I work on the rifle line at a public shooting range. I see over 100 scoped hunting rifles per year.
Think backwards. On everything.
Where and what do you hunt, regularly? Or are your thoughts aspirational, as in putting yourself in the boots of someone in Montana shooting elk at 600 yards. Be honest with yourself.
More on backwards thinking. Assign a value to all.
I won't approach the rifle/caliber question. Leave that to others. But if you follow this method, you won't end up with a $100 scope on a $900 rifle shooting obsolete ammo thru a fouled barrel.
Think backwards. On everything.
Where and what do you hunt, regularly? Or are your thoughts aspirational, as in putting yourself in the boots of someone in Montana shooting elk at 600 yards. Be honest with yourself.
More on backwards thinking. Assign a value to all.
- Your ammo selection/caliber is critical. You need affordable practice and expensive hunting ammo. You'll recover game more reliably with bullet technology from 2020 than from 1940. Get 3x20 rds of hunting at $2/rd. 100 rds of practice at $1/rd.
- You need a legit sling/mounts, and learn how to use it.
- You need high quality rings and bases, and know how to mount a scope correctly. If you don't use a torque driver and the correct adhesive, it is not correct. If you don't have levels, your reticle is not correct.
- You need a legit cleaning kit, with fluids developed this century.
- You need a high quality scope with magnification and reticle that matches your purpose. Confirm tracking and holding zero. Beware US branded lines made in China. Get caps.
I won't approach the rifle/caliber question. Leave that to others. But if you follow this method, you won't end up with a $100 scope on a $900 rifle shooting obsolete ammo thru a fouled barrel.