Get My Priorities Right

Hey Guys

Need your opinions - I am looking for a first rifle to use primarily on goats and (hopefully) deer, but will be learning as I go. I am based in Hawkes Bay, so likely to spend most of my time in the Kawekas (Sika) and Ruahines (Red).

As a family man, budget is a huge factor (at least till I show that I can fill the freezer). Cos I'm not pretty, I won't get hung up on aesthetics...

Because I know very little, I am looking just to get out there and learn with the best version I can get for a budget around $2,500 from .270 up to 30-06.

My question then is this: Should I prioritise a decent scope, or just focus on the rifle and use a passable scope? I assume that a suppressor/brake and rangefinder are things that I can add to my set up later, once I develop a shooting style (range etc)? :o

It's very old advice but still highly relevant, spend the most money on your binos, then scope, then rifle. A cheap scope might last a long time but it's a heck of a lot more likely not too. A good used Leupold will set you up for a very long time (noting it's lifetime transferable guarantee). Nothing wrong with the calibres you mention but most new shooters will get on a heck of a lot better with a 243, 6.5CM or 308, a Tikka or Bergara with a good scope up will fill the freezer for ever! Used rifles are usually a safe bet if you have a reputable 3rd party check them out.

I’m just down the road from you

Likely there’s a Sako 7mm08 or 308 here that will fit your budget and I can set you up with a free scope and ammo that will get you going

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I’m just down the road from you

Likely there’s a Sako 7mm08 or 308 here that will fit your budget and I can set you up with a free scope and ammo that will get you going

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Nice offer, get right onto it!

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I’m just down the road from you

Likely there’s a Sako 7mm08 or 308 here that will fit your budget and I can set you up with a free scope and ammo that will get you going

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Brilliant offer mate - but I'm one of the weird lefties...

$2500 is plenty heaps enough to set you up...browning BLR suits lefty and will do anything you ask...yeah triggers can suck and blow at same time but they still easy to shoot well.they very hard to beat in the bush environment.

Single shot would work fine for your leftie’ness Get a good setup for $1500-2k
https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hun...5295564846.htm

There is a very accurate left hand 7mm rem mag for sale from Gadgets estate here.
Would suggest quite a bit under budget

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....s-gear-114386/

Doesn’t mean you have to get a left handed rifle, my old man shot left with a right hander his whole life, slightly slower on follow ups but not much.

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Originally Posted by GettingThere

Brilliant offer mate - but I'm one of the weird lefties...

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I think he was offering you a scope and ammunition, not a rifle. Fortunately scopes and ammo are not handed.

SH Tikka in 7-08 or 308 for under $1500 easy.
$400 suppressor
Take @7mmsaum up on his offer while you save some more for a decent scope.

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

There is a very accurate left hand 7mm rem mag for sale from Gadgets estate here.
Would suggest quite a bit under budget

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....s-gear-114386/

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I'm not yet permitted to view the Buy Sell section...:(

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

I think he was offering you a scope and ammunition, not a rifle. Fortunately scopes and ammo are not handed.

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Did I mention that I am a bit dopey... :D

Are you the type that will only have a couple of rifles or do you have hoarding tendancies like some of us

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Originally Posted by blip

Are you the type that will only have a couple of rifles or do you have hoarding tendancies like some of us

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I am likely to only have a small number...

ok check out the go to rifles thread to get some ideas. 308 something crops up a lot

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Originally Posted by GettingThere

I'm not yet permitted to view the Buy Sell section...:(

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No price or pics yet I'm sorry to say but will be a pretty reasonable price.
A mutual friend can couch for the accuracy

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Originally Posted by GettingThere

Hey Guys

Need your opinions - I am looking for a first rifle to use primarily on goats and (hopefully) deer, but will be learning as I go. I am based in Hawkes Bay, so likely to spend most of my time in the Kawekas (Sika) and Ruahines (Red).

As a family man, budget is a huge factor (at least till I show that I can fill the freezer). Cos I'm not pretty, I won't get hung up on aesthetics...

Because I know very little, I am looking just to get out there and learn with the best version I can get for a budget around $2,500 from .270 up to 30-06.

My question then is this: Should I prioritise a decent scope, or just focus on the rifle and use a passable scope? I assume that a suppressor/brake and rangefinder are things that I can add to my set up later, once I develop a shooting style (range etc)? :o

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My first centrefire hunting rifle was a light weight 30-06. In retrospect I now wish I had bought something short action 223 through to 308. I was a product of advice from early/mid 90s magazine articles, developed a pretty heathy flinch and burnt lots of powder only to yield 308 ballistics anyway.
Prioritise the best optics you can afford over the rifle. Definitely shop second hand and remember you won’t be financially constrained forever.

Pls disregard all previous advice.
This is what every new hunter must do.
Buy yourself a 6.5 swede, open sights, good out to 200. If after 12 months you're still slogging away trying your best and by then you've found out that carrying a rifle takes up most of your time.
Good cheap advice, bling doesn't kill deer as good as getting close and then get even closer.

I started with a m96 sporter and still got it, dont see them much these days

I watched a video last nite, a chick and two guys fly into a place on the coast, it holds reds,chamois and tahr. They spot a unicorn buck at around 425 yards or mtrs, in the end one the the lads decides to have a go as he hasn't got a unicorn on the wall as yet, first shot missed, has another go and this time hits him in the back area disabling his back wheels, so now you see a wounded animal racing downhill dragging his legs, at this point I switched onto something better.
It emphasises my point.

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Originally Posted by blip

I started with a m96 sporter and still got it, dont see them much these days

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Damn good killers with 140 gr pills.

I’ll get shot but second tikka they just work and for $2500 should get and nice set up for that


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Just go into the likes of Hunting & Fishing and buy yourself a Tikka scoped/suppressed package deal in 243, 308 or whatever spins your wheels. It’ll do everything you need and stock can be somewhat modified to fit you. You could buy secondhand but unless you know what you’re looking at it’s easy to get bitten by sharks out there.

Yea Im a tikka fan as well. If you just want something that works, not to fussed if you dont win a pissing contest cant really go wrong, same with savage howa or even the marlins are a pretty decent centerfire

$2.5k will get you a good left hand Tikka, with extras, but being left handed, you may just have to be a bit more patient until the right thing turns up.
I just looked on Trade Me and there is something like this
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...3?bof=DPbeIDEc
Another $1K (or much less) will get you a more than adequate scope and rings with money left for ammo to practice with. A suppressor could come later along with a scope upgrade if you really get the bug.
Don't listen to the right handers who say "Just get a right handed rifle", they have probably not spent a lot of time behind a left hand bolt.

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

SH Tikka in 7-08 or 308 for under $1500 easy.
$400 suppressor
Take @7mmsaum up on his offer while you save some more for a decent scope.

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Yep I was about to suggest 2nd hand Tikka in 7-08.

I'm left handed and have shot right hand bolt actions for years. Don't let it limit your options especially if there is someone willing to help you out

Why must a left handed person need to use a left handed rifle, when it is only the trigger finger that needs educating on a right handed rifle?

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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Why must a left handed person need to use a left handed rifle, when it is only the trigger finger that needs educating on a right handed rifle?

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Cycling the bolt is much easier if it is on the correct side. Also if there is a catastrophic failure in a bolt action its not right in your face.

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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Why must a left handed person need to use a left handed rifle, when it is only the trigger finger that needs educating on a right handed rifle?

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Same reason why a right handed person doesn't just use a left handed rifle. Its different. I can use both but a l/h drive is nicer to use

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Originally Posted by Gkp

I'm left handed and have shot right hand bolt actions for years. Don't let it limit your options especially if there is someone willing to help you out

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Says the guy going to a left hand rifle��

My first rifle was a Ruger M77 270 RH. Mistake. Noisy. Heavy. Wrong hand. Recoiled more than I cared for.
Sold that. Got a Ruger 308 (the black paddle stocked one). Mistake. Easier to shoot. Handle on the wrong side.
Before 2000 there was fuck all rifle in LH other than absolute bottom tier crap. I bought my R93 Blaser out of shear frustration. Honestly, I think rifle manufacturers had been taking the piss outta lefties since forever. I’d never go back.

Out of all the ones I've got only 3 are lefties. A t3 x55 an annie 22lr and a 12g semi cant remember what it is as I never use it

Everything I own is left handed except a Toz single shot. 22lr and a Browning 1885 22-250. As @kiwijames says, I would never go back.

Oh and a browning 22h