Firearm Fit
Sure, just about any shooter can fire any gun. That doesn’t mean one size fits all, especially when you want the shooter to have a positive experience. More manufacturers are building rifles with customizable stocks that allow for length of pull adjustments, allowing the user to set the buttstock’s length. Some even allow for comb height adjustments, meaning the shooter can more easily ensure proper cheek weld and eye-to-optic alignment.
In many cases, that can eliminate the need to purchase a dedicated compact rifle, only to have to trade for a full size later. If the shooter is too small, by all means look for a factory-built bantam rifle.
Many first timers will gravitate to the lightest rifle, finding it more friendly and easier to carry, but consider that lighter rifles kick more. An ill-fitting rifle will have considerably more felt recoil, which leads into the next point.
Proper & Useful Chambering
Along with a properly fitting rifle, the chambering is one of the most important points leading to success or failure. Handing a new shooter a hard-recoiling firearm is a surefire way to scare them away. Ditch the machismo. That doesn’t mean you have to start a hunter with an anemic chambering. If the rifle fits well, they’ll be more apt to manage the recoil. Take a good look at your potential hunter and consider their build and personal preferences.
For the most recoil sensitive, the most popular options are now the .243 Winchester and .350 Legend. The next step moves into the class of 7mm-08 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor, which dominate many conversations today. Don’t shy away from old-school rounds like the .25-06 Rem, .30-30 Win, .257 Roberts, and .308 Win, which are equally as efficient today as they were many decades ago.
It’s great to start new shooters on the range with rounds like the .22 LR, .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, and the like, but most are either illegal for deer hunting by state or questionable in both efficiency and suitability for medium to larger game. Plenty of AR-15 chamberings remain soft-shooting but with greater terminal performance. It’s impossible to list every reasonable caliber in this space; suffice it to say that if you are attentive to your new hunter, you’re already on track to have a lifelong hunting buddy.
You Can Find a Gun in Your Price Range
Whether it’s a budget synthetic build, a more classic collectible, or a high-end rig, there’s a proper rifle out there in your price range. Don’t be afraid to shop both new and used, scoped combos, bare rifles, or basic iron sights. You may have to spend a few more bucks if your first-time hunter is a southpaw, but those options are out there, too.
Find the lefty a break-action single shot or a true left-handed bolt that keeps the controls familiar and ejects cartridges away from the face. Give yourself a little time to find the best firearm, and if possible, let that lucky shooter shoulder and work the action on different guns as they shop.
Opting for a brand-new scoped combo proves a quick, all-in-one-box way to get a new hunter on the range quickly. Many of those setups will serve the hunter well, at least as they dive deeper down the rabbit hole.
That said, upgrading to the best rifle and scope combination right off the bat often saves money in the long run. Though some sort of optic may be helpful for a new hunter, learning and using quality iron sights is a lifelong benefit. At the end of the day, whether you’re looking to spend $350 or $1,350, you’ll find a rifle that fits the bill.
Be Mindful of the Future
This article assumes the hunter is pursuing deer, the most commonly hunted North American game, for the first time. Some new hunters already have their sights set on bigger game down the road.
If that’s even in the back of their mind, snagging a rifle and chambering appropriate for deer and larger quarry is a wise move. Rounds like the 7mm-08 Rem are surprisingly capable, as is the underrated .308 Win. Likewise, spicier young rounds like 6.5 PRC continue to gain traction with a younger crowd, and the good ol’ .260, .270, and .280 classes remain manageable and capable.
Firearm Suggestions
There are so many firearms I’d consider for first-time hunters. In budget guns with user-friendly features, Ruger’s American Gen II and Savage bolt actions with the AccuStock stand out, while Mossberg offers a Bantam Patriot that includes multiple LOP spacers. A single shot like CVA’s Scout series or Henry’s Single Shot helps instill the importance of placing the first shot with precision, while proving a safe starting point for many.
Modern sporting rifles generally allow for ample customization with six-position buttstocks, acting as a host for multiple AR-15-based chamberings. Options for bantam or customizable lever actions are not as plentiful, though those with wood stocks can be trimmed to fit.
Plus, many full-sized lever guns are quite user friendly in terms of metrics and chamberings. Lever-action rifles in what are traditionally handgun chamberings like .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 45 Colt prove soft-recoiling, albeit with somewhat limited ranges.
Final Thoughts
It’s not about the brand name, model type, or exact chambering. There’s no single perfect first rifle for new hunters. The right choice varies by individual, hunting type, budget, and future plans. Consider all the options against the build and personal preferences of that first timer. Help set them up for success and welcome them into the great, wild world of hunting.
