Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Decisions, decisions........

Leaving for an out of state Mule Deer hunt next week. I took two rifle to the ranch to burn some powder, now I can't decide which one to take. Plan was to take a 300 Roy I am working on, but I haven't had time to finish it yet.


On the left is 'Ol Faithful. She's just about given up the ghost on her second barrel, but still reliably hammers round 1 into the same spot, every time. It's a 700 based 7WSM with a custom mag box that feeds super and holds 3 down. It used to be a sub-1/2 MOA rifle, but has slipped to about a 1.25 MOA rifle now.
I'm running 140gr TSXs at around 3300fps.

On the right is a 257 Roy that I recently completed. It has a custom mag box and follower that allows 4 down and it too feeds like nobody's business. So far, it has proven itself as a sub-1/4 MOA rifle out to 300+ yards, and last weekend I hammered a 5 shot, 500 yard group a hair under 2" with 100gr TSXs at around 3500 fps.

Ol' Faithful weighs 7lb, 8oz, and the Roy weighs 8lbs, 7oz. I'm perfectly comfortable with both, and can't decide which way I want to go. We will be hunting several miles back in, so weight will be an issue. However, we will also be hunting some BIG, open country so shots could very well be fairly long.

Which one are you more confident on making the shot with?

John

I vote for the .257 Roy, only because I want one and I can truly see YOU using this lovely rifle.

Steve

For me and for serious hunts a rig that I have the most time with and am the most intimate with is the one to go to.

When I am traveling I want a proven honest rifle and one that I can go to in clutch time when the chips are down.

No doubt I would go with the old friend.

Take the other for a backup.

Dober

Flip a coin, they both sound awesome!!They are both beautiful and they both will flatten deer all day long. If you are doing a ton of hiking I would pick the lighter rifle. If you think you will need to snipe one at 500 yards go with the 257 wby.

Hell, bring em both............

I second the flip a coin idea, either will handle mulies.

Anything named 'Ol Faithful would be my pick if I can't decide.

-Lou

New blood, start fresh. Out with the old.

Then when you get back....order a new pipe for the Old Girl.

Its hard to leave an old friend home................

I am sort of leaning towards Ol' Faithful, just because she's done so well for me over the past years (and because she weighs about a pound less). However, picking off soda cans, first shot, 5 out of 5 times at distances from 420 to 500+ yards with the Roy is a strong argument for the newcomer.

Even Ol'Faithful had to have a first hunt somewhere, break in the Roy.

Roy

CAS - you can't make a bad decision with your choices listed. I'm with Mark though. I have an old wood/blue 280 Rem that when something needs killed it comes out of retirement. Have lost track of the number of "tough shots" it has pulled off. I've owned it since 1982 - its like family

SOunds like you have confidence in both. Either will do the job, but traveling out of State, where weight will be a concern and with the name "Ol Faithfull", take the tried and true.

I'm with the "take them both" gang.
But, I would use the Roy as my main rifle.

Don

Take 'em both..........I always take 2 guns on an out of state hunt or any trip where I'll be gone several days.

Schitt happens; horses rub trees, fall down on rocks, drop gun climbing.....always best to have a spare in camp.

Flip a coin as to which one is used 1st; it's a no lose deal as both are very nice guns.

I'm in the same boat for an upcoming trip as well.

Good Luck.

MM

CAS-

If you're less than two hours from home, both should go with.
I'm with the "take em'" both gang. While I've never had a malfunction or breakdown on a hunt, one of my spares has been loaned out to another hunter on more than one occasion. We spend too much money/time on hunts to be caught off-guard.

Roy

Shot today with no clear winner. First shot connects are a given with either.

I am not going to take both, as we will be hunting dark to dark every day, and I am not about to leave one of these rifles in camp with nothing protecting it but the wall tent.

Tuesday we will run the rifles to 600 again. I'll keep shooting until one speaks to me.

Out of state? I wouldn't consider taking only one rifle on such a trip. You have two great rifles - take both.