Best Rifle

[Takawira Mundure]

Hie guys what's the best rifle to get for a beginner hunter. Good pricing and place to get it, in Zimbabwe or SA.

 

[Dr Ray]

Hie guys what's the best rifle to get for a beginner hunter. Good pricing and place to get it, in Zimbabwe or SA.

Start with 270 or 30/06. In the 270 use130 gn bullets and with the 30/06 use 180 gn.
Either would be excellent for plains game.
I also suggest control feed rather than push feed of cartridges from the magazine. This will provide certainty of not snagging two cartridges when you are under extreme pressure and don't cycle the bolt properly.
Control feed allows you to cycle bolt and feed a cartridge even if you were hanging upside down.
I suggest a good quality 3-9 x 40 scope Such as Leupold which had a generous eye relief and is if good quality.
No idea where to buy though as I'm not in your country.

 

[Takawira Mundure]

Start with 270 or 30/06. In the 270 use130 gn bullets and with the 30/06 use 180 gn.
Either would be excellent for plains game.
I also suggest control feed rather than push feed of cartridges from the magazine. This will provide certainty of not snagging two cartridges when you are under extreme pressure and don't cycle the bolt properly.
Control feed allows you to cycle bolt and feed a cartridge even if you were hanging upside down.
I suggest a good quality 3-9 x 40 scope Such as Leupold which had a generous eye relief and is if good quality.
No idea where to buy though as I'm not in your country.

Thanks for that Doc. Will take those specs and check on eBay or other platforms that might sell these.

 

[Rule 303]

Start with 270 or 30/06. In the 270 use130 gn bullets and with the 30/06 use 180 gn.
Either would be excellent for plains game.
I also suggest control feed rather than push feed of cartridges from the magazine. This will provide certainty of not snagging two cartridges when you are under extreme pressure and don't cycle the bolt properly.
Control feed allows you to cycle bolt and feed a cartridge even if you were hanging upside down.
I suggest a good quality 3-9 x 40 scope Such as Leupold which had a generous eye relief and is if good quality.
No idea where to buy though as I'm not in your country.

Dr. Ray, I agree with most of what you say, however, don't believe all you read about CRF. I have had CRF try pushing 2 cartridges into the chamber. Had them drop cases before hitting the extractor. you name a feeding or extracting snafu and I have seen it in CRF rifles. Most issues can be fixed by a good gunsmith and yes, far less likely to have these snafu's in a CRF.

Re shooting from the bat position, hanging upside down. Push feeds do this reliably as well, just have not come across a situation where I need to shot whilst inverted so can't really see any relevance.

Takawira, I use 140 grain bullets in my 270 and find them some what more effective then the 130 grain pills. This is just me, I am talking about pigs and deer. All I am suggesting is don't over look the 140's if you can get them.

Don't over look the 308 using 150 or 165 grain bullets.

 

[cpr0312]

30.06, good all around caliber, always lots of ammo to choose from

 

[jacques smith]

Goeie more
Rifle selection is a bit like picking out trekking boots or a wife. You don't want blisters or bickering down the road. A hunting rifle first must FIT the individual shooter to be enjoyable and accurate. I would suggest you beg or borrow a friends light caliber and get someone talented to give you some pointers in basics such as shooting positions and safe gun handling. Buying off line makes me think of mail order brides. Play with enough and you will eventually have your own ideas about FIT. Best of luck in your journey
Jacques

 

[Ryan]

Another good thread on this subject is https://www.africahunting.com/index.php?threads/36080/


Ebay doesn't sell firearms. If you're in the US GunsAmerica and Gunbroker lists them but it will still need to go through a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer first to have the proper paperwork taken care of.

I agree with Jacques, find someone with something light and basic like a 22 rimfire and learn the basics well first.

 

[Shootist43]

I whole-heartedly agree with the 30-06. Ammo is available everywhere. I do not know anything about purchasing a firearm in Zimbabwe, but in SA buying a gun is a lengthy procedure with a lot of paperwork involved.

Learning basic shooting skills with a good air rifle or a 22 is by far the best and least expensive way to go.

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.kalahariarms.com/

 

[HWL]

http://www.egun.de/market/index.php

 

[CAustin]

30.06, good all around caliber, always lots of ammo to choose from

I agree and it's a very good all around rifle!