Thread: First Rifle

I'd go second hand mate. Then you don't lose any cash on resale....
The forum buy and sell is excellent for picking up optics and rifles for reasonable prices.

I learnt that a new to me rifle was just as good a new one especially once I was looking to move it on.
If you want a Sako, just wait for Buzz to sell one of his!!

I'll throw a spanner in the works say get a really good set of binos and a range finder that's good to 1000yrds or so. Even though you may not shoot that far it will be more accurate at the closer ranges rather than it's limit. Bino's i'll stick my neck out and say 8x42's or even 8x30's if mostly bush hunting. You won't regret getting them as you'll see more game than you'd believe. Rifle is a second choice as first you have to find the game and then know how far away it is before you need your rifle to come into play. Not so much for bush stalking granted. Stay with common calibers if not reloading .243, .270, .308 etc as you'll get ammo and selection almost everywhere. I'll stick my head out again and say no need for magnums if you don't plan on shooting past 300- 400yrds. Probably getting near then end of range for a .243 with factory loads but some will disagree with me(watch this space!) but any of the others are more than capable. Most rifles have a 3 shot guarantee of 1moa or better these days so choose what feels right. You'll need a good scope and mounts. One with a good field of view is what I like so until leupold brought out the vx5/6 line european were usually better in that department compared to american ( there's some 3-9x36 swaro's about for run out at about 1k, damn good scope for the money). Don't over look jap optics either as they are usually very good.
There you go more things to think about than you started with but need to be got right I believe. You can often tune/improved a rifle that doesn't group well but you can't improve bad optics. They just frustrate you when your mate can see a deer but your budget binos and scope can't gather enough light and clear picture for you to see it. On the bright side you can always help him carry out the deer you should have shot and think of the ammo savings

Originally Posted by SlimySquirrel

I'd go second hand mate. Then you don't lose any cash on resale....
The forum buy and sell is excellent for picking up optics and rifles for reasonable prices.

I learnt that a new to me rifle was just as good a new one especially once I was looking to move it on.
If you want a Sako, just wait for Buzz to sell one of his!!

Thanks. Will keep looking on here and trademe.

Originally Posted by r87mm

I'll throw a spanner in the works say get a really good set of binos and a range finder that's good to 1000yrds or so. Even though you may not shoot that far it will be more accurate at the closer ranges rather than it's limit. Bino's i'll stick my neck out and say 8x42's or even 8x30's if mostly bush hunting. You won't regret getting them as you'll see more game than you'd believe. Rifle is a second choice as first you have to find the game and then know how far away it is before you need your rifle to come into play. Not so much for bush stalking granted. Stay with common calibers if not reloading .243, .270, .308 etc as you'll get ammo and selection almost everywhere. I'll stick my head out again and say no need for magnums if you don't plan on shooting past 300- 400yrds. Probably getting near then end of range for a .243 with factory loads but some will disagree with me(watch this space!) but any of the others are more than capable. Most rifles have a 3 shot guarantee of 1moa or better these days so choose what feels right. You'll need a good scope and mounts. One with a good field of view is what I like so until leupold brought out the vx5/6 line european were usually better in that department compared to american ( there's some 3-9x36 swaro's about for run out at about 1k, damn good scope for the money). Don't over look jap optics either as they are usually very good.
There you go more things to think about than you started with but need to be got right I believe. You can often tune/improved a rifle that doesn't group well but you can't improve bad optics. They just frustrate you when your mate can see a deer but your budget binos and scope can't gather enough light and clear picture for you to see it. On the bright side you can always help him carry out the deer you should have shot and think of the ammo savings

Thanks I will definitely be looking at some binos. Im pretty much going to tag in with the lads and go where they hunt to start off. Yes will be going for a .308 and most likely a leupold. Haha good way of looking at it.

With your budget mate, if be going a tikka t3 in 308, lop to 18 or 20 inches, DPT can, and a 2-10 or 3-15 vx5.

A setup like that Will be light, accurate and cover 99% of your hunting

Browning x bolt. Much nicer than a tikka with a decent mag. The stock has a grippy surface So good when wet. They have short bolt lift, nice mag very strong 8 screw scope mount, and an awesome trigger. If you aren’t shooting far ie to 300m they make one with carbon wrapped stock shortened and threaded to 16” in 308. Add a dpt or ASE sl5i can. Be about $2300 with can. Then fit a $1500 swaro z3 3-10. Whilhem arms and optics has them on sale for about $1250 in chch via mail. Or look at one of the leica elr etc. you’ll never want to sell that set up unlike all the guys on here that buy Sakos and tikkas that sell them every year.

Originally Posted by Civ

Wasnt able to find it. Which thread?

FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - NZH .308 Bushpig F/S ?

don't forget 270's

Don't buy cheap scope rings. Pay the money for good ones. It will save you a lot on ammo when you're constantly trying to sight it in, and a shedload of frustration.

I would go for lightly used. People are always trading mint firearms cheap cause they "need" something else. You could get couple of good rigs on that budget.

Just keep an eye out on here. I managed to snag a barely used sako for tikka money. Huge score, especially as I’m not really into dudes...

@Civ a Tikka T3 in. 308 will do you very well, there may be better calibers but. 308 doea the trick and is easy to get ammo for and easy to reload.

Keep an eye out for good second hand rifles, can save a heap of money. A saved search on Trademe will bring up a heap of options.

1638361129 check out this auction on Trademe, should do you well.
I'd sell the VX3 though and get either a VX3 3.5-10x40 or a VX5 2-10, the VX5s are awesome scopes and the firedot reticles are very very good.

What sort of general hunting are you likely doing? If you are a bush hobbit than something like a Baikal single shot in .308 with iron sights could do the job (and for around $500). If after a more versatile tool than the Howa is going to get it done. You have a fairly massive budget for a first hunting rifle, so I would (personally) suggest buy the Howa and the Baikal and enjoy both. Bank the change and throw $20 a pay in there and when you learn/decide what you require you will know what you're cooking with. Just my 2c.

Originally Posted by Preacher

What sort of general hunting are you likely doing? If you are a bush hobbit than something like a Baikal single shot in .308 with iron sights could do the job (and for around $500). If after a more versatile tool than the Howa is going to get it done. You have a fairly massive budget for a first hunting rifle, so I would (personally) suggest buy the Howa and the Baikal and enjoy both. Bank the change and throw $20 a pay in there and when you learn/decide what you require you will know what you're cooking with. Just my 2c.

Probably a mix of close bush and open areas. Not 100% sure just yet. Ok thanks. Yeah it is. If i dont spend it all I’ll get a shotty too.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

@Civ a Tikka T3 in. 308 will do you very well, there may be better calibers but. 308 doea the trick and is easy to get ammo for and easy to reload.

Keep an eye out for good second hand rifles, can save a heap of money. A saved search on Trademe will bring up a heap of options.

1638361129 check out this auction on Trademe, should do you well.
I'd sell the VX3 though and get either a VX3 3.5-10x40 or a VX5 2-10, the VX5s are awesome scopes and the firedot reticles are very very good.

Thanks beetroot. Normally pretty good with trademe. That one must have just popped up! Haha ok,
I keep being told a vx so thats def a sure thing. Thanks again.