Thread: As someone who is getting into hunting, what rifle should I invest more money into?

Suggested rifles startout budget


22LR
299 Norinco JW15 wood bare 2nd hand https://www.guncity.com/22lr-norinco-jw-15-wood-381277
79 Sportsmatch med 1" mounts https://airgunsnz.co.nz/scope-mounts...atch-mounts-2/
269 Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO https://airgunsnz.co.nz/scopes/hawke...40-ao-mil-dot/
125 DPT rimfire suppressor DPT Modular 22LR suppressor 3 baffles 70 grams - DPT Machinists
85 Thread and fit suppressor Same day service, Barrel threading when fitting a DPT suppressor - DPT Machinists

$857


For some reason I can't find any of these for sale as the bare rifle at the moment, only as packages. You might find you have to ditch the mounts and scope that come on them but the critical part is fitting the suppressor. Some places like this one will be OK if they've done it themselves.
$350 JW15 Package https://outdoorsupplies.co.nz/norinco_jw15.htm

270 Win
1399 Tikka T3 270 https://www.guncity.com/tikka-t3x-li...nthetic-333756 270 should really be in a full weight rifle, like a Howa.
349 Optilock 1" low ringmounts https://www.guncity.com/optilock-rin...low-s-s-226754
1329 Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Le...pes.html#VX3HD This is a good standard scope that will still be your good scope in 10 years' time, then a top of the line spare if you ever need one.

$3077


Accessories
40 Pullthrough cleaning kit multicalibre https://www.guncity.com/accu-tech-ri...alibres-249748
16 Powder solvent https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/guncare7.html#oil
6.5 4x2 patch roll https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/guncare7.html#oil
39 22 cal patches https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Acc...4:181#end-load
52 Earmuffs https://nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz/en/...n-each--436031
You really should get cleaning rods, jags and bore guides but that would be another lecture we haven't started here yet. OTIS kits are good but I can't see any for sale online tonight. The key is a stiff, twisted wire plastic coated cord. Just don't rely on the dreaded "bore snake" !! Not a take apart screw together rod either.

$153.5


Ammunition
100 CCI Subsonic x500 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/ammunition5.html#cci
90 Winchester Powerpoint x500 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/ammunition5.html#cci
375 Norma 270 130gr x100 https://www.guncity.com/norma-270-13...-rounds-185532

$565


$ 4652.5 all up for 2 guns

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Suggested rifles startout budget


22LR
299 Norinco JW15 wood bare 2nd hand https://www.guncity.com/22lr-norinco-jw-15-wood-381277
79 Sportsmatch med 1" mounts https://airgunsnz.co.nz/scope-mounts...atch-mounts-2/
269 Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO https://airgunsnz.co.nz/scopes/hawke...40-ao-mil-dot/
125 DPT rimfire suppressor DPT Modular 22LR suppressor 3 baffles 70 grams - DPT Machinists
85 Thread and fit suppressor Same day service, Barrel threading when fitting a DPT suppressor - DPT Machinists

$857


For some reason I can't find any of these for sale as the bare rifle at the moment, only as packages. You might find you have to ditch the mounts and scope that come on them but the critical part is fitting the suppressor. Some places like this one will be OK if they've done it themselves.
$350 JW15 Package https://outdoorsupplies.co.nz/norinco_jw15.htm

270 Win
1399 Tikka T3 270 https://www.guncity.com/tikka-t3x-li...nthetic-333756 270 should really be in a full weight rifle, like a Howa.
349 Optilock 1" low ringmounts https://www.guncity.com/optilock-rin...low-s-s-226754
1329 Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Le...pes.html#VX3HD This is a good standard scope that will still be your good scope in 10 years' time, then a top of the line spare if you ever need one.

$3077


Accessories
40 Pullthrough cleaning kit multicalibre https://www.guncity.com/accu-tech-ri...alibres-249748
16 Powder solvent https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/guncare7.html#oil
6.5 4x2 patch roll https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/guncare7.html#oil
39 22 cal patches https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Acc...4:181#end-load
52 Earmuffs https://nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz/en/...n-each--436031
You really should get cleaning rods, jags and bore guides but that would be another lecture we haven't started here yet. OTIS kits are good but I can't see any for sale online tonight. The key is a stiff, twisted wire plastic coated cord. Just don't rely on the dreaded "bore snake" !! Not a take apart screw together rod either.

$153.5


Ammunition
100 CCI Subsonic x500 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/ammunition5.html#cci
90 Winchester Powerpoint x500 https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/ammunition5.html#cci
375 Norma 270 130gr x100 https://www.guncity.com/norma-270-13...-rounds-185532

$565


$ 4652.5 all up for 2 guns

you say WHAT??????

MY Howa cost me $1100 suppressed,added scope from drawer....can buy a 3x9x40 vxi/freedom for $400ish so $1500

norinco .22lrs come from $100-sky is limit but $400 will see a complete package,basic 4x32mm scope and suppressed

heck even typing 2k for 2 bangsticks hurts my Scottish blood.

whatever you do...look around at prices....find what you think you like and wait for a 2nd hand one to come up

My 2cents;
I would think you couldn't go too far wrong if you cooled your heels a little and hung out here a bit.
There are some pretty good deals here onsite on a reasonably regular basis, and a whole lot of knowledge to boot.
270 will boot u if you don't can it, something a little softer would probably be a better starters rifle (708, 6.5creed etc).
And do you need the flashest 22 ? I still grab my wee marlin795 over others which are nicer to look at, and shoot, mainly cos it's the one I'm most used too and not so worried about scratching.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

you say WHAT??????

MY Howa cost me $1100 suppressed,added scope from drawer....can buy a 3x9x40 vxi/freedom for $400ish so $1500

norinco .22lrs come from $100-sky is limit but $400 will see a complete package,basic 4x32mm scope and suppressed

heck even typing 2k for 2 bangsticks hurts my Scottish blood.

whatever you do...look around at prices....find what you think you like and wait for a 2nd hand one to come up

Looks like you've got pretty much the same figures as I have.
Second hand VX-1 would be fine but not everyone has one in the drawer.

To the OP,
Keep your eye on the buy sell swap. This was exactly what you were after: https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....r-rifle-86139/

Well, that lasted 2 1/2 hours ...

It's quite hard to resell old rifles and a lot of guys end up with three or 4 or 5 in their safe.
I'm assuming you will be a man who has one rifle and knows how to use it sort of guy.

Originally Posted by kidmac42

My 2cents;
I would think you couldn't go too far wrong if you cooled your heels a little and hung out here a bit.
There are some pretty good deals here onsite on a reasonably regular basis, and a whole lot of knowledge to boot.
270 will boot u if you don't can it, something a little softer would probably be a better starters rifle (708, 6.5creed etc).
And do you need the flashest 22 ? I still grab my wee marlin795 over others which are nicer to look at, and shoot, mainly cos it's the one I'm most used too and not so worried about scratching.

Oh for sure. I anticipate that I will get my hands on my license either early to mid 2023. I basically window shop the buy/sell section every day which has given me an idea as to what sort of rifles get offered up for sale.
Exactly what I am thinking regarding the .22. Tbh I was pretty set on getting a new Marlin XT-22 scope/suppressed package for $530 but the lack of replacement parts for it kinda put me off. Am I being irrational?

Not at all - broken bits can be very expensive to fix. A lost magazine can relegate a perfectly usable gun to the back of the safe, if a replacement is difficult to find or expensive due to scarcity.
A personal example...as good as a Norinco EM-332 is, magazines are scarcer than unicorn shit.

If you’re expecting a years lead in, my advice would be to start chipping away at the items you can buy without a licence from both here or during sales.
Bipod, scope, sling, cleaning gear, carry case, cabinet etc Then once licenced, take advantage of the next reasonably priced rifle and moderator that comes up, a WTB might turn something up as well. Maybe try reviving the ‘pay it forward’ thread once in a while with some key items you’re after.
Good chance you’ll end up with a superior set up compared to a package deal from a retailer, or at least spread the cost and be in a better position to sink more money into the key rifle/scope set up.

Originally Posted by Moutere

If you’re expecting a years lead in, my advice would be to start chipping away at the items you can buy without a licence from both here or during sales.
Bipod, scope, sling, cleaning gear, carry case, cabinet etc Then once licenced, take advantage of the next reasonably priced rifle and moderator that comes up, a WTB might turn something up as well. Maybe try reviving the ‘pay it forward’ thread once in a while with some key items you’re after.
Good chance you’ll end up with a superior set up compared to a package deal from a retailer, or at least spread the cost and be in a better position to sink more money into the key rifle/scope set up.

One step ahead of you Picked up a decent pair of binos and have storage already sussed. Managed to snag a decent hiking pack, tent and cooking gear from the pay it forward thread! Just need to add everything else to the list of equipment.