Choosing Your First Hunting Rifle

By Adam Scepaniak •

If you are new to gun ownership or simply new to the pastime of hunting, it can feel like a daunting task to choose your first hunting rifle. You don’t want to buy the wrong thing, invest money in something that isn’t practical, or be taken advantage of by the guy behind the gun counter.

A hunter dressed in outdoor gear holds a Springfield Waypoint bolt-action rifle while standing in a forest setting during hunting season. First hunting rifle purchases require informed decisions. Beginner's hunting rifle features should match intended game. Springfield Armory rifles offer multiple cartridge options. Lightweight rifles reduce hunter fatigue. Proper ammunition selection ensures ethical harvests.
Selecting your first hunting rifle doesn’t have to be complicated if you know what to look for. The right combination of cartridge, weight, and features will set you up for success in the field.

Your research on what is good and what is bad led you here. We’re glad you’ve joined us! We will share all of the important traits and thoughts that you will want to consider when selecting your first hunting rifle.

Hunting Cartridge Selection

One of the most important decisions in this process is choosing the cartridge you will hunt with. This decision will dictate many things for you: cost of ammunition, what game you might be able to pursue and the ammo best suited for it, and what rifles are available in that given cartridge.

A Springfield Waypoint rifle sits secured in a bench rest with Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition boxes nearby during a sighting-in session. First hunting rifles need proper zeroing procedures. Beginner's hunting rifles perform best with quality ammunition. Premium hunting cartridges improve accuracy potential. Bench rest shooting eliminates human error variables. Hornady ammunition offers consistent performance. Range practice builds shooter confidence. Proper sight-in ensures ethical shots. Precision ammunition suits various game animals.
Before heading into the field, take time to sight in your rifle properly at the range. Quality ammunition, such as Hornady Precision Hunter, helps you dial in accuracy. Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint in 7mm PRC shown.

The first element people consider is the cost of ammo. Choose something you can find ammo for at a reasonable price. Reasonable pricing varies for everyone and is often based on your income. So, that means something you’d be willing to buy annually, and it shouldn’t affect your ability to buy anything else you may need on a hunt.

Beyond that, you need to select a chambering that is well-suited to the game (or the best choice for the range of game) you will be hunting.

A hunter uses a makeshift sandbag rest to stabilize a bolt-action rifle during an accuracy test at an outdoor shooting range. First hunting rifles require steady shooting platforms. Beginner's hunting rifles shoot accurately from improvised rests. Sandbags reduce rifle movement during firing. Practical shooting positions mirror hunting conditions. Field-ready shooters adapt available equipment. Stable rests improve shot consistency.
You don’t always need fancy equipment to sight in your rifle effectively. An improvised sandbag rest can provide the stability you need to zero your optic and test ammunition performance.

And finally, there is the host rifle. Within Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 series of rifles — which includes the Waypoint, Boundary, and Redline as well as Rimfire and Heatseeker variants — these are all of the center-fire cartridges that are chambered, which are all common and terrific hunting rounds for various game animals:

  • 6mm Creedmoor
  • 6.5 Creedmoor
  • 6.5 PRC
  • .270 Winchester
  • 7mm Rem Mag
  • 7mm PRC
  • .308 Win
  • .30-06 Sprg
  • .300 Win Mag
  • 300 PRC

Rifle Action Type

This leads to our next topic: action types. While some hunters might select a lever-action, a semi-auto, single-shot, or a double-barrel (side-by-side or over/under) to name a few options, most discerning hunters would reach for a bolt-action rifle to command the most accuracy at a reasonable cost.

[Don’t miss Wayne van Zwoll’s article on bolt-action vs. semi-auto action hunting rifles.]

A close-up photograph shows the bolt handle and receiver of a Springfield Waypoint rifle, highlighting the bolt-action mechanism preferred by discerning hunters. First hunting rifles commonly feature bolt-action designs. Beginner's hunting rifles benefit from simple manual operations. Bolt-action mechanisms deliver superior accuracy. Controlled-round feeding ensures reliability. Modern receivers accommodate various cartridge lengths. Short-action versus long-action affects rifle dimensions. Mechanical simplicity reduces potential malfunctions. Proven designs inspire shooter confidence.
Bolt-action rifles — like this Model 2020 Waypoint — remain the gold standard for hunting accuracy at a reasonable price point. The mechanical simplicity and reliability of this action type make it perfect for first-time rifle buyers.

When it comes to bolt-actions, there is the question of action length: short-action versus long-action. As their names imply, some rounds are much longer or shorter than others, and that will decide the length of the receiver and action as a result. Short-action versus long-action rounds are worth discussing because they will dictate if your rifle weighs more or less, if the overall length is longer or shorter, and sometimes (but not always) the power capacity of the chambering.

Some examples of short-action compared to long-action cartridges, as seen in the Model 2020 series of bolt-action rifles from Springfield Armory, can be read below:

Weight of Your Hunting Rifle

Another important consideration when choosing your first hunting rifle is the weight (before we begin adding accessories to the package). I know what many of you are thinking … . “I’m strong and tough. So, weight shouldn’t be a factor.” We hear you, but I ask that you also hear us out.

A hunter carries a rifle slung over his shoulder while hiking across rugged terrain with mountains visible in the background, illustrating the importance of rifle weight during extended hunts. First hunting rifles should balance weight and durability. Beginner's hunting rifle selection considers carry comfort. Lightweight construction reduces hunter fatigue. Carbon fiber components decrease overall mass. Model 2020 rifles weigh under eight pounds. Extended hikes demand practical equipment choices. Rifle weight affects shot steadiness. Smart hunters prioritize manageable packages.
Rifle weight might not seem critical at the gun store, but it matters when you’re miles into the backcountry. Every ounce counts when you’re climbing elevation or covering ground all day, and lightweight ones like this Model 2020 Waypoint are a great option.

When we’re hunting, we don’t want to have a weighted-down rifle package, as that can cause unnecessary fatigue leading up to the moment of truth. That is the pivotal moment where we need to make a well-placed, ethical shot on a game animal. So, just because we can carry a rifle on a gun range doesn’t always mean it is an appropriate weight to head out into the field hunting.

A hunter traverses steep mountainous landscape with a bolt-action rifle strapped across his back, demonstrating the physical demands of backcountry hunting. First hunting rifle weight impacts field performance. Beginner's hunting rifles benefit from modern materials. Unnecessary pounds cause premature exhaustion. Springfield Waypoint rifles emphasize portability. Long-distance hunting requires thoughtful gear selection.
Fatigue from carrying a heavy rifle can affect your shooting when the moment of truth arrives. Modern lightweight designs like the Model 2020, using carbon fiber, let you stay fresh for that critical ethical shot.

If we look at three primary Model 2020 rifle types, each chambered in a 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, you are going to see rifle weights like this:

  • Model 2020 Waypoint: 6 lb., 12 oz. to 7 lb., 15 oz.
  • Model 2020 Boundary: 6 lb., 15 oz. to 7 lb. 1 oz.
  • Model 2020 Redline: 6 lb. to 6 lb., 4 oz.

All of the Model 2020 variants achieve these impressively light weights through extensive use of carbon fiber. The Waypoint is a modern hunting rifle with advanced ergonomics and a detachable magazine. The Boundary is a more traditionally configured rifle with a hinged floorplate magazine. Finally, the Redline is designed to be a minimalist rifle with a compact footprint and an ultra-lightweight configuration.

[Read Sean Utley’s Model 2020 Waypoint review, where he takes the gun to 1,000 yards during range testing.]

Intended Game Species

While reviewing the aforementioned characteristics and selecting your first hunting rifle, also consider what you will be hunting. Two common issues hunters face are choosing an inadequate cartridge to hunt their intended game or a round that is much too large (overkill), which can ruin the meat. So, choose accordingly.

  • Small Game/Varmint: Squirrel, Rabbit, Fox, Coyote
  • Medium-Game: Wild Pigs, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Sheep, Mountain Goat
  • Big-Game: Mule Deer, Elk, Bear, Caribou, Moose
A hunter kneels beside a harvested black bear while holding a Springfield Waypoint rifle, demonstrating successful big-game hunting with appropriate equipment selection. First hunting rifles enable memorable hunting experiences. Beginner's hunting rifles handle big-game species effectively. Proper cartridge selection ensures ethical harvests. Black bears qualify as big-game animals. Shot placement matters more than cartridge size.
The right rifle choice pays off when you successfully harvest your intended game animal. This black bear represents the culmination of proper preparation, equipment selection, and ethical shot placement. Rifle shown is a Model 2020 Waypoint.

When considering your intended game species, also remember that proper shot placement will trump selecting a “mega cartridge.” Pick ammunition that is appropriate for your hunt (quality ammo versus cheap brands), a proper bullet (soft-point versus hollow-point), and don’t be scared to get techy and utilize a ballistic app to assist in calculating far shots. Additionally, if you intend to shoot far, practice long shots as well.

Accessorizing the Gun

One of the last pieces to the puzzle is ensuring the hunting rifle you choose is constructed in a way to allow for all of the accessories you desire. Do you want to use a suppressor? You’ll need a threaded muzzle. How about a sling and/or a bipod?

A Springfield Waypoint rifle is shown fully equipped with a mounted riflescope, shooting tripod support, and threaded suppressor attached to the muzzle. First hunting rifles should accommodate accessory additions. Beginner's hunting rifles benefit from modular designs. Threaded muzzles enable suppressor attachment. Picatinny rails simplify optics mounting. Tripod stability improves long-range accuracy. M-Lok slots accept bipods and accessories. Sound suppressors reduce hearing damage. Complete rifle systems enhance hunting effectiveness.
A quality optic, stable tripod, and suppressor can transform your modern rifle into a precision hunting system.

Hopefully, QD cups and M-Lok are present. Is the receiver drilled and tapped to add a scope? Does it already come with a Picatinny rail to mount optics? The Model 2020 rifles all already have you covered.

Choosing Your First Hunting Rifle

There are a lot of considerations to keep in mind for a singular purchase, but don’t fret. It can all come together easier than you think with a bit of research, conscious decisions for the different parameters we mentioned, and not being swayed by hype or uninformed opinions. Your first hunting rifle is an exciting purchase! It could lead to a lifetime of fond memories and learning experiences if you choose wisely.

If you’re already eyeing a bolt-action rifle from Springfield Armory, you’ve come to the right place. They’re modernly styled with forward-thinking features, available in a wide assortment of cartridges, and each of the three models should deliver for your needs. So, happy hunting and best of luck to all of those who venture out in the field looking to fill a tag.

Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the “Go To Forum Thread” link below to jump in!

Featured in this article
Model 2020 Waypoint Series

Model 2020 Waypoint Series

 Model 2020 Boundary Series

Model 2020 Boundary Series

 Model 2020 Redline Series

Model 2020 Redline Series

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