NEED ADVICE FOR NEW GUN

[Mudeater]

A one gun battery for the state of Washington.  Look no further than the 30-06, maybe in a Tikka T3 lite would be a good inexpensive gun that won't break the bank but would be very durable.  That or the same caliber in a Ruger all weather.

IMO, thats about the best advice going. That Tika T3 is on the next gun list for me.

[MikeWalking]

All CAPS? must know I need new glasses

I vote 30-06. If for no other reason than every rifle shooter oughta be able to say they owned one at some point in their life

1. 30-30
2. 30-06
3. 375 H&H

[Skinnyman]

For a make of a gun, Take a look at Savage. they are a great shooting gun out of the box (sub MOA) and relativly inexpensive (around $520 and less depending on model (not including scope). They have a great adjustable trigger as well, that comes stock on all new Savages. my 338 Win Mag Savage Model 116 shoots 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 100yds (providing I can do my stuff). And other than using some lock tite on mounting bolts I havent altered it at all from the factory. I gun that size shooting a group that good is pretty great to me!!!

For caliber, it depends how much recoil you can shoot well. I like bigger calibers, but for a good all around gun, something in the 30 cal range would be great!! 30-06 is great because you can find ammo and everything else for them anywhere. Everyone has a 30-06. But also take a look at the 300 Win Mag, hot gun, but significantly more recoil than a 30-06 (but you can always install a break later). Factory ammo in a 30-06 is $10-$20 a box cheaper than my Win Mag ammo. So keep that in mind. Buy a gun you can afford to shoot!!!!

My

[Skinnyman]

Something I just thought of, I am not sure if you hunt a lot of public lands, but if you do you will want a gun/caliber with a lot of "drop" factor. As washington regs state the last person to put a bullet through an animal gets to keep the animal (it does not state that the animal needs to be alive or dead while this happens). Get a gun that with a well placed shot, it will drop the game quickly, and even with a marginal shot it will drop it quickly (we all know what can happen with adrenaline and being out of breath). Last thing you want is to shoot a 6x6 bull elk and have it wander off into another group of hunters and for them to shoot it and keep it!! A friend of mine has had this happen when he was using a 270, he now uses a 375 H&H (ok thats a little on the heavy end of things). A 270 is a fantastic Deer rifle, but a little light on Elk.

[Buckmark]

All good advice, i throw my hat in the 30-06 ring also, does everything that is needed and more, cheap, plentiful, lots of ammo choices, powerfull enough. As far as what flavor though look around, lots of choices, find a gun that fits you.
I hate to say this but this is the best time of year to check pawn shops, tax time always produces a few more guns given up, and the way the economy has been has helped also. There can be some screaming deals found if you look, some may have new or barely shot guns and if you look hard, wheel and deal some have very good scopes also. Just last week i found a Model 70, 30-06 NIB for a great deal, may have to get it. Dont be afraid to ask if they having anything in the back that is coming out in 30 days or less, most will let you put a hold on it and it's your after it cmes out (i have bought alot this way, nobody but the store personel saw it).
Also ask if how long it's been on the rack, some may tell you and deal that way.
I bought a .257 weatheryby the other day that the shop had had for awhile, price was ok but the scope on it was junk, i got the guy to swap out the scope with a lupey 3x9 vari II off another gun that had been there along time with no difference in price (first guy said no we wont do that, but the owner overheard and came over and said no problem we can make it work)..

[Hunterman]

I've been shooting a Savage .30-06 for the about 30 plus years. The one I huntwith now was my dads rifle, mom bought him in 1965. Its still a tack driver with my hand loads..I will reach out and put the smack down out to 650 yards ( yea I have pics too)

You can't go wrong with the .30-06. Plu if you shot store bought ammo its every were..

Hunterman(Tony)

[ribka]

x2 Tikka T3 lite stainless 30-06

I bought one 5 years ago and great shooting gun. Lite and accurate and good all around firearm

[huntmando]

I agree with ribka, I got the same rifle last year and it's great.

[44 Flattop]

Get a bolt action 30-06 and a 3-9x40 scope.

+1

44

[hillbilli]

while its hard to argue with what the boys are saying about  basic 30-06, from rem, win, savage, ruger, take your pick..
  I really think as long as you have a rifle in the 30-06 class of power, and you can hit with it, it doesnt matter much which cartridge it is. I use .308, but .270, .280, 7mm mag, even 8mm mauser, they all are in that class of power. i went with .308 because my auto was .308, and surplus ammo was available. The surplus .308 ammo is about gone now, and 30-06 is available anywhere that carries ammo. 

[bobcat]

Something I just thought of, I am not sure if you hunt a lot of public lands, but if you do you will want a gun/caliber with a lot of "drop" factor. As washington regs state the last person to put a bullet through an animal gets to keep the animal (it does not state that the animal needs to be alive or dead while this happens).

I've never seen any regulation in the pamphlet that addresses that issue. As far as I knew, it was whoever got to the animal first and notched their tag. Didn't matter if that person even fired a shot at all.

[Jamieb]

Wow. I'm kind of surprised to see all the folks on here that haven't gotten past the 06 yet

[Buckmark]

I am kind of surprised nobody jumped on the whole "Drop factor" and marginaly place shots comment..

[270Shooter]

I am kind of surprised nobody jumped on the whole "Drop factor" and marginaly place shots comment..

I dont wear boots when I hunt, I wear my running shoes

[Bofire]

   all bullets drop from the moment they leave the barrel until they hit something.  marginal hits are not as good as dead center hits but better then "oh *censored*" hits. (what surprise)?
30/06 is a great cartridge, an excellant killer. Look in the books not at the 'bull shooter area" the old 06 is a better "magnum" than some of the "magnums". with 150's it is a flat shooter with the 180's it will kill anything in North America easily, and is still fairly flat.
Carl
the shot that 'counts' in this state is the one that kills it, wounds don't get points.