Posted on 02/24/2018 11:08:44 AM PST by i_robot73
“The nicest Mosin versions are Finnish—gun’s seized from Russia by Finland in WWII, and re-barreled and re-stocked and named the M/39. The Finns make the best rifle barrels in the world.”
I suppose some were re-purposed Soviet weapons, but most were made by the Finns: http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/finnish_mosin_nagantm39.asp
Remington 700 in .270 Winchester is a good choice depending on local law. Fine for anything up to 300-400 pounds. (Except birds & squirrels)
Mosin Nagant.
The calibers you are looking at would be much more pleasant with a Past Magnum shoulder pad. I shoot 45-70 at the age of 68 and it is much easier with the pad.
A bolt action 270 rifle is my only choice. Remington model 700 is nice. The one I use the most is a Ruger Mark II model 77.
Short magazine Lee-enfield mark IV. No, not kidding.
CC
>What were you going to be hunting?
Deer. Don’t think dad cares much for anything else, but ya never know....He’d prob. get some wild-hair to do something else (feral pig maybe).
>Do you have any experience with firearms?
Some: 9MM, 38 special, Mosin. Done some skeet w/ family-in-law a few times.
>
I’m not trying to be difficult here but there are so many choices such as single shot, lever action, bolt action and semi-automatic.
>
Understood. Why I asked for recommendations/thoughts, it’s just as much ‘fun’ researching...
That would’ve been my second choice. But they kick like mules, not the greatest for a novice shooter. Like starting handgun training with a .44 magnum.
CC
>
What type of shooting or hunting are you planning? What’s the terrain like where you hunt. What game animals might be on the list.
>
Dads up there, so don’t take he’ll be wanting to trek/drive forever...so figure FL/GA. He might get the wild hair for panhandle and States around. I’d leave the grounds up to him.
No, don't. Those scopes are worthless. Unless you get the Weatherby Vanguard that comes with a Leupold VXII scope. Otherwise get your own scope.
>‘06 a little heavy for squirrels
Good to know. Lil bastards make off w/ my peach harvest almost every year. Might not WANT a ‘lot of ‘em’ ‘round /s
>
Both of those calibers are fine, but they might be a bit much for the type of game you are likely to see in your area. I hunt in West Texas, most often with a 0.243, less frequently with a 0.270. Both of those are perfectly adequate. Game in our area include White Tail deer, Axis deer, Aoudad, Black Hawaiian Sheep, Hogs, Rio Grande Turkeys, Coyotes, Mouflon Sheep, and assorted smaller animals.
>
Got any particularly in mind? How ‘bout scope?
Dude. Are you for real? There is so much about this that just screams out fake, maybe just wanting “gun nuts” to talk here about killing deer with machine guns, or are you hoping for some wacko to offer to sell you a bazooka without a background check, etc., so that you can rail against them/the guns/the law/the NRA?
But......on the off-chance it’s for real, here you go with some generalities.
So much to consider.
The gun has to match the hunting style, terrain, weather, time of year, time of day, and intended game.
The gun has to match the hunter. Are you a big strong person, and can carry a heavier weapon many hours and won’t mind a gun with more “kick” (recoil), or do you want a smaller, lighter, lesser-recoil gun?
The gun has to match local law (some states do not allow semi-automatic rifles (just pump or lever or single shot), some allow only shotgun (buckshot, slugs) for deer, some require the bullet to be larger than .25 caliber, some let you have only 5 rounds in the magazine, some won’t let you have a small-caliber gun for squirrels on public property if deer are also open to hunt at that time, some won’t let you use 22-magnum (.22 WMR) even though it’s small caliber and rim-fire, etc. etc.).
The gun has to match the game. Shotgun with “game loads” for rabbits and squirrel, smaller shot sizes for doves, bigger shot and heavier loads for turkeys and ducks. Rifle bullets with adequate foot-pound energy at the terminal range you’ll be shooting (most all of them above .22 caliber do that), and shotgun loads (buckshot or slugs) of adequate energy for big game. And don’t let any anti-gunners, anti-hunters kid you, the AR-15 is a marvelous weapon for pigs and deer (if legal locally) and coyotes and groundhogs, etc., and the AK-47 semi-automatic rifle/round is just fine for deer and pigs.
The barrel length and sights have to match the game and local law. If a handgun for big game, then of the allowed caliber (usually .357 and up) and with barrel length 6 inches or more. If a shotgun or rifle, will the distances and ground cover/terrain need open sights or red-dot sights, or allow telescopic sights?
So, to the point, to pick a weapon to use, just ask your freaking FIL what he recommends, and what he will lend you to use!!! Do not go buy a gun, if you’ve never hunted or shot. What if you don’t like the experience, or get the wrong weapon for what you want to hunt now or in the future? Sure, you can sell or trade it, but why go through the hassle? Just use what you can that your hunting buddy (FIL, I assume) is also using or recommends or lends, and then after you get experience, if you continue, then get your own weapon of your choosing. At the minimum, you’re gonna need your hunting buddy/FIL to show you how to use the weapon and let you practice with it, including shooting it and sighting it in for your body, before you hunt!!!!
And....most states require new hunters to go through a hunter safety course in advance, and pass it, before you can even buy a hunting license. Those courses usually familiarize the new hunter with weapons and the issues above I hinted at.
Your state wildlife resources agency and your local gun-interest bulletin boards (on line) usually can help with information and questions, too. Examples are the Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association (http://www.pafoa.org/) and the Florida shooters Network (http://floridashootersnetwork.com) and the California Firearms Enthusiasts (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/index.php), but every state and region has similar groups. Groups devoted to specific gun brands (Glock, Smith and Wesson, Sig-Sauer, etc.) also have subforums to discuss hunting and weapon information—google for those.
And join the NRA, it’s the premier gun owners/users advocacy group fighting for your right to keep and bear arms and hunt and fish responsibly. https://home.nra.org/
And no matter where you are, remember you’ll have to keep your gun safe while in your control—you might need a child-proof lock for the trigger, or a locking closet/box to store it, etc.
Good luck.
Danke
>
With good shot placement it will be drt. Savage, ruger, mossberg make great entry level guns that will last a lifetime. Just remember, a good scope will make an average rifle shoot well. A Bad scope on a great rifle will piss you off.
>
Suggestions on scope?
>Buy a bump stock for it.
Always one smart-@ss in the thread /s
>
This is important because if you are on a budget and wish to hunt more than big game, a shotgun with slugs or buckshot then switch to bird shot for avian fair.
>
Now, there’s an option I hadn’t considered: Shotgun vs. rifle.
I’ll have to further research but I’ll presume there’s a diff. ‘season’ for each??
Do have one, and have put a box/two through it. More leery of the ‘age of unit’ than anything, but wasn’t bad (aside from the lovely wood stock into the shoulder...after a box, I was a bit numb/sore).
Guess biggest ‘if’ w/ one I have is: will even take scope? and, is it worth it (good $ after bad)??
I may have to take ‘er out to the range again and give it another go.
Nikon makes decent glass in the $300 range, good eye relief. Don’t spend less than that, more if you can.
Definitely look at Savage bolt guns. For deer you might be happy with a light weight, short action .308. It will do for elk if you ever went for that.
“A bolt action 270 rifle is my only choice. Remington model 700 is nice. The one I use the most is a Ruger Mark II model 77.”
I agree with this. Get a Leupold VXII 3x9 scope. For deer any 130 grain cartridge will do. Sight the rifle to shoot 2” high at 100 yards and you will be good to 250 yards without hold over. This ammo is pricey but very good. It will take care of everything from coyotes to elk.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001615685/barnes-vor-tx-ammunition-270-winchester-130-grain-ttsx-polymer-tipped-spitzer-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-20#
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.