Choosing a Hunting Rifle
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Choosing a hunting rifle is a big decision. They are not inexpensive and you need a rifle that will work for the type of hunting you enjoy.
The Basics of Choosing a Hunting Rifle
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a hunting rifle:
Type of Hunting
The most important factor when choosing your rifle is the type of hunting you'll be doing. Will you be hunting small animals like squirrel or rabbits or will you be aiming for deer? Birds are something else entirely, and you may find that shotguns are a better choice for bird hunting.
Cartridge Selections
This goes along with the type of hunting you'll be doing. Choose the cartridge before your gun. Otherwise you may choose your gun and be let down by the behavior and capabilities of the cartridge the gun uses. Some cartridges are ideal for small, quick-moving game. Others are better for larger, slightly slower game. Another thing that factors into the cartridge is how far away from the game you expect to be when you take a shot.
The Four Main Actions
"Actions" include how the gun works when it comes to loading, firing, and unloading the ammo.
Bolt action: This one tends to be reliable, doesn’t break often because of very few moving parts, easy to maintain, and can have more than one cartridge loaded at one time.
Pump action: If you're familiar with how a shotgun works, this is the same method. It is actually more common in shotguns, though it shows up from time to time in hunting rifles. With this action, you slide the forestock back and forth to get the ammunition in place.
Lever action: These are very reliable though these rifles may not be as accurate as other types. The difference is minimal, though, so if the idea of using a lever to hold a cartridge in place and then take out the spent case, don't let that detail discourage you.
Self-loading action (semi-automatic): This type is ideal for when you need another quick shot before your game escapes. You load the magazine once and then it reloads itself, so there's no scrambling to get prepared for another shot in order to take down the animal. This type of action is more reliable than it used to be, but some may still be wary of it.
The Look of the Rifle
The look of your rifle is purely up to you. The finish will not affect the accuracy of your shot, of course, so choose a look you like. You will be able to decide on the metal's finish as well as the finish of the stock. For the finish of the metal, you can choose from:
- Bluing, which is a black finish on the gun created through a process that keeps the metal from rusting.
- Stainless steel, which is a practical choice, though you still have to maintain it with regular cleanings
- Parkerizing, which keeps the metal from rusting and keeps the sliding pieces on the rifle from wearing out as quickly as they might otherwise
When it comes to the stock, popular choices include:
- Laminate, which will normally last quite a while and look like wood. Plus they don't warp easily
- Walnut, the most common and arguably the best looking choice
- Synthetic, which is usually black and requires the least amount of upkeep. Another advantage to this type is the water resistance that the wood finish can't offer. Common synthetic materials include plastic and fiberglass reinforced by aluminum.
Manufacturer Preferences
Some people trust one certain manufacturer over all others. If you already have a preference and knowledge of a specific manufacturer you trust, go with them. Popular hunting rifle manufacturers include:
- Remington
- Savage Arms
- Browning
- Ruger
- Winchester
The Cost of the Rifle
You can almost always get a used but well-maintained rifle for much less than you would pay for a new one. You can find them online or look for someone in your town or a nearby town with a rifle for sale. Just be sure you ask the seller any questions beforehand and try to make sure that the gun was properly maintained. Even if it looks used, as long as it still shoots well, it's a great way to save a lot of money. However, if you want to have as few worries about the history of the gun as possible and you don't mind paying a little extra for the peace of mind, you can always purchase a new rifle.
Barrel Lengths
Longer barrels are good for those times when you're hunting from a tree or from a long distance away from your target. The longer barrel allows for more accuracy, though it does add weight. Shorter barrels are lighter, but best in situations where you'll be aiming for targets that close. You can generally find barrel lengths that range from 18 to 26 inches.
A Final Word
Choosing a hunting rifle depends mainly on what you're going to be hunting. Other factors tend to be personal preference, such as how it looks or who manufactures the rifle.
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This page has been accessed 582 times. This page was last modified 16:33, 28 April 2009.
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