Author Topic: Your Thoughts on a New Rifle (Read 1673 times)

Will_C · « **on:** December 27, 2004, 06:12:54 AM »

I just got some good news before Christmas: I won a gun raffle

! the prize was a choice of a Remington 710 rifle package or an 870 Express shotgun with 2 barrels. Neither of these interests me, so I am taking the cash. In the spirit of the raffle, I will buy another rifle (and my wonderful girlfriend handed me a Christmas card with some cash and told me to use it for a new rifle!)
I would like your thoughts on what I should consider. I always like to help others spend their $ on the different forums I visit, and turn about is fair play. Here is some info about what I hunt and what I have:
I hunt whitetail deer in NY, PA, and VT. I am planning to go on a wild boar hunt soon (sounds like a fun way to put pork in the freezer

) I would like to go South for a deer hunt sometime in the next few years. I also hunt woodchucks, and manage a few shots on crows and coyotes every year. Other big game will be many years down the road (I am a school teacher, and can't take time off in the fall for a Canadian or Western hunt.)
I have a Remington Model 7 in .222, a Model 7 in 7mm-08, and a Browning A-bolt in .243. I also have a Encore .50 cal. muzzleloder. I use a Remington 11-87 as a slug gun here in N.Y.
What should I consider next? My thoughts are leaning toward a bolt gun in .30-06 or .300WSM (probably another Browning or perhaps a Winchester Model 70) or a BLR in .358. I know that if I were to plan a well-matched battery without overlap , I should consider something like a .338, but I won't have a use for such a gun for many years.
Another barrel for the Encore makes sense, but that is something I can manage anytime. I want to use this Christmas windfall for another rifle.
Thanks for reading this long post, and fire away with your thoughts!
Will

Ron T. · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2004, 07:19:26 AM »

I'd think about a .30/06 in whatever rifle you like. I'd consider a Remington BDL or CDL, a Browning or a Tikka Whitetail Hunter with the roll-over cheek piece on the wooden stock.

I recommended and my Godson got a Tikka like the one above for less than $600... and it is a BEAUTIFUL rifle... and very accurate too. I think that such a Tikka is very possibly the "best buy" in a traditional bolt-action rifle at this time. It uses the SAME BARRELS as the extremely high-quality SAKO & is owned by Sako (who is owned by Beretta).

With the Federal high-performance rounds (similar to Hornady's "Light Magnums"), the .30/06 shoots & hits like a .300 magnum... and will take any game in North America. Yet, with 150 grain bullets in factory loads (or handloads) for deer hunting, it still shoots flat enough to have a point-blank-range of 300 yards... and yet, it doesn't destroy a lot of meat.

Anyway, that's my 2¢ worth...

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2004, 10:38:41 AM »

I too would go with an 06 or maybe, my new favorite, the 280.

Long

victorcharlie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:15:30 PM »

What? No lever gun? .358 BLR without a question!

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2004, 01:35:24 PM »

Will_C,

You don't already have a .30-06 then by all means get one. No firearm battery is complete without one. Lawdog

270Handiman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2004, 07:11:13 AM »

I agree with the others, get a nice 30-06 you can be proud of. At that point, you will have a pretty well rounded arsenal that you should be very pleased with. You will have all the basic's covered for most North American game except the big bears and such. Then, down the road you can add a BIG bore complete your gun cabinet. (Then you can fill in everything in between just because, lol.)

Good luck,

270

PA-Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2004, 07:27:13 AM »

Winchester Featherweight in 7mm08, 7 mauser or 30-06

Buffalogun · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2004, 03:18:56 PM »

Will,

In looking at your battery, I see that most of your rifles are suited for relatively short range. Looks to me like you need something to reach out yonder.
I'd look to a Browning or Winchester chambered to the .270 WSM, 7mm WSM or the 7mm Rem Mag. A .30 cal. mag could be useful for large game, but wouldn't be needed for Muleys or Whitetails.

Wish I were in the same fix as you!!!

Buffalogun

huntsman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2004, 04:39:26 PM »

In your shoes I wouldn't buy a new rifle, you already have your bases covered and then some. But since you insist, here goes my two penny's worth. I would consider getting a big bore lever gun for close-in fast action shooting if you are contemplating hogs, especially if you will be stalking or hunting heavy cover. My own choice would be either 444 Marlin or 45-70, something that slings heavy bullets with authority. At the other end of the spectrum would be a cartridge that would reach out and touch with more precision and velocity than your current cartridges in the medium to light game category. The 25-06 and the 264 Win mag come to mind here. I think both have the bullet weights and velocity that would best suit your needs.

The 30-06 is a fine cartridge, but it isn't going to do anything new that your 7-08 can't do on deer or hogs on down. It will shoot a bit flatter, but for all the pomp and circumstance it won't kill any more surely. The 7-08 has more than enough punch for hogs loaded with premium bullets. The 30-06 is a poor choice for varmints because even the lightest bullet weights are very heavy with a low sectional density.

Good luck and have lots of fun redistributing that cash!

Rick Teal · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2004, 04:46:02 PM »

BLR in .358 - no doubt about it.

I use one, and hunt deer and moose with it, so it has plenty of pop for any hog you'll run into.

I don't know anyone who hunts with this combo who would give it up for any reason.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2004, 10:26:17 AM »

Will
Congrats! Nice to win things.

On the gun issue, I'd go with '06 since the smaller calibers are covered and you didn't mention big bores.

I'd like to see a 7-08 fling a 180gr bullet at 2880fps, which is the published velocity for Federal's 180 premium hi-shock ammo with Nosler Partition bullets. That is VERY close to 300 Win Mag factory loads.

For hogs the 180-220gr bullets hit with REAL authority.

I agree it's a little much for varmints, but that is what your 222 is for anyway.

The '06 will take anything on this continent, although if I were going for a brown bear, I'd look into 338 or heavier, but like you said, that's a long ways down the road, and another new rifle maybe.

Will_C · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2004, 02:56:05 AM »

Thanks for all the advice! I found a Browning Stainless Stalker in .30-06 at a local store. The gun was on sale, and I got a $20 store rebate, making the final price $660, which is the best price I have seen on that gun, so I bought it. I just pulled the Leupold 2.5-8x Vari-III off from my 7mm-08 and put it on the Browning, can't wait to try it out!
I still really like the idea of a .358, but I think that can wait until I save my pennies up for the future. I am a savvy enough rifleman to know that I had all bases covered before the .30-06, but a chance to buy a new rifle without spending any of "my" money was something I could not resist. Hope all of you get a chance to do something like that one day! :grin:
Will

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:21:14 PM »

Congrats Will, One nice extra is the '06 will be a dandy for elk if you get the chance. Used mine for elk hunting but unfortunately not elk shooting, yet!

All I have read from those that use it, it will do you proud. Ammo is cheap and plentiful and should you be in some remote, out of the way place without your ammo, it should not be hard to find some.

Enjoy your new rifle. :grin:

kombi1976 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:01:56 PM »

This is just a suggestion so take it in that light.
Why not try the new .325 WSM?
If you intend to buy a Winchester or Browning they both chamber for this round and it looks like a really excellent alternative.
I'm a big fan of thinking outside the square and European cals tend to be underated so I think you should consider having a go.
It has a bigger frontal area than .308(although many would say not that it's not that much ) and you can benefit from the new lot of 8mm bullets released by firms like Barnes if you're reloading.
I believe it's a logical step up from your .243(6mm) and 7mm-08.
And if you're worried that the bullet range isn't heavy enough Woodleigh have just released an 8mm 250gn RNSN that would suit a .325WSM well.
There you go.
Feel free to discredit my idea if you like but as I said it's just a suggestion.

longwalker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:34:11 AM »

I would tend to agree with the go bigger crowd. Yes a 30-06 is a fine rifle and will do most everything you would want it for.

Looking at your current collection you have excellent guns for the normal run of the mill hunting situations. I recommend you go bigger 338 win mag.,338-06, 35 Whelen, 8mm, 325 wsm. Bigger is better. The best part, this time of year is when you will find the best deals.

Good Luck

Longwalker

handirifle · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:37:46 AM »

To follow on that note, I agree with the 338 class. If you look at the Hodgdons annual manual, the published velocities of the 338-06 is about 150-200fps behind the 338 Win Mag and loses NOTHING to the 30-06 in velocity or trajectory.

In addition, it hits as hard as the 35 Whelen, if not harder. Outstanding bullet selection in the 338 class of bullets as well. For ME the 338 Win Mag would be too much, but the 338-06 still remains my dream caliber.

Maybe this sommer my Savage will get a new barrel. :grin:

Will_C · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2005, 12:24:33 PM »

Well, guys, I did buy a .30-06. I agree that a .338 or a .325 WSM would have made more sense in building a complete battery, but I am 12-15 years away from ever having the need or use for one. The 06 that I bought will give me another gun for deer, and would be fine for the chance that I may get at a hog, black bear, or anything else that I may encounter in the immediate future.
Will

kombi1976 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:52:00 PM »

Well, the '06 is certainly a dependable cartridge.
It will give you more hitting power in terms of black bear and elk but in all honesty the 7mm-08 would probably serve you well for everything else smaller and it's certainly cheaper to reload and softer on the shoulder.
I would say that if you're up for a change somewhere down the track do consider the 338-06.
Handirifle is right......it's a real performer.

Mirage · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2005, 01:27:17 PM »

Rremington 24" SS bdl in either 7mm or 300 SAUM. The 700 bdl SS has been dicontinued in the rmington lineup for 2005, great deals if you look. I just picked one up for $450 out the door.

Mirage

firstshot · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2005, 07:42:36 AM »

Will_C

Congratulations on your new rifle. In my humble opinion, you not only picked the right caliber but the rifle as well. I've got a BAR Safari (No BOSS) in 30-06, but have really been eyeing the Browning Stainless Stalker in .30-06. Only problem is my BAR is so nice and shoots so well (spelled "accurate"), that I just can't bring myself to switch.

Does you gun have the BOSS system? I've read a lot of good comments about the BOSS / CR system, & it seems like it would be good for someone who doesn't handload.

Speaking of handloading, caliber .308 is a handloaders dream as there are a gazillion bullet choices. Well.....maybe not quite that many, but the Reloaders Bench bullet database, http://www.reloadbench.com/specs/form.php?&table_name=bullets&function=search&sql=+where+bull_dia+like+%27%25.308%25%27&name_mailing=&page=0&order=, list 186 of them.

Good luck with your new Stalker and be sure and let us know how it shoots.

Thanks
First Shot
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Make your first shot count!