Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which (one) stainless synthetic rifle

Of the choices you mentioned, I'd go XCR and 375 cause I like the feel of it the best.

Would most likely shorten the tube back to 23" as I think it comes at 26".

Dober

From a 7mm up to and including a 375 is quite a wide span and just choose only one rifle.

Depends on how you`re going to use it and what game you`re going to hunt with it.

Don`t know what you have now, but if you are going to add another, then diversify. Is any one you are you considering close to what you already have now? Will it overlap with what you already have as far as hunting capabilities are concerned?

Before I got a 375 Ruger, I already had a 300 WSM. For my use, I consider a 338 to lap over to the 300`s capabilities and visa versa. I could have gone to a 35 caliber and considered one. But if I was willing to go to a 35 cal, then why not just go up a little further to a 375?

That`s what I did and bought the 375 Ruger Alaskan. I bought mine for moose, bison, the big bears, for some African plains game and dangerous African game. For that kind of game here and for use in Africa as well, the .375 with its variety of bullets is an ideal one rifle caliber that covers all the basis I mentioned.

Since the Alaskan is on your list, I will tell you that it is one accurate hammer. Its 20" bbl along with its 40.5" of OAL makes for a great fast handling and easy carrying rifle and without losing any velocity performance to a longer barreled 375 H&H.

Many don`t like the Hogue stock, probably because of its larger pistol grip and forearm palm swells. If you have smaller to medium sized hands, then the Hogue may not be for you with gloves on. I don`t have that issue. Also, the Alaskan is not a pretty rifle. It is a rough it rifle designed for bad weather without worrying about stock scratching, dings, dents and so on. In wet weather, you won`t need to worry about losing your grip. If after a hunt or two, you don`t like the Hogue you can swap it.

If larger game is on your agenda and you don`t have anything close to a 375 or something that overlaps with it, then go with the 375 that best suites you.

Of those you list, Ruger Hawkeye in 35 Whelen. When I made this choice, I thought, just go with practical in every way. I chose a Ruger MKII in .30-06 Stainless Grey Laminate. Some day, I may opt to put a synthetic stock on it. But there's nothing wrong with it as is, and the price isn't bad either.

Ditto. Plenty of them on gunsamerica.

On your list for some reason that Whelen In the Hawkeye just sorta jumped out and grabed me by the bo-bo!!

Know several that have a stainless win in 7wsm and locked up the rest of their shootin irons in a safe. But heck they only kill whimpy little bulls every year so the 7 might not be able to handle your task. bigassgrin........


What about a 338-06 in that stainless win?

Stainless Vanguard in a McMillan would be a nice one. 30-06 would be my choice of what you mentioned.


The Sako mentioned is a favorite of mine, but once bedded in a McMillan, you've dropped some change.

Id go with the Winchester of the ones you mentioned...Personally I would use a 98 Mauser tefloned with a SS barrel and a Rimrock stock..Caliber would depend solely on what I intended to hunt, and if that included big Alaskan bear then I'd probably opt for the 375 ruger caliber or a .338..If recoil was a problem then I'd opt for the 30-06 and make do, it works if you do your part, but hey that applies to a 600 N. E. also.

About a decade ago I decided I needed one stainless rifle to go with the blue ones, and now I have four stainless rifles and some stainless barrels where blue ones used to be. The stainless itch is like any other gun itch. Scratching makes it spread.

The Ruger and the Vanguard are the ones that I like from your list. Something 308 or 30-06'ish, a Whelen if that's what trips your trigger. Kimber Montana could be a decent choice as well. That way you get the bad weather rifle and the goat country rifle in the same package. Unless you're looking for reasons to buy more guns.

I would pick the Hawkeye Whelen too, and recently did. Good choice. Plenty for everything without being too much for anything.

Get the XCR in your choice of caliber and you've got you an all weather gun.

Why not build?

the bottom line is I just don't like synthetic stainless rifles enough to invest that kind of money.

I have had quite a few custom/semi-custom (Rifles Inc, HS Precision, Match Grade Arms, and some home-rolled as well) and none stayed in the safe too long. Just can't appreciate them.

So if it's just a tool, it may as well be a cheap tool, as long as it does the job. Kind-of like the cheap Chinese tools at WalMart.

I draw the line somewhere above a Tikka, but otherwise this will be just a tool.

_

I see your point and logic.

They are all just tools

If that was true McMillan wouldn't offer color options and Mcswirlys. Just plain black.

There would be no Bumblebees


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+1
Watch GunBroker.com and you should have little trouble finding an excellent-new Classic Stainless.

In fact, here's one in what I think was your first choice, 7 mag.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=125673287

If I ever have need of a .375HH or Ruger it would be for reasons other than weather. But if I had to have one and was buying off the shelf the Kimber would be it.

Another option for a few extra bucks: Remington Model 7 Custom KS in .350RM.

Sorry that I passed one up at a fair price. Nice rig and when loaded down can wear many hats.