 20 rounds of most centerfire rifle ammo today.

Read as much as you can about whatever you will be doing before you make an investment. Alot can be learned by the most popular rifle and the most popular round in existance.

Great answer and suggestions Dave...

To offer up this guy go out and buy stuff chambered up to 45-70 is irresponsible.

First learn to shoot, safely.
That is done by a lot of rounds under different conditions with some experienced instruction.
The .22 is fun, cheap, and won't get you flinching.

Then move up in caliber and resell the .22 if need be.
Those other guns will be there when you are ready to move up.
Also consider getting the larger caliber gun action the same as the .22 for easier transition.

 

[newknife]

Great answer and suggestions Dave...

To offer up this guy go out and buy stuff chambered up to 45-70 is irresponsible.

First learn to shoot, safely.
That is done by a lot of rounds under different conditions with some experienced instruction.
The .22 is fun, cheap, and won't get you flinching.

Then move up in caliber and resell the .22 if need be.
Those other guns will be there when you are ready to move up.
Also consider getting the larger caliber gun action the same as the .22 for easier transition.

Yea.. I've never owned a gun before but I have shot a 22 here and there. The last time being about 5 years ago. I did just purchase an air gun because I wanted something I could shoot practically anywhere at rabbits and squirrels and such. I'll be going to a gun range soon and will probably take the hunters safety course. But I'd still like to narrow down one good hunting rifle.

 

[newknife]

Actually I just called the range and they have a course next week I'm planning on going to.

 

[kdstrick]

Buy a .22 first.

You can get a .22 rifle very affordably, probably around $100 bucks. Practice ammo is very cheap.

Shooting accurately is a skill. It must be learned. If you begin shooting with a 30-30 or a 30-06 (or shotgun for that matter) you will quickly develop a "flinch" (jerking the trigger) in anticipation of the recoil and loud bang. You will never be able to hit ANYTHING, and you will quickly grow frustrated.

Accuracy is all about sight alignment, breathing and trigger control. Learn to shoot before you start jumping up in caliber. you will be glad you did later...

It is much harder to break yourself of a bad habit than it is to take your time and learn to do it the right way. :thumbup:

 

[PB Wilson]

All shot on the Big Island of Hawai'i in public hunting areas.

Top one is a ~1000lb mature feral bull that took a full magazine of 170 grain 30-30s before it stopped its charge 10ft past where we were standing.

Bottom one is a ~700lb feral cow that took one 150gr 30-30- to the neck from 20 yards.

3rd is a mouflon ram I shot with my 30-30 from 50 yards in wide open lava terrain. The whole area for miles looks like the moss covered lava you see in the foreground. Really weird looking area.

4th is a nice boar I shot in the early morning, ~180lbs, 2 7/8" ivory. Took one 150 grain to the lungs. Ran 30 yards before piling up in a bunch of rasberrys. Took two of us to drag it to a clean spot for butchering.

The feral cattle are escapees in state land destroying our fragile native forests. They have been feral for nearly 100 years and many many generations and are wild and very dangerous. The state opened a special eradication hunt for them. To get there you must hike 2 miles through a "trail" to get to a big river, it takes 2.5 to 3 hours to get a measly 2 miles. When I put "trail" in quotes its because there really is no trail. Machete in hand, you follow a bunch of winding clearings and follow some random trail tapes. I had to clear the whole trail twice before trying to hunt it. Once you get to the river you start to see cow sign and can hunt from there. So no matter what, if you bag one you're going to have a hell of a hike out. We fill our bags to the brim and hike out as much as we can in one trip. I estimate we can carry about 50lbs. It doesn't sound like much...But we take both backstraps (new yorks) and one or two of the legs for ground beef. This makes up all the meat we can carry. It sounds like a waste, but I read not long ago that they are going to have helicopter eradications where they shoot and let rot. So at least we got some meat while they were there.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea about the feral cattle. I was racking my brain trying to figure out where you did your hunting. You must have some guts to hunt those bulls. I'd bet that your adrenaline was pumping something fierce!

 

[Liam Ryan]

I second getting a nice cheap bolt action .22 to start with, they are great fun and cheap to shoot as well.
Of those 2 I would go with the 30-30, it's a tried and true caliber that's been used as an only rifle since before all of us were born, and fed a lot of families. not too big for smaller game, and big enough up to large deer.
But a savage with accutrigger (adjustable trigger pull weight) and included scope would bring that choice a lot closer, 30-06 is a very common caliber as well, very similar to .308 ballistically, just short and long action. I have a marlin 336 but my next gun will be the savage in .308.
The mosin is a great choice as well, surplus rifles are built like tanks, just get one with sharp rifling, barrels don't last forever.
If you are thinking of a cheap shottie look at the Mossberg Maverick 12 guage, it's got more plastic parts but in my research I couldn't find any bad reviews for the newer models, 200 bucks new. I have the defender version, 6 shots pump and an 18.5'' barrel, shoots great just get a limbsaver butt pad.

 

[Old CW4]

Guys, don't forget that with ANY 30 cal---30.30, 30 carbine, 30-06, 300 mag, 308, etc., you can come up with an excellent rabbit or squirrel load by merely obtaining a cheap bag of 12 gauge 00 buckshot (which is 30 caliber). Place a 2.5 to three grain charge of Bulleye or equivalent powder in a primed cartridge case, seat one .30 caliber buckshot with a swatch of kleenex tissue for a patch, and shoot. Voila! A neat, accurate, low power, low noise and recoil projectile which will bring down a squirrel,, coon, rabbit, etc., without turning the animal into hamburger. Your big-bore 30 has thus become equivalent to a small bore 22.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I am voting for the 45-70 guide gun as described above. I know of nothing in North america it cannot take. Not going to make a 500 yard shot with it, but anything 150 and closer is gonna die.

 

[Loosearrow]

Buy a .22 first.

You can get a .22 rifle very affordably, probably around $100 bucks. Practice ammo is very cheap.

Shooting accurately is a skill. It must be learned. If you begin shooting with a 30-30 or a 30-06 (or shotgun for that matter) you will quickly develop a "flinch" (jerking the trigger) in anticipation of the recoil and loud bang. You will never be able to hit ANYTHING, and you will quickly grow frustrated.

Accuracy is all about sight alignment, breathing and trigger control. Learn to shoot before you start jumping up in caliber. you will be glad you did later...

It is much harder to break yourself of a bad habit than it is to take your time and learn to do it the right way. :thumbup:

Good advice. Cheap to shoot and underrated. With a 22 I can get anything I want. You have to do that range time. You won't if you can't afford it.

 

[kdstrick]

I am voting for the 45-70 guide gun as described above. I know of nothing in North america it cannot take. Not going to make a 500 yard shot with it, but anything 150 and closer is gonna die.

There is a lot of bad advice for a beginning shooter in this thread. :thumbdn: You guys need to re-read the OP. All of you have mentioned great guns and calibers... FOR EXPERIENCED SHOOTERS. The OP is not experienced.

First gun... 45-70??? Maybe you would be kind enough to take him on a "Snipe" hunt also.

Seriously... The OP clearly stated this would be his first firearm. Would you start a new driver off in a Mack Truck? Or, maybe a Ferrari?

Learn to drive before you join the NASCAR circuit please. Start with a .22 LR. Practice a LOT. Develop the skills... There are no shortcuts learning how to shoot (or anything else, really).