Thread: Hunting Rifle

Best thing to do.

Is go join ya local nzda and or rifle range.

Then go and pick up a few different rifles and if you can shoot a few in various calibres.

Just remember anything from 6.5Creed or 260 upto a 308 will do the trick and the deer don't notice the difference. But just factor in what availability of both rifle and ammo for calibre selection.

Don't overthink it. If you like the feel of a howa, bergara, Tikka, sako etc and you really like how it feels and it comes up nicely that's the rifle for you. Most modern rifles will shoot more accurately than the human part of the equation.

Just also remember too for the most part you'll be carrying it for 80% + of the time so a rifle you don't find too heavy is another consideration.

Go into it with both eyes open and if you have a few mates who hunt by all means tag along with them and use their rifles. See what works for them, that coupled with the points above should do you in good stead. Hot barrels and good on ya for reaching out to ask a question like you've done.

What ever you get make sure it’s got a GOOD suppressor. You only get one set of ears !!
In terms of starting point 708 or 308 would both work for what you want, as will some others, but keep it simple for starters.
As others have said try the feel & fit of different makes to see what feels best for you. Ideally try shooting a couple that you think are a good fit. Try some shots off-hand (standing) as well as prone off bipod or pack.
An accurate rifle & your ability to shoot it accurately are the most important points. Brands or makes of rifles to try for fit/feel Bergara, Tikka, Howa (or Weatherby), older Sako (but might be a bit pricey?), older REM700 or REM Model7. All would be worthy of consideration. Go to your local GC & try a few different rifles. They have a pretty big selection of new & 2nd hand. I don’t mean to buy, their 2nd hand prices are very high imo.

Also consider shorter barrel rifles, 16, 18, or 20in. Rather than typical 22 or 24in. Light & short makes it much easier to carry thru tight bush & scrub.

Buy rifle 2nd hand & save your $$ for better optics. You can’t shoot what you can’t see !!

There’s no right or wrong answer, it comes down to what suits you.

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

I agree with @Barry the hunter. Get a Mauser action, that is to say, "Controlled Feed," NOT, "Push Feed." Learn the difference.
Someone on the forum was advertising a Mauser 98 action in 7x57. That would be a perfect starting calibre, in a quality rifle, which will last you a lifetime. Somewhere around $1500 - $2000.

He’s missed out I’m afraid Hugh.. but the Mauser would have been a cracker of a first rifle!

Fortunately I’m also about to chuck my tikka 270 bushpig and the buy and sell too.. be a cracking first rifle!

@Barry the hunter, you should give less advice.

It is not set in concrete that a newcomer to hunting needs to get themselves an antiquated controlled feed rifle in a cartridge such as 7x57, 25-06, or 303. They may have been popular decades ago, but they are not now.

An old mauser may still be perfectly serviceable, but I would not recommend one today any more than I'd recommend a new driver goes and gets a Ford Cortina.

Just been sighting in two 70 yr old 465 hornets, with the latest batch of vmax both doing thumbnail or better, who would of thought. Old but goodies. Now to get my old Winchesters going.

Originally Posted by Pommy

@Barry the hunter, you should give less advice.

It is not set in concrete that a newcomer to hunting needs to get themselves an antiquated controlled feed rifle in a cartridge such as 7x57, 25-06, or 303. They may have been popular decades ago, but they are not now.

An old mauser may still be perfectly serviceable, but I would not recommend one today any more than I'd recommend a new driver goes and gets a Ford Cortina.

bull shit I said a mauser action thats not necessarily a controlled feed - what I meant was not a lever action - keep it simple - at least I did not say a tikka plastic in 6.5 crudmore - I left open a wide range of options - and they all good - read my whole post

Your bias is showing. What's your problem with Tikkas and with 6.5 Creedmoor?

i would consider a howa, made in japan and great value out of the box.
fit it with a leupold scope and suggest 308 for ammo availability and different weight projectiles

I dont have a problem with either I have owned several tikkas but I dont hold them up on here as many do as being the be all and end all - 6.5 creedmore is an adequate round for NZ deer but that's all - a new Tikka is again adequate as a rifle but there are better - as soon as one awnsers a new hunter on here asking for advice on a suitable rifle yup a plastic tikka in 6.5 crudmore only rifle to buy and its just not correct - there are better rifles and calibers

One could buy a better rifle than a tikka.But not every body has thousands of spare dollers either.

What would you suggest @Barry the hunter
I would suggest handling a Tikka, bergara b13 and 14, howa 1500 and sabatti rover.
308, 708 or 243.
A Tikka 8twist 243 would be an excellent future proof rifle for WHEN you start reloading.

Originally Posted by Longrun

What would you suggest @Barry the hunter
I would suggest handling a Tikka, bergara b13 and 14, howa 1500 and sabatti rover.
308, 708 or 243.
A Tikka 8twist 243 would be an excellent future proof rifle for WHEN you start reloading.

okay we have not been given a budget but a Winchester mod -70 all weather with pre 64 action - way better made than a tikka - Mauser synthetic really nice - Steyr Mannlicher getting a bit plasticky now but nice- Benelli lupo look well made - but there is a whole host of American special's fierce etc likely all good - just parts if anything goes wrong - the new Remingtons sound the real deal - Tikka is just one good rifle -me Shultz and Larsen

Mauser action ffs,bloody old vintage car rattley gear box action.This is year 2024,slipslide and fire away another good 308 rd.
Pre 64 actions ffs barry,you must be 120yrs old.Go to a big gun shop and look at some NEW rifle.

Originally Posted by Trout

Mauser action ffs,bloody old vintage car rattley gear box action.This is year 2024,slipslide and fire away another good 308 rd.
Pre 64 actions ffs barry,you must be 120yrs old.Go to a big gun shop and look at some NEW rifle.

Ha ha the Winchester is new - just a modern copy of the best - have you tried one - quality - a tikka feels like muck metal in comparison -the new Mausers are quality - thru and thru - Steyrs yes a little plasticky but very accurate - the Fierce are nice - Nosler real nice -Benelli Lupo yes so I do look at modern

Watching the boys down south on tv with the new Benelli lupo 300wm,nice rifle.Trying to get my wife to buy me one.