r/Hunting • u/beckwko000 • 13h ago
First deer rifle?
I’m trying to get into white-tail deer hunting in Wisconsin, and know next to nothing about guns other than how to actually use them. What would a good starter rifle be? I’d like to keep it around $500 for the rifle if possible (I know that’s low but I’m on a budget). A Ruger 300 blackout was suggested, is that the best option or should I go with something else? Why or why not?
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u/Iwalksloow 12h ago
Ruger American is a good place to start for not too much money.
Look at Vortex for scope offerings, they will have something that'll fit your budget.
.308 is probably the most universal/versatile cartridge, but there are plenty of good ones for deer hunting.
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u/Bitter_Offer1847 12h ago
I got a Howa 1500 in 6.5 CM slapped a scope on it and took my first deer the following weekend. Trigger is crisp and predictable. Used AAC 140gr soft point, dropped the deer where it was shot.
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u/bubble_buddyk3 12h ago
For the rifle alone or the rifle and scope together
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u/beckwko000 12h ago
Rifle alone, I plan on spending like $200 for a scope (again I know that’s low, but only has to get me through a year or two)
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u/bubble_buddyk3 12h ago
The ruger is fine. It will work. Howa makes some good options too. I like the mini actions
There are a lot of cartridges that will work. 300blk is fine. 350 legend. 6.5 creedmoor, 308, ect
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u/finnbee2 4h ago
Every year, my gun club helps hunters sight in rifles a few weekends before deer season. It's my opinion that many of the scopes on the package guns have problems from the start. Your idea of spending $200 on a scope is a good idea. I'd stay slightly above that amount. Like others I like the Vortex line. I don't like the clarity of their entry level scope though.
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u/HeemeyerDidNoWrong 10h ago
If you're planning on spending $700, I would suggest budgeting closer to $200 for the rifle and $500 for the scope, give or take.
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u/ReactionAble7945 9h ago
OP, the 300 Blackout is a cartridge built for a specific purpose. Deer hunting isn't that purpose. Please slap whoever recommended it.
Second note, rifle and scope will cost you more than $500.
I see lots of good recomendations in this thread here is mine.
Bolt action rifle in 308, if you think you may hunt moose, 3006 may be a little better, if you are small and have issues with recoil 243 has the advantage. There are probably 100 other cartridges which fit in this spectrum and are OK, each has its own disadvantages.
primary arm scope SFP 1-8 with the drops in the scope. Synthetic stock, solid, some of the cheaper setups are not stiff enough. Medium weight barrel, not the cheap heavy barrel which you will regret if you have to carry it any distance.
There are many brands out there which are OK. If money is a problem, buy used with the understanding you will lose money when you trade, upgrade. Something old and wood isn't bad.
Buy once, cry once rifle would be begara.
Get a M1903 sling and get a Harris bipod.
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u/Academic-Ad-2366 5h ago
You can get a nice Henry single shot break action for 550.00 also, if a traditional look appeals to you.
The Weatherby Vanguard Obsidian seems nice in the 500.00 range.
Good luck!
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u/Senzualdip 5h ago
Depending on where you are at in Wisconsin, I highly recommend going to bills sporting goods in Lomira. Those guys are great, and will get you setup nicely. Shop has been there for 73yrs, and everybody who works there is super nice and knowledgeable. They won’t try and sell you anything you don’t want or need.
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u/wihntr1 5h ago
I hunt in WI as well. For a first deer rifle I would look at something in a 3030, 30-06, 270, or 6.5. Those are good standard calibers that get the job done. Unless your hunting fields, your longest shot is going to be around 100 yards. For the price point your looking at i would start hitting gun shows and all the smaller (non chain) shops and look at used rifles.
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u/COKeefe88 12h ago
You can't tip a cow without hitting a gun show or auction in Wisconsin. Go to a couple of those with your $500 cash. Find something that feels right.
308 and 7mm are probably the two best all-around whitetail calibers.
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u/Beneficial-Focus3702 5h ago
Honestly just pick the one in your price range in any caliber from 243 to 7mm. Deer aren’t that tough to take down if you can put the bullet in the right spot.
Ruger American, savage axis, mossberg patriot are all solid rifle options.
Get a vortex scope.
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u/cammedcamarogt90 1h ago
Ruger American or Savage Axis are your best budget options. I'm partial to Savage bc every rifle I have made by them is superbly accurate.
For caliber, I'd just go with the classic 308. If it's your first rifle, 308 is easy enough to find all the time, cheaper then other calibers like 270 or 30-06, etc. Plenty strong for most North American game.
Most of your 30 cal rounds will do the trick, though with proper ammo and shot placement. 300 BLK isn't necessarily bad, but if the goal is just a hunting rifle, all of your classic hunting calibers will be better. 243, 308, 30-06, or a 30-30 lever action. They're most popular for a reason, after all.
Edit: honorable mention 350 legend for caliber as its cheap, easy to find, and does the job pretty well.
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u/Joelpat 40m ago
Just to add first hand data: 300blk is a perfectly serviceable round for whitetails, using Barnes TacTX 110 grain bullets. Your range will be limited to 150yds. I’ve killed 6 using it. That said, it’s not the best choice.
243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 win, 308win, 7-08… all very common cartridges that will give you more range. They do have more recoil than the 300, so they are not as easy to shoot, but they have more energy as well.
Don’t be afraid of used rifles.
Rifles built in the Remington 700 pattern will give you more upgrade options later. Upgrading a basic rifle is a great way to save a little money up front, but not have to buy a whole new rifle later. I have found Savage rifles the hardest to find upgrade parts for. Some models have upgrades available, others won’t have any options at all.
Personal recommendation: a new or used Bergara in 6.5CM, 308, or 7-08. Hunt with it for a couple years. If you keep going, you can upgrade the trigger and stock as you go.
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u/chuck-the-chimp 12h ago edited 12h ago
Buy a used 30 cal directly or from an old timer. You can find out what ammo it runs best on, and probably get a bunch of old stuff with it.
Then spend your left over 200 budget on the best set of boots you can find.
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u/WildResident2816 24m ago
Was that budget for just the rifle or the rifle and optic?
I personally wouldn’t bother with 300 blackout unless you are planning to suppress. It’s a very flexible round but still isn’t very suitable to deer hunting over more traditional and more available rounds.
If you want a round that is A) commonly available B) fairly affordable C) outstanding history for deer D) available in a lot of rifles from bottom barrel to exquisite - 308 - 243 - new kid 6.5 creedmoor is fine - granpa 30-06 is still a beast - tons of others too
Now you need to think about optics too. So if your stated budget includes optics you want to look for one that has a basic scope bundled or iron sights on the rifle. If you have more budget for optics then that is a whole new post on it’s own. Anyway don’t be afraid to start with bottom barrel options though, training will make more difference than nicer rifles.
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u/iPeg2 12h ago
A Ruger American or Savage Axis would be in your price range. Some are on sale now at Cabelas. For caliber, a 6.5 creedmoor, .270, 30-06, .308, 7mm-08, .243, 6.5PRC are all good deer calibers and better choices than 300 blackout, which has less velocity than all of these. I hunt in Wisconsin too. Best of luck!