Hunting Rifle Advice Needed

jhj370

I have a Remmington 7400 30-06, nothing wrong with it, but I am starting to feel the need for a 7MM or 300. I want to be able to go hunt out west without buying a new gun, yet at the same time, continue to deer hunt in GA without obliterating the deer. Any opinions on caliber, brand, and model are welcome. Also, does anyone know anything about Swift scopes?

He Dog

Here in New Mexico more .30-06 rifles are used than anything else. You really have no NEED of anything different, larger, faster or sexier. Now if you WANT something different, that is another matter, and if it requires permission or encouragement, you certainly have mine. Seriously, if you can put your shots where you want them, you can hunt the west including elk with that old 06 and do a fine job of it.

D.S.COLE

My 2 cents worth. Get a good bolt action in 300 Win. mag. You can handload it with minimum powder charges for your local deer, it still performs about like a 30/06 and load it heavy for out west trips. Swift scopes are usually more reliable than other low priced brands ,they cost about 25% more to start. they have the best warranty system out there.If it goes bad you return it to the dealer and he gives you another right across the counter. You dont have to send it back to the factory and wait.Hope this helps.DSC

bfair

I agree with hedog. I hunted Az and Calif. many years with a 06 and never felt undergunned. Where else can you find a cal. with such a large load selection. 110 gr for varmits to 220 gr for elk or bear.The only reason for a 300 mag or alike is campfire conversation.

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Home of the Blue Angels, P'colaSemper Paratus [This message has been edited by bfair (edited 10-17-2001).]

dheffley

I can't see you needing anything bigger than a 30.06 unless you're going to hunt large bear or moose up north. You can hand load (or have it done for you) a wide range of bullets and charges in the 30.06. If, however, you are going to step up, I would go with a 300 Win Mag. If you do, take a long look at the Howa rifles. They are the best buy for the money, in my opinion. They one I bought was the most accurate "out of the box" production rifle I've ever had.Can't help you on the scope.

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Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!

Orphanedcowboy

I agree with the above too, I have hunted Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, and all over Texas with nothing more than a .308 or 30-06, I cain't see no real advantage of one over the other, but The magnums only give you a false sense of security, I have been on hunts with my Winchester Black Shadow in 30-06 and made kills, when others with 300 H&H's and win mags have failed to kill, missed or lost game. It's your preference only(and input never hurts), we won't have to hunt with it, YOU WILL.

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Orphanedcowboy@msn.com[This message has been edited by Orphanedcowboy (edited 10-17-2001).]

DaRoosta

I went through the same thing you're experiencing after last year's hunting seasons. Although I honestly think a 30-06 is plenty for both deer and elk, it sounds like you may be questioning your rifle. I did the same thing. I hunted black tails and rocky mountain elk with the 06. To cut the entire story out of why I was questioning my rifle, I decided on a 300 Ultra Mag. It's a kind of big for blacktails, but will do a great job on elk and could serve very well in Alaska soon. I was looking at both 7mm Mags and 300 Win Mags before my decision. This topic could go on forever. It's just personal choice. I like Remington, Browning and Sako as far as manufacturers go, but that's just me. My advice is to save your pennies, don't be cheap when it comes to decision time, get something you really like and be confident with it. Don't forget to top it with a nice scope and practice before the season. When you start to narrow down your choice, post another topic so we can see how it's going. Good luck.

Orphanedcowboy

Da Roosta is giving sound advice, calculate how much you spend on hunting alone, rifle aside and you'll soon see why a $1000 dollars is cheap for a top notch setup, Then figure how long you'll own it, and divide, and it comes to just a few dollars a season. Case in point last year I put apples around my feeders, I charged them on one credit card and waited till the end of the year to see the total....I was devastated to learn that in 90 days I spent $1345 on apples alone, not counting corn, the wheat, rye and vetch I sowed, or the cost of a stand. A gun is one the least expensive parts of hunting, so buy something you can be proud of, and will want to hunt with for along time, and will do what you anticipate you'll be doing anytime soon. Hope we Have helped you

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Orphanedcowboy@msn.com

He Dog

Hey Orphan, I think I would just plant some apple trees around the stand!

TED GAR

The 270 and the 30-06 will kill anything on the planet. If you need more power, get a bazooka.

BigTex

The Browning A-Bolt in .300WSM is awesome.Regards,BigTex

TED GAR

If you are going to be shooting 400 yard shots, you need the 7mm mag or 300 mag. I admit that. But,It makes me sick when someone tells me they bagged, a buck with their 300 mag, in front of their deer feeder at 75 yards. Hell at that yardage, I would of shot him with my 45 sidearm!

jhj370

Wow, the responses have been overwhelming. After reading them, I think I am questioning the ability of my gun, not as much as the calibre. I used my old man's Weatherby Vanguard VGX, bolt action,in a 7MM RM last year and was blown away by the accuracy and smoothness. Is this a common difference b/t the semi-auto and bolt action?

He Dog

Generally speaking bolt actions are more ridgid than semi-autos and tend toward greater accuracy. I used lots of modifiers there because no two rifles are created equal (that is the Declaration, not the ammendments). Some individual rifles are more accurate than others of the same make and model that came off the line the same day, and some makes tend to be more accurate in general than others. You should be able to buy a quality rifle off the shelf and with a good, properly mounted scope have a 2moa shooter. With a little tweaking you can likely come down to 1moa. Some will shoot 1moa off the shelf. A few semi-autos can do that, but not most. Hand loaded ammo and other factors may also help. Most rifles shoot a particular cartridge more accurately than others, so it is a good idea to buy several boxes of different ammo and go to the range and see which groups best.