Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Starting over, opinions appreciated

A few years ago I sold my hunting rifles. Long story.

I'm back in the market for an all-in-one rifle for deer, pronghorn, elk, hogs, and other medium size critters. I don't plan on shooting bear or going to Africa, but it would be nice to have the ability if later I get an urge. I definitely don't want to beat a dead horse, or drag every lurking troll out to split hairs on ballistics or advocate the wildest of wild-cat catridges. What I would really appreciate is reasoned and experienced opinions on what would make the perfect all in one rifle for my application. I'm looking for one of the 30s, in a common-enough chambering that finding factory loaded ammo if the need arise not be an issue. I also want an all-star, with a lot of flexibility on both sides of the spectrum. I've pretty much narrowed it down to 2 chamberings, but again any opinions are appreciated.

My thoughts:

30-06: I probably couldn't go wrong. It can do a variety of things and pretty much nothing in N.America can argue with it. Hemingway and Roosevelt made it sacred and timeless. Does it do everything? Is it too boring? I like that you can get ammo anywhere for it, and reloading gives it limitless potential. I shot a 270 for a decade or so, and perhaps like Jack O'Connor felt, always looked at mine as slightly limited compared to it's 30 caliber bigger brother.

300WM: I've been fond of this cartridge for a while. A friend's only hunting rifle (he only hunts whitetail however) is an A-bolt in this caliber. He has used it at some closer ranges (inside of 150 yds), and on some 400+ yard fields on the ranch we hunt on. I've been very impressed with it and the recoil or weight of the rifle haven't been a turn off. I'll mention that I'm not the biggest A-bolt fan.

I know that severely limits a lot of responses I might get, but I really am fond of the reloading potential of the 30 cals.

The next issue is the rifle. I can appreciate most any quality firearm from any reputable manufacturer. My old rifle was a Sako 75 in 270Win. I never felt any true deficiencies with that rifle, particularly in quality, reliability, or accuracy, but it was hefty for a 270 - and a little more costly than I'm interested in right now. To be honest, I'm really in a wood'n blue mood right now. I'm not throwing out the possibility of a stainless/synthetic combo, but I'm fond of the look of something like the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in 300WinMag. That is sexy and in my mind just a nice value at that price point. The featherweight: always loved them, but is the barrel length what I want in a 300winny if I choose that cal? And if I downshift to say the 30-06, the Kimber 84L Classic Select Grade starts looking delicious. On the other hand, is the Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in 300WM weighing in at only 7lbs and affording me the luxury of being a little more lazy and neglectful with it the best option?

Your thoughts?

Ought-six.

Sako or Kimber in wood/blue, if it were my ducats.

Supergrade in 30-06, but I'm a Winchester loony. Welcome to the fire.

06 also. Pick the rifle that feels best to you.

Between the two cartridges you specified- .30-06

Wood & blue rifle- Win. Mod. 70 Featherweight.

Reasonably priced, reliable, & accurate. Not a fly weight by any means, but still light enough to hump the mountains with, and with enough weight to keep recoil in check. As a bonus, some have exceptionally nice wood.

FN Model 70 Featherweight in .30-06 (excellent value)or a Remington CDL in .30-06.

+1 to what Swampy said...







( JHC..I can't believe I said that.... )

Ingwe

Sweet Jesus, I think I need a defibrillator.

Pass it back to me when you are done...


Ingwe

I'm spent after seeing Swampy's post, good night all....

Sensory overload....


Ingwe

I think if Winchester holds their price on the Model 70 they will corner the market on boltaction hunting rifles. The accuracy, quality, beauty, and workmanship are amazing.

The Remington 700 is now too expensive at least when bought new.

That's it, my big toe is now in the trigger guard of my SxS 12 gauge.

Sorry of the side track on the original post, carry on.

7mm Remington Magnum..Sako rifle

30-06 is the answer to many many rifle questions but with that said, consider 300 WSM too. If, for example, you handle a 300 WM and a 300 WSM in Kimber rifles I think you'll see the advantage to the WSM.

Funny about '06; I own one, love it, and shoot it all the time. Bought one for my brother as his "one rifle". As a one rifle it's a good one. But I seem to usually end up fielding something else because it's easy to bracket around it... if you own more than one gun... which you probably will...

Ingwe, you'll have to post it in the "Pay it Forward" thread after you're done with it!!!

A ran a 30/06 as my lone rifle for about 10 years. I killed blacktails, black bears, whitetails, moose, mountain goat, grouse, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, coyote and God knows what else with it.

That said, I don't think I've hunted 30/06 in 6 years.

30-06 with 150's for deer (TSX's of course)

If I was currently looking for a 'one gun to do it all' I'd take a hard look at the new FN M70 Extreme Weather in 30-06.

I hunt in a lot of nasty conditions and have come to prefer the stainless/synthetic models.

They might not have the classic looks of a good blue/wood model, but they sure are easier to take care of after a day in the rain or snow.