Hunting Rifle

[HahnB]

I'm thinking about purchasing a nice rifle, since I don't own a good hunting rifle. It may be used for deer in the future if I hunt out of state, who knows. As of right now it's just going to be used at the range. I'm debating between browning, ruger, and remington and between a .308 and a .300 winchester mag.

I've never shot either, and I'm concerned about the recoil of the .300 and if it would be something you could enjoy shooting 50 rounds out of at the range...I have shot a 8mm remington and the recoil wasn't all that bad, but that was for a few shots-not 50. The .308 seems to be a better choice for deer, but who knows what I would use it for in the future....What about brand?

[Chubrock]

Remington 700 7mm-08. Plenty of knock down power, and doesn't kill your shoulder when you shoot it. It also doesn't kill your wallet when you shoot it at the range. Right now I'm shooting a Winchester Model 70 .270 and love it, but was planning on picking up the gun above until I ran out of time in the day to do things.

[shootermcgavin7]

I have a Remington 710 .30-06 and I am a huge fan. It definitely has plenty of knockdown power for a deer, especially if you go with a heavier round.
It is a composite stock to keep the price down somewhat, so if that is a huge turnoff then you should probably pass.

It is very similar to the 700.

[TwiloMike]

I've nothing to contribute to the thread but Shooter, where the heck have you been? Long time since I'd seen you post. Are you lurking or just not around?

[shootermcgavin7]

I work in financial reporting/accounting. First week in January - early April is roughly 90-100 hour weeks.

Then I went to Vegas for a week on vacation.

I should be posting fairly regularly again.

[HahnB]

Good stuff so far guys, I really like this model 700 http://www.remington.com/products/fi...less_specs.asp

[Skinny Fat]

The 700 is definitely a quality rifle; other (inexpensive) rifles with similar quality include Savages and Tikkas. You definitely can't go wrong with the Remington, though. Most consistent out-of-the-box performance you'll find anywhere.

As far as the .300's recoil, it really depends on the shooter. You're a big guy, but experience helps a lot when you're dealing with recoil. I would be comfortable running 20 rounds through it in a single range session, but no more than that.

The .300 is also going to be significant overkill when it comes to whitetail and mule deer - it'll be perfect for elk, moose, sheep, or caribou, but you really don't need that firepower for deer. I'll second the 7mm-08 suggestion above - my brother's got that caliber. It's as accurate a caliber as you'll find anywhere, and I could put 100 rounds through it without thinking twice. The other thing to think about is cost and availability of ammunition. The perfect rifle to buy would probably be a .270 Win, because the ammo's as cheap as you'll find anywhere, you can shoot 50 rounds without discomfort, and it'll kill anything smaller than an elk without a second thought. Elk will still go down, but you'll need to be very good with the gun.

Just my two cents.

[HahnB]

The 700 is definitely a quality rifle; other (inexpensive) rifles with similar quality include Savages and Tikkas. You definitely can't go wrong with the Remington, though. Most consistent out-of-the-box performance you'll find anywhere.

As far as the .300's recoil, it really depends on the shooter. You're a big guy, but experience helps a lot when you're dealing with recoil. I would be comfortable running 20 rounds through it in a single range session, but no more than that.

The .300 is also going to be significant overkill when it comes to whitetail and mule deer - it'll be perfect for elk, moose, sheep, or caribou, but you really don't need that firepower for deer. I'll second the 7mm-08 suggestion above - my brother's got that caliber. It's as accurate a caliber as you'll find anywhere, and I could put 100 rounds through it without thinking twice. The other thing to think about is cost and availability of ammunition. The perfect rifle to buy would probably be a .270 Win, because the ammo's as cheap as you'll find anywhere, you can shoot 50 rounds without discomfort, and it'll kill anything smaller than an elk without a second thought. Elk will still go down, but you'll need to be very good with the gun.

Just my two cents.

Sounds good, the 7mm-08 is sounding better and better. I have no clue when it will actually be used for hunting, I'm just looking for something fun to shoot at the range that packs some more punch than my ak but could double as a deer gun if I need it to.

[Skinny Fat]

Sounds good, the 7mm-08 is sounding better and better. I have no clue when it will actually be used for hunting, I'm just looking for something fun to shoot at the range that packs some more punch than my ak but could double as a deer gun if I need it to.

.257, .25-06, .264, 7mm-08, .270, .280, .308 would all fit the bill nicely. Plenty of oomph for when you really need it, won't knock the sh*t out of you if you wanted to shoot it all day. Good luck!

[shootermcgavin7]

The other thing to think about is cost and availability of ammunition.

That's a very good point. Maybe cost a little more so than availability. Cheap range ammo is the only reason I still have my 9mm handgun.

[HahnB]

That's a very good point. Maybe cost a little more so than availability. Cheap range ammo is the only reason I still have my 9mm handgun.

Same here, it's the reason I bought my 9mm. My range rents by half hour or the hour, so I wouldn't spend a ton of time at the range anyways. I wouldn't wanna stay longer than an hour if I was shooting multiple weapons once you factor in ammo for an hour plus the lane itself. So ammo price isn't all that big of a concern as long as it's resonable, because I wouldn't be shooting 1 weapon for several hours. You can't beat the range ammo for my ak, wolf $2.20 for a 20 round box. Those guns will fire dirt, though.

[WBBIRL]

I've got a remmington model 760 game master.. its nice but its carbine... the 7600's are hard to come by around here.

A 30-06 isnt to hard to shoot... the only thing is that the barrel would heat up after about 10 rounds and youd start throwing bullets everywhere. I dont think you could shoot off 50 rounds in a day... unless you had about 2 hours to kill.

[WBBIRL]

Oh and about recoil... its all about your mass I guess. I can fire off rounds out of a 7mm mag like no tommorow while my dad cant shoot 2 before hes complaining about his shoulder.

[midee1]

Might I suggest this. Model 77 .270

Basically a .270 is a 30.06 case necked down to take a .27 caliber bullet. Which leads to longer and flatter shooting than the .06. I had one of these and 200-250 yard shots were common with only about a 10-12 inch drop. Kind of rusty right now but used to be a collector and avid shooter.

The model 700 Remington's are a good choice as well. Although a 7mm mag is basically useless unless you are hunting out west where 300 yard + shots are common. Just to much gun for your average hunt. If you go with the 700 be sure to chose the BDL which has the bottom door to drop the shells out without having to run them all through the chamber.

First thing I would do with either is to take them to a gunsmith and have them bedded. Basically clearance between the stock and the barrel to allow movement of the barrel and help with accuracy.

Hope this helps a bit.

[HahnB]

Might I suggest this. Model 77 .270

Basically a .270 is a 30.06 case necked down to take a .27 caliber bullet. Which leads to longer and flatter shooting than the .06. I had one of these and 200-250 yard shots were common with only about a 10-12 inch drop. Kind of rusty right now but used to be a collector and avid shooter.

The model 700 Remington's are a good choice as well. Although a 7mm mag is basically useless unless you are hunting out west where 300 yard + shots are common. Just to much gun for your average hunt. If you go with the 700 be sure to chose the BDL which has the bottom door to drop the shells out without having to run them all through the chamber.

First thing I would do with either is to take them to a gunsmith and have them bedded. Basically clearance between the stock and the barrel to allow movement of the barrel and help with accuracy.

Hope this helps a bit.

The only drawback is the bdl isn't available in either round I was considering, and the wood is about $200 more than the synthetic stock model. I realize I may not need the firepower, but I wanted a little more gun than a .270 I do like that ruger, though. It's a big more cash than the sps 700 I was looking at...Come to think of it that's just going by msrp from the website. I'll check with local dealers about the ruger in a 7mm-08 or .308

[Behemoth]

If you're just going to do deer hunting buy a 30-06. More than enough power for all species of deer, unless of course you're shooting some mad crazy range like a mile or two. If you're going to do bigger game like elk and moose get a 300 win mag. Only reason I don't suggest that gun for deer hunting is run are about twice the price of 30-06 rounds.

[HahnB]

I'd really like to get a hk 91, but they are too damned expensive. Anyone heard of the PTR-91's? http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/prog...asp?Prodid=204

I've talked to several people who have them and they are really happy with them. With the small chance I would ever use the new rifle for deer I may go with another type of rifle, but still possibly in a .308 like the rifle above.

[Chubrock]

Bro stay away from the above gun if you're looking to purely hunt with it. If you plan on ****in around at the range, then cool deal, but I've always believed in a quality bolt action for max accuracy over any semi auto (exceptions being HKs PSG-1 or whatever the hell that expensive ****er is). Somebody mentioned a Tikka rifle, and I've heard VERY good things about them, though I haven't personally shot one.

[HahnB]

Bro stay away from the above gun if you're looking to purely hunt with it. If you plan on ****in around at the range, then cool deal, but I've always believed in a quality bolt action for max accuracy over any semi auto (exceptions being HKs PSG-1 or whatever the hell that expensive ****er is). Somebody mentioned a Tikka rifle, and I've heard VERY good things about them, though I haven't personally shot one.

I would never hunt with the gun above. I was saying that the chances of me using the rifle for deer are slim to none, so I might as well get a rifle that's more fun to shoot at the range-like the one above.

[shootermcgavin7]

If you're just going to do deer hunting buy a 30-06. More than enough power for all species of deer, unless of course you're shooting some mad crazy range like a mile or two. If you're going to do bigger game like elk and moose get a 300 win mag. Only reason I don't suggest that gun for deer hunting is run are about twice the price of 30-06 rounds.

I also have a 30-06. While I don't have any anecdotal proof, I'd imagine if you bought heavy enough rounds you could drop an elk with it also. Yes/No?

[WBBIRL]

Im sure you could, you would just have to either get the heaviest rounds possible or make good headshots. I've shot deer in the eye before and thats the only way Id ever try to kill an elk with a 30-06. 300 win mag or something like a 308 and just a nice behind the front shoulder delight.

[Behemoth]

Within a hundred yards a 30-06 should be plenty lethal into the vitals. But yes, if you were hardcore into big game hunting you'd likely be taking some pretty ranging shots... in which case you'd be much better off with a 300 win mag.

[Skinny Fat]

Im sure you could, you would just have to either get the heaviest rounds possible or make good headshots. I've shot deer in the eye before and thats the only way Id ever try to kill an elk with a 30-06. 300 win mag or something like a 308 and just a nice behind the front shoulder delight.

Whoa whoa whoa - this is wrong. A .30-06 has plenty of power for elk shot the correct way (behind the shoulder) out to about 300 yards. A .30-06 also has significantly more killing power than a .308.

[HahnB]

Within a hundred yards a 30-06 should be plenty lethal into the vitals. But yes, if you were hardcore into big game hunting you'd likely be taking some pretty ranging shots... in which case you'd be much better off with a 300 win mag.

Yea, I doubt I'll ever be shooting Elk @ 500 yards so I think the .300mag would be a bit much.

[BCC]

I think if you shave down the pin on that 7.62 you'll have yourself a decent hunting rifle