First deer rifle - which calibre for my ground? (and new or used?)

[Precision123]

If it was me...

Whatever rifle you do buy, spend some money, go to a range and throw lead down it. Get used to the trigger, the fit, what happens when it goes 'bang', rests, bipods, monopoles, breathing, change position and magnification etc. Start making smaller and smaller groups on the target and read up on ballistics. Have your first, cold shot an inch high at 100m and your groups as tight as can be.

And ask for help too, especially if they have an instructor or good target shooter. Getting your rifle set up and your technique sorted will help you down the line. Adjust, adjust and adjust again so that you're not thinking about the rifle when you're shooting. Confident in being able to put a bullet when and where you want it to be. There should be no surprises on your end of the rifle, and a carefully placed one on the deer's end of the deal.

The reason why is because you don't want to be figuring this out all by your self when you're sat 14 foot up in a tree, it's going dark and the deer you just gut shot ('whump' instead of 'whack') has galloped off in the general direction of away because you've got to go and find it. And we've all done it, we've all screwed up at some time or another; some folk even get 'buck fever' so be aware of this in advance.

But then again, it's not me, is it?

 

[kenbro]

Precision123,
You appear to be addressing the OP as though he’s a novice. After reading his thread starter, I don’t think he is.
Regards,Ken.

 

[Uncle f]

If it was me...

Whatever rifle you do buy, spend some money, go to a range and throw lead down it. Get used to the trigger, the fit, what happens when it goes 'bang', rests, bipods, monopoles, breathing, change position and magnification etc. Start making smaller and smaller groups on the target and read up on ballistics. Have your first, cold shot an inch high at 100m and your groups as tight as can be.

And ask for help too, especially if they have an instructor or good target shooter. Getting your rifle set up and your technique sorted will help you down the line. Adjust, adjust and adjust again so that you're not thinking about the rifle when you're shooting. Confident in being able to put a bullet when and where you want it to be. There should be no surprises on your end of the rifle, and a carefully placed one on the deer's end of the deal.

The reason why is because you don't want to be figuring this out all by your self when you're sat 14 foot up in a tree, it's going dark and the deer you just gut shot ('whump' instead of 'whack') has galloped off in the general direction of away because you've got to go and find it. And we've all done it, we've all screwed up at some time or another; some folk even get 'buck fever' so be aware of this in advance.

But then again, it's not me, is it?

Great advice and could not agree more follow that and you will not go far wrong

regards Steve

 

[Precision123]

Apologies to the OP if I got the wrong end of the stick here. But your 'first rifle' sorta makes you out.... And if you're wondering about calibre to use then it sorta tells that you're not sure what's suitable for your quarry, the lie of the land etc. So apologies if you're not a numpty and I am. Lucky you for having your own shooting though - a full freezer awaits.

There is one comment on here about glass which is worthy of mention though - spend money on it and cry once. Cheap glass is next to useless; I'm currently using Canon image stabilising bino's and they were the best money i've spent in a long time. Same goes for scopes.

P123

 

[308tikka]

A wiser man than me told me, don't sweat the calibre, as long as it is legal and you can buy ammo for it, buy the rifle that suits your needs and budget.

So, here you go, just add a moderator.

https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/rifles/tikka/bolt-action/6-5x55/t3-lite-170918105158001

You can thank me later.

what a bargain. Part of me wishes I had 6.5 on my ticket. I genuinely love shooting my T3s. So much fun, nothing really goes wrong, does the job well and great value.

 

[Girl_with_a_gun]

P123 - are the stab binos still noisy? I'm assuming not if you're stalking with them. Long time since I've tried any but that sounds like a gadget I now NEEEED!

Quick note from day job PoV: I regularly see clients who buy the wrong size sporting equipment and end up in a right pickle.

Not knowing how big the OP is, also think weight (even if you're intending a high seat, you're still going to be carrying the rifle and may find something on the way in/out that you can shoot off sticks (normally where you least expect them!) so carry potential around the shop whilst you're talking so you get an idea of what they feel like once your muscles are complaining).

Agree totally with Edinburgh Rifles wrt fit: you will always regret buying something that doesn't feel natural and will screw your marksmanship principles regardless of calibre - try it in all positions in the shop for realistic time periods and imagining it on a freezing cold day in winter, including seated as if in the high seat so that you're not holding your shoulder and head in potentially changeable and painful positions (assume from your previous shooting you're all over that, but I often see people with shotguns that are never going to fit in a month of Sundays who have been shooting "man and boy")(side note, before your first outing, make sure your high seat fits too! Group of us have one that I could only shoot Venus from so never get to go in a really good spot as I am obviously a dwarf).

Rgds

GWAG

Apologies to the OP if I got the wrong end of the stick here. But your 'first rifle' sorta makes you out.... And if you're wondering about calibre to use then it sorta tells that you're not sure what's suitable for your quarry, the lie of the land etc. So apologies if you're not a numpty and I am. Lucky you for having your own shooting though - a full freezer awaits.

There is one comment on here about glass which is worthy of mention though - spend money on it and cry once. Cheap glass is next to useless; I'm currently using Canon image stabilising bino's and they were the best money i've spent in a long time. Same goes for scopes.

P123

 

[308tikka]

Lets accept that anything over the deer legal limit will "do the job".
None do it better than others.
The operators do that bit.

Buy a deer legal calibre that
a) fits you (try it prone and standing preferably with a scope fitted, hogsback stocks do not lend themselves to Hubble telescopes and prone shooting!)
b) You can shoot effectively - no point getting larger cartridge if you develop a flinch
c) You can feed a reliable source of ammunition - ring or better still visit your local dealers and see what they have. chances are they won't order in wildcat ammo or anything they don't have.

The .243 is recommended by FEOs for first time FAC applicants under the misguided assumption that the minimum is "safer" than a larger calibre rifle
They don't decide what you want
YOU do
Do not be persuaded otherwise
Get your good reason in order. You appear to have a full range of quarry at your fingertips and require a rifle that is capable in ALL conditions
It should include the words "adequate energy for humane kill" in any application for a larger calibre


I like the .30-06
But in truth it is a very inefficient cartridge and does little the .308 can't do at significantly less cost to feed (I am about to do a presentation on this exact comparison. Its also one of the reasons when looking for a large case .30 cal I went 300wm instead of 30-06)


Don't be persuaded that some calibres/cartridges are flatter than others.
They are not.
Unless you can shoot sub 1" groups at 300yds you will never see the benefit of a the trajectory advantage at stalking range in the field when zeroed for maximum point blank range.
The wind will screw your shot before the bullet/cartridge ever does.
Factory Norma Ammo data for .308 and .30-06 is under an inch apart at 300yds

I would be so bold as to say recreational Sporting Rifles don't get "Shot Out"
Seldom do they see the shot strings or shot count to lose accuracy enough to make them unfit for service.
A decent make of barrel will shoot better than most recreational stalkers after several thousand rounds of recreational use.
Range use is a different matter and 20-30 shots inside 10 mins on a regular basis will drop that serviceable shot count considerably, beware the over bore range queen (.22-250, .243 etc)

They do however "Rust Out" on a regular basis!
I have seen Crowns, Threads, Rifling, even chambers and bolt faces rusted away to buggery
Still doesn't mean it won't shoot


Buy second hand. You will get a lot more for your money
A well made rifle from the 1970-80 and early 90s knocks a new cheap 2015 made rifle into a cocked hat!
(Think second hand VW/Audi/BMW vs New Dacia Sendero!)
99% of rifles will shoot better than you do.

Spend your money on the binos and socpe
Don't get binos that make your scope look like a toilet tube
You will spot deer you then cant shoot! (ask me how I know!?)

great advice.

 

[ejg]

If one is very experienced then second hand might be OK, I would advise new. Skimp on the scope, get a high quality 8x56 for 300£ that later can be sold for the same when trading up to a more versatile scope. The rifle is what shoots, get something that will be useful also in years to come. Not an exotic thing that no one has heard of and spares/aftermarket bits don't exist. Stainless beats blued, like it or not.
General mistake is to think rifles are not shot much, I bought four second hand T3 rifles in the last years. Three were shot out and useless until re-barrelled. My first rifle a 308 Sako from the sixties was shot out and would not hit a piece of paper at 50m after cleaning. Another reason I would not touch one of those new throw away Euro rifles that can't be re-barrelled.
Get a cal that is very popular, something one can get ammo for...even after us being forced to use mono metal.
I handle rifles every day and really believe a new T3 is quality wise way ahead of most older rifles that many dream of. I one wants something really nice and traditional the Schulz and Larsen would be my choice.
edi

 

[Wilf102]

You will probably buy a .308 for all the right reasons and advice. Then decide the .243 is better because you can shoot fairly well, and the bullet drop is marginal. Then you will get annoyed about the amount of meat damage on the .243 and buy a 6.5 x 55 because you cant go back to the .308 because that would mean admitting you are wrong. )

Buy second hand. Even the old Phs knocking around will shoot well enough for deer. It makes more economic sense.

Buy Sako or Tikka because they will always ell on well in UK.

 

[DRN]

I spent a fair amount of cash on a custom .308 as my first deer rifle. Its lovely and if I do my part will put 3 shots touching. Later I bought a Bergara B14 in .243, I much prefer it. Its way lighter, with much less recoil, the bolt is very slick and the trigger is excellent. It was under £600. I put a DPT mod on it and its been great.
The single most amazing thing was trying out cheap PPU ammo which was grouping a hand span across. I stuck one of these on it
https://www.amazon.com/LimbSaver-Sharpshooter-X-Ring-Barrel-Dampener/dp/B00Z6K10HQ
and it now will put the same ammo under an inch! I have 3 centerfire rifles and if I knew then what I do now, I reckon I would just have the .243.

 

[Irish Bob]

Any decent second hand hunting rifle, decent second hand scope, nice Swaro on here for 450 and a mod. That's it. That will do anything a fancy rifle and Z8 will do but just not look as nice doing it.

Have a look at this guy.

Red deer hind stalking in snowy highland Perthshire - YouTube

 

[Hulse]

I just bought a howa 3006 from my my local shop with a 20 round count through it. Came with a mod for £400. I added a box mag I won on eBay for £20 and a Timney trigger for £70 and now I have a nice Gun for under £500.i just added a scope and rings I already had. Not a bad choice of Gun. Shop about the reason I got mine so cheap was the guy said no one ever asks for the 3006 so he just wanted it sold

 

[User00033]

I just bought a howa 3006 from my my local shop with a 20 round count through it. Came with a mod for £400. I added a box mag I won on eBay for £20 and a Timney trigger for £70 and now I have a nice Gun for under £500.i just added a scope and rings I already had. Not a bad choice of Gun. Shop about the reason I got mine so cheap was the guy said no one ever asks for the 3006 so he just wanted it sold

Now that mate is bloody good buying. Go fill yer freezer!

 

[Hulse]

Now that mate is bloody good buying. Go fill yer freezer!

Thats the plan been to the range and it’s shoots nice and I prefer to my old x bolt 308