I'm Getting Into Hunting!

[Quarry Man]

On 9/25/2019 at 4:27 PM, fishballer06 said:

Being that I also live in PA, I think it's important that you realize a few things about hunting in PA. 

 

1. You want to stalk hunt on PA state game lands. That's fine and dandy and all, but the PA woods are FILLED with hunters during deer season. Most of which who use the state game lands aren't always the wisest/brightest/safest of hunters. So walking around in those woods is likely going to lead to you walking in front of/around other hunters who are in stands or blinds. So walk with extreme caution, and be extra careful on where you are shooting whenever you finally get a shot. You never know who else is around you that could be within range. 

 

2. A 300 Mag is going to be total overkill hunting in the woods where your range in limited to under 70 yards usually. Unless you are hunting fields and shooting 2-600 yards, there's no need for that rifle. The 308 is going to be the best all around caliber you can get. It's cheap to shoot, readily available, and it's very trustworthy in the woods, and even out to 300-ish yards in the fields. 

 

3. Semi auto rifles like an AR are not legal to hunt with in PA. So do not buy one. Bolt action is the way to go in PA. 

 

4. Obtaining an FFL license in order to purchase 2 rifles? That sounds like a lot of headache whenever a trusty 308 can be purchased for roughly $500. 

 

5. A 3-9x40mm scope is perfect for hunting around here. The adjustable zoom is good for short or long range and the 40mm bell is good for collecting light in the early morning or late evening. 

 

6. There's really no sense in buying camo either, since PA requires 150 square inches of florescent orange to be worn and visible in 360* on your entire upper body and head. So invest in a good warm orange jacket that is also resistant to snagging when walking through the brush, as well as a good orange hat. An orange beanie is a good investment too for those super cold days. 

 

7. Most of all, learn to shoot and be accurate so you can comfortably make a kill shot. No body wants to see a wounded animal running around the woods and not being recovered. Luckily, shooting is the most fun part, so shoot as much as you want and enjoy!

 

 

Sorry if I'm being a Debbie Downer, but as another PA resident, I thought is would be wise to help bring you up to snuff on what is required in PA. When you buy your license, read the manual well and know all of the laws. I'm not sure about an 18 year old, but you may be required to take a Hunters Safety course. And if you aren't required to take one, I recommend you do take it since you have never hunted before. 

all good advice, im looking at 6.5 creed, and through our research we figured out that you can't have semi auto. and I kinda realized there's no reason to wear camo in pa because of the orange rules.

On 9/25/2019 at 4:27 PM, fishballer06 said:

Being that I also live in PA, I think it's important that you realize a few things about hunting in PA. 

 

1. You want to stalk hunt on PA state game lands. That's fine and dandy and all, but the PA woods are FILLED with hunters during deer season. Most of which who use the state game lands aren't always the wisest/brightest/safest of hunters. So walking around in those woods is likely going to lead to you walking in front of/around other hunters who are in stands or blinds. So walk with extreme caution, and be extra careful on where you are shooting whenever you finally get a shot. You never know who else is around you that could be within range. 

 

2. A 300 Mag is going to be total overkill hunting in the woods where your range in limited to under 70 yards usually. Unless you are hunting fields and shooting 2-600 yards, there's no need for that rifle. The 308 is going to be the best all around caliber you can get. It's cheap to shoot, readily available, and it's very trustworthy in the woods, and even out to 300-ish yards in the fields. 

 

3. Semi auto rifles like an AR are not legal to hunt with in PA. So do not buy one. Bolt action is the way to go in PA. 

 

4. Obtaining an FFL license in order to purchase 2 rifles? That sounds like a lot of headache whenever a trusty 308 can be purchased for roughly $500. 

 

5. A 3-9x40mm scope is perfect for hunting around here. The adjustable zoom is good for short or long range and the 40mm bell is good for collecting light in the early morning or late evening. 

 

6. There's really no sense in buying camo either, since PA requires 150 square inches of florescent orange to be worn and visible in 360* on your entire upper body and head. So invest in a good warm orange jacket that is also resistant to snagging when walking through the brush, as well as a good orange hat. An orange beanie is a good investment too for those super cold days. 

 

7. Most of all, learn to shoot and be accurate so you can comfortably make a kill shot. No body wants to see a wounded animal running around the woods and not being recovered. Luckily, shooting is the most fun part, so shoot as much as you want and enjoy!

 

 

Sorry if I'm being a Debbie Downer, but as another PA resident, I thought is would be wise to help bring you up to snuff on what is required in PA. When you buy your license, read the manual well and know all of the laws. I'm not sure about an 18 year old, but you may be required to take a Hunters Safety course. And if you aren't required to take one, I recommend you do take it since you have never hunted before. 

all good advice, im looking at 6.5 creed, and through our research we figured out that you can't have semi auto. and I kinda realized there's no reason to wear camo in pa because of the orange rules.

[Russ E]

3 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

all good advice, im looking at 6.5 creed, and through our research we figured out that you can't have semi auto. and I kinda realized there's no reason to wear camo in pa because of the orange rules.

all good advice, im looking at 6.5 creed, and through our research we figured out that you can't have semi auto. and I kinda realized there's no reason to wear camo in pa because of the orange rules.

my brother in law, bought a savage axis in 6.5 creedmoor at walmart. I think he paid $399.00

I was a little skeptical when he bought a gun from walmart, but that thing is a tack driver.

it has a bull barrel and the savage accutrigger. 

[fishballer06]

10 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

all good advice, im looking at 6.5 creed, and through our research we figured out that you can't have semi auto. and I kinda realized there's no reason to wear camo in pa because of the orange rules.

I haven't shot a 6.5 yet, but I have done a good bit of research on them because I've almost brought myself to buying one twice. 

 

With that, I'll say this from what I've learned. It's a great long range gun. It's a very fast, flat shooting round. With that, it does a TON of damage to a deer at short ranges. So if you're going to be hunting in the woods and primarily shooting 50 yards or less, I think there's better calibers for you. 308, 30-30, 270, 243, & 7mm-08 all come to mind. If you get more into hunting and start doing some field hunting, the 270 and 308 will work in a pinch, but that's when I would consider a different rifle better suited for long range (6.5cm, 300mag, 270wsm, 7mm mag). 

[Quarry Man]

On 9/28/2019 at 8:01 PM, Russ E said:

my brother in law, bought a savage axis in 6.5 creedmoor at walmart. I think he paid $399.00

I was a little skeptical when he bought a gun from walmart, but that thing is a tack driver.

it has a bull barrel and the savage accutrigger. 

my buddy who was gonna get an ar-15 bought that gun in a 308

On 9/29/2019 at 6:57 AM, fishballer06 said:

I haven't shot a 6.5 yet, but I have done a good bit of research on them because I've almost brought myself to buying one twice. 

 

With that, I'll say this from what I've learned. It's a great long range gun. It's a very fast, flat shooting round. With that, it does a TON of damage to a deer at short ranges. So if you're going to be hunting in the woods and primarily shooting 50 yards or less, I think there's better calibers for you. 308, 30-30, 270, 243, & 7mm-08 all come to mind. If you get more into hunting and start doing some field hunting, the 270 and 308 will work in a pinch, but that's when I would consider a different rifle better suited for long range (6.5cm, 300mag, 270wsm, 7mm mag). 

I agree, because of this, I will pass up on shooting within 100 yards

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, Quarry Man said:

I agree, because of this, I will pass up on shooting within 100 yards

Unless you are planning on hunting out west, you will be passing up on the majority of shots on deer.

Most Eastern deer are killed within 100 yards.

In over 25 years of hunting,I have harvested deer  from 5 to 250 yards. With a rifle, bow, Pistol, muzzleloader, and shotgun.

The vast majority were less than 100 yards

 

The 6.5 shoots a little flatter, because of a lighter, smaller diameter bullet.

a 308 actually delivers more energy. and can cause more damage.

Bullet type and shot placement determines how much damage is caused.

If you are determined to take only long range shots, there is a much larger chance of damaging meat, or wounding an animal.

Talking from experience,a lot can go wrong when shooting long range. 

Wind, how steady your rest is, and nerves all come into play when a deer is in your sights.

[Quarry Man]

9 hours ago, Russ E said:

Unless you are planning on hunting out west, you will be passing up on the majority of shots on deer.

Most Eastern deer are killed within 100 yards.

In over 25 years of hunting,I have harvested deer  from 5 to 250 yards. With a rifle, bow, Pistol, muzzleloader, and shotgun.

The vast majority were less than 100 yards

 

The 6.5 shoots a little flatter, because of a lighter, smaller diameter bullet.

a 308 actually delivers more energy. and can cause more damage.

Bullet type and shot placement determines how much damage is caused.

If you are determined to take only long range shots, there is a much larger chance of damaging meat, or wounding an animal.

Talking from experience,a lot can go wrong when shooting long range. 

Wind, how steady your rest is, and nerves all come into play when a deer is in your sights.

What would your suggestion be then?

what you are saying does make sense though

[Russ E]

2 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

What would your suggestion be then?

what you are saying does make sense though

Out to 200 yards, nearly any modern rifle is effective. There is not much difference in bullet drop until 250 to 300 yards.

Where the 6.5 shines is the size of the bullet makes it less wind resistant, and it has less recoil than the 30 caliber rifles.

If you plan on shooting long range competition or coyote hunting, the 6.5 has much less wind drift at ranges from 300 yards out and bullet drop is less out at that range.

Most rifles you sight in at 200 yards.

It will be close to dead on between 25 to 50 yards.

1 to 2 inches high at 100 yards ,

and dead on at 200.

Nearly all high power hunting cartridges fit into this category.

 

In my long winded answer: if you plan on doing a lot of bench rest long range shooting with a little hunting, get the 6.5.

It is a good cartridge. The trade off: ammo is generally not cheap.

If your main goal is hunting, nearly any caliber between 6.5 mm and .30 will work.