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Joined: May 2014
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
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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.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,704 Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,704 Likes: 7 |
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,944
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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Start with caliber. Plenty of quality rifles available once you decide on a caliber. Disagree, start with rifle first. I'm always amazed that these discussions can go on and on and nobody mentions the fit of the rifle to the shooter. Have your buddy shoulder some rifles and see what fits him. If you really want to make it work, go to a smith who can fit a stock to your buddy. You will never be sorry. Stock fit will mitigate recoil and insure that the rifle feels like a part of your body. If it feels like a 2X6, the brand name is irrelevant. 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.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,209
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Just buy the tikka superlite…..
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5 |
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.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,269 Likes: 7
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
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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
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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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.
Last edited by ridgerunner_ky; 02/14/23.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,070 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,070 Likes: 7 |
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
Last edited by memtb; 02/13/23.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,817 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Molon Labe
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,670 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,670 Likes: 3 |
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.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,762
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
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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
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,782 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,782 Likes: 3 |
Tikkas may be ugly, but dead critters can't see!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,302 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,302 Likes: 7 |
270, 308, or 30-06 in a Tikka T3x,
Okie John Or 7mm-08!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,302 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,302 Likes: 7 |
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. Same way I feel about Glocks. I can shoot them but will never own one.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
Tikkas may be ugly, but dead critters can't see! yep.....bought my first one in 1998 Stainless/synthetic 595 in 7-08
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,625
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,625 |
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. A stone cold game killer needs no soul - I happen to like wood stocks when the weather is nice though.
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,754 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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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
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,592 Likes: 11
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,592 Likes: 11 |
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.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,254
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 2,254 |
Kimber Montana or Classic Select in 7-08, wearing 2.5-8x36 glass.
Last edited by eaglemountainman; 02/14/23.
My heart's in the mountains, my heart is not here. My heart's in the mountains, chasing the deer.
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