Hunting Forum

Looking for a good starter rifle

Take a look at these;

 

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Mossberg 100 ATR would be a good economical rifle to start with. They aren't very pretty, but they are accurate and reliable.

Good looking out ya'll will be taking a look

What's your goal Maldo? You going to hunt squirrels, deer, black bear, moose... ? More info needed to be able to really come up with a plan.

By the phrase "starter rifle", I assume you're new to shooting?

I have shot before Just not with my own guns
Deer squirrel and rabbits

That's a pretty wide range. A good rifle for tree rats and bunnies won't be a good choice for deer and vice a versa. Some people like to use a shotgun for tree rats and bunnies, with rifled slugs it could also be used for deer. My preference is a .22 cal. bolt action rifle for the tree rats and bunnies and a medium caliber rifle (.243 - .308) for the deer.

If ya want one firearm to do it all, ya might take a look at some of the single shot package deals, such as the Rossi Trifecta. That'll provide ya with a single shot rifle with interchangeable barrels.

Couldn't have said it better than Fred did. It's 3 guns worth but it opens up a LOT more possibilities.

I use a 22LR for rats, 12ga for wabbits and a .300 Savage for deer. I also have a Mossy 500 that has a rifled barrel and a shot barrel with 3 choke tubes which in theory could serve all three of your requirements. I have a 2x7 Leupold sitting on the slug barrel and I wouldn't even think twice about a 150 yard shot with it. Although I think a scattergun on squirrels is a LOT of overkill and the 22 provides good target practice if you limit yourself to head shots.

If I wanted a gun specifically for bushy tails and bunnies, that would also be suitable for doves and quail, I might even consider a Stoeger double or o/u in .410, .28, or .20 ga. The .20 could even be used for turkey, ducks, and in some instances deer at close range. Like Fred and Steve said, the Rossi or even a T/C with interchangeable barrels wouldn't be a bad idea, if you are considering branching out into other hunting endeavors. The Rossi line would provide a more economical starting price, especially considering that you would have the initial three barrels to begin with.

Appreciate ya'll helping me out on this.

Protect YOUR 2nd AMENDMENT RIGHT

so, what'dja decide? Inquiring minds wanna know!

I think I am going to go with the mossberg 100
And i am going to get a 22LR for rats and bunnies

Posted By smaldonado on 05 May 2012 06:37 PM
I think I am going to go with the mossberg 100
And i am going to get a 22LR for rats and bunnies

What caliber are you going with for the 100? 

I was looking at the 30-06
Or is that too much?

Not in my book. The 06 has a pretty vast range of loads available for it. Start handloading and even more. I do think you're being somewhat clouded using a .22 for wabbits though. Those SOB's can MOVE. But to each their own

Sweet gunna stick with it then

for sure go with the '06. theres not an animal in north america, too big or too small for the '06. with the proper load. i know.. i know. i always tout the .270 for everything..but after all ..the .270 is a necked down '06.. so it's all in the family....lol

Whats a starter rifle? anything like a starter pistol?

A "Starter" doesn't need to be "new." Used guns can be fine shooters, though you probably want to take along some friends with experience while shopping.
I picked up a 3 barrel set NEF Handi-rifle (223,30-30 Improved and 20 Ga) at a Pawn shop for $250. They hadn't realized it was a 30-30 IMPROVED, were uncomfortable with anything weird and wanted to unload it fast. Turned out to be a great set with both the rifle barrels shooting an honest 1 1/4" at 100 yds. That package will cover anything up to 300lbs and 250 YDS. (A 30-30 Imp duplicates a 300 Savage)
But there's nothing wrong with the 30-06. My first "big game" rifle was an economy-model used Win 670 in 30-06. I've popped plenty of cotton tails with it using 100-110 gr bullets loaded down to 1500 fps to simulate a 32-20. It also took my longest shot-a 400+ yd antelope.