Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles All around rifle to suggest?

I agree with Blacktailer.

If I was restricted to one rifle, I’m thinking 270 on the small side and 300 Weatherby on the top side.
That would include then: 270, 280, 280AI, 30-06, 7mm RM, 300 Win Mag, & 300 Weatherby.

If the guy is a new to shooting rifles, then I’d recommend the 270 or 280 and start the shooter with light bullets/loads. I don’t know what to say regarding taking a new shooter out elk hunting in the mountains. But maybe using a lighter mono bullet would help.

Example of what Blacktailer mentioned:

I had a couple 7mm RM’s - two manufacturers. One was pleasant to shoot. One was miserable to shoot. I re-stocked the one that was miserable and then it was pleasant to shoot. Another example I have a couple 300 Weatherby’s. They are pleasant to shoot. My cousin told me that he’d much rather shoot his 416 Remington than a 300 Weatherby. Then he shot my 300 Weatherby and said, hey that’s nothing like the one he had shot before (different manufacturer).

My favorite rifle, BTW, is an older 700 Remington.

Tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Disagree, start with rifle first.



Absolutely, OP is spot on picking the platform first, then on to cartridge.

I know what I like, but that is personal preference. Your friend may prefer something else. If he handles enough rifles, he will find what he likes.

Just buy the tikka superlite…..

When I had to switch to left handed shooting a couple of years ago, I had the same choice. I pushed the easy button.

Tikka superlite in 6.5 CM, but I put a 3x9 4200 on top.

Primarily deer and cow elk, occasional coyote and such. It's been a very good choice.

This guy is a fookin’ jaynyus.

I have a SL in 7mm-08.

Deer, elk, antelope.





Even an overconfident coyote who thought I couldn’t see him at 300 yards.






P

270, 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-06 or 7-08.
Stainless Model 700, Model 70, Bergara, or maybe a Tikka if you don’t mind the esthetics of it.
Put a quality scope on it, buy some components or if shooting factory ammo buy a case or two of whatever shoots straight in it. Go hunting. We wayyy over think this stuff.

Alex, with the range of animals listed…..I think that you buddy would be very well served with the cartridge that is my wife’s “only” hunting rifle/cartridge…..a .338 WM. Her only hunting rifle since 1995, she’s used it on everything from Pronghorn/deer, elk, moose, bear, and Big Horn Sheep! She’s pretty happy with it’s performance on everything she’s taken with it…..and it should be well within your budget! If he wants only one cartridge this is it. If you’re buddy is looking for an excuse to buy multiple rifles……”move along, nothing to see here”! memtb

I like Sako/Tikka rifles

6.5x55 trips my trigger

https://www.eurooptic.com/sako-finnlight-65x55-jrsfl51.aspx

.270, 280, .30-06.

Got absolutely zero use for Tikka rifles............they are butt ugly, have no soul & can't sing. Even though they tend to be accurate.

But there are plenty of other rifles that shoot as well & have much better fit, feel & aesthetics. Tikkas are like being married to an ugly women.

Beauty may be only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone & lasts forever.

As for the round, at one time I would have said 270, 280 or 'o6............but as rifles get lighter, the 7-08 gets my vote for the round. Plenty for all but the big bears in NA, light recoil, generally accurate, good bullet choices for reloaders, not finicky.

An early Rem 700 Ti is a sub 6 lb rifle as is a Kimber; M-70 Featherweight Classic is just below 7 lb., Barrett Fieldcrafts can be had & Christensen Mesa is a great rifle too.

MM

Rem 700 Ti, 3 different powders, 140 NBT's, 8 shots in the ragged hole, I dropped the 9th one out. Perfect carry rifle for all of NA & weighs less that 6.5 lb as shown.

I own 2 Tikka T3x stainless 30-06 and I agree Tikka's are butt ugly but damn they shoot good! If you didn't already know it 😂......Hb

Tikkas may be ugly, but dead critters can't see!

Or 7mm-08!

Same way I feel about Glocks. I can shoot them but will never own one.

yep.....bought my first one in 1998

Stainless/synthetic 595 in 7-08

A stone cold game killer needs no soul - I happen to like wood stocks when the weather is nice though.

Just my thought so on the subject. If he is a new shooter get something that doesn’t knock the hell out of him. Is he going to practice a lot? Plastic stocked rifles in even medium cartridges kick hard. I good wood stock will lessen the blow.
If he is not going to be hiking miles with the rifle then heavier is not a disadvantage. I know the macho men don’t care but the average guy will. Edk

Start with bullet and chambering, as that will determine limitations on mag length and twist rate, if any. Then choose a rifle that fits the shooter and meets the other criteria.

Personally, I’d go Tikka SL in 6.5 Creedmoor (especially if he doesn’t plan to handload), Sportsmatch rings, and a SWFA SS 3-9x scope, shooting the 127 LRX and 147 ELD.

Kimber Montana or Classic Select in 7-08, wearing 2.5-8x36 glass.