1st Rifle Considerations

Much discussion has taken place over the years, around campfires, in cabins, at gun clubs, sitting on tailgates, and just about everywhere else folks gather to talk hunting, dogs, and guns, all around what typically makes a good "first rifle".

Having fielded several discussions / questions from newer hunters over the years, I find myself saying the same thing, so here it is.

Often the subject of 1st gun comes up in the context of specific game. Well, for the purposes of this discussion, we'll just skip the varmint hunting and move right on into big game. To drill that down further, let's limit this discussion to North America, as discussing it in a world context, where a .416 Rigby might be handy on the dark continent, yet is far too heavy for typical NA hunting.

Action?

Many Eastern deer hunters will swear by their lever guns, due to a fast cycle, and short OAL ( Over All Length). I for one am not a fan of the "spray and pray" mentality. Any ethical hunter will take the time and make his shot count, using the 2nd shot as a sure follow up should the 1st not result in an instant kill. As a wise man once said, "If the 1st and 2nd didn't do the trick, there's not a hope in Hell the 3rd is going to do anything". For hunting purposes, I discourage using semi-auto for much the same reason. Not to mention that the few semis that are available are limited in caliber availability, and often, the gas operated system is subject to fouling / jamming in less than ideal conditions. So, lets round up the remainder shall we?



Winchester Model 94

Effectively eliminating lever, and semi from the list leaves three. Pump, bolt, and single shot. Pump is a nice choice, and for many years, lots of folks that got their start on ducks bought pump rifles, so they wouldn't have to re-learn muscle memory for cycling the action. However, only one manufacturer of pump action centerfire rifles remains, Remington. They make a nice gun, but since only one real choice is not optimal, let's eliminate it. Single shot are budget friendly, and indeed there are a few manufacturers making decent quality single shot rifles. A new hunter could do worse as a starter. There is however only one real choice as a 1st rifle, and that is a bolt action, repeater. There are literally 100s of options, manufacturers, and chamberings to fit every preference, and need, from "Budget guns" which can be bought new for under $400, often with scope included, to more elaborate offerings, with exotic wood stocks, and other beautiful finishing touches. 

Remington 700

Bolt guns are accurate. With modern factory ammo, and a decent day at the range, even some "budget guns" deliver MOA accuracy. They also allow for the aforementioned 2nd, or follow up shot. They are typically the strongest of the actions, and can handle loads, and cartridges that develop very high pressures. For a 1st rifle, the bolt action should get the nod.

Caliber?

Probably subject to the greatest number of conversations ever....

In North America all "big game" can be taken with a .30 caliber of decent weight, and velocity. There are even some that will argue that the .270 will suffice ( The late Jack O'Connor was a huge proponent of it, but even he hunted with a .30 for bigger game). There certainly have been enough chamberings in .30 over the years to choose from. Off the top of my head.....303 Brit, .308 Win, 30-06 Sprng., 30-30Win, .300 Savage, .300 Win Mag, .300 Weatherby, .300 WSM, .300Blackout.....etc.

Well now....that certainly is a big pot to pick from, isn't it?

Here is the advice I give every hunter on cartridge selection. 

Imagine you have saved up for years for a fly in big game hunt. You pack everything you need, and you're standing on the tarmac in an isolated airport, looking at the baggage that's sitting there out in a rainstorm.....your rifle is fine, since it's been packed in a nice hard sided case, but your ammo is out there getting soaked......

Now you are in an isolated area of the continent, and you have the rifle, but need ammo....

Of the calibers listed above, you're going to walk into a mom & pop general store, and only find 2, if you're in Canada, you'll likely find 3......which ones? .308Win, 30-06 Sprng, and in Canada you'll likely find .303 Brit in stock as well......all of the others are great calibers, but I tend to believe in Murphys Law, and it will happen, maybe not soaked ammo, but maybe it's left on the dresser, or top of the gun safe.....The other point of consideration is that the 3 listed are originally military calibers, lots of them were available over the last 50 years, as such, ammo is not very expensive, where some of the other chamberings like the .300 Weatherby can be as high as $3 per round.

Even having a soft spot for all things Canadian, one must dismiss the .303Brit as a viable round, as not only is ammo only available in limited types and offerings, but no bolt guns currently being manufactured are being chambered in it. ( Now if you look around and find a nice older Enfield MK4 with a professionally sporterized stock.....well buy it, and discard everything else I'm about to say.....)

Lee Enfield MK4 No1 "Sporterized"



Out of the remaining two chamberings, both have their advantages. The 30-06 is available with a heavier factory loaded cartridge offering ( 220 grain vs. 180 for the .308). The nod however must go to the .308, for the following reasons.




1. It is a "short action" caliber. There is less motion required to cycle the bolt.

2. Being a civillian version of the 7.62x51 NATO round, it has lots of inexpensive Mil-surp ammunition available.

3. It has a ballistic advantage over the 30-06 when it comes to ballistic co-efficient, and in fact accuracy. It was used for decades as the rifle of choice by police and military snipers, and remains in service by many professionals for that use.

There will be many folks out there who will howl and scream at this article, and they will argue until they're blue that their .257 Roberts, or their .375 H&H Magnum should have made the cut, or the 7mm Rem. Mag. However, this is done with the idea that it's a shooters 1st gun, there will always be room in the safe for more........after all....the dark continent beckons.....


Enough reading.....go shooting......