Thread: Looking for a good all around rifle

Fairly new to shooting and currently only have a 357Mag lever action, .22lr bolt action and shotguns. I've had several people recommend a .243 to me as I'd be able to use it on deer all the way down to small game. I've also had tikkas recommended a lot however I wouldn't even know where to start with optics. Brand, magnification etc. I'd prefer if I didn't have to get a new rifle for a while that would allow me to hunt most game throughout the south island. Rough budget of 2.5k although if i could do it for less would be much better. Also dont mind going over if its really worth it. Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Lachie

Edit: would also consider a 300blk, 223, 7.62x39 and 308. Not too familiar with other cateidges. For my purposes.

Push the easy button, get a Tikka or Howa in 6.5 Creedmoor. Put on a modern, Japanese made scope like Element. Buy a few boxes of Hornady Match 140 ELDM, if it does not shoot then take it back!

The 308 howa o here

I will buck the trend for the Tikka and Howa Winchester mod 70 all weather pre 64 action beautifully made absolute quality lifetime rifle - but such a choice - dont look past some of the older rfiles either - older Remington 700 from eighties and even seventies shot well - Tikka 590 and 690 - quality all the way - many of those older rifles a lot better made - and of course Sako - calibre I am real fan of .270 have run .308 for years - but real choice - if you are only going to use factory ammo then those two will do all you need - 30 cal 7mm cal and the 6.5 cals all will do the job -of those calibres you suggest well 300 BLK no just a short range cartridge 7.62x39 again short range - 223 yes but require good shooting on deer they will kill deer but require well placed shots little margin for error -308 will do everything you need - dont get to hung up on calibre learn to find deer - the latest greatest caliber is nothing without a deer to use it on - just watch out getting something odd ball is ammo available to you for it -

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I will buck the trend for the Tikka and Howa Winchester mod 70 all weather pre 64 action beautifully made absolute quality lifetime rifle - but such a choice - dont look past some of the older rfiles either - older Remington 700 from eighties and even seventies shot well - Tikka 590 and 690 - quality all the way - many of those older rifles a lot better made - and of course Sako - calibre I am real fan of .270 have run .308 for years - but real choice - if you are only going to use factory ammo then those two will do all you need - 30 cal 7mm cal and the 6.5 cals all will do the job -of those calibres you suggest well 300 BLK no just a short range cartridge 7.62x39 again short range - 223 yes but require good shooting on deer they will kill deer but require well placed shots little margin for error -308 will do everything you need - dont get to hung up on calibre learn to find deer - the latest greatest caliber is nothing without a deer to use it on - just watch out getting something odd ball is ammo available to you for it -

Many of those older rifles will have a rusty tube for a barrel or be rooted in some form or the other, be up for silly money at the gunshop as a trade-in or a dreamer price on TardMe, no warranty on that!

Been there done that, bought an L461 which some idiot had reamed from .222 to .223 improperly and it would not close on factory ammo. Sorted in the end but took several tries. Did manage to get a first year 243 Rem Mod 7 for £150 which shoots fine but that's another story.

What is the budget?
Got a 6arc for sale. Pretty much new, sweet little gun.
Have lots of factory ammo but I could sell separately to keep the cost down

+1 for tikka (better) or howa (cheaper) in a common calibre. Stay away from wildcats or other uncommon "specialty" cartridges that are supposed to be "better"...

Either creedmor (slightly less recoil), or if a shortening of the barrel is considered (more bush hunting and shots no longer than 300m - with most of them less than 100) 308.

Dpt suppressor, talley rings and entry level burris or leupold scope (both can be second hand. Hands off gun$itys ranger scopes and ranger rings which they love to shill off to unsuspecting newbies...

I have a Sako L61R Finbear in 280 AI with Zeiss 3-9 scope for sale. Very accurate.

Comes with dies, cases, etc. PM me if you are interested with email and I can send you photos

308, ammo available everywhere, the blr is worth considering. or tika, howa.

One of the calibres that's been around for a long time such as .243 or .308 as ammo is everywhere for them. But first decide on where you will be hunting and what you expect the rifle to do.

Tops hunting you need good dialable glass and the ability to shoot longer range, bush hunting tends to be 100m or less.

Tikka 243, 6.5CM or 308. Chop to 20inches (18 for 308) and suppress. Talleys low or medium rings and a $500 scope. Burris fullfield or vixen are good.

Get a Leupold vx3 or burris signature if you want an upgrade that will serve dialing shots over 300m. 6.5 or 308 better killer over 3-400m.

Tikka T3

308

Leupold 3-10x40 scope

200 yard zero

Suppresses it now or later

Fill your freezer

There’s plenty of good s/h rifles out there, just try and test fire before buying. S/h or new buy one in a common caliber, easier and cheaper usually to get ammo for. You don’t need top end optics, buy best you can afford. Suppressor brand doesn’t really matter, they’re all much of a muchness. I will even go so far as to say they’re not even a must have. Range shooting you going to be wearing ear protection anyway and when hunting most people generally only going to fire one or two shots anyway, unless you’re a shit shot. Don’t be put off by hinged floor plate or blind magazines, unless culling you don’t need high round capacity. You don’t lose or forget fixed magazines. These are just my observations as someone who has been using firearms for over 47 years and like a few others on here shoot more animals per week than most others do over a year or more. There’s bargains to be had out there, you don’t need to spend shitloads of money.

dead right woods 223 plenty of good quality second hand - be someone on here handy to you with more knowledge who for a few beers would take a look at it for you - both my two regular rifles are over 40 years old and I would put them both up against a modern with same scope ammo and shooter - yes they have had little work on accuracy - but the basics of a good trigger and barrel are still the same - we have not progressed much with the exception of weight especially stocks - as soon as a new hunter on here asks this question its a tikka in 6.5 Creedmore is immediately put up as being the one - yes its good but a 30 year old 595 Tikka in 308 will be every bit as accurate just a little heavier - damn great first rifle -

Thats because they are good quality rifles and a good caliber suitable for a wide variety of tasks...

Why would a new hunter want a 30 year old half worn out rifle in a calibre that is not ideal for the task at hand?