Basic Hunting Rifle Setup
My thoughts on what a basic hunting rifle setup looks like. There are other was to get into hunting (or centerfire rifles). This is kind of the "standard" setup.
A bolt action rifle and a quality scope comprise the basic hunting rifle setup. Use the 50:50 rule, where half the budget is spent on the rifle and half the budget is spent on the scope.
If you are new to the sport and not sure you like to hunt, or if you want to keep costs down, then buy an entry level rifle and a entry level scope. You can still buy a quality rifle and scope. Entry level rifles include a Ruger American, a Savage Axis, or a Remington 783. An entry level Leupold is a VX-1. It is kind of plain, but it is a quality scope. More on bolt action rifles below.
If you have a bigger budget, then consider a traditional rifle such as a Ruger M77 Hawkeye, a Savage 10/110 (or 11/110, 16/116, 14/114), or a Remington Model 700 or Model 7. For a scope, get a Leupold VX-3. More on scope below.
In terms or which cartridge to get, a 30-06, a 308 Win. or a 270 Win. all work. These are three classics, and they are classics because they work. If recoil is a consideration, then a 243 Win. gets the nod. Again, there are lots of others that work. Other "standard" cartridges work very well (7mm-08, 260, 280, 25-06, 7x57 to name a few). They are harder to find and might cost more. Any backwoods gas station will sell you a box of 30-06, but might not have the other stuff. The magnum club also works. A 7mm Rem. Mag or a 300 Win. Mag. are also classics. There are newer stuff too, like the 300 WSM or 300 Rem. Ultra. Mag. These have more recoil, and typically cost more to shoot.
Rifles from a major American manufacture fit the bill. A Ruger, Remington, or Savage are a safe bet. Of course there are other manufactures that are American. Buy the one that you like. The position of the safety and the fit of the stock are important. If you are left handed, then get a left handed rifle, it is worth spending the extra time needed to either find one or to special order one.
A quality scope is, IMO, a must. My vote is for a Leupold. Burris and Nikon are also some of the popular brands. A 3-9x40 (or 3.5-10x40) will work for almost any hunting situation. I also feel that a 2-7x33 will work equally well. Set the scope at the lowest magnification (or close the the lowest) when you are walking around or waiting to see a deer. If you have time, and need more magnification, then adjust to 9x/7x. I feel there is little practical difference between the two for a basic hunting rifle. Of course, if you need to count the points on antlers at a distance, and have the time to count, then higher magnification might be needed. That is a special case.
Check out my video on setting your zero to achieve maximum point blank range: • Set Your Rifle Zero for Max Point Bla...
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