Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rifle Opinions please

Several years ago I had neck surgery and sold all 23 rifles I had. Now, I'm able to shoot and want just one rifle. The biggest thing I will ever aim at will be elk but mostly deer. Pick one rifle, one caliber, one scope, one set of mounts, and one stock if necessary and please let me know. Btw...no wildcats please, I want to be able to buy ammo anywhere. $3000 max budget

1. Model 70 (you pick the model) 30-06
2. Talley lightweight rings
3. Leupold 6x36
4. Go kill stuff

30-06 in your favorite brand with a Leupold 3-9x40 scope and Leupold mounts and rings to match.

Again, your preference between wood or synthetic.

donsm70

Ruger American .243 with the Redfield revolution package. Mounted and ready to go.

Bingo, with the possible exception of the Leupold 2.5-8x36 depending on your average shot distance.

Cooper
.308 (less recoil than the 06 and about as effective)
Talley's
4-14 variable of your choice, I like magnification.

What is the max recoil you can handle without pain?

Cooper Excalibur 7mm-08

Talley mounts

Leupold VX6 2-12X42

Montana in .280 w/VX6 2-12X42 on top. Good for anything that ails you. powdr

Neck surgery?

Why ask for more problems? I'd keep it pretty light in recoil while offering enough oomph for elk. Win 70 FWT in 7-08 or 308, Leupold scope of your choice (6x, 2.5-8x, or 3-9x) on Talley lightweights or Leupold dual dovetails.

What ever it is I would make it on a 308 case, which will reduce recoil and something that use's a 140gr bullet very well. I would suggest the 260 Rem but don't think there's much ammo around for it. so the next step is the 7mmx08. Never shot one but have had several different 7x57's and they are close to the same. 308 would be a good choice if you could take the recoil. It's not bad but then I've never had a neck injury to deal with. Because you mentioned elk also, I would not consider the 24 and 25 caliber's. While I am certain they will work, get into the elk size game and I want more bullet weight. One thing to consider also is gun weight. How much of a problem is it going to be if the gun is under say 7#? Might look at something like. Just weighted my mod 70 featherweight, 8# with scope and sling. 8# is just not that hard to carry around and it does help in reducing recoil. For a scope it has a Redfield/Leupold 2-7x, Really like that scope. My favorite scope is a 2 3/4x Denver Redfield on my 30-06. I wouldn't fool with any variable that will go over 9x, for a hunting rifle even 9x will seldom be used. On my 2-7x, 5, 6, and 7x has never been used. I sight in on 4x mostly and hunt with it on 2x.

Sako 7mm-08

CZ-550 American .270 Win
Medium Leupold rings(CZ has integral scope bases)
Leupold FX3 6x42 LRD
Montana Sling

Just like this one(no it's not for sale)

Winchester M 70 in either .270 or .30-06.

Leupold 6x36 or 6x42.

Whatever bases & rings you want.

180 gr Nosler Partitions in handloads or factory ammo.

Well within your price range.....A Cooper Excaliber in either 7mm-08 or 308. Those two chamberings will do well for your stated purposes. Mine pictured below shoots great with both 120 gr. and 140 gr. bullets, especially well with 140 gr. Partitions. As you can see, with Talley LW mounts and a Leupold 2 1/2-8x36 it weighs seven and a quarter lbs. I have since installed a 6 x 36, reducing the weight to just a hair over 7 lbs.

The OP had neck surgery to the point where he had to sell all of his rifles. A 30-06 with 180's is not where I would steer him.

Get a Kimber Montana in 308. Leupold FX-3 6x42 or VX-3 3.5-10 in Talley Lightweight mounts. Look up the recent Kimber Montana thread by deflave and see how easy it was to get up and running. 308 factory ammo abounds and is cheap to boot. Lightweight gun, stainless steel, and a great trigger too. Good luck.

Oh and you're done with the rifle for $1100 which is hard to beat.

Just one for me? It would be a Montana in 7-08 or 308.

If you're not concerned with weight, Pick up a ss Howaguard, re-barrel per whim, Timney, and stock of choice.

6x42 or 3.5-10x40 and Talley.

If you like wood and blue, just buy a Cooper or an older Sako Forester in great shape.

[quote=lastround]Well within your price range.....A Cooper Excaliber in either 7mm-08 or 308. Those two chamberings will do well for your stated purposes. Mine pictured below shoots great with both 120 gr. and 140 gr. bullets, especially well with 140 gr. Partitions. As you can see, with Talley LW mounts and a Leupold 2 1/2-8x36 it weighs seven and a quarter lbs. I have since installed a 6 x 36, reducing the weight to just a hair over 7 lbs.


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Having said all the above, if you are only going to have one, you need to pick the platform that suits YOU the most.

> Cartridge: 270 Win - Off the shelf 130gr pills plenty for deer. Off the shelf 150gr pills sufficient for elk.

> Scope: Leupold fixed 6x36 or 6x42 - A little less weight ? Or a little more hunting light ?

> Ring Mounts: Talley one piece light weight - Simple, light, they just work...

> Rifle: "Chevy, Dodge, Ford" - Handle as many different flavors as you can get your hands on and pick the one that feels best to YOU...

My primary quarry is KY Whitetails. I hope to get back to Colorado to chase elk again before I am too old. My answer to your question, looks like this:



Rem 700 KS .270 Win. Shown with Leupold 3x9 scope. Currently wears a Leupold 6x36. 7 lbs 2.5 oz. Only cost half of your $3K budget. Spend the rest on ammo and reloading equipment so you can roll your own reduced recoil practice loads. Then, go shoot...

Good luck with what ever route you choose to go. Glad to hear that you are feeling well enough to get back in the hunt...