First Time Hunter from Seattle

[Seattle206]

Hi guys,

My name is Bob, from Seattle.  I just finished my online hunter's education course and won't have my field evaluation until late Arpil.

Growing up in the urban area of Seattle, I knew very few people that hunted. It wasn't until recently me and a couple outdoor minded(other than yuppie hikers, marathon runners) friends decided to take up hunting(thinking about it for years).

I am stuck thinking which rifle to buy for deer, elk, and maybe black bear.  I don't want anything specialized but an all-around rifle I can use to hunt or for emergencies.  I've been thinking of buying a Ruger Gunsite in 18" bbl .308 or stick with my 700 SPS AAC-SD in 20" bbl .308

This is my 700 SPS AAC



I'll outfit with a Leupold 3.5-10VX3 if I decide to hunt with it.

What do you guys think of my two choices? If I had to choose: Gunsite vs 700?  The weight of the 700 shouldn't poise much of a problem for me either.

Anything information would help!

Mods, please move if I posted in the wrong section.

[Lincoln4]

Your .308 should handle everything you mentioned.  Something as inexpensive as Remington Express Cor-Lokt in 150gr, or Federal Fusion will work great on deer and probably bear.  Something using premium bullets on elk, probably Barnes TSX or TTSX or Nosler Partition should be good to go.   

[MountainWalk]

Your rifle and caliber are fine.   Use cheap ammo for deer and bear and any"premium" ammo for elk. Goood luck brother and welcome to the wonderful world and tradition of hunting! Glad to see you her r.

[ICEMAN]

Welcome 206.

Good luck on your new adventure, hunting is a great sport.

[follow maggie]

Welcome to hunting. I hope oh enjoy it and get as much satisfaction from it as we do.

[Bob33]

Welcome. Many of the best memories in my life came from hunting experiences.

I would in no way try to talk you out of big game hunting. However, you might want to consider that average success rates for deer in this state are around 20% to 25%, elk is around 10%, and bear is probably in that ballpark as well. The "average" deer hunter will shoot once in five years.

You can take that two ways: (1) recognize that hunting is far more than shooting and savor the awesome things that come along with being out, or (2) supplement the big game hunting with some upland bird or waterfowl hunting that typically involves more shooting.

Being a marathon runner, you might want to hunt the early buck season in September which is open in wilderness areas. You'll need to hike or horseback in but that might be right up your alley. It's not available to "car hunters", in other words.

A .308 will serve you very well for your species.

[deaner]

was that a savage lrh .338 lapua? 

[jason stevens]

308 is a great caliber. Shoot straight you'll be fine

[Seattle206]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.  I am excited for this upcoming season.  I know that when it comes to hunting, it isn't about just shooting the animal but the entire journey that goes along with it; the scenery, the sounds, and the smells of nature.  I don't expect to bag anything the first couple seasons until I get familiar with the sport.

And yes, that is a Savage .338 Lapua

I'm going to the Sportsman's show in Puyallup this Saturday.  Trying to decide to go with a full blaze jacket(with branch outlines) or vest.

[deaner]

dont think ya need blaze orange for sportsmans show......    how far have you shot that savage?

[Duckwacker]

Use the same ammo than you don't need to rezero. The hornady superformance 165gr sst is great for everything.

[scout/sniper]

Welcome aboard. 

[bobcat]

dont think ya need blaze orange for sportsmans show.....

No it's not. It's camo that you will need, and be sure your pants match your shirt. It's uncool to wear non-matching camo patterns.

[brokenvet]

Hi guys,

 The weight of the 700 shouldn't poise much of a problem for me either.

I said the same thing about 25 years ago when my rifle was being built.  Now with a back injury, two bad knees, don't want to lug around the extra weight.   

[Boss .300 winmag]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.  I am excited for this upcoming season.  I know that when it comes to hunting, it isn't about just shooting the animal but the entire journey that goes along with it; the scenery, the sounds, and the smells of nature.  I don't expect to bag anything the first couple seasons until I get familiar with the sport.

And yes, that is a Savage .338 Lapua

I'm going to the Sportsman's show in Puyallup this Saturday.  Trying to decide to go with a full blaze jacket(with branch outlines) or vest.

i think a blaze orange kilt would be a better choice! 

[elkboy]

I also did not come from a hunting background, but I've had an incredible 15-year adventure in learning the hunt. 
I absolutely agree with Bob33 that big game hunting will try your patience, and you will learn several recipes for tag soup!  I'd recommend a few books to help you "climb the learning curve":
-"Hunting Black-tailed Deer: An Oregon Perspective" by Louis G. Terkla (the advice is good for Wash., too!)
-"Blacktail Trophy Tactics" by Boyd Iverson (great information, even if you just want a 'shooter' buck)
-Anything by Dwight Schuh (he writes for the archery crowd, but a lot can be applied to rifle hunting)
-and there are many more. 

Of course, no book can substitute for experience, time in the woods, or time on the range! 

Good luck.  Your location will make you a de facto representative for the hunt, and for hunters.