308 is s very good round, plenty of different loads and bullets to choose from. And you might get ex Army ammo cheap still for practice?
Beginner rifle recommendations
- Thread starter Arya
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Here in Canada, when you are looking at buying store-bought, factory-loaded ammo,
the greatest variety of brands, bullet weights and powder loads goes to .30-'06 with no doubts at all.
Flatter than .308, accoring to the manufacturer's data sheets. That's why my first rifle was a Rem700 BDL in .30-'06.
Eventually, I got lucky and found a paraplegic vet who likes to do load development. Made a sulfur casting and all.
Factory or hand loads, my gun likes to eat 165gr. The only one I've kept.
the greatest variety of brands, bullet weights and powder loads goes to .30-'06 with no doubts at all.
Flatter than .308, accoring to the manufacturer's data sheets. That's why my first rifle was a Rem700 BDL in .30-'06.
Eventually, I got lucky and found a paraplegic vet who likes to do load development. Made a sulfur casting and all.
Factory or hand loads, my gun likes to eat 165gr. The only one I've kept.
When I lived in Sweden, if you had 'contacts' you could get the standard army version of the 308 for free, or virtually for free. The version for snipers was more difficult, it was quite rare, but could be found.
The 9x19 was the same, specially the +P version. I swam in that one. My expense was not the 9mm ammo, it was the 9mm guns.
.38 Spec was to be found for almost free too if you had contacts in the Airforce, which I had not, so I loaded myself, including casting the bullets. hence my diminished brain powers and general body shake!
I liked the 308 more than the 30-06, I was used to it. Good allround cartridge. Yes, the more powerful 30-06 shoots flatter, which is good on range, but hunting - you seldom shoot over 150 meters in Scandinavia.
The 9x19 was the same, specially the +P version. I swam in that one. My expense was not the 9mm ammo, it was the 9mm guns.
.38 Spec was to be found for almost free too if you had contacts in the Airforce, which I had not, so I loaded myself, including casting the bullets. hence my diminished brain powers and general body shake!
I liked the 308 more than the 30-06, I was used to it. Good allround cartridge. Yes, the more powerful 30-06 shoots flatter, which is good on range, but hunting - you seldom shoot over 150 meters in Scandinavia.
I punched enough range paper for load development. 3" groups of 5 at 200m was good enough for me with a 4X Weaver scope.
Ironically, my Nikon Prostaff 82mm spotting scope cost me more! Ammo is the least of the costs. Word gets around, even for hand loads.
There's an economy of scale but it's numbered in the thousands.
I shot Unlimited class IHMSA. 7mm-.308, bolt action, single shot pistol and eventually hand loaded for that.
You lie on your back and shoot Creedmore, off the side of your leg.
Ironically, my Nikon Prostaff 82mm spotting scope cost me more! Ammo is the least of the costs. Word gets around, even for hand loads.
There's an economy of scale but it's numbered in the thousands.
I shot Unlimited class IHMSA. 7mm-.308, bolt action, single shot pistol and eventually hand loaded for that.
You lie on your back and shoot Creedmore, off the side of your leg.
With a nice leather protector on the leg.
I shot the same sport, with a ultra hot .44 Magnum in a Ruger Super Redhawk with a custom barrel. 4x scope. US made. Burris?
Used compressed Vihtavuori fastburning powder.
Ruger was the only revolver able to take those pressures. Have seen Colts and S&W open like a balloon.
Hence my love of Rugers.
Did not shoot paper but steel. We had automatic steel targets at that club.
I shot the same sport, with a ultra hot .44 Magnum in a Ruger Super Redhawk with a custom barrel. 4x scope. US made. Burris?
Used compressed Vihtavuori fastburning powder.
Ruger was the only revolver able to take those pressures. Have seen Colts and S&W open like a balloon.
Hence my love of Rugers.
Did not shoot paper but steel. We had automatic steel targets at that club.
No use for a leg protector. The pistol is a rebarrelled Rem. XP-100 bolt action. Fiberglas thumbhole stock.
Noisy but not hard to hang on to. Never had the nerve to shoot from a standing position.
Thompson Contenders were popular if you didn't want to build a gun.
I read that Arya is applying for both .308 and for .30-'06. Smart move.
Either one or both, they will put food on the table.
Noisy but not hard to hang on to. Never had the nerve to shoot from a standing position.
Thompson Contenders were popular if you didn't want to build a gun.
I read that Arya is applying for both .308 and for .30-'06. Smart move.
Either one or both, they will put food on the table.
I needed the leg protector due to escaping gasses between barrel and drum. Not only gasses, bits of metal sometimes.
TC Contender was not legal in Sweden, nor the bolt action pistols.
I hope the laws have changed.
yes, it is not the caliber that puts the meat on the table, it is the shooter.
TC Contender was not legal in Sweden, nor the bolt action pistols.
I hope the laws have changed.
yes, it is not the caliber that puts the meat on the table, it is the shooter.
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By the way I have a Baikal 12 bore O/U - I'm just as lethal with it as with my mate's Bettinsoli (i.e. not very). Don't mind letting other people use it for blasting away at clays and I don't get worried about it getting damaged taking it in and out of the cabinet
Of 12 shotguns, I kept the two Baikals. o/u 12 and a s/s 20. They both got full replacement sets of Truchokes from George Trulock.
Fluorescent front bead on the 12, choice of red or green. 20 got drilled and tapped for interchangable front bead heights.
The 12 fits me. How 'bout that?
The 20 got 3/8" off the comb, 1" added to the LOP and 1/4" off the cheek to change the cast.
Was neat to watch the shot pattern center change with each mod.
For our forest grouse, the 20 is just plain fun and a pleasure to hunt with.
Fluorescent front bead on the 12, choice of red or green. 20 got drilled and tapped for interchangable front bead heights.
The 12 fits me. How 'bout that?
The 20 got 3/8" off the comb, 1" added to the LOP and 1/4" off the cheek to change the cast.
Was neat to watch the shot pattern center change with each mod.
For our forest grouse, the 20 is just plain fun and a pleasure to hunt with.
I can see and hear the Grouse shouting:
Guys! RV is here with his 20 ! Lets line up and make a fly by!
I recently bought a Beretta 1301. Added a +6 mag extention and 2 inch extended chokes. will now take 11 + 1 in the barrel.
We do 3-gun shoots in our club.
Have ordered a +9 tube too, just for the wow factor.
It is a POS gun, took me a bit work to get it as I wanted. Disposable trigger group.
Wife is bringing in her new DT11 Black from UK. Much cheaper than both the US and Canada. Exchange rate.
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The grouse. Walking through the forest, I've actually had them run between my feet. Some days, every last dang one of them is made of rubber.
Other days, I get them all. Usually shoot IC and Mod with 7 1/2 shot. 1oz trap loads in the 12 is lots, 3/4oz in the 20 works OK.
So dense, I could hardly see my feet. Step and stop. Ruffed Grouse jumped up in front of me, flew straight away, easy shot, yes?
Shouldered the 12 very quickly and didn't do it properly. The recoil drove my thumb knuckle back into my cheek bone beneath my right eye.
I saw more stars than the Hubble Space Telescope.
It was a bitter windy cold winter day in a pea field, dekes out, waiting for the Canada geese. Here they come.
Shooting the 3.5" Benelli with 1.5oz BBB steel shot. Hot (1550fps?) loads. Got 2/3 shots and knew that I had hurt myself with the first shot.
Let the air out of a 20lb Canada goose and they fly like bricks, usually breaking apart when they hit the ground.
Bed time that night, bicep felt a little sore. Looked in the mirror = through my insulated parka, my wool sweater and my shirt,
the recoil had pounded the pattern of my waffle-weave insulating underwear into my arm.
Laugh if you want, I still find it funny.
Other days, I get them all. Usually shoot IC and Mod with 7 1/2 shot. 1oz trap loads in the 12 is lots, 3/4oz in the 20 works OK.
So dense, I could hardly see my feet. Step and stop. Ruffed Grouse jumped up in front of me, flew straight away, easy shot, yes?
Shouldered the 12 very quickly and didn't do it properly. The recoil drove my thumb knuckle back into my cheek bone beneath my right eye.
I saw more stars than the Hubble Space Telescope.
It was a bitter windy cold winter day in a pea field, dekes out, waiting for the Canada geese. Here they come.
Shooting the 3.5" Benelli with 1.5oz BBB steel shot. Hot (1550fps?) loads. Got 2/3 shots and knew that I had hurt myself with the first shot.
Let the air out of a 20lb Canada goose and they fly like bricks, usually breaking apart when they hit the ground.
Bed time that night, bicep felt a little sore. Looked in the mirror = through my insulated parka, my wool sweater and my shirt,
the recoil had pounded the pattern of my waffle-weave insulating underwear into my arm.
Laugh if you want, I still find it funny.
The Norwegian knitted sweaters are very nice. I am sure Arya managed to get a bruise of it on her shoulder.
Me, I used to wear Helly Hansen, the model with the thumb holes. Never an imprint, just a pure bruise!
I am a lousy shotgunner, as I aim. Old habits do not die.
Canada geese are a pest in Scandihooligania.
Here we just have too many Canadians. All my people are from Canada.
My son will propably marry a Canadian.
Does that make me an honorary Canadian? I even wear a Canada T-shirt on Canada Day.
Me, I used to wear Helly Hansen, the model with the thumb holes. Never an imprint, just a pure bruise!
I am a lousy shotgunner, as I aim. Old habits do not die.
Canada geese are a pest in Scandihooligania.
Here we just have too many Canadians. All my people are from Canada.
My son will propably marry a Canadian.
Does that make me an honorary Canadian? I even wear a Canada T-shirt on Canada Day.
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It's all in the swing. You have to "paint" them, wipe them, out of the sky. Butt, belly, beak, BANG. and keep the swing going.
When they come into the decoys, they put their feet down, flaps down and just about stall-speed, they are just about helpless.
It's a lot less work to camo up and sit in a lawn chair in the ditch to pound them as they go by. 5/day is the bag limit.
Loafing along in the sky, I've clocked them at 70kph. Scared and working hard, I've clocked them at 90kph and that was impressive.
They're just as fast as the geese if not faster. Get your shotgun ready. Carry a Canada goose decoy by the feet and walk across an open field.
Honestly, it's a "duck-magnet." They are so slow and curious. I reckon they are harder to knock down than a goose.
Mind you, Pronghorn Antelope ("speed-goats") can do 110kph easy. Un-nerving to have a whole family running in the ditch, keeping up to me on the highway.
-25C to -40C in the winter means that Canadians are house trained to use the throne.
When they come into the decoys, they put their feet down, flaps down and just about stall-speed, they are just about helpless.
It's a lot less work to camo up and sit in a lawn chair in the ditch to pound them as they go by. 5/day is the bag limit.
Loafing along in the sky, I've clocked them at 70kph. Scared and working hard, I've clocked them at 90kph and that was impressive.
They're just as fast as the geese if not faster. Get your shotgun ready. Carry a Canada goose decoy by the feet and walk across an open field.
Honestly, it's a "duck-magnet." They are so slow and curious. I reckon they are harder to knock down than a goose.
Mind you, Pronghorn Antelope ("speed-goats") can do 110kph easy. Un-nerving to have a whole family running in the ditch, keeping up to me on the highway.
-25C to -40C in the winter means that Canadians are house trained to use the throne.
The big day finally arrived! I picked up my rifle!
After visiting a few shops, getting different offers, I chose a Browning X-bolt Nordic Light .308 with synthetic stock.
The scope is a second hand Docter classic 3-12x56/R (inbuilt light) and the silencer is from Hausken.
I almost went for the Tikka T3-Lite, but when I got my hands on the Browning I was sold.
I can´t wait to get to know my new friend on the range next week! *doing the happy dance*
There will be pictures of it, there´s no getting away from that
Unless you just avoid the post of course...
I want to thank you all for all the help and good advise you´ve given me in this process! I really appreciate it!
After visiting a few shops, getting different offers, I chose a Browning X-bolt Nordic Light .308 with synthetic stock.
The scope is a second hand Docter classic 3-12x56/R (inbuilt light) and the silencer is from Hausken.
I almost went for the Tikka T3-Lite, but when I got my hands on the Browning I was sold.
I can´t wait to get to know my new friend on the range next week! *doing the happy dance*
There will be pictures of it, there´s no getting away from that
Unless you just avoid the post of course... I want to thank you all for all the help and good advise you´ve given me in this process! I really appreciate it!
Welcome, shooter.
I hope that you make the time to shoot all year long.
Familiarity makes a difference as hunting season rolls around.
Just imagine! Game on your supper table. Norwegian sunshine!
If you want big game recipes, I have plenty of good ones.
You must cook differently as there's so little body fat in the meat.
I hope that you make the time to shoot all year long.
Familiarity makes a difference as hunting season rolls around.
Just imagine! Game on your supper table. Norwegian sunshine!
If you want big game recipes, I have plenty of good ones.
You must cook differently as there's so little body fat in the meat.
Janne, thank you! I will be adjusting the scope, get to know it and then do my final mandatory practice shots for the big game test, in the beginning of next week
I hope I'm not too late for the test this year! But the world doesn't end if I am.
But I will be cleaning and oiling it all weekend
My precious.....
Robson Valley, thank you and yes please! I tend to stick my same old game recipies, so new ones are more than welcome!
When I come to think of it, including the sheep I slaughter every year, I just need one deer or half a moose to be completely self sufficient on meat for my closest family...
That's a big goal for me to reach! It might not happen this year, but I'm closing in on it!
I hope I'm not too late for the test this year! But the world doesn't end if I am.
But I will be cleaning and oiling it all weekend
My precious.....
Robson Valley, thank you and yes please!
I tend to stick my same old game recipies, so new ones are more than welcome! When I come to think of it, including the sheep I slaughter every year, I just need one deer or half a moose to be completely self sufficient on meat for my closest family...
That's a big goal for me to reach! It might not happen this year, but I'm closing in on it!
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OK. Need to be away. When I get home, I'll put up a couple of sauce recipes that go well with bison and elk.
I'd guess that venison and moose would be in the same high-class group.
Most years, I go to the bison ranch no earlier than the end of November for a side of 2 yr old bison.
It's just on the other side of the village. 10 minutes away?
Wow. Going to be 16-17 years now. That's lots. Then I barter for moose/elk/venison.
Turn around and drive the other direction for a lamb every couple of years.
You like Greek food seasonings?
I'd guess that venison and moose would be in the same high-class group.
Most years, I go to the bison ranch no earlier than the end of November for a side of 2 yr old bison.
It's just on the other side of the village. 10 minutes away?
Wow. Going to be 16-17 years now. That's lots. Then I barter for moose/elk/venison.
Turn around and drive the other direction for a lamb every couple of years.
You like Greek food seasonings?
