Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Western Big Game Rifle

here is the sitiation, I am from Arkansas, and moved to Colorado 8 months ago. I missed residency by 2 months, but this year will be hunting a mixed bag of mulie and elk, with black bear possibilities. I need a western rifle as i sold my whitetail rifle before the move. Choices are:

Winceshter model 70 - 308 winchester
Browning x bolt - 7-08
Ruger #1 - 7 X 57
Remington 700 Mountain - 280 remington

I will have to hunt in wilderness and the elevation change is around 3500 feet, which is no biggie, but weight of the rifle is an issue.

I do have a large surplus of 7mm bullets, such as 140gr TBBC, 140 partitions, 160 accubonds, 175 sierra's, 140 tsx's

From your list I would pick the Rem 700 .280, although you can get the X-bolt in .280 as well...both are 6.5lbs...

To begin with, WELCOME TO 24HRCF!!!

Among the rifle choices you mention, I would go with the .280 mountain rifle in .280 and load up the 7mm 140gr TSX's. This combo will do a great job for you as the 280 with a TSX 140 is every bit the equivalent of a 7 Mag shooting a 160-175gr lead core bullet. I hope you enjoy your new homeland. Good hunting, MARK

Mountain Rifle .280 in a heartbeat. I always wanted one, and with 150 or 160 Partitions, you can take any elk or black bear.

Quite honestly any of those would work for me. If I had to choose only one and was a 7mm bore fan, I would opt for a 7mm Rem mag, simply because I practice year round at shooting at extended ranges.

In your list of choices and assuming traditional hunting distances, I would opt for the .308 or .280 depending on which rifle felt the best in my hands.

From that list: Remington 700 Mountain - 280 remington

But, not limited to that list, I would go for a Ruger Hawkeye in 7mm Rem Mag ... assuming you really want to make use of the 7mm bullets. Ruger also chambers the 7-08 and 280 Rem.

I'm not really a 7mm guy but if I was picking from your list it would be the X-Bolt..........Good hunting........547.

The .280 remington is a great cartridge for elk and mulies. Within 300 yards, it can do anything the 7mm Rem Mag will. The 308 is a potent round too. With your choices, I would recommend the 280, but if it were me, I choose a 30-06.

.280...end of story. It's what other cartridges only wish they were.

Dennis

308 or the 280 of the choices given.
Being you have lots of 7MM bullets and the shape of todays bullet availability, the 280 might be your best choice of the two at this time.

The .280, from that list.

A 300 WSM Montana, if you really are gonna be a one-gun guy, would be pretty spay-shal <grin>...

Out of all my rifles,my .280 Mountain rifle is the one that I use the most.Its light, balances well,and the .280 with the right bullets will do every thing you ask it to.I shoot 160 TTBC for elk and Hornady 139 SST deer and hogs.

Mountain 280 Rem, for sure....140gr ttsx too.

280....you can shoot whatever GOOD 140 gr bullet you want on everything.

Hi, Welcome to the fire!

the 280 with Foxtrotters bullet combi would be my choice from the options.

If I went with a .280 these days I would have it chambered for the Ackley version at some point.

I'll have to chime in with the .280 guys.

Another vote for the 280 Mountain Rifle. I've had one for 20 years and it is my favorite rifle. They carry great and shoot good with the the right loads.

280 Rem.

I have never seen this bunch vote so unanimously. Holy Crud. I am a .280 fan as well, and cast my vote in that direction also.

The .308 would work out great for you as well, but having a stock of 7mm bullets at this point in time makes the .280 a winner in this case.

For me, it would either be the 7X57 or the 280. Either will serve you well. Good luck and welcome to the 'Fire!