Posted on 12/17/2011 9:34:30 AM PST by rabidralph
I am looking to buy a rifle that would serve two purposes: primarily a long-distance shooter and secondarily a larger game taker downer :-)
I like to shoot beyond 600 yards and I want a rifle to suit that purpose. From info I've gathered, I should get a larger-calibered rifle, with at least a 24" barrel. I would like to keep the rifle below 10lbs because I also want to hunt with it some day. I am interested in hunting elk and moose, eventually. So I am thinking of a .308.
Well, this is all a learning experience for me which is why I ask for advice from you all. I don’t handle any of my firearms in a casual manner. I am unsure whether I will be swapping out the stock but I know I may have to upgrade some parts to get what I want. I am working on doing my part.
I had an attorney that got fined big time for that.
They also took his gun and his game.
He got his money back by suing the crap out of his guide.
Dude, no, you misunderstand. After the first half-dozen posts, you are out of the discussion and your needs are no longer being discussed. It becomes all about the other posters and what they like and what their experiences have been. Soon it will deteriorate into a pissing contest about who has done the most hunting and has the biggest hardest gun. Then there will be insults, then some posters will sanctimoniously offer to pray for each other, then there will be accusations that the other guys are not real conservatives, probably liberal trolls, because they don’t like the same thing. Some lady or limp-wristed man will post that they don’t see why it’s necessary to kill the pretty animals because they have feelings too, and there will be a 100-post tangent on that. It’s great fun if it goes the right way.
And then some people wonder why we can’t agree on a decent presidential candidate!
You'll be surprised at how much commercial ammo (except for expensive match ammo) varies in bullet weight and powder charge. You'll also be surprised at how much you save by reloading, if you shoot a lot.
If you're going to become an above average long distance shooter, you'll need a rifle and ammo that is consistent.
Look for an American made rifle in the $500 - $600 dollar range new and a new scope beginning at least in the $350 range and up. Don't forget the used markets. Plenty of great deals there, especially from individuals.
I’ve come across a few animals dead from their wounds over the years. Once I even found one still alive but gut shot and unable to stand.
I agree that the object is to kill them and not to have sport. However, minute of angle at 600yards is a 12” diameter. At 200yds with an appropriate caliber, a decent hunter can shoot a standing animal dead with one shot (though many still miss or gut them). At 600 you are as likely to wound or miss entirely. Chasing wounded game (especially large dangerous game such as moose and bears) is not fun.
15 years ago I guided for black bear. I saw alot of hunters with very expensive equipment miss and wound stationary animals. Our hunters were not allowed to use less than a 300 magnum nor shoot from more than 300 yards. Still ended up having to finish off lots of wounded bears.
No matter how accurate they are at the range, I don’t know anyone who hunts at 600 yards, and I don’t recommend it for a variety of reasons, especially in less than perfect conditions. Your mileage may differ.
bfl
Check with the ranges you want to do 600 yard target shooting at and see what is the largest caliber they allow. I sometimes shoot a .308 at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center in Ione and the biggest they allow is .338 Lapua. The restriction is from the FAA since Rancho Murrieta airport is within 5 miles of the range, so no .50BMG or similar are allowed.
Your range(s) may have even more restrictive limits.
>>>Dude, no, you misunderstand...<<<
LOL!
My advice is coming from over 2 decades of bench rest and freehand silhouette competition, as well as combat sniper/special forces service.
The best choice you could make in regards to the needs you express, would be for you to buy a reasonably good used Remington 700 BDL with a long action. (30-06 or belted magnum)
Take it to a good gunsmith and have the bolt and locking lugs trued and accurized. Have that same gunsmith rebarrel it in either a high grade #5 or #6 Hart or Douglas. Have it chambered to either an 8mm-06, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, or simply make it a 30-06.
Then have it bedded in a good composite stock and do not cut the barrel any longer than 20 inches and more importantly, have it crowned. It would also be wise to read up on accuracy and shooting technique. Then, take it to the range and practice, practice, practice. Not to mention, learn to custom hand load your ammunition. Do this, and you will have a far better rifle than you could ever buy off of the shelf, and for a third of the cost.
From what you describe, anything larger than a 30-06 is overkill for game in this continent. The 30-06 has more than ample power, and will easily handle any of the largest game on this continent. It is also a stellar long range round and is effective out to 1,000 meters.
For the largest and most dangerous game, like Brown Bear or Yukon Moose, I recommend at least a 338 Win Mag or larger. My personal and favorite choice for these animals is the 375 H&H.
Now see, Ralph didn't mention zombies.
That's a different proposition altogether.
rabidralph; in case you are shooting zombies, then you need a high-capacity semi-auto, caliber doesn't need to be any bigger than .223 Rem. You should strive for dependability above accuracy, because you'll be shooting at ranges of less than 100 yards, but if you experience a failure to fire, you will become zombie food.
Have extra magazines and a backup firearm, such as a semi-auto .45ACP.
Good Luck!
7.62 x 54R. Mosin-Nagant M91-30. Set ya back about $100.
Ammo is cheap.
Iron sights only cause scopes are cheatin’.
:)
I like the 165 Nosler Partition for deer and elk.
“Iron sights only cause scopes are cheatin’”
Yep. I agree with you in all particulars.
Don’t let these people fool you. I also guided in Alaska for all species. There will be times when you will take a 600 meter shot. You will either wound one, and won’t have a clear shot until they get that far away, or the conditions won’t allow a closer stalk.
If you are skilled enough and have your equipment tuned correctly, 600 meter shots are not difficult. Especially with the new range finders available. This new technology has saved many animals from being crippled, as well as, satisfied many a hunter. They are an absolute requirement and the best money you will ever spend on equipment.
If you are not skilled or well trained in shooting, then you should not be in the field anyway. Even a 100 meter shot coming from an inexperienced, poorly prepared hunter, is unethical.
Ruger or Savage .300 Win Mag or .338 La Pua.
POLITICS? You post politics on a shooting thread?
MODS!!!!!
FReeper etiquette misfire!!!
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