How to determine rifle right for me?

Question

I have never owned a rifle, but i have shot them many times. This year i am going hunting for my first time, and of course, everyone i ask has different opinions on which rifle i should purchase. I am trying to figure out which rifle would be good for my height and weight, and wouldnt be too powerful. I am 6'2" 190 lbs. Does anyone know what calibre would be good for me with those measurements? Or do you perhaps know of a website with a chart with this info?

sorry about that. Just noticed i forgot to include this info and already 2 responses, you guys are quick. The group im going with are putting in for deer, elk, and possibly big horn sheep

and i live in las vegas,nevada. we are trying to put in for hunting around Elko and Ely up in northern nevada

Answer 1

At your size, you should be able to effectivly handle just about anything. The key is to develop good skills and to practice, practice, practice. Squeezing off a round and hitting your target at a reasonable distance should be routine......do not go in the field unless it is and know your distances and limitations.

You cannot go wrong with a .308 or a .30-06. They are the most proven hunting rounds that will handle anything in the continental US.

Many here will say one of the magnum calibers or newer calibers, but the truth is most hunters in the US use .30-06 or .308 (they are very similar in performance) and when it comes time to sell or trade-up that rifle, you will hear no complaints if it's in these calibers.

Also, you have a wide selection of great hunting ammo and practice ammo and when you are in the boonies and find yourself unprepared with no ammo it's not hard to find someone who sells or can loan you .30-06. Trust me, it happens!

The recommendation of the Savage 111 is sound. It is an ideal 'entry level' rifle and I have some friends who have much more expensive iron that regularly take the Savage on hunt day.

Don't skimp on Optics. Expect to pay $300 up for a good scope. In optics, you get what you pay for is always true. I don't know your budget or finances, but if you need to be reasonable get a cheaper rifle and better scope. I have seen many good hunts where the hunter spent maybe thousands of dollars to put himself within 300 yards of a bull elk and his scope (or his preparation with said scope) let him down.

Answer 2

I love my 7mm Rem Mag for most of North American hunting. I also have a 30-06. Stay away from exotic cartridges if you are a traveling hunter. Stay with a common caliber that is easy to find ammo for. I have taken plenty of game over the years with both 7mm and 30-06 and have NEVER lost an animal.

Most rifles today are great off the shelf Remington, TC, Kimber, Winchester (still available), CZ, are all great guns.

My advice:
1) Don't over-gun yourself to the point you are afraid of recoil and muzzle blast. It is better to hit the vitals with a 30-06 than to miss, or worse, wound with a 338.
2) Don't skimp on optics and the mounting system. I rather have a used $300 rifle and a great $800 scope and good solid mounts than an expensive rifle and a cheap scope. Obviously if you can afford the best then go for it!
3) Practice, practice, practice. Not just by resting your rifle on the bench and shooting at stationary paper. Practice prone, sitting kneeling, using a branch, using your backpack, etc. Practice as much as you can. Find a mentor to avoid learning bad habits and PRACTICE.

Answer 3

Your size and caliber have nothing to do with each other, but length of pull may be a bit of an issue, since out-of-the-box stocks are for a guy about 5'9" tall. You don't need anything with the word "magnum" in it for hunting in North America. For your purposes, anything in the 30-06 class will do very nicely. You can spend a pile of money on a custom rifle in something exotic like the 280 Ackley Improved, but a plain-Jane Remington 700 or Ruger 77 in the ubiquitous 30-06 will work, and you'll be wearing enough clothes so the slightly short stock will probably not be a hindrance.

Answer 4

Since cost is probably a factor then I seriously recommend you check out the Mossberg ATR 100 series of rifles. They come in .243, .270, .308 and 30.06 that I know of. The .308 is a good middle range choice and the .270 is a very good deer round. The good news is that they won't break your bank. I will give you a link. Under $300.00 is hard to beat for a quality rifle. I have the .308 and it works well on elk and deer. I hope you find what your looking for.

Answer 5

For the game you are after I would say 308 or 30-06 would be well in order.
Either caliber will do a fine1shot kill on any game in North America .
No real reason to use different loads for those 3 game species, when a 165 grain bullet will perform well on all 3.
A variation in ammo grain weight means you will have to zero your weapon for each ammo.
A three species fall in the category, thin skin small bone structure.
There for the 165 grain would perform outstanding as the one load for all your species.
There is no reason to use a magnum rifle for those species listed, that is just over gunning.
It not about who’s gun is bigger, it’s about fitting the caliber to the game you hunt.
The only time I over gun is for vermin, and then it’s just to see them explode.
Nothing like watching armadillo or prairie dogs vaporize under let say a 25-06 with a 85 grain ballistic tip, that makes the vermin pop like a ripe melon.

Now you size is a factor, not as much as in recoil you should do fine with either calibers.
But more in the line of how the gun fits, most rifles are set up for the average person of 5’10’’ to 5’11’’ at 6’2’’ you may need to have a large recoil pad (as in thick) put on your weapon to aid in extending the stock out some.
That way your nor crawling up on the scope too much, due to a stock that is too short.
A good gunsmith can help you adjust your new weapon to you.
For accurate shooting the fit is important.
That just as important as some one 5’1’’ needing the weapon cut down some to fit them, Other wise it is too long.

That would be my advise.

D58

Answer 6

You are certainly tall enough for pretty much any standard sized hunting rifles in the US. I would go for a 30-06 or 7mm mag. Out west, I like the 7mm Remington Magnum for its range and flat shooting. It is not unusual in Nevada to have shots that are 300-400 yards. The 7mm Mag can handle this, and then some without too much drop in round placement.

Whatever you are going to buy, I'd get it now and get plenty of time in on the rifle range before season opens.

Answer 7

The caliber rifle will depend on what animal you are hunting, or the intended purpose of the gun. To minimize recoil, stay away from magnum rounds. A 308 has good versatility. It can be loaded up with heavy rounds for large game or can be loaded down with lighter rounds for smaller game and animals with thin hides. Savage Arms sell relatively cheap guns and generally have good ergonomics. A good way to tell if you like the feel and balance of a rifle is to go to a large volume dealer and shoulder a few of the weapons they have there.

Answer 8

O.k. I would go with a 30-06 or a 25-06. I lean towards the .25 because it will reach out there without tearing your arm off. The .25 is an adequate bullet south of Canada. The 30 on the other hand will be cheaper to shoot.

Answer 9

what do you plan on hunting?

or is it for target shooting only.

a 30/30 is a good solid round with stopping power. a .308 is good for hunting and target as is a 30-06 (same thing, the 06 is longer shell casing).

if you're hunting light game, such as rabbit, the a 223 is fine.

a semi-auto will have less recoil (kick) than a bolt action, however, you sacrafice some accuracy.

ok, after your additional details, I would suggest the 308. versitile and affordable and would take those down.. and not too much for you to handle. ammo is readily available (our military 7.62mm (NOT the x39, that is a much shorter round) it's the ammo an M60 uses).

Answer 10

At least 30 cal might want a bit more on elk but we hunt them with black powder in utah
stay away from stardust ranch in Ely you may not go hunting be careful Happy hunting