Thread: First rifle advice

6.5cm, 7mm08, .308 can all reach out to 300 yds without really trying. .243 can too but it is starting to get a bit marginal by then. As has been touched on a 300yd shot is an infrequent event in the bush. With the calibres listed, you also get a shorter action = less weight, less overall length, and less recoil.
Of the three listed, the 6.5 and.308 have a few advantages over the 7mm08.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a .270 hater and granted they do shoot flattish out to 300 yards, but a .270 works better with a longer barrel and a higher magnification scope. Neither of which are easier to hunt with than a shorter barrel and lower magnification scope in the bush.


At the moment it’s rather difficult to sell a second hand rifle, if I was buying right now, I would just put a wtb up in the BuySellSwap.

Also know that the GC package deals might look like a simple foolproof option at a glance, but they leverage this image as a marketing tactic to include knockoff components that you wouldn’t buy if you looked into it. If you do want to buy new, you’re better off buying bare rifle and then choosing the scope/rings/suppressor yourself.

As far as answering your actual question, my vote would be for the Howa if it fits you. I don’t have one myself but I know a few people that do and they all seem to be able to shoot reliably. Also since it is a common rifle, it is easy to source things like scope bases and after market stocks etc.