Which rifle to buy

[vickyjo]

Thanks for all your great suggestions! I'm thinkin I'll go with the 7mm08 because I definately will be hunting elk in the future and it seems more in my price range than some of the others suggested. Checking out the ballistics, it seems like a pretty flat shooting gun that definately packs enough punch to take down an elk. Last winter I borrowed a friends old WW2 30-06 Springfield for elk hunting and it definately kicked like a mule and it was just really too heavy for me, and if that heavy gun kicked so much, the lighter, shorter youth model may not be what I'm looking for. As far as shooting other guns, I've shot 12 and 20 guage shotguns, a friends 45-70 (which really knocked me back), and several handguns (ie. 9mm, 357, 38 special, 22s).

Anyways, I'm doing some comparison shopping and it seems like the Savage brand is a great basic gun that is pretty cheap (considering the cost of other brands). I think the trick now will be to find out who sells a left handed youth gun! But I'm thinking about possibly getting a right handed rifle and shooting it left handed. Or possibly chopping the stock off a left handed adult rifle (Savage also has that new accu-trigger thing that seems pretty awsome, and the youth model doesn't have that option). So many options! You see I'm right handed, but left eye dominant and unfortunately I've never been able to wink my left eye shut! I guess when I was younger I just learned to shoot left handed because it feels more comfortable and I'm more accurate that way.

As far as scopes I'm not even sure where to start there. I have a pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars that I love to death and I hear they have those for scopes too.

Thanks again for all your responses and opinions. I'm really excited about getting my very first rifle and I just want to make a good choice! Everyone has been a great help! I'll keep you posted on what I eventually get!

[Dutchboy]

Let me chime in one more time.

First thing, Savage has announced that all it's new rifles will have the Accutrigger, including the youth rifle. A good solid choice.

However, I would not buy a right handed rifle. I've been around left handers enough to know they always regret not having the right rifle. It's easy enough to take the stock to a gun smith and have him shorten the stock for you. It's a little more expensive than buying "stock", but a better choice than shooting wrong handed.

Just as important, when you have the stock adjusted to fit you, have the gunsmith put on a top of the line recoil pad, like a Pachmeyer Decelerator, Limbsaver or such. They really DO work, and work well.

Other options include the Browning BLR (a very handy lever gun, my wife keeps trying to steal mine....)




As far as scopes, Nikon makes some very nice scopes, including their top of the line "monarch" line. The also have two lesser lines, the entry level "prostaff" and the mid-level "buck master". When buying optics, I've never met someone who said he wished he spent less on his optics.

Finally, no one ever mentions recoil when shooting at an elk. When practicing though, I would strongly suggest you buy and use a "Past Recoil Pad". Colloquially known as a "sissy pad", it's a recoil reducer that you wear on your shoulder. It really takes the bite out of the rifle kick-- and I'm a big enough sissy to wear one, even with my small caliber rifles. Why get beat up? HTH, Dutch.

[denton]

I think Dutchboy has a really good thought here... shoot something that is ambidextrous. In addition to the BLR mentioned, there is the Remington 7600, which is a pump action, and reputed to be very accurate, as is the BLR.

Optics? You'll get lots of opinions there. My current favorite, considering price and quality, and all that, is the Burris Fullfield 2, with ballisticplex reticle.

[Dutchboy]

The 7600 is fine; I have one in Whelen, but it's about a pound heavier than the BLR.



When I take the BLR and the 7600 hunting, I end up with the 7600 every time, as my wife insists on the BLR. The 7600 is a little heavier, and it doesn't feel as solid. More sheet metal.

I like the old steel BLR's a little better, but for all effects and purposes, the newer ones are probably a better choice here. They are a little lighter.

We also should not rule out self loaders, like the new Bar short-trac. Only available in 308, but the gas operated action is going to soften recoil a good bit.



The only objection would be the cartridges whizzing right in front of your face.

Hope we didn't confuse you too much, Dutch.

PS: I'm seconding Denton's recommendation for the Burris FFII with ballistic plex in 3x9. Best $179 you'll spend.

[Jack]

Another option would be a single shot, like a Ruger #1. That rifle is easy for a lefty to use, and a good deal more compact than a bolt action, because the action on a single shot is much shorter.

[fabsroman]

Hey guys, what about a T/C Encore with the interchangeable barrels? She could start out with a small cartridge for antelope and deer and then buy a second barrel for a larger cartridge for elk. It is almost like having two guns for a lot less cost.

Now, I don't know if it is right or left hand specific, but I am thinking that if it isn't, a lefty could still use it pretty well. If the stock is made for a righty (i.e., swells in the right places), maybe a competent gunsmith could make it right for a lefty. Plus, last time I checked an Encore wasn't too heavy.

Edited to add:

I would also vote for the Burris glass. That is all I own. I have three Signature Series scopes for my high power rifles, a Fullfield for my BPS slug gun, and several Fullfield II's on things like my 10/22, .222, .30-06, Benelli Slug Gun, muzzleloader, etc. I really like the Burris products.

[Dutchboy]

I think the Encore (actually, the new G2) might be a good option, but I have my doubts on the #1. Those guns tend to be fairly wide and round, and I don't think they fit very well in small hands.

The new G2 from Thompson Center Arms


The Ruger #1


FWIW, Dutch.

[denton]

I'll bet you end up really liking the 7mm08. Anything in that neighborhood should be excellent.

Savage does make them, left-handed, in bolt action.

The BLR is actually a bolt action rifle, with a mechanism to operate the bolt using a lever. They are very accurate. Conventional lever actions generally are not quite as accurate. Automatics are also typically not as accurate as bolts, though they are more ambidextrous.

I didn't know that the 7600 was a pound heavier than the BLR. That will make a difference. Dutch has a side-by-side comparison. If his wife grabs the BLR, then that sort of settles that issue.

My grandson also has crossed dominance, right handed, but left eyed. Couldn't figure out why he was having so much trouble learning to shoot right handed... switched him to left, and he had a better time of it.

[wrenchman]

one thing to think of also is that were the safty is and savage puts it on the back of the tang
most of the guns you will look at that are left handed freindly still have safty set up for right hand shooter in some cases this is easy to change and in others it just cant be done and in some cases it will be harder for them to get use to that then a right handed action.
my son shoots my 22 mag he is only 10 and left handed he has no problim with the action he dont know there are left handed guns or right handed but the safty is on the tang and he is comfertabel with it

[vickyjo]

I went to one of the local sportsmans stores yesturday to do some lookin and now feel a little more confused unfortunately! It was super fun trying on various rifles for size though and I really love that Burris scope that everyone seems to mention.

My confusion is this...when checking out the inventory on ammo, it seems that the variety on the 7mm08 is pretty limiting (or at least it was at the store I was at). They had 140 and 150 grain in a few brands and that was it. Would that be too much for antelope and deer? But with the 270 there were lots and lots of options as far as different brands and grains. I was checking out the actual bullets and the 7mm08 is quite a bit shorter, but does that necessarily mean the recoil will be that much less? I know it does when comparing the 357 and 38specials for a handgun!

Oh, and I checked out that G2 and think it's pretty cool that it's so light and has the interchanging barrels and everything, but does it only come in 45/70, 30/30 and 45? I can't even imagine how it would feel shooting 45/70 rounds out of a gun that light!

Thanks again for all the help!

[gregarat]

However, I would not buy a right handed rifle. I've been around left handers enough to know they always regret not having the right rifle. It's easy enough to take the stock to a gun smith and have him shorten the stock for you. It's a little more expensive than buying "stock", but a better choice than shooting wrong handed.

I myself am a left handed rifle shooter, and I never realy had any problems manipulating a right bolt. I realised when I first found out that my left eye was my dominate eye. That I would not always have the option of having a left bolt. I didnt want to be crippled by this.

Vickyjo,
Next time you hold a right handed boltgun. Use your right hand to hold the forgrip, then rotate the rifle counter clockwise so the bolt is facing up, then brace the butt of the rifle agenst your left sholder. Use your left hand to pull the bolt lever to the left, then use your left hand to pull back the bolt lever. You then use the left hand to close the bolt. Then rotate the rifle back into place.
I hope I described the prosess so its understandable.

Back to rifle choices, I would go with the Encore.

[denton]

As well as I understand 7mm cartridges, I think that a 140 grain cartridge would be fine for deer and antelope. I don't think you will have any problem finding suitable ammunition, but, of course, there will always be more selection for 270 and 30-06 than any other caliber.

The 308/7mm-08/243 cases do hold less powder than the 270/30-06 cases do. As the bore diameter gets smaller, the amount of powder that the cartridge can efficiently use goes down. The 7mm bullet is a very good match to that case size. Recoil will be less than you would experience with the larger cases, though probably not hugely less than the 270.

You might want to compare specs on the muzzle speed of a 7mm-08 with a 140 grain bullet, vs. that of a 270 with a 140 grainer. The bullets are almost the same diameter, and there really isn't a ton of difference between what they deliver.

Spend plenty of time handling different guns at the store. Work the actions. The gun that wants you for an owner will eventually speak to you. (The problem is that more than one may speak at once!)

Heed Dutch's advice on the recoil pad. You, of all people, are not out to prove how manly you are by showing how much recoil you can take. This is supposed to be fun.

[Cal Sibley]

I took my moose last year with a Remington Classic in 6.5x55 so there's not much doubt about it packing enough oomph. It's a mild recoiling caliber and quite accurate in most rifles. I would however suggest a 1 in 8" twist. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[fabsroman]

I have never heard of the T/C G2 until it was mentioned on this thread. Just checked it out on the T/C website and it does only come in 5 calibers, most of which wouldn't do too well on big game.

The Encore is offered in a bunch of cartridges and a lot of them would be good for big game. You should check out the Encore and see how it feels.

[Dutchboy]

Isn't shopping fun?

Let's go through the issues.

Cartridge selection: there's plenty of bullet choices for what you want. Let's revisit bullet selection a little later, but the 7/08 has plenty of options for what you want to do, in power. My wife shoots just about all here antelope and elk with her 280 -- which is the ballistic twin of the 7/08-- and 140 gr bullets.

All the cartridges mentioned are essentially peas in a pod as far as applications and recoil. If they weren't, we would have these Ford-Chevy debates! In the words of Jeff Foxworthy, it's not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean.... Recoil is primarily a function of rifle weight (heavier is better), bullet weight (lighter is better), and bullet velocity (slower is better).

G2: all Contender barrels fit the G2, so you will have far more selection with the G2 than any other rifle. Period. End of that debate! Anything from 22 Hornet to as big as you dare...... Single shots are sexy, and the G2 is very versatile. Still, I think you should at least hold the BLR. You might be surprised....

But, let's not put the cart before the horse. First, find the rifle you WANT. Then, pick a cartridge. Any of the currently chambered cartridges will have plenty of choices for what you want to do.

Heck, if you can't find the right bullets, we get to just talk to you again on the reloading forum! JMO, Dutch.