Good hunting rifle and caliber?

[Sandman4]

Looking to get into hunting, would likely be dear/boar. Possibly elk but that’s looking like a bit of a stretch. Any recommendations on a good hunting rifle/scope? I’ve built an ar, but it doesn’t seem like people build out their hunting rifles, they just buy them outright.

Something in the middle price wise, kind of like a bcm. Not cheap but not gucci, but a good rifle.

Thanks

 

[Ryan Gosling]

Howa 1500 in 308/3006 or 6.5 creed, vortex crossfire/diamondback will get you started. Build an AR10, or use a 6.5 grendel AR upper if you specifically want to use your AR

5.56 requires much better shot placement than larger rounds to drop a large mammal quickly. It will do the job, but you need to be a much better shot

 

[THBailey]

Looking to get into hunting, would likely be dear/boar. Possibly elk but that’s looking like a bit of a stretch. Any recommendations on a good hunting rifle/scope? I’ve built an ar, but it doesn’t seem like people build out their hunting rifles, they just buy them outright.

Something in the middle price wise, kind of like a bcm. Not cheap but not gucci, but a good rifle.

Thanks

Savage 110 in 30-06.

 

[Warpspeed]

For that application, I'd be hard pressed not to go 6.5 PRC. It is capable of taking all three of those humanely. The plus to it is the ammo availability in a wide range of bullets.

From a non-Gucci rilfe point, the Springfield Waypoint is probably on the upper end. A friend has one and it is very nice. $ 2,500 ish

The Bergara & Tikka are less but still nice rilfes. I'd take a hard look at the Bergara B-14 HMR Carbon Wilderness Bolt-Action Rifle. It also come non-carbon wrapped barrel if the weight isn't a concern. $ 1650 - $ 1150

At the bottom would be the Howa/Weatherby offerings and the Savage as well. $ 700

 

[Sandman4]

For that application, I'd be hard pressed not to go 6.5 PRC. It is capable of taking all three of those humanely. The plus to it is the ammo availability in a wide range of bullets.

From a non-Gucci rilfe point, the Springfield Waypoint is probably on the upper end. A friend has one and it is very nice. $ 2,500 ish

The Bergara & Tikka are less but still nice rilfes. I'd take a hard look at the Bergara B-14 HMR Carbon Wilderness Bolt-Action Rifle. It also come non-carbon wrapped barrel if the weight isn't a concern. $ 1650 - $ 1150

At the bottom would be the Howa/Weatherby offerings and the Savage as well. $ 700

Thanks for the different ranges. Is there a big difference between say a mid tier and an upper tier hunting rifle? Or would you say it’s more quality of life improvements rather than performance?

 

[Sandman4]

Savage 110 in 30-06.

Thanks, I’ll look into it.

 

[Sandman4]

Howa 1500 in 308/3006 or 6.5 creed, vortex crossfire/diamondback will get you started. Build an AR10, or use a 6.5 grendel AR upper if you specifically want to use your AR

5.56 requires much better shot placement than larger rounds to drop a large mammal quickly. It will do the job, but you need to be a much better shot

Yea I don’t want to risk using 556. I owe it to them to do it as quickly and humanely as possible.

Is it common for people to hunt with ar10s? Most people get talked to seem to use them for long range plinking or SPRs.

 

[THBailey]

Thanks, I’ll look into it.

The price is right and they are usually accurate shooters right out of the box. Whatever you decide on, the advantage of 30-06 is that it is quite popular and ammo is available wherever ammo is sold and, don't want to start an argument here, but it is maybe a bit more "elk worthy" than the 308.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

For medium to large game there are so many good cartridges to choose from like 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5PRC, 7mmPRC, 300PRC, 30-30, .270win, .308win, 7mm08, 7mmRemMag, .30-06, .300 Win Mag.

You really can't go wrong with .308win. My hunting rifles are in .308, .30-06, .270win, and 7mmRemMag.

All of these rounds are expensive these days, even if you load your own but the magnum rounds are even more costly.

As for a hunting rifle, I'd go for something light, and not try to find a dual-purpose hunting rifle, target/bench rifle. The Ruger American looks good, the Remington 700 is solid, the Winchester 70 is a classic, and the Howa 1500 is a fantastic value. But I'd say the Tikka T3 is an exceptional hunting rifle.

My hunting rifles are Remington 700s and a lone Tikka T3. But the Ruger American is a really nice-looking rifle that I wouldn't hesitate to give a try if I needed another hunting gun.

 

[Ryan Gosling]

Yea I don’t want to risk using 556. I owe it to them to do it as quickly and humanely as possible.

Is it common for people to hunt with ar10s? Most people get talked to seem to use them for long range plinking or SPRs.

most people are larpers with their ARs, and hunters tend to be fudds. AR10s are popular with hog hunters in texas. its just difficult here due to the AW laws

At the end of the day, the rifle you are most familiar and effective with, is the best rifle for hunting. Id use my ARs if I didnt already have my trusty bolty setup for longer ranges.

 

[goodcitizendefense]

There are also pump-action and semi-autos that aren't ARs.
This is my '72 Remington 742 Woodsmaster in 30-06 with a 70s Bushnell 3-9x

 

[RustVendor]

308 is a bit softer shooting than 30-06 but both are great, otherwise .270 is good. I wouldn't mess with any others because they are more expensive and hard to find. They're all pretty expensive now, used to be 4 years ago you could get 20 rounds of target ammo for 20 bucks, now it's 40. So know what you are getting into, it's 2 bucks a shot to practice and lead free for hunting is going to be twice that. Honestly I would get into waterfowl because there are way more opportunities in CA and you have a better chance of actually getting something. Deer hunting here is rough compared to like every other state...

 

[Radman64]

There is a big difference from shooting Deer to Elk let alone Boar but my caliber of choice would be 30.06 changing up the grain load for what it is you are going after.
Boar I used a 12 gauge with slugs as you only catch them up close, tree stand is a must as they are very smart and can smell everything, use a can of corn as bait and dont take a piss anywhere close to your stand, I used a urinal bottle like the hospitals issue.
Coastal deer weight100 pounds max, White Tail/Mule Deer can reach up to 200 pounds but generally around 150.
Elk is a very different bird, a mature bull will be around 700 pounds.

 

[Radman64]

308 is a bit softer shooting than 30-06 but both are great, otherwise .270 is good. I wouldn't mess with any others because they are more expensive and hard to find. They're all pretty expensive now, used to be 4 years ago you could get 20 rounds of target ammo for 20 bucks, now it's 40. So know what you are getting into, it's 2 bucks a shot to practice and lead free for hunting is going to be twice that. Honestly I would get into waterfowl because there are way more opportunities in CA and you have a better chance of actually getting something. Deer hunting here is rough compared to like every other state...

.308 uses the same projectile as the 30.06, only difference is in the case length which equates to more kinetic power with the 30.06, AK uses the same 7.62 projectile but with a much shorter case.

 

[Radman64]

Anyone talking about dropping big game with a 5.56 round has never hunted big game.
.22 LR projectile is 5.55 if I'm not mistaken, not really much difference is there other then adding mass.
I used to shoot rabbits with my brothers Winchester Hornet, deadly for the cottontail lol.

 

[Radman64]

Yea I don’t want to risk using 556. I owe it to them to do it as quickly and humanely as possible.

Is it common for people to hunt with ar10s? Most people get talked to seem to use them for long range plinking or SPRs.

Hunting any four legged game one is limited to a 5 round capacity rifle, with birds it is 3 is what I remember.
I stopped long ago, dressing them was just a nasty thing.

 

[bonesurf]

just my 2 cents. for hunting. weight. a lot of places also you cant have more than like 5 rounds or whatever so AR 10 isnt great. you want accuracy and velocity so frequently 20" barrel anyways. bolts make a lot more sense. maybe a lever. I mean the win 94 in 30-30 has probably dropped more deer in the US than any other rifle.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

I have a nice, accurate shooting AR308 with a heavy 20" barrel, which is a really nice bench/target gun. I can shoot it all day and my shoulder doesn't get sore. I would never take it hunting. At least not deer hunting. Maybe if I was in a field that was overrun with feral hogs and I had thermal optics, I'd shoot it from a tripod, but that's not likely to happen in CA. My hunting rifles are light and they are not fun to shoot. I only put a few rounds through them to make sure the optic is sighted in. But they aren't target-shooting bench guns. It's just not fun to shoot multiple rounds through them at a time.

 

[mygeaux]

Here is some info on magazine capacity for CA hunting. To summarize, it is limited for shotguns, not for rifles, the rifle just needs to be "CA compliant":

California Outdoors Q&A | deer hunting

Find all California Outdoors Q&A posts tagged with deer hunting

wildlife.ca.gov

"Q: Could you help me with information regarding the use of an AR 556/223 rifle for hunting? It’s a California compliant rifle with a 5-round magazine. Would this be a legal setup for hunting?

A: Yes, you can use the rifle you described as long as it is California compliant(opens in new tab) per the California Attorney General’s Office. California hunting regulations restrict the cartridge and bullet type for hunting big game, but not the firearm itself. In short, big game may only be taken by firearms using centerfire cartridges with soft nose or expanding projectiles, per California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 353(c). Pay close attention to be sure your .223 bullets fit this description, as most .223 bullets are manufactured with full metal jackets, which would be unlawful to use. Your other consideration is required use of nonlead ammunition for all hunting in California, which is usually a specialty ammunition type for the .223 or the similar 5.56. By your own evaluation, it sounds like you have determined your AR 556/223 is California compliant and you have nonlead ammunition. Check that third box that the bullets are soft nose or expanding projectiles and you are good to go. Your 5-round magazine is also legal to use. See CCR, Title 14, section 353 for more details on authorized methods of take for big game. Good luck on your hunt!"

 

[Chukarman78]

gotta be something light weight. I have a Tikka T3 lite in 308. You will typically be hiking many miles so weight is important.
Bolt action vs AR? Just simplicity, reliability and weight of a bolt gun wins in my opinion. But i wouldn't hesitate to hunt with AR platform if it gets you in the field... Less perceived recoil on AR. I know many who take coyotes with it. Most light weigh hunting rifles make crappy bench rifles and vice versa. Bench guns are to heavy to carry, and light weight rifles recoil to much in my opinion. Im actually selling or trying to trade my bolt gun since i only hunt upland game now.

Caliber? I would stick with something locally available. Even if you reload, its very time consuming to do load development. 30'06
308, 270, 243 and maybe 7mm 08. Go down to your local store and see whats in stock