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I want only one more rife, I think?

RobinRobin Member Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
I like bird hunting mainly. Most of the deer hunting I've done in Florida was with a shotgun. This year I went to Colorado on a Elk hunt,my first, with a borrowed 300 Weatherby Mag. and to Texas on a deer hunt with a borrowed .270 BAR. It is likely I will hunt Elk this year somewhere around Seattle, Washington and maybe a goat hunt around Kodiak, Alaska this year. I don't think I'll ever experience a brown bear hunt (way too pricey) and not going on an African safari (way, way, too pricey). Is a good quality .270 bolt gun with a good quality scope, a good choice for all around, multi-purpose, mostly do-it-all hunting rifle for the USA? Or is a good bolt 30/06 the better choice? Any manufacturers to avoid? Other flexible ideas? Thanks for your suggestions.
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Comments

  • MyjackMyjack Member Posts: 86 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Saxon's guidance is well founded. (IMHO) I have one high power rifle - a 7mm Rem. Mag. Model 700 Remington. I bought it in 1968 for my first Deer rifle and wouldn't think of parting with it. At the time my dad coerced me to 3 cartridges - 270 Winchester or a 264 Winchester Mg or the 7mm Remington Mag. All very flat trajectory calibers. 7mm was the baddest of the three and my choice. If you are recoil shy consider the 270 Winchester as I remember, my shoulder hurt for a couple days the first time I shot a box of shells. I can hit my mark within a couple inches at around 300 yards and the Magnum does the rest. Never had to chase a wounded animal - but most shots are in the 50 to 125 yard range - and I'd recommend proper placement of the shot to avoid massive meat damage. (Rump - tail and gut shots simply waste meat.) Head and neck shots either miss or hit with serious * damage.
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 7mm Mag would be a good choice for both deer and elk and would be my suggestion. Plenty of hunting friends of mine use .270's and 30-06's for both their deer and elk rifles, but I personally like a little more power for elk than either of those calibers and go with magnums every time.I'm going to assume you don't reload, so being able to find a good factory load will be easier with any of these choices mentioned. The .270 and 7mm Mag will both shoot a little more flat than the 30-06. The recoil of the 7mm Mag is between that 300 Weatherby and the .270 BAR you borrowed for your previous hunts. I say this because some people are recoil sensitive, but if you shot that 300 Weatherby and it was good to you, you'll be fine with a 7mm Mag.As far as manufacturer goes, I hesitate to throw my preference in the hat. Just know that BAR's are good rifles but not especially known for their accuracy. Bolt action rifles are where it's at in my opinion. I would also suggest you stay away from Ruger and you'll be fine. I may catch a little grief with that comment, but that's o.k. Don't be afraid to spend a little money because you're going to get what you pay for and you don't want to have to use any excuses.Good luck with your hunt.
    JWhite2399@cs.com
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  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    Thats what I said 5 guns ago.
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    I have never met a 7 mm I didn't like. I prefer the 7x57 mm. Very mild recoil. If you feel/think you need more power, then go with the .280 Rem.Boomer
    Protect our Constitutional Rights.[This message has been edited by Boomerang (edited 02-04-2002).]
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  • luger01luger01 Member Posts: 230 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boomer,Are you using an old Mauser or a modern Ruger? Factory 7x57 is really mild, due to the large number of old guns around that use the cartridge. But, if you handload, the 7x57 will perform as well as any other round.I agree, it is a wonderful old cartridge and will surpass the 7mm-08 when a handloader loads to to modern pressures (i.e. the same as for 7mm-08, .308, etc.). Definitely a favorite of mine.
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  • BlancheeBlanchee Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the guys and would go with the 7 Mag for a Deer / Elk combo gun. The 7 mag is minimum for Elk. If you had the money I would get a 270 for deer and a 300 Mag (or bigger) for Elk. In my experience I found Remington to be the most accurate rifle right out of the box. Did I say I like Remington.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My vote would go to .30-06. widest possible variety of factory ammo available and it will do anything in the lower 48. A bit less recoil than the 7mag.
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  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For He Dog, Thanks for your input. I just purchased a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in .30-06. My dad will only shoot the 7 mm Remington mag but I found the recoil uncomfortable. I plan to hunt mainly in Missouri but I might hunt with my dad who is moving to Texas or out in Colorado where my oldest brother lives. Sounds like any of the rifles the members have listed ought to do the job. Now, if I can just get Robin to take me along on one of these hunts..............
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    Hey Luger - So far the 7x57 does eveything I require of it in a factory round. My 7x57 is a Ruger Number 1 International. I have the .280 Rem in a SIG if I need more power. I will reload this round one day, but for now I like the mild recoil it has especially for the southeastern whitetail around here in west Tennessee.Boomer
    Protect our Constitutional Rights.
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