Good affordable first hunting rifle and caliber recommendations?

[calebp]

So as an update, went to AO on lunch today and fondled several different guns. The Savage Axis II now has the accutrigger, which feels great, but comes with a super cheap scope I would probably need to replace right off the bat. Savage Trophy Hunter felt good too, I liked the stock much more than the Axis, same accutrigger, but comes with a 3x9 Nikon BDC. Held the Ruger American, the price was right, but the stock felt cheap in the hand, the weight was nice though and the trigger was decent. Held a TC Venture, trigger was very nice, gun felt really well made and I like the stock but it felt pretty heavy, seems like it would be alot to carry all day long. Weatherby Vanguard S2 was great, but there again heavy, and I think I prefered the feel of the Accutrigger a bit more. Made the mistake of holding a Tikka T3... and fell in love instantly. Noticeably lighter than everything else, great trigger, action was pure sex. At a little over five its going to put me out of glass range for the moment though and I was really hoping to pick something up and be ready to shoot shortly thereafter. Still not sure exactly where I'll land. Got about two weeks before I can make a purchase on anything but trying to get my ducks in a row for when it comes.

 

[MacTavish]

Tikka T3, 270 win.

 

[Tony2X]

If you want a bolt action, get a good Mosin and put a Timney trigger in it.
If you want semi-auto, get an AK...either will drop any GA deer with 1 shot.

 

[7pt62THOR]

For the money; Ruger American in .308. Perhaps you can find a used one here on the trader. A lever gun in 30-30 will get the job done sure enough, but you'll have more factory ammo options with the .308.

 

[drewga11]

Just go with the Savage Trophy Hunter since it already comes with a Nikon. Stay away from the Savage Axis. As for caliber, any of those you listed will be adequate for North American big game, though 7mm might be a bit of overkill for anything in Georgia.

 

[1coolhand]

For the money; Ruger American in .308. Perhaps you can find a used one here on the trader. A lever gun in 30-30 will get the job done sure enough, but you'll have more factory ammo options with the .308.

X2
Most hunters I know started with a lever action 30-30. I still hunt with one and so does my son.

 

[chazehen]

I have a used Savage 111 in 30-06 with a Simmons package 3-9x40 that shoots cloverleaf groups at 100 yds. These can be had for under $400. Killed a couple deer with it in the 3 years I've used it. They didn't take a step with 30-06 but I like .270 as well. I bought my son a Savage Axis 270 with Tasco World Class scope for $400 brand new and it works just fine. It is a little light and "kicky" but he likes it. Killed a deer at 150 yds his first time hunting with it. As mentioned, can't go wrong with 270, 308, 30-06 or 30-30. A lot depends on how long a shots you plan to take. Most of the entry level rifles will work just fine

 

[Allsmiles]

What distance will you be hunting? If you are hunting like we do, almost anything will work. We seldom take a shot more than 75 yard and more like 10-40 yards is normal in Georgia woods. I would suggest buying something that you can get ammo for a reasonable price. Just to toss out another suggestion, I have killed a lot of deer with 7.62x39. Think SKS, AR 7.62x39, AK, and a lot of other rifles shooting $5 a box ammo. Mine was AR based and the deer in my avatar is not the biggest I have killed with it.

 

[BIKER13]

308 is all the gun you will need.

 

[hseII]

I like .270 and .308.

Spend all you can afford because you will probably own it for years: and if you do sell it, your % lost won't be so big.