TOTAL VANITY: Need Advice on Hunting Rifles

[BuglerTex]

I mean Rem700 in 270

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Get an SKS50 with a 50 shot clip :)

[Uncle Miltie]

Deer?

I was in the same predicament, got lots of advice, and ended up with a fine rifle (Browning A-Bolt .270). But knowing what I know now, most decent bolt-action .270s will kill deer at relevant ranges.

All the main makes of rifles will have quite good out-of-the-box accuracy. Unless you're already a sniper, you'll probably not notice one that is 1/2 inch worse than another. They'll all kill deer very nicely.

The .270 has the advantage of a relatively flat trajectory, while still packing plenty of punch. The .30-06 has the same general configuration and powder load, but it pushes a bigger bullet, so the trajectory is a little loopier. Some of the bigger cartridges being proposed here (.308) are going to hurt your shoulder more, and you'll develop a flinch. They're not necessary for deer, but are excellent for Elk or Terrorists at long distances! ;-)

What I would recommend is to get a .270 bolt action that you like the feel of, and practice practice practice. I suspect you'll be most accurate with a gun that you are happy to use, and do use regularly.

P.S. - Optics can / should cost you almost as much as the rifle. Some people swear you should buy more scope than rifle. I have two scopes, and the better one makes a remarkable difference. It turns dusk into daylight and that's when the critters are on the move!

[Steveone]

Way Cool!!

[yarddog]

With a limit of around $300 you should probably go used. You can get a nice used bolt action with scope for that. Try to find one with a scope already mounted.

For some reason, a rifle and scope sell used for about the same as a rifle without a scope. That is why I always remove a scope before I sell one of mine.

Any name brand, Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Browning, Savage, or CZ will be fine. Try to get a common caliber, for instance 30-06, 7MM Remington mag, etc.

It would be a good idea to take someone with you who is knowledgeable but not locked to any one brand.

The Marlin 1895 in 45-70 would be excellent if you don't mind recoil.

I would not recommend any military surplus rifle despite the fact that many of them are great rifles. Most of them are sighted in at something like 300 meters and often mounting a scope is difficult.

I will admit to loving Swedish Mausers, and for that matter any Mauser or 03 Springfield but remember their shortcomings I mentioned.

[One Proud Dad]

Ruger Model 77 with a Leupold Vari 3 3x9 scope in either .270, .30-06, or .300 Win Mag ( depending on what yu want to hunt and where ). Ammunition is plentiful.

I also like my model 94 Winchester .30-.30. Great brush gun.

[Tarpon]

Marlin 30-30. It will sell well if you want to trade up.

If you want more range, a .308 bolt gun from Winchester or Remington.

[Uncle Miltie]

Whoops! I see in later posts that you included Elk. I agree with those recommending a step up, .30-06 or better. A .270 is still usable, but generally regarded as a little too light for elk.

[Junior_G]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. What kind of scopes did you get?

[BuglerTex]

I agree with you, as you can see.

[Junior_G]

Yeah, I didn't even realize before I started this thread that the requirements to hunt deer and elk were so different.

[fireforeffect]

Several people have said it but i will reiterate.

Deer or elk (Moose)

.30-06 (.30 in./7.62 mm bullet) is a good all around cartridge for most north american game. You load the round for the game you plan to take. Light fast load for deer and heavy bullets for elk/moose.

7.62x51 (.308 win) is also a good round. But lacks the case capacity of the .30-06.

.270 is a good flat shooter that many like. Good for most game. Good selection of bullets and loadings available. Easier on the shoulder too.

I would go with something in .30-06. You wont need any thing bigger unless you plan to hunt bear or mountain goat. If going after bear .458 Win mag, .460 Weatherby, or .50 Alaskan are best. The .30-06 with 200+ grain bullet will take down bear, but without much of a safety margin.

Go with a bolt action. They almost never jam, unlike self loaders. Lever action rifles require flat nosed bullets to avoid accidental detonations (pointed bullet against primer in tube, bad idea.)

Unless you want a surplus fire arm. Go with a new rifle. Anything with a Mauser type action. Positive extraction is a must. The bigger the extraction lug the better, don't want that dinky little one breaking when that bear wants you elk.

You could join a Civilian marksmanship Program club and get an 1903 Springfield or 1917 Infield in 30-06. But neither takes a scope well.

Sights. Be sure the rifle has fixed iron sights, you will need them when you drop your rifle and break the scope dodging that bear that wants your moose. But get a good scope too. 4x unless you plan to shoot over 100 yards on a regular basis. Some of the newer reflex sights are good too, but can cost more than the rifle.

Get a .22 cal in the same configuration as what ever rifle do buy. Equip it with the same iron sights and mounts for your big guns scope. This makes practice easier.

[MonroeDNA]

Remington 700 in .308.

Cheap ammo, very accurate, not expensive.

And oh yeah, it is the basis for the military sniper rifle in .308.

[muir_redwoods]

Savage makes a nice inexpensive 30.06. I think it's the model 115. Comes with a scope and looks pretty good for around $300. Ask a lot of questions about accuracy and durability, though.

[Junior_G]

Great summary. Thanks.

[Uncle Miltie]

Sightron and Nikon. The Nikon is better. Leupold is better yet, but too pricey for me.

I'm a beginner, but with that Browning A-Bolt .270 / Nikon combo, I drilled a doe at 110 yards 1" off the center of her nose. She was chest high in grass staring right at me, so I drilled her brain. I was quite pleased with the shot. Did it with a mono-pod Y stick, while seated.

I'm a former Washingtonian, and when I got to North Dakota a few years ago, I had to replace my Steelhead addiction with something new. Guns are fun, and the critters are great!

Good luck!

[MonroeDNA]

The 30-30 is a weak cartridge.

The 30-06 and the .308 have the same balistics, but the .308 is a lot cheaper cartridge. It was designed to replace the 30-06.

It is more than powerful enough to take out an elk.

[BuglerTex]

Also very good advice and info from you. And the 22 suggestion is a very good one. Cheap cheap practice. Find your own backstop somewhere and dont kill the neighbor's cow.

[RLegacy]

250/3000 Savage is a great gun too. Rotary Mag. You can get the same gun in 300. Both lever action and accurate as all get out. Shot several deer with the 250 and dropped 'em like rocks.

[Junior_G]

I have to abandon this thread for a few hours. I appreciate all the info you folks have given me-----instant education, courtesy of FreeRepublic. I'm bookmarking this thread and using it as an unofficial reference for when I finally go make the purchase.

Thanks again, all.