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New Gun Choice

cspot

cspot

Member
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Home is PA--- Camp is in SE Ohio
Wanting to get a new gun for Ohio gun season. In PA we can use rifles so I have plenty of them. This will be for me, but I would like something that the kids could use as well. Was thinking about a 45-70, but worried about recoil with the kids. Other 2 choices was a 44 mag or a 20 gauge slug gun like the Savage 220. Any pros/cons? Any other choices that I should consider?

I want something that ammo is relatively cheap and easy to find. Not looking to reload. Also for the gun, I am looking for something cost effective like less than $700 for bare gun.
 
M

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
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The 45-70 is a hard recoil rifle and surely isn't a kids rifle. Velocity for 325 gr bullet is around 2000 FPS
The 44 mag rifle would be a decent recoil for a kid. Velocity for a 240 gr bullet is around 1700 FPS.
There is no cheap good hunting rounds in any caliber. I don't buy factory but probably around 80-90 cents per round.
I reload with premium bullets for 35-40 cents per round with my own cases.

Buy about $125 of reloading equipment and reload the round you choice. Then you can down load for the kids and practice loads.

I.E. I switched to the 460 S&W Mag rifle this year. I can shoot 460 S&W, 45 Long Colt, and 454 Causul rounds.

With a 44 mag rifle you can shoot 44 Special rounds for practice and the kids to get them use to it.

I would never recommend a 357 Mag rifle to anyone and would never permit someone to hunt with me with it. But a 357 maximum with correct bullet would be the minimum. But not sure if any 357 Maximum rifles are made anymore. I believer Lundy shoots it.
 
brock ratcliff

brock ratcliff

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No. My nephew is tiny The Ruger has a very effective muzzle break.
 

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giles

giles

Cull buck specialist
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The real Amish country
Recently purchased a CVA Hunter in 44 mag for the reasons you listed. $300 out the door with a scope and my kids can effectively shoot it. Only shot one deer with it so far, and it did the job quickly.
 
bowhunter1023

bowhunter1023

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I'm a huge fan of the Savage 220s even though I don't actually own one, but I do carry a 20 gauge these days. That said, I like Brock's recommendation as well and that is likely in my future with a little one quickly approaching hunting age.
 
M

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
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rooster85 said:
I use either my .44 or .444 but that .444 is a tad big for close range deer. I'll be running the .44 only this season.
Click to expand...

I'm in the group that thinks there is never too dead when it comes to deer hunting. I've used a 44 mag and 45LC to take 23 deer and several deer with a 44 Mag rifle. But I've switched to a 45-70 rifle 3 years ago when it became legal in Ohio. This year I switched to a 460 S&W Mag rifle to get a flatter bullet path.
I believe in bigger is better and bigger kills better. IMHO
 
cspot

cspot

Member
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Home is PA--- Camp is in SE Ohio
Thanks for the responses guys. Did some research on the Ruger American 450 Bushmaster and I am thinking this will fit the bill quite nicely. Price fits budget, ammo is reasonable, recoil isn't too bad with muzzle break, and it seems from what I am reading that it is a legit 200 yard gun. This is exactly what I am looking for.
 
brock ratcliff

brock ratcliff

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It's a legit 300 yd gun, for whitetail. Once you put your hands on that tiny thing you'll wonder why anyone would hunt with anything else. Ruger knocked it out of the park with this one.
 
cspot

cspot

Member
2,691
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Home is PA--- Camp is in SE Ohio
brock ratcliff said:
It's a legit 300 yd gun, for whitetail. Once you put your hands on that tiny thing you'll wonder why anyone would hunt with anything else. Ruger knocked it out of the park with this one.
Click to expand...

Looks like the gun price ranges in the mid $400 range? I plan on calling some local gunshops tomorrow. Wife is buying it for me for Christmas. Told her she may as well as I am buying one anyway. LOL.
 
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