What kind of rifle should I get?

Question

I'm 25 and looking into getting a rifle. I have no idea about what kind of gun I should get and don't have much knowledge about guns. I wanted a .22 cause I could take that back with me if I leave the country, due to laws in my country (cant have a gun more powerful than a .22, does suck). But I live in texas and while I'm here I would like to go on as many deer and boar hunts that I can. I would like to get one rifle that I could use to hunt both those animals and maybe others.
I would like to get something cheap. What would be the best models in their class? From a recent trip to Bass Pro, I learned that a .22 won't help me down a boar. Please tell me the calibers, models, and companies to look at and if you know any deals that would be helpful too. thanks.

Answer 1

You heard correctly, a .22 is great for shooting targets and such and even squirrel or rabbit, but it's no good for deer and boar.

I'm in Texas too, and the pigs out there are 90% "Feral Hogs" and not really boar.

Look, you need something on a budget.....OK, that do-able. You also need something that's easy to sell when you go, so keep that in mind.

I would start at all the area gun shops. Tell them you need a used deer rifle setup with a good scope. See what they offer and make a list of what they have and how much.

You want a bolt action rifle....less to go wrong, less maintenence, easy to use, more accurate.

You want a caliber from .270, .308 or .30-06. These will be good for your purpose and easy to sell. Other calibers are good for deer, but you may have a hard time unloading it when the time comes.

Even a novice can tell if a rifle has been heavily used or abused. Look at the metal finish and wood. Look inside the action. A lot of wear and dents and scratches and dirt are not good.

After you see what available, do your research and come back here and tell us what you are considering. There's a lot of folks here in the Hunting section that know their stuffl and while you get a few nuts most advice form the top contributors is very true.

Answer 2

First it is normally illegal to hunt anything larger than rabbits with a .22.
For Deer and Boar I would suggest a 30.06. A 30/30 is nice but I would not like to try to stop a charging boar with a gun that light and hunting deer in Texas mean long shots and the 30.06 is better for long distance shots. I personally like to use a bolt action rifle for it's reliablity and accuracy.
Yes you can kill either with a .22 only if you hit it perfectly in the eye or some other soft and vital place. Look at a Winchester, Remington or Ruger. Since you will not be able to take this back to your country all of these have good resale value. I would also suggest that you get a nice scope for deer hunting and have it mounted on see through mounts so you can use iron sights for Boar.
By the way hunt boar with a partner for back up. Texas Javalina hogs are nasty and will actually hunt you and charge if you upset them. Just being there will upset them.
You might consider finding a hunting club and talking to some of the members but remember everyone has an opinion and favorite caliber and brand of gun. In my opinion get the gun that you feel comfortable with, hold it and put it up to your shoulder to see how well it feels. If you can shoot a box of ammo through it to see how is feels or find someone with a similar gun to try. If it is uncomfortable to hold or use then you won't hit anything.
Oh, get a copy of the hunting regs to see about what size you can use.
If I were in your shoes I would use as 30.06 for deer and 12 gauge rifled slug gun and sabot slugs for hogs with a .45 or .44 magnum pistol for back up. The 12 gauge will stop a charging hog and is good out to about 50 yds with the rifled barrel and sabot slugs. Since you will be hunting hogs in the cedar breaks 50 yds is ok for that.

Answer 3

My wife shoots a Browning 25-06 with the boss on it. It has the same recoil as your 22 but has the killing power for deer or a boar. Really nice gun.

Answer 4

You need something larger than 22 for deer and hogs, but you don't need anything as large as 30 caliber, whether 308, 30-06, 7.62x54, or others. Something between 6.5 and 7 mm is about right, with 270 in between. Take the 308 case, neck it down, and you have either the 260 Remington or the 7mm08, the latter being about perfect. 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser and 7x57 Mauser are great, and the cartridges based on the 30-06 case, both 270 Winchester and 280 Remington, are fine, if a little less efficient.
If there's a gun shop nearby, I'd recommend you visit it rather than the general sporting goods shops and chains. They're run by people who know guns, and they can give you good recommendations. The chains risk talking to somebody who doesn't know guns well, and they tend to be more interested in moving the merchandise than in good-faith business practices.

Answer 5

Look into any one of these 3 calibers. .308, 30-06 or .270.
Any of those will be sufficient for deer and boar. Wild boar are a robust animal and are not easy to drop, it takes a good shot with a powerful caliber to ensure a safe, humane and quick kill. Any of those 3 listed will do the job. Also, buying ammo for any of those 3 won't break the bank and it's fairly common calibers too.

Answer 6

Try a Savage 110 in the 7mm. They are inexpensive and have great out of the box accuracy. They can be bought at Wal-Mart or any Place that Sells guns. The 7mag will take down any deer and will have the extra punch for the Boar.

http://www.savagearms.com/110gxp3.htm

Can be bought in Wood or Synthetic

Answer 7

No, a .22 won't drop a boar, or a deer (unless you get a really lucky shot). .30-.06 or .308 would be my best guess. They have the stopping power and the range.

Answer 8

If you are willing to buy it, you could purchase a Thompson-Center Contender with a .308 or 30-06 barrell for deer/hog hunting, and when you are getting ready to go to your country, sell the 30-06 or .308 barrel and get a .22 barrel. Then you could have a gun you could take back with you.The only downfall of this is the price and it is a single shot...I hope you fing what your looking for....God Bless....

PS: You can get any barrel for that gun...for any caliber/gauge...

Answer 9

For all pracitical applications there is in basic terms rimfire and centerfire these days the two you have been analyzing the regulations for primitive hunt which might limit you to bow or muzzle loader or they are inform you that no rifles are allowed and that is mandatory to apply shotgun i don't be conscious of of everywhere that limit looking to handgun in basic terms

Answer 10

Your best two (2)* calibers for your purpose are the 30-06 & 30-30 or 32 Winchester Special.*