Hunting Rifle Information

Deer are considered big game.

Nothing is more disappointing on a hunting trip than having the wrong caliber rifle for the job. Even with the right rifle, an oversized scope can ruin a great shot. Having the right rifle and scope doesn't guarantee a kill, but can increase a hunter's chances significantly.

General Tips

The cape buffalo is big game in Africa cape buffalo image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com

Use larger caliber rifles for larger game, smaller for small game. Consider what animal is being hunted and where, the distance between the game and the hunter, and whether or not there’s ground cover. The ability of the hunter factors in also. It doesn’t matter how far a rifle shoots. It’s how far the shooter shoots. The weight of the gun and length of the barrel may be a factor for young, inexperienced hunters.

Bolt Action Rifles

Bolt action rifle bolt action rifle image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com

Many deer and elk hunters consider a bolt action rifle to have the best accuracy because the rifle cartridge fits snugly into the barrel. The hunter raises the bolt and pulls it back to insert the cartridge. The bolt slides forward when closing, locking the bullet into the back of the barrel. Use bolt action rifles for long-distance shots and on bigger game, such as deer, elk and bear. Although there are many different calibers of rifles, the 30-06 (pronounced thirty-aught-six) is popular for all-around, do-anything hunting.

According to Cameron Hopkins, writer for the American Rifleman magazine, bolt-action rifles dominate the market because they're affordable, accurate, reliable and available in many different brands and calibers.

Semi-Automatic Rifles

Semi-automatic rifles reload for the hunter. Once the cartridge in the chamber is fired, the rifle automatically extracts the empty round, ejects it and loads a new cartridge into the chamber from the magazine. It repeats this action each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine is empty. Although reloading time is less, the round fits more loosely in the barrel, which may compromise the accuracy of the shot. Hunters use semi-autos for all types of game because the cartridges come in many calibers.

Single Shot Rifles

In single shot rifles, the hunter manually pushes the cartridge into the chamber. These rifles are very accurate because the round fits snugly, but the hunter has only one chance to take down his animal. Calibers vary so single shot rifles are used for a variety of game.

Lever Action Rifles

Lever action rifle rifle image by studio vision1 from Fotolia.com

Lever action rifles have a lever located around the trigger area. To load cartridges into the chamber of the barrel, pull the lever down and forward and then back and upward. Lever actions have quick follow-up shots because the extra cartridges are stored in a tube magazine under the barrel. Accuracy suffers with this firearm because the cartridges fit loosely in the barrel. The 30-30 is popular in the eastern states where hunters are shooting shorter distances under heavier cover. The bullets drop off fast after 200 yards, which makes the rifle less effective for long distance shots.

Pump Action Rifles

Although not as popular, pump action rifles have quick follow-up shots because of the tube magazine under the barrel. Pumping the action causes another cartridge to be loaded. Hunters using pump action shotguns often like these rifles. Pump actions handle more powerful cartridges but are loud when reloading.

Rifle Scopes

Bigger is not always better. Higher-powered scopes work great for long distance hunting but can zero in too closely for short shots. A hunter might be able to see the hair on a deer but cannot determine if he's aiming at the chest, face, or hind quarter. Lower powered or adjustable powered scopes work for most everything and are better in situations where the ground cover minimizes visibility.

References

• Richard Morley; hunter and hunter safety instructor.
• American Rifleman; African Big Game Hunting Rifles;
• American Rifleman; African Plains-Game Rifles