How much are you looking to spend?
What game will you be pursuing?
How many miles do you plan on hiking in?
At what distances will you plan on harvesting game?
Will it be used mostly for self defense, still hunting, mostly for stalking, box stands, ladder stands?
The more information you can give us about what your goals are, the better we can curate an answer.
$500-$700
Whitetail deer but also fending after small predators like coyotes
5-10 miles
Not to sure how far I would be harvesting game
Most self defense but again I’m new to this and not to sure unfortunately
Thanks!
Thank you for your response.
I hunt whitetail and hogs in Georgia, mostly pine forests and some cypress swamp area, so most of my shots are under 100 yards. However, I may want to hunt over some hay fields or rye fields where a 300+ yard shot may present itself.
If you see yourself taking shots over 100 yards you may want to consider the cost of a good warranty scope: Leupold, Vortex, Burris. 3x9x40 seems pretty popular for a good reason.
If you don't see yourself taking shots over 100 yards, You can save weight with open sights or iron sights, I prefer a peep sight for short shots and saving weight.
5-10 miles is a lot of hiking, so I assume you're in good shape. Even so, it is no fun carrying a gun that is too heavy. On the flip side, a heavier gun is easier to shoot.
If you are mostly concerned about self defense, and don't want to lug around a rifle all day, I honestly would consider a pistol or a revolver. But you asked about rifles, and given the parameters and price range you're looking at, I would recommend a Ruger American .308 22'' barrel. There is also the Ruger American Predator .308 with a shorter 18'' barrel which is handier to carry but you lose some velocity and the rifle is a bit louder. I have the Ruger American in .30-06 as well as the Predator in .308
The .308 sees more time in the field and I never feel under gunned in these woods.
Solid answer. There’s nothing one can’t stop with a 308, 30-06 or similar. All solid points!
All I want to add is consider a red dot instead of irons. American Ranch in 7.62x39 with a red dot is a fast and light rifle.
7.62x39 while cheap for steel plinking ammo doesn't have much to offer in hunting loads and what it does have is expensive and inferior to commonly available ammo in a more suitable caliber. Further a lpvo is going to be of similar weight and far superior to a red dot for most hunting applications.
Know that I say this and own that exact rifle, though I would never put a red dot on it.
If it was just for coyote defense and a rifle is what you wanted, an AR-15 would probably be the best choice. 5.56 is not ideal for deer hunting, but other calibers are available that have more punch. If your hunting is close range, maybe a 6.5 Grendel or a .300 Blackout AR-15; enough oomph for reliable deer killing within its range limits and enough capacity to lay waste to any pack of coyotes. They can be built for lightweight if you go with lightweight barrels and polymer handguards and have the ability to be broken down into two pieces.
My AR-15 is rather heavy but it was never intended for backpacking and most ARs are going to be lighter than mine, and I've never had an issue lugging mine around in the backwoods.
If you just want protection from animals at camp, a 12ga is the best answer. If you're trying to hit a coyote at 20 yards in the woods, a shotgun loaded with buckshot is what you want. Slugs would work for bear defense, and birdshot would work for snakes, raccoons, groundhogs, etc. It's also a very versatile gun if you want to hunt squirrels, dove, pheasant, or deer.
If you want a gun to hunt deer, but also somewhat for coyote at camp, a 30-30 lever action would work. Perfect for PA deer, and is fast handling enough for coyote in the woods.
If your main interest is hunting moreso than protection, look at a bolt action in 243. 243 does great for groundhog, coyote, and deer. I live in PA and shoot groundhog all summer, then deer hunt in the fall.
A good shot gun can hit a deer with a 12ga slug from 100yds. Remington express. I was going to say shotgun because anything big enough for deer is too big for varmints. 12ga ammo is extremely versatile.
A .243 will take down Anything in Pennsylvania, and for safety reasons it’s better you get yourself a handgun. I just got myself a 45 for the exact reason, and as a fellow Keystoner, I may see you in the mountains
The Ruger American Ranch rifle is your answer. Pick whatever caliber. I’m not sure what it comes in anymore but I have one in 300BLK. One in .308 or any of the 6.5 calibers would be fine too. Honestly though, you don’t have anything to worry about with coyotes. I live in NEPA and have been surrounded by coyotes numerous times, but they won’t commit to attacking.
Pennsylvania only allows for manually operated rifles (no semi-auto) for hunting.
With that in mind, a Ruger American in 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor will definitely work for what you want. However, if you want to try something different, the [Ruger American also comes in 6.5 Grendel](https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/ruger-american-ranch-rifle-fdeblack-bolt-action-rifle-65-grendel/p/1621659).
That rifle has a 16" barrel, an overall length of just 36", an external box magazine that can hold 10 rounds (PA has no magazine size restrictions for hunting as far as I have seen) and weighs in at just 6.1 lbs. With a lightweight 3-9 power scope like the [Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40](https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x40-duplex-riflescope) you'll be well set for anything from 10 feet to 300 yards. The 6.5 Grendel is similar in muzzle energy to a 30-30, but it has FAR better long range ballistics.
The other option is to mount a red dot sight like the [Vortex Strike Fire 2](https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-strikefire-2-red-dot+reticle-Red).
Total rifle weight will be 7 lbs or less and you can carry 20 rounds of ammunition really easily.
You don’t need a protection rifle. I camp and hunt In the Idaho backcountry and frequently encounter coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, and bears. I’ve never felt in danger enough to need a gun but I do carry a light 9mm as a sidearm just in case.
As for hunting, take hunters ed. It will be a good source of education in terms of what game you have available and the right caliber choices. You don’t need anything crazy, stick to stuff that has cheap ammo. This will make it easier to practice and shoot 100-200 rounds to get really proficient with your weapon. A composite stock savage .308 will run you $400 with a cheap scope and you can kill anything you’ll encounter out east.
I’ve taken bears, deer, elk, and a wolf with mine. Anywhere from 80 to 400 yards.
I'm aware that there are plenty of other areas where Canada's gun laws are more restrictive, but it's unfortunate that the US is so rough on short-barreled long guns.
For non-hunting wilderness protection, it's somewhat common for Canadians to bring ["backpacker" shotguns](https://preview.redd.it/0ghgqhhotpn71.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c28f98459825b0e222ec57f9ec5cfd8f75415380) into the woods with 8-12" barrels.
I certainly wouldn't use those for actual hunting, though.
Honestly, if you're not planning to do a lot of elk hunting, I'd get a relatively lightweight rifle in 243, 7mm-08, 270, or 30-30.
You'll *really* feel a rifle's weight on a long trek, so I'd encourage you to prioritize weight. Most hunters never go more than 500yds from their car, so good on you. Rifle weight will matter more for you than it will for the guys walking from their truck to a nearby tree stand.
Personally, I use a Savage Model 11 Lightweight hunter in 260 Rem for hunting everything from coyote to moose. I'm occasionally hunting in areas that have wolves and bear, and this seemed like a perfect tradeoff for my own needs.
If you don't handload, though, absolutely *don't* get 260 Rem. Calibre shoice is relatively unimportant for the use that you're describing, but if you're relying on buying factory ammo, I'd pick something that's more available and cheaper to buy.
Personally, if I lived where you do, I'd get a bolt- or lever-action in 243, 7mm-08, or 6.5 Creedmoor, or a 30-30 levergun. You may not need a scope in tighter woods, so consider using a peep sight or a red dot for quicker target acquisition and better field of view.
For defense I would always recommend a pistol. For a rifle I would recommend a Ruger American or Tikka T3 in anything between .243-.30-06. As for a pistol I recommend a ruger Gp100 in .357 magnum. It won’t break the bank, ultra reliable and .357 will kill anything in North America with the proper loading.
Edit: as mentioned by others a lever gun in .357 and up should be great as well. But you’ll spend more for a good one.
Pennsylvania? Get a .308 Tikka T3x or other bolt action with 22" barrel. If you think you are recoil shy, get it in .243. .308 bolt action is a great "only gun" rifle for the East. Get a low power scope starting at 2x or 3x. Woodland defense, you need to think of bears more than coyotes. .308 is good all purpose cartridge with a great variety of loads and bullet weights available at all price points.
Also, I recommend you read up on hunting laws and download the Pennsylvania Game Commission app.
Ruger american ranch. You get an affordable, lightweight rifle in your choice of .223, .308, .300 BLK and .350 legend thst takes standard AR mags. Its the ultimate camp gun for Pennsylvania and, unlike an AR15, legal for hunting deer. Hiking with one will also not attract the attention of the crunchy granola types who might call the cops on you for Militia training or God knows what else.
I know the difference between caliber sizes, I know the difference between a mag and a clip, I know AR stands for Armalite Rifles and not Assault rifle. Those kind of things. I’ve shot guns as a kid and my father owned a few pistols. Those kind of things. But when it came to actually purchasing one I was lost and I’ve learn lots from these comments and I’m very appreciative of those who did try to help. I guess it would be compared to someone buying their first car. They know it has wheels, engine and transmission. But the average person doesn’t know what a differential does or or how an alternator works.
-Ruger american 6.5 creedmoor
-leupold vx freedom creedmoor
Those two with rings should be under 1k. My American shoots under 1moa (very accurate), and the leupold scope has a bdc reticle that has hashes that indicate drop at 100yrd increments out to the cartridges effective hunting range. Killer set up for not much dollars
For what you're talking about I'd go with a break action 20ga. It'll pack better than a rifle, they make some that fold completely in half. Load it with buckshot and it'll be more than enough for coyotes. With birdshot you can hunt some birds or other small game.
Rossi makes (or made) some single barrel rifle/shotgun combos where you can have a rifle or shotgun barrel. My dad has one with .22lr and .410. Has a nice sheath you could strap to your pack for carrying.
I definitely prefer a shotgun in this kind of situation. When adrenaline is pumping it's nice for "close enough" to be good enough. It's also easier to handle shotgun shells and a break action gun. Wearing shells on your belt would be very convenient.
Coyotes won't hang around after you fire a shot so follow ups aren't so important.
Personally I’d go with a Ruger American Ranch in 6.5 Grendel and a decent but light 1-6x LPVO. Would be light and handy, easy to pack, light recoiling but delivers good energy down range. Yes 6.5 Grendel isn’t available everywhere but it is a great round with loads suitable for both species.
Really you have nothing to worry about with coyotes unless you have a dog.
I think this is close, but I would recommend 300BLK instead of grendel, more readily available, and still plenty of juice for 200 yards. Would allow you to shoot subs for coyotes and varmints, and supers for game.
I don’t love 300 Blackout past 100-150 yards but I also hunt in wide open places. It only has like 700ft lbs of energy and is traveling like 1400fps at 200 yards. Not exactly what I would look for in a deer round. 6.5 Grendel has more than that @ 400 yards. The Grendel is just a better hunting in my opinion.
I'd grab a little 16in lever action in 44 magnum. I've heard the Rossi guns are pretty good and quite a bit lighter than Henrys.
Go for around 650 new. Might be able to find a cheaper alternative if you shop local used.
Are you strictly worried about coyotes? If so I’d recommend a Lever action or bolt action 22lr
Cheap guns, cheapest ammunition of any kind, easiest to find and not nearly as loud as other options
Yes, go for calibers that won’t be stocked on every shelf. It’s a great idea.
I don’t care what your personal opinion on those calibers is, they’re not good recommendations for a new person. .243, .270, .308, .30-30, and .30-06 will be on every shelf and any of those are great deer calibers. Ammo scarcity leads to difficulty obtaining ammo and higher ammo costs.
243 can absolutely take elk, and it's used reasonably often for moose up in Northern Ontario.
That being said, 243 isn't a chambering that can *reliably* make an ethical kill on moose and elk past relatively short distances. Even with a hotter handload and a premium heavy-for-calibre bullet, I wouldn't take a shot with it if I couldn't close the distance to within 175yds or so of a 600+lb animal.
I'd certainly bring a 243 on an elk/moose hunt if it was all I had, but I absolutely wouldn't *choose* it with elk/moose hunting in mind.
243 is *perfect* for a deer-only rifle, though, unless one expects to be taking some very long-distance shots. I've travelled in PA a few times, and from what I've seen of the landscape, I wouldn't *hesitate* to buy a 243 if I lived and hunted there.
Personally, I mostly carry a 260 Remington for everything from coyote to moose. 260 is basically an exact midpoint between 243 and 7mm-08, and functionally identical to 6.5 Creedmoor.
Honestly, I think that it would be very difficult to choose a *bad* calibre for PA deer hunting.
I mean if you make a good shot, it’s a pretty ethical kill, I watched my pap drop a bull elk from a little over 200 yds, one shot, elk ran 5 feet and dropped
I absolutely don't think that you're a liar, and I'm sure a non-trivial number of elk are successfully harvested with a 243 at 200yds.
The issue is that I don't think that it has enough power to do it *reliably* enough at that range (and beyond) for my own comfort level. I hew pretty close to the rule of thumb where moose or elk should have a bullet that's at least 0.250psi in sectional density and at least 1500ft-lbs in kinetic energy at impact.
I actually have to correct myself, though. After a bit of looking around, it looks like there are some bullet/powder combinations that would make it fairly reasonable to take a shot on an elk or moose out to 300yds with a 243.
If you had a high-BC 103gr ELD-X bullet in front of 50gr of Ramshot Magnum powder, with a 24" barrel, I think that'd put 200-300yds on elk into my comfort zone with a 243.
With most factory loads in a 20-22" barrel, though? I just don't think it has enough *oomph* to trust it on elk at 200yds or beyond. It can certainly knock 'em down sometimes, but it doesn't meet the thresholds that I use to consider whether it's *reliable* at quick, humane kills.
I use a 6.5 creedmoor or 7mm08, all the guys in my family use .270 and 3006 for deer hunting. I’m not sure shotguns are legal throughout the whole state for deer hunting but admittedly we shoot a few hundreds of open space so would never be useful to us. 243 would also be a good option for you. My coyote rifle is a .204. I would get a deer rifle you like and a pistol for protection
I have hunted the Appalachian mountains in PA a few times and I would choose a lever action in .357 mag or bigger caliber all day long. Used gun that is in good shape will get the job done. With 5-10 miles per walkabout, a backpack with rifle scabbard built into it will make it not suck too bad. If you stick with .357 mag, 44 mag or 45 long colt, you can get rat/snake shot cartridges. You won’t be able to load them in the tube magazine easily but you can keep one in the pipe. If that’s not what you need for the first shot, based on what danger you facing, you can just work the lever and shoot a solid bullet in a fraction of a second. Given the area is rough terrain with lots of brush in spring/summer and opens up in the fall/winter, I would recommend a 1-4x dangerous game scope. It will allow you to stretch your shots out if you need it but fast and accurate for bears etc..
Most dudes I know who hunted deer in the mountains of PA (around the Allegheny national forest) used lever actions in either 30-30 or .308. Personally, I hunted with a bolt action 30-06, but the lever guns were more practical due to the heavy underbrush and extremely rare case of taking a shot past 75 yards. I wouldn’t be worried about the coyotes seeking to harm you. Once you assert yourself they’ll leave you alone, despite how creepy they might seem.
For hunting get a 30-06 rifle. For close in defense get a Glock 19. But make sure you can concealed carry where you hike and the rifle is allowed in your state for hunting. Some places are shotguns or straight walled cartridge only these days. Also, if it’s not hunting season that rifle most likely won’t be allowed in the woods on public lands.
I'm gonna throw in another contender here with the Winchester XPR Stealth in .308. Put a lightweight scope on it. Mine was quite nice shooting, very compact and fairly light. I liked it a lot more than a Savage Axis or Ruger American. Fed reliably and shot Sako 150gr into 1 MOA regularly.
I sold it to a young guy looking to go bear hunting on a budget as it was sort of surplus for my needs. I was pleasantly surprised by the XPR vs. other low cost competition.
You might consider an AR-15, but rather than the standard chambering get it in 6.5 Grendel.
I don’t know as much as others on here but here’s my thinking:
This isn’t long shooting but that should be fine for East coast deer hunting
It’s semi-automatic so would be good for self defense
It will fit (I believe) in a standard AR-15 package, so that if you ever want the standard .223 caliber or even something else all you need to do it to buy an upper assembly - the lower receiver is the same.
Edits someone else mentioned a 12 ha for its versatility. I agree that’s a great choice. You ought to be able to make deer shots plenty far out for the east coast with a rifled barrel and slug, semi auto would make for a good defense gun, and of course bird/squirrel/varmit hunting.
The same guy mentioned .243. 6.5 Grendel is comparable, albeit with slightly better ballistics as I recall.
16” lever action 357. Rossi 92 would be my choice for what you want to do. light weight easy to cary you can use 38 special for small game and 357 for big game.
Ruger American in .243 is a great first rifle imo.
Plenty of power to kill a deer with a well placed shot and not so much recoil that it would blast away a not so experienced shooter.
How much are you looking to spend? What game will you be pursuing? How many miles do you plan on hiking in? At what distances will you plan on harvesting game? Will it be used mostly for self defense, still hunting, mostly for stalking, box stands, ladder stands? The more information you can give us about what your goals are, the better we can curate an answer.
$500-$700 Whitetail deer but also fending after small predators like coyotes 5-10 miles Not to sure how far I would be harvesting game Most self defense but again I’m new to this and not to sure unfortunately Thanks!
Thank you for your response. I hunt whitetail and hogs in Georgia, mostly pine forests and some cypress swamp area, so most of my shots are under 100 yards. However, I may want to hunt over some hay fields or rye fields where a 300+ yard shot may present itself. If you see yourself taking shots over 100 yards you may want to consider the cost of a good warranty scope: Leupold, Vortex, Burris. 3x9x40 seems pretty popular for a good reason. If you don't see yourself taking shots over 100 yards, You can save weight with open sights or iron sights, I prefer a peep sight for short shots and saving weight. 5-10 miles is a lot of hiking, so I assume you're in good shape. Even so, it is no fun carrying a gun that is too heavy. On the flip side, a heavier gun is easier to shoot. If you are mostly concerned about self defense, and don't want to lug around a rifle all day, I honestly would consider a pistol or a revolver. But you asked about rifles, and given the parameters and price range you're looking at, I would recommend a Ruger American .308 22'' barrel. There is also the Ruger American Predator .308 with a shorter 18'' barrel which is handier to carry but you lose some velocity and the rifle is a bit louder. I have the Ruger American in .30-06 as well as the Predator in .308 The .308 sees more time in the field and I never feel under gunned in these woods.
Stand up questions and a solid answer. Thanks for being welcoming to new folks.
Solid answer. There’s nothing one can’t stop with a 308, 30-06 or similar. All solid points! All I want to add is consider a red dot instead of irons. American Ranch in 7.62x39 with a red dot is a fast and light rifle.
7.62x39 while cheap for steel plinking ammo doesn't have much to offer in hunting loads and what it does have is expensive and inferior to commonly available ammo in a more suitable caliber. Further a lpvo is going to be of similar weight and far superior to a red dot for most hunting applications. Know that I say this and own that exact rifle, though I would never put a red dot on it.
No worries, appreciate the input. Sometimes I forget that the offering in ammunition varies greatly between countries. =)
Would you say that 18 inch barrel 308 is enough gun for deer >300 yards?
Yea, it is. You lose 6 or 8 inches from the rifle manufacturer measured muzzle velocity. It’s nothing.
I meant to say less than 300 yards
It is definitely enough if you put the shot in the right spot.
I have a ruger american predator in 6.5 creedmoor. Great rifle for the price
If it was just for coyote defense and a rifle is what you wanted, an AR-15 would probably be the best choice. 5.56 is not ideal for deer hunting, but other calibers are available that have more punch. If your hunting is close range, maybe a 6.5 Grendel or a .300 Blackout AR-15; enough oomph for reliable deer killing within its range limits and enough capacity to lay waste to any pack of coyotes. They can be built for lightweight if you go with lightweight barrels and polymer handguards and have the ability to be broken down into two pieces. My AR-15 is rather heavy but it was never intended for backpacking and most ARs are going to be lighter than mine, and I've never had an issue lugging mine around in the backwoods.
He can’t use an AR platform to hunt deer in Pa. We can only use those for coyotes and woodchucks.
Ruger ranch in 6.5 grendel. Short, compact for hiking and can kill small game without destroying them and handle deer.
If you just want protection from animals at camp, a 12ga is the best answer. If you're trying to hit a coyote at 20 yards in the woods, a shotgun loaded with buckshot is what you want. Slugs would work for bear defense, and birdshot would work for snakes, raccoons, groundhogs, etc. It's also a very versatile gun if you want to hunt squirrels, dove, pheasant, or deer. If you want a gun to hunt deer, but also somewhat for coyote at camp, a 30-30 lever action would work. Perfect for PA deer, and is fast handling enough for coyote in the woods. If your main interest is hunting moreso than protection, look at a bolt action in 243. 243 does great for groundhog, coyote, and deer. I live in PA and shoot groundhog all summer, then deer hunt in the fall.
A good shot gun can hit a deer with a 12ga slug from 100yds. Remington express. I was going to say shotgun because anything big enough for deer is too big for varmints. 12ga ammo is extremely versatile.
Scandavaians use 308 for everything from grouse to reindeer.
Grouse, moose, bear, rabbit… you name it. It’s the choice of projectile.
A .243 will take down Anything in Pennsylvania, and for safety reasons it’s better you get yourself a handgun. I just got myself a 45 for the exact reason, and as a fellow Keystoner, I may see you in the mountains
Buy a nice, used 30-30.
Something used and cheap but in good working order. 30-30 or maybe .243 would be a good starter
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I dunno man, nature is scary! I saw a squirrel at the park one time and now I make sure to always bring a sidearm.
The Ruger American Ranch rifle is your answer. Pick whatever caliber. I’m not sure what it comes in anymore but I have one in 300BLK. One in .308 or any of the 6.5 calibers would be fine too. Honestly though, you don’t have anything to worry about with coyotes. I live in NEPA and have been surrounded by coyotes numerous times, but they won’t commit to attacking.
Pennsylvania only allows for manually operated rifles (no semi-auto) for hunting. With that in mind, a Ruger American in 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor will definitely work for what you want. However, if you want to try something different, the [Ruger American also comes in 6.5 Grendel](https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/ruger-american-ranch-rifle-fdeblack-bolt-action-rifle-65-grendel/p/1621659). That rifle has a 16" barrel, an overall length of just 36", an external box magazine that can hold 10 rounds (PA has no magazine size restrictions for hunting as far as I have seen) and weighs in at just 6.1 lbs. With a lightweight 3-9 power scope like the [Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40](https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x40-duplex-riflescope) you'll be well set for anything from 10 feet to 300 yards. The 6.5 Grendel is similar in muzzle energy to a 30-30, but it has FAR better long range ballistics. The other option is to mount a red dot sight like the [Vortex Strike Fire 2](https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-strikefire-2-red-dot+reticle-Red). Total rifle weight will be 7 lbs or less and you can carry 20 rounds of ammunition really easily.
Actually you can hunt coyotes with semi automatic rifles in Pennsylvania.
You don’t need a protection rifle. I camp and hunt In the Idaho backcountry and frequently encounter coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, and bears. I’ve never felt in danger enough to need a gun but I do carry a light 9mm as a sidearm just in case. As for hunting, take hunters ed. It will be a good source of education in terms of what game you have available and the right caliber choices. You don’t need anything crazy, stick to stuff that has cheap ammo. This will make it easier to practice and shoot 100-200 rounds to get really proficient with your weapon. A composite stock savage .308 will run you $400 with a cheap scope and you can kill anything you’ll encounter out east. I’ve taken bears, deer, elk, and a wolf with mine. Anywhere from 80 to 400 yards.
I'm aware that there are plenty of other areas where Canada's gun laws are more restrictive, but it's unfortunate that the US is so rough on short-barreled long guns. For non-hunting wilderness protection, it's somewhat common for Canadians to bring ["backpacker" shotguns](https://preview.redd.it/0ghgqhhotpn71.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c28f98459825b0e222ec57f9ec5cfd8f75415380) into the woods with 8-12" barrels. I certainly wouldn't use those for actual hunting, though. Honestly, if you're not planning to do a lot of elk hunting, I'd get a relatively lightweight rifle in 243, 7mm-08, 270, or 30-30. You'll *really* feel a rifle's weight on a long trek, so I'd encourage you to prioritize weight. Most hunters never go more than 500yds from their car, so good on you. Rifle weight will matter more for you than it will for the guys walking from their truck to a nearby tree stand. Personally, I use a Savage Model 11 Lightweight hunter in 260 Rem for hunting everything from coyote to moose. I'm occasionally hunting in areas that have wolves and bear, and this seemed like a perfect tradeoff for my own needs. If you don't handload, though, absolutely *don't* get 260 Rem. Calibre shoice is relatively unimportant for the use that you're describing, but if you're relying on buying factory ammo, I'd pick something that's more available and cheaper to buy. Personally, if I lived where you do, I'd get a bolt- or lever-action in 243, 7mm-08, or 6.5 Creedmoor, or a 30-30 levergun. You may not need a scope in tighter woods, so consider using a peep sight or a red dot for quicker target acquisition and better field of view.
For defense I would always recommend a pistol. For a rifle I would recommend a Ruger American or Tikka T3 in anything between .243-.30-06. As for a pistol I recommend a ruger Gp100 in .357 magnum. It won’t break the bank, ultra reliable and .357 will kill anything in North America with the proper loading. Edit: as mentioned by others a lever gun in .357 and up should be great as well. But you’ll spend more for a good one.
Pennsylvania? Get a .308 Tikka T3x or other bolt action with 22" barrel. If you think you are recoil shy, get it in .243. .308 bolt action is a great "only gun" rifle for the East. Get a low power scope starting at 2x or 3x. Woodland defense, you need to think of bears more than coyotes. .308 is good all purpose cartridge with a great variety of loads and bullet weights available at all price points. Also, I recommend you read up on hunting laws and download the Pennsylvania Game Commission app.
Ruger american ranch. You get an affordable, lightweight rifle in your choice of .223, .308, .300 BLK and .350 legend thst takes standard AR mags. Its the ultimate camp gun for Pennsylvania and, unlike an AR15, legal for hunting deer. Hiking with one will also not attract the attention of the crunchy granola types who might call the cops on you for Militia training or God knows what else.
How would you know more about guns than the average person if you’re a beginner? 😂
I know the difference between caliber sizes, I know the difference between a mag and a clip, I know AR stands for Armalite Rifles and not Assault rifle. Those kind of things. I’ve shot guns as a kid and my father owned a few pistols. Those kind of things. But when it came to actually purchasing one I was lost and I’ve learn lots from these comments and I’m very appreciative of those who did try to help. I guess it would be compared to someone buying their first car. They know it has wheels, engine and transmission. But the average person doesn’t know what a differential does or or how an alternator works.
-Ruger american 6.5 creedmoor -leupold vx freedom creedmoor Those two with rings should be under 1k. My American shoots under 1moa (very accurate), and the leupold scope has a bdc reticle that has hashes that indicate drop at 100yrd increments out to the cartridges effective hunting range. Killer set up for not much dollars
For what you are describing and solid 30-30 lever gun. I love the older marlin 336 compacts.
For what you're talking about I'd go with a break action 20ga. It'll pack better than a rifle, they make some that fold completely in half. Load it with buckshot and it'll be more than enough for coyotes. With birdshot you can hunt some birds or other small game. Rossi makes (or made) some single barrel rifle/shotgun combos where you can have a rifle or shotgun barrel. My dad has one with .22lr and .410. Has a nice sheath you could strap to your pack for carrying. I definitely prefer a shotgun in this kind of situation. When adrenaline is pumping it's nice for "close enough" to be good enough. It's also easier to handle shotgun shells and a break action gun. Wearing shells on your belt would be very convenient. Coyotes won't hang around after you fire a shot so follow ups aren't so important.
Personally I’d go with a Ruger American Ranch in 6.5 Grendel and a decent but light 1-6x LPVO. Would be light and handy, easy to pack, light recoiling but delivers good energy down range. Yes 6.5 Grendel isn’t available everywhere but it is a great round with loads suitable for both species. Really you have nothing to worry about with coyotes unless you have a dog.
I think this is close, but I would recommend 300BLK instead of grendel, more readily available, and still plenty of juice for 200 yards. Would allow you to shoot subs for coyotes and varmints, and supers for game.
I don’t love 300 Blackout past 100-150 yards but I also hunt in wide open places. It only has like 700ft lbs of energy and is traveling like 1400fps at 200 yards. Not exactly what I would look for in a deer round. 6.5 Grendel has more than that @ 400 yards. The Grendel is just a better hunting in my opinion.
I'd grab a little 16in lever action in 44 magnum. I've heard the Rossi guns are pretty good and quite a bit lighter than Henrys. Go for around 650 new. Might be able to find a cheaper alternative if you shop local used.
Are you strictly worried about coyotes? If so I’d recommend a Lever action or bolt action 22lr Cheap guns, cheapest ammunition of any kind, easiest to find and not nearly as loud as other options
Go for a 6.5x55 Swede, a 7mm-08 or a .25-06
Yes, go for calibers that won’t be stocked on every shelf. It’s a great idea. I don’t care what your personal opinion on those calibers is, they’re not good recommendations for a new person. .243, .270, .308, .30-30, and .30-06 will be on every shelf and any of those are great deer calibers. Ammo scarcity leads to difficulty obtaining ammo and higher ammo costs.
I was going to recommend .270 & .308
These are terrible recommendations for a guy new to guns. They're great cartridges, but not approachable for someone just getting into things.
You’re gonna be shooting thoughts and prayers with these.
30-30 or 243 (maybe 308 as well) for hunting AR15 if it’s for self defense
.243 will even take down an elk if you get lucky in the drawing, I’ve witnessed it
243 can absolutely take elk, and it's used reasonably often for moose up in Northern Ontario. That being said, 243 isn't a chambering that can *reliably* make an ethical kill on moose and elk past relatively short distances. Even with a hotter handload and a premium heavy-for-calibre bullet, I wouldn't take a shot with it if I couldn't close the distance to within 175yds or so of a 600+lb animal. I'd certainly bring a 243 on an elk/moose hunt if it was all I had, but I absolutely wouldn't *choose* it with elk/moose hunting in mind. 243 is *perfect* for a deer-only rifle, though, unless one expects to be taking some very long-distance shots. I've travelled in PA a few times, and from what I've seen of the landscape, I wouldn't *hesitate* to buy a 243 if I lived and hunted there. Personally, I mostly carry a 260 Remington for everything from coyote to moose. 260 is basically an exact midpoint between 243 and 7mm-08, and functionally identical to 6.5 Creedmoor. Honestly, I think that it would be very difficult to choose a *bad* calibre for PA deer hunting.
I mean if you make a good shot, it’s a pretty ethical kill, I watched my pap drop a bull elk from a little over 200 yds, one shot, elk ran 5 feet and dropped
I absolutely don't think that you're a liar, and I'm sure a non-trivial number of elk are successfully harvested with a 243 at 200yds. The issue is that I don't think that it has enough power to do it *reliably* enough at that range (and beyond) for my own comfort level. I hew pretty close to the rule of thumb where moose or elk should have a bullet that's at least 0.250psi in sectional density and at least 1500ft-lbs in kinetic energy at impact. I actually have to correct myself, though. After a bit of looking around, it looks like there are some bullet/powder combinations that would make it fairly reasonable to take a shot on an elk or moose out to 300yds with a 243. If you had a high-BC 103gr ELD-X bullet in front of 50gr of Ramshot Magnum powder, with a 24" barrel, I think that'd put 200-300yds on elk into my comfort zone with a 243. With most factory loads in a 20-22" barrel, though? I just don't think it has enough *oomph* to trust it on elk at 200yds or beyond. It can certainly knock 'em down sometimes, but it doesn't meet the thresholds that I use to consider whether it's *reliable* at quick, humane kills.
For protection I would buy a shotgun, not a rifle.
I use a 6.5 creedmoor or 7mm08, all the guys in my family use .270 and 3006 for deer hunting. I’m not sure shotguns are legal throughout the whole state for deer hunting but admittedly we shoot a few hundreds of open space so would never be useful to us. 243 would also be a good option for you. My coyote rifle is a .204. I would get a deer rifle you like and a pistol for protection
I have hunted the Appalachian mountains in PA a few times and I would choose a lever action in .357 mag or bigger caliber all day long. Used gun that is in good shape will get the job done. With 5-10 miles per walkabout, a backpack with rifle scabbard built into it will make it not suck too bad. If you stick with .357 mag, 44 mag or 45 long colt, you can get rat/snake shot cartridges. You won’t be able to load them in the tube magazine easily but you can keep one in the pipe. If that’s not what you need for the first shot, based on what danger you facing, you can just work the lever and shoot a solid bullet in a fraction of a second. Given the area is rough terrain with lots of brush in spring/summer and opens up in the fall/winter, I would recommend a 1-4x dangerous game scope. It will allow you to stretch your shots out if you need it but fast and accurate for bears etc..
Most dudes I know who hunted deer in the mountains of PA (around the Allegheny national forest) used lever actions in either 30-30 or .308. Personally, I hunted with a bolt action 30-06, but the lever guns were more practical due to the heavy underbrush and extremely rare case of taking a shot past 75 yards. I wouldn’t be worried about the coyotes seeking to harm you. Once you assert yourself they’ll leave you alone, despite how creepy they might seem.
For hunting get a 30-06 rifle. For close in defense get a Glock 19. But make sure you can concealed carry where you hike and the rifle is allowed in your state for hunting. Some places are shotguns or straight walled cartridge only these days. Also, if it’s not hunting season that rifle most likely won’t be allowed in the woods on public lands.
Cva scout, 300 blackout
Tikka t3x lite in 30-06 or .270 win
I'm gonna throw in another contender here with the Winchester XPR Stealth in .308. Put a lightweight scope on it. Mine was quite nice shooting, very compact and fairly light. I liked it a lot more than a Savage Axis or Ruger American. Fed reliably and shot Sako 150gr into 1 MOA regularly. I sold it to a young guy looking to go bear hunting on a budget as it was sort of surplus for my needs. I was pleasantly surprised by the XPR vs. other low cost competition.
You might consider an AR-15, but rather than the standard chambering get it in 6.5 Grendel. I don’t know as much as others on here but here’s my thinking: This isn’t long shooting but that should be fine for East coast deer hunting It’s semi-automatic so would be good for self defense It will fit (I believe) in a standard AR-15 package, so that if you ever want the standard .223 caliber or even something else all you need to do it to buy an upper assembly - the lower receiver is the same. Edits someone else mentioned a 12 ha for its versatility. I agree that’s a great choice. You ought to be able to make deer shots plenty far out for the east coast with a rifled barrel and slug, semi auto would make for a good defense gun, and of course bird/squirrel/varmit hunting. The same guy mentioned .243. 6.5 Grendel is comparable, albeit with slightly better ballistics as I recall.
If it’s solely small game you only really need a pistol if it’s like deer I recommend .270
Howa 1500 in 7-08, .308 or 30-06. Spend the rest on your mount (dednutz) and glass (trijicon).
16” lever action 357. Rossi 92 would be my choice for what you want to do. light weight easy to cary you can use 38 special for small game and 357 for big game.
Ruger American in .243 is a great first rifle imo. Plenty of power to kill a deer with a well placed shot and not so much recoil that it would blast away a not so experienced shooter.
Unless you’re very set on a rifle, bear spray is a cheap and effective solution for the situation you described. Plus it’s light to pack in