What rifle should I buy? what Ammunition is best?

Question

Im a 17 year old guy in Australia, love hunting, been shooting most of my life, joining the Army next year. So far ive made do with my .22 but im starting to need something bigger, I need something that can deliver enough punch 2 bring down something like a pig or a wild dog out at about 600 - 800 metres away.
Im aiming to spend between $600 - $1200.
I wanted to find out from someone experienced;
-what would be the best cartridge to use, thinking maybe .308 or .223 (how much do these generally cost, and how well do they perform)
- what rifle should I be looking for? ive heard good things about the remington 700, just wondering what peoples thoughts about that are, and how much its going to cost me.
- im also looking to get a synthetic tactical stock fitted for my gun, thinking about a "wild dog" tactical stock, just wondering if there are any other good ones out there, and if anyone knows whether i can buy the rifle prefitted with the stock i want, or will i have to add it later?

Im the only one in my family who hunts, nd none of my mates r into it, so yeah the internets really my best source of info

Answer 1

It is silly and unfortunate that people have been talking about "federal law" and "most state" when you clearly state that you live in Australia. Hey, pathfinder, just for future reference our federal and state laws do not apply for people on other continents.

Now to the question. Rifle choice: You cannot go wrong with the Remington 700. It is a great gun and popular so you will have no problem finding accessories for it. Other good choices include the Savage model 10 or 110. They are a little less money but Savage makes an excellent product. I own one. If my budget had allowed, I would have gotten a Remington but I am happy with my Savage. The Tikka T3 (with which I have no experience) is gaining an exceptional reputation. It is made in the same factory as the much more expensive Sako rifles.

Now for the caliber choice: the 223 is a little small for many applications. It will limit you on range and on the type of shots that you can take (you have to wait for that perfect "vital" shot). It will also drift in the wind more than a larger bullet. Ammo will be cheaper and there will be very little kick. Call me a sissy but my lightweight 308 hurts my shoulder after only a few shots. I need an additional recoil pad. My best advise for an all around rifle would be a .308 though. It is not an extreme caliber but it is incredibly versatile. It shoots the same bullet as a 30-06 but has slightly less powder capacity. It is great up to 600-800 meters. You can punch paper at 1000 meters but should not take medium or large game at that range. If your wild pigs from down under are as mean as the ones we have here in the U.S. I would not use anything smaller than a 308 if they were close. Another choice, and my next rifle, is the 260 Remington. It is a 308 casing necked down to take a .264 cal. bullet. If you want to take long shots, this is your caliber. the drop is less, the wind drift is less, the kick is less and it arrives at the 1000 yard line with almost as much energy as the 308. Ammo will not be as easy to find but I have seen it in Wal-Mart so it cannot be too hard to find. I like the 308 family rather than the 30-06 family because it can be mated to a short action rifle. The shorter the action, the more rigid the rifle is and the more accurate it is.

Answer 2

You can't go wrong with a Remington 700. Forget the .223. It is truly a varmint caliber. The .308 is good but the .30-06 is better. You should be able to find a 700 in that price range even in Australia. However, 600 to 800 meters??? Pig or even wild dog is very iffy at that range. You'll need at least a high quality 4x12 scope that'll cost you as much as your rifle. Then you'll have to be an excellent long distance marksman. Pigs are hard to kill so I wouldn't shoot at them at that range. Once, when I was a lot younger, I shot a pig at 600 yards with a .25-06 Remington 700 ADL (3x9 scope). We NEVER found the pig; as far as I know, its still out there somewhere.

Best.

H

Answer 3

I think the internet is a great place to do research (much better than the "pros' who don't know what they are talking about half the time anyways) so long as you can comfirm all the information. The internet is how I do all my research and it literally takes me about 6 months to take all the information in and weigh out all the options.

As far as american rifles go - all Savages, certain Remingtons, and the Weatherby Vangaurd (moa brand) should all have the "potential" accuracy you want for far shots. Consider the Winchester 70, Browning A-bolt, and Ruger 77 as well --- but you'll hear a bit more criticism on the accuracy (especially ruger and browning).
On the International front, you might take a look at CZ --- I think they are junk cosmetically and mechanicly but there lots of people that like them and brag about their accuracy.

To me, It really depends what type of safety you want and then go from there. But that's just me - you may have other priorities.

As far as calibers, I would pick the one that you can get ammo for in your country. So that may include the 308, 3006, or perhaps the old metric mauser calibers that still can be chambered in some new rifles (in which case you'll have far fewer choices in terms of the rifle).

Do your own research on the internet. Continue asking questions. Look on other forums by using their search feature and look deep into the archieves.
DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR UNLESS YOU HEAR ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES.

Good luck

Answer 4

Wild Dog Rifle Stocks

Answer 5

hi i'm from south aust and you can hold certain licences at 16. there are many good guns avalible such as rem model 700 in its various guises or tikka t3's are an accurate rifle the best bet is to go into a gun shop and have a play and feel of different guns good guns generally feel good to pick up and shoulder. i think you'll be struggling to shoot a dog or pig at 600 meters and you'd be better of practicing stalking as close as possible eg. under 300 meters. a calibre that would suit you would be .25.06 or 257 roberts great flat shooting cartridges or you may want something bigger like a 270win. i've just recieved my tikka t3 and it puts 5 shots into 1 and 1/2 moa over the back of the ute i haven't bothered shooting it over the bench but i think the results would be good thats in 223. you most likley want a larger calibre for pigs though. thanks

Answer 6

I have more Remington 700's than any other, and am seldom disappointed by them. If you're planning long-range shooting, you don't want a miniature like 223. A small-bore will be a much better choice, and 308 will be fine. 7mm08 might even be better, but I'm not sure how available the caliber is down under.

Answer 7

In australia?; you have my sympathy young fellow. Since australia was a commonwealth country you might check out the 303 situation; Enfield is a good rifle and the 303 caliber is not to be sneezed at. However, since your government has decided that an unarmed population is easier to control and made it all but impossible to own a firearm you may be sol. The criminals must be having a good time as none of their victims can have any home defense or anything now. The australian citizens/subjects should elect a new crop of politicians and put in a bill of rights to protect your basic rights from oppression.

Answer 8

Remington is an excellent Brand.* I prefer the 30-06 caliber myself, because it is more versatile and has a larger variety of bullet weights to choose from. When you have a 30-06 you don't need any other Rifle.* Can't help you with the stock.*

Answer 9

Remingtons are good rifle. I would also look at the Savages and CZs. For the ranges you mention I would also stay away from the .223 and move up toward a .30 cal of some type

Answer 10

Don't You Hunt With People That Know That Stuff Mate? Ask Them Or Go To Yur Gun Store And Get Advice From A Pro.