Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help Me Fill a Hole

I have a 7X57 in a Winchester Lighweight, and a 7-08 in a Remington Mountain Rifle. I shoot handloads in both, and they are full power loads, both with 140 grain bullets, as I only hunt whitetails. I too had shoulder surgery years ago, and still have some pain. They recoil enough that it starts to bother me after 5 rounds or so. You can call me names, but until you've had shoulder pain AND arthritis, you have no idea.

Now, I also have a 6.5 Creedmoor, in a Howa that is heavier than either of the above rifles. I have yet to "feel" the recoil. Given a choice, I'd prefer either the 7X57 or the 7-08 as a deer rifle, but it is what it is, and I'll probably hunt this year with the 6.5 CM. Not to say that I won't use anything else, because I'll also hunt with a 243, maybe a 35 Remington, and perhaps for old times sake, with my 270.

People who have no problems with pain in their shoulders, or any other part of the body that can be affected by shooting, have no idea how lucky they are. People who do, usually figure something out.

I like almost everything about that suggestion. I know Tikka builds a great rifle, but they are made overseas and though I am unlikely to ever need Tikka customer support, it's not very good at all from what I have read. In the grand scheme of things those aren't deal breakers. I like the 115 and 120 Partition for the 25-06! The 115 has been perfect for me in my 257 Roberts.

I may never check off the elk hunt on my bucket list, but I'd want more than a 243 for that job. Otherwise, I love the 243.

Ruger M77 Round top, 257 Roberts, 24" medium weight barrel with sights. 100TTSX, 110 Accubond.

Ruger No.1 .257 Roberts, 26" barrel, 110 Accubond, 386 yards, one and done. In behind the left front shoulder, broke the off side leg on the way out. Stumbled forward 2 steps and folded.

I just got RAR predator in 6.5 CM. Specs say 6.6lb. What kinda 3lb scope you got on it? Or scope + bipod?

Also, I just put a brake on it. Very little recoil now.

Mine is the Hawkeye Predator.

How much weight could I shed off of the Howa and what would it cost? I do have a heavy scope, rings and bases on it, so I could probably dump 6-8 ounces there. That puts it at 9 pounds. Is there a way to dump another pound?

This is as light as you're going to get as a starting point. McMillan with EDGE fill is about $650 now. But I may know where you can get one at a considerable savings.

Is that a Howa with a #2 contour barrel?