What are the indispensable attributes of the perfect big game hunting rifle?

We all have our favorite rifles and cartridges but this is not a manufacturer/model or cartridge-specific question. Nor is it a question about the scope, if any. I expect the cartridge and scope of choice would depend largely on the variety of game hunted - but that's OK because this is not a "one rifle" question either. The question is more about the attributes you would like ALL of your big game rifles to share.

While I haven't given the question a lot of thought, I do see my more recent purchases leaning the same direction and there are specific attributes I value more than others.

Here is a quick list - in no particular order - of some of my preferences:

1. Accurate - MOA or better, preferably much better.
2. Great trigger - smooth and around 3-1/2 lbs pull.
3. Iron sights - peep or ghost ring preferred, scope optional.
4. Synthetic stock.
5. Rust resistant metal - I like stainless a lot, but any good rust preventing coating would do.
6. Bolt-locking safety.
7. Mauser-type extractor.
8. Controlled feed.
9. Relatively light weight.
10. Relatively low recoil.
11. Good balance and fit.
12. 22" barrel or shorter.
13. Studs for locking/quick-release sling swivels.
14. Slim stock.
15. Under $1,000 - preferably much under.

Given more time I could probably come up with a few others. But I don't have the time - the grand-kids are going to spend the day with my wife and I while the parents go to the Broncos game. Priorities.

Here's my ideal.

Winchester New Haven classic,(old style trigger) 21" 30 cal 1-11 Lilja featherweight, McMillan compact edge, NECG sights zeroed at 100Y. 5-168 Nosler BT's under an inch all day at 100 yards. Shoots 118 LR, Federal match and fusion ammo into knots, M80 ball and tracer in decent groups.

Ammo for it is found anywhere, will kill anything in NA, easily adjusted trigger, weighs 6 lbs, 7 oz. without optics.




Here's it's slightly heavier remington twin also in 308.

Pretty much as above.... Model 70, New Haven, push or CRF, stainless steel, 24” Barrel (no muzzle brake), quality synthetic stock, good recoil pad (I prefer a Pachmayr Sporting Clays) cut to proper length (a little short for heavier clothing use), full-length bedding, less than 8.5 lbs, iron sights,( scoped, loaded, slung), quick detachable base/rings (with a back-up Scope ready to use), Scope somewhere in the 2-8 or 4-10 range, zeroed at 300 yards, and in......338 Win Mag. memtb

Like the above, your spec's to me have always pointed to the 1990's SS M70.

Mine is a stock M70 SS Fwt in 308 I dropped in a McMillan Edge with PT&G Bottom metal. In the pic it has a 6x36 LRD in Weaver's, but it currently has a 2-7x33 LRD in X-Low Talleys. It shoots 168 NBT's at 2,730 sub moa, and weigh's 7lbs 4oz's with sling and rounds. There's nothing in NA I wouldn't hunt with this rifle. I may add a set of open sights just because I like them!



Another in 30-06 I built some years back... 30-06 Fwt with 21" bbl:

That bottom one in '06 looks a lot like a rifle that belongs at my house 😃

Ruger GSR.

I agree with a lot of the OP’s criteria, except as follows:
#1: I’ll take accuracy, but I can accept 1.5 MOA with a premium bullet IF the rifle holds a zero. I find that a lot of the time and money required to get sub-MOA loads is much better invested in plain old trigger time.

#3: Gotta have a scope. I wish someone would make a bomb-proof 4x with an illuminated reticle.

#11: Probably the most important criteria on the list. I’d flex on a lot of the other criteria to get this exactly right.

Brad is getting really close to what I consider the ideal. (So is rgrx, I just haven’t been following him as long.) In my quest to become more Brad-like, I’ve arrived at this:

[img]https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/12408175/m-70[/img]

Stainless Model 70 Classic, G-prefix/five-digit serial number, factory 24” barrel, excellent trigger, pillar bedded into a Bansner stock. Cheap Winchester 180-grain ammo is good for about 1.5 MOA and clocks exactly 2,700 fps at the muzzle, which is a nice touch. Haven’t had time to work up a load yet, but I’ll likely start with 180-grain Partitions when that day comes.

Weight as shown is 8.23 pounds. I’ll probably swap the variable for a Leupold 4x scope in Weaver rings as on Brad’s 308 for any hunts, so it will be field ready at just under 8 pounds. Balance is just about perfect, which is the ONLY reason I haven’t cut the barrel to 22” yet.

The scope shown is a Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 with the Ballistic Firedot reticle. The ranging ability of this reticle makes it easy to ring the 2-MOA 400-yard steel but I’m just starting to work out with the illuminated reticle, so I don’t have a fully formed opinion on it yet.

Another thing I like about this one is that it uses plain-Jane parts. If I felt the need to have a rifle for some specific nook and/or cranny of North America, then I could easily duplicate it in any of a dozen or more cartridges.

I’m pretty sure that the rifle is about perfect for my needs—now I just need to find the perfect optic(s).

Also, if anyone can explain how to get an actual image to show up in a post instead of link, I'd be eternally grateful.


Okie John

For a weapon that's only for killing game, the Ruger SR762 is probably the "Ideal" rifle.
Military grade for ruggedness and reliability. Accurate and powerful enough for use in 98%of the hunts anyone would ever use it for.

For a weapon that is used for enjoyment of the hunt more than about any other it's probably this one for me.
My Rifle 3 by Steve Zihn, on Flickr


You see, "best rifle" is a matter of opinion. The word Best" is also.
If the mission is killing only, I have to argue that a rifle made as something good enough to go to war with is "best".

If the mission is to enjoy the hunt the most, a classic rifle or even a handgun is "Best"

Great question Coyote, I have also pondered this criteria question Myself and My list looks like this:
1. Got to shoot MOA or better
2. Relatively light weight (under 7lbs bare rifle)
3. .300 Win
4. Stainless barrel/action
5. Synthetic stock
6. Short bolt lift (70 degrees or less for much better scope/bolt handle clearance)
7. Adjustable trigger ( I like mine a little heavy compared to most at 3.5lbs)
8. Integral locking lug built into the reciever
9. Free floated barrel
10. Push feed with either AR15 or Sako style extractor
11. Screw to reciever scope mounting system, no Sako Optilok clamp-on systems for me Of course there is no rifle that features all these criteria but it would be fantastic if such a bolt action rifle did exist.....Hb

Sako’s. 7 mags or 264 Win mags. Here is a pair of 264’s and a 7 mag

Slender and lightweight stainless synthetic with a compact low mounted scope and a clean fluted barrel. For me, 22" .243, 21" 6.5 Creedmoor, or 20" 7-08.

I know this will get laughed at, but I’d take a Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15X42 Rapid Z 600.

Easy to load for and great factory ammo. Super-accurate rifle. No extraneous BS.

Whilst I own far, far then I need I could easily whittle it down to two for the world. My tweaked Kimber Montana 270 and my tweaked SS Win 375 H&H M70.

A semi-auto in 7mmRM or 30-06. I'm a waterfowl hunter by nature and I love semi-autos. So maybe a BAR or Benelli R1

This Husqvarna would be my perfect big game hunting rifle. It is a 30/06, it's as light as I want it and shoots into an inch or inch and a half at 100 yards. The stock is comfortable and walnut, two of my requirements for stocks. I'm not going to change a thing on this one.

It has to be:
Mauser
C-ring
Integral mounts
One piece bolt
Simple open trigger
Safety that locks bolt
FEED-EXTRACT-EJECT perfectly
Lightweight to carry with one hand
22" or less barrel
Perfectly balanced

I have two BRNO ZG-47 in 30-06.. close as I have come to perfection.

I like that, especially the integral mounts and of course the feed,extract, eject perfectly part. Open trigger design is one of the reasons I prefer the Winchester new haven actions.

I have one of those in the safe, .308 Win, 16.1" barrel. Blued, not stainless, so, while not quite perfect, it is pretty close. Whether an 18" barrel would get it a smidge closer is debatable.

I swapped the heavy laminate stock it came in for the Ruger synthetic and it comes in at 6.25 pounds according to Ruger. Also bought two synthetic mags, 3- and 5-round to replace the 10-round factory mag. Have only used the 3-round since and it should reduce the weight even further. After some polishing the trigger is very good. I also swapped the factory flash hider for a brake. My hunting buddy, who has problems with recoil due to diabetes-induced shoulder issues, said "It has no recoil!" Not quite true, but less than my Marlin .30-30.

All the GSR needs is a good fixed-power in the rings. I bought a heavy variable LER scope for cartridge development and test, but it isn't something I would want to carry all day.

If my house burned down and I lost everything, I would buy a Winchester Featherweight in either 7x57 or .30/06. There isn't much in a mans life that it outside the capability of either one and they have never been improved upon for design and function.

My perfect rifle is a near clone of Brad's SS 308. Mine is a 1st year production of the EW in an Edge stock instead of a 1990's Classic. I bought it used in 2009 or 2010. I picked up the Edge stock used in the classifieds here a year later. I've had 3 different scopes on it over the years and it currently has one of the Cabelas Euro Instinct 3-9X40's on it. Cabelas had those on sale last year for $250 and I bought 2. Same scope as the old Zeiss Conquest. With a Leupold on weight was 7 1/4 lbs. This scope adds a couple of ounces, but is worth it to me.

It shoots anything I feed it very well, not picky about ammo at all. I can't think of anything I'll ever hunt that it won't work for.

Is Larry Root your photographer? That pic has a certain Root characteristic. And heck you could be neighbors.....

Hate to quote myself, but I figured out the picture thing.




Okie John

I've hunted with lever action, Winchester and Marlin .30-30's, and .35 Remington. Hunted semi auto rifles like the old Remington 740, the Browning in 7mm Rem Mag, and lately the Springfield Armory M1A Squad Scout. I've built, etc. five custom bolt action rifles using Remington, Winchester, Ruger and even Sako actions. Have I found the "perfect" big game rifle ? Well, I think I'm close.
What characteristics does it or must it have ? After lots of thought, money and some 61 yrs. of big game hunting, I've decided it must have only two characteristics. One, it must be reliable under the conditions where I hunt. The Remington and Browning semi autos don't meet this requirement. Why ? Because they gum up too easily. I hunt for weeks under very dusty conditions. They are also too ammo sensitive. The M1A is not.
Two, above all, it needs to have whatever it takes to help me make the shot. Where I hunt these days the rifle needs to settle down quickly, and have a very predictable trigger. All of my rifles wear shooting slings while in the field. All of them wear scopes with lots of eye box.
Accuracy ? Jeff Cooper once said that 2 MOA, even 2.5 MOA is plenty for a big game rifle out to 400 meters. I didn't believe him until I tried both 1 MOA and 2 MOA plus ammo out of the same rifle from my usual field positions. Several groups later, I realized he did know what he was talking about. E

This summer, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with a Tikka 30-06, some CMP match ammo that averaged a little over 1.25 MOA in that rifle, and an 8" gong at 400 yards. Ringing that steel was a lot easier than I expected.


Okie John

It has to be one of these...

I built mine years ago.. No 22" barrels, I prefer a heavier rifle.. But each has his requirements..

Had a similar revelation at 300, not 400, when the local range re-opened their longer-range section after a safety reboot. Smacked my plastic paddle with ease with a couple of loads that only grouped so-so. Regrettably they can't permit position fire any more, but it's still fun from the bench. A least I can verify POI at hunting ranges instead of wishing and hoping.

Remington Model 7 in 300 Savage bedded in an ADL Edge McMillan

DMc : )


PS: But had the criteria included all round favorite..., (just because)



Remington 788, 44 Magnum.

I see what you did there.


Okie John

These three come pretty close to my 'perfect' rifle.


The .338 is perhaps the least 'perfect' as it was a custom build that cost over double what either of the others cost. The .300WM in the center was $375 on closeout at Sportsman's in 2004. The .30-06 was $480 used in 2010. The .338 or .300 both get points deducted for not having quick detach slings. If the .30-06 sported a fixed 4x or 3-9x instead of the 4.5-14x it would be very, very close to perfect.

Here is another that I think is very close to 'perfect'. This one is a .280 Rem but the cartridge isn't important. You can still pick one of these up in a variety of chamberings (and in blue rather than stainless) for $449-$499 from cdnnsports.com.


This ,308 Win Ruger GSR is pretty close to perfect too, and is the only one with sights I can easily use at 200 yards. Using a heavy-as-a-big-rock UTG scope it does very well against clay pigeons at 300 yards.


None of the above are going to win any beauty contests and the .308 Scout probably won't go hunting until I find a suitable, lightweight LER scope for it. The others are increasingly my choice for taking to the field. This year it was the .338WM and .300WM for elk, because I thought I would be shooting as backup, but if by myself the .30-06 or .280 Rem would have been my choice. My walnut-stocked rifles seem to stay at home more and more often.

FWIW, here is the .308 Scout with the UTG scope and UTG rings. While the scope works well at the range - and would be OK for hunting from a blind - it really is heavy-as-a-big-rock. Lighter QD rings and scope are high on my to-get list.

No, 32-20 fan, I don't even know who Larry Root is

I have two that I consider perfect depending upon where I am at the time. !. Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 35 Whelen, 24"barrel, 1:12 twist, wood stock with ceracote on the metal. 2. Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, 308 Win 18.7" barrel, stainless with laminated stock, 1:10 twist.

Those are awesome.


DMc

I want an 03a3. I got a sporterized one, that is now a 257 Roberts.

If I was devoid of rifles and just wanted the perfect rifle for me I would get a Marlin model 444.

Sako 264 or 7 mag

CZ 550 Premium in .270 Win topped with Leupold VXII 3x9x40. Had it since '03 and shoot it quite a bit...pretty darn accurate too!

Why do people remove the rear iron sights? Wish people would leave them on.

And btw, the perfect big game rifle needs to have iron sights and quick detachable rings.

Easy to put them back on when needed. They get in the way of the scope most of the time.

I don't have the problem of removing the rear sight. I don't buy guns with a rear sight.

What's worked out as pretty much perfect for me is a 30-06 Rem 700 CDL, 24" barrel, no sights. Has an old 2-7x Redfield on it, though I actually prefer a fixed 6x Leupold.

Last fall, and then this past spring, that rifle gave me: elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, wolf and grizzly.

Carried it a lot. Hunted hard. Didn't worry about the conditions. Like my other 700's have for 40+ years, it worked just fine. Very accurate and easy to carry. Reliable as all get out. I think that I should have used tougher scope mounts/rings, but I dropped it on a rock last year while hunting. Hit the rear scope ring. Zero didn't shift at all. Maybe these mounts are tough enough.







I've got a near-twin to it, in 25-06 with a 6x Leupold that has been my favorite mule deer rifle for the past 12 years or so. It too is completely reliable, easy to carry, and very accurate from field positions.

Regards, Guy

Every rifle is a compromise--no single gun can be better at a given task than a gun specifically built for the task. I have three perfect guns: a 7-08 NULA, a .338 WM Model 70 and a .416 Rem Mag also on a M70. They are all perfect for the jobs I grab them for.

I MOSTLY concur with your requirements. I just edited your list for myself.

#3 - iron sights are useless to me therefore add weight unnecessarily.

#8 - control feed isn't important to me since I don't hunt dangerous game of any size.

I could be perfectly satisfied, come to think of it I am, .my rifles fill the bill.
I'm not being smart or sarcastic, any rifle I've had that didn't suit me is NO longer taking up space here.

Jerry

I like those rifles as well. I've seen the pic a few times and like it.

I don't mean to insult you and I'm not trying to pick a fight.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Those Rugers are not control feed as a true Mauser. Aren't they 'semi' control feed ?

I've had Rugers and I have a 98 now, there is a difference.


Jerry

MY perfect rifle...

VZ-24 action, FORGED bolt handle, DT trigger, M70 2 pos safety, Late WWII stamped triggerguard(milled floorplate, extended release).

NOS Yugo M48 barrel(8x57)....Mag Parkerized.

Leupold STD 1 pc base, low rings, Weaver Classic K4

McMillan Coyote Bomber stock.

And I'll be taking it to the woods again in the morning, along with some 200gr Hot Cor's over CFE223.

My Sako M85 Finnlight in 300 Win. Light, easy to carry, shoots like a dream. I would hunt anything in North America with that rifle loaded with a 200gr Partition.

Re: The perfect big game hunting rifle?

Man, if I knew for sure I'd quit buying and selling so many, but...I think 340boy may be onto something here .

I have a McMillan Edge on order for my Finnlight which was supposed to be here Saturday. Plenty of time to get 'er ready for deer rifle season starting 11/29.

But, no, I just got an email from UPS with an "updated" delivery of 11/29. WTF?!

Ah, well, not the end of the world. I'll just take the ol' Kimber Montana .300 Win Mag. It's a pretty close second.

Beautiful nice set up

This one is starting to grow on me. Montana X2 Extreme in .30-06, with a Meopta 6x42mm (#4 reticle) in Talley lighteights. I could live with it as my only rifle. A .270 custom I have (also with a Meopta 6X) would work, too. Both loaded with Partitions or Accubonds.
Bob



.270 on a 700 LH with steel bottom metal, McMillan stock and a 24" Pac Nor barrel. Meopta 6x in steel Talleys. My go-to rifle lately

Bob, see if you can get your money back on that one. The bolt is on the wrong side.

I know, I know, but it shoots so well I hate to send it back.
Bob

When I was a strong young guy, I liked BARs and had them in several calibers. Then I hit middle age and they were a little heavy, so I traded into mostly bolt guns. Now that I'm old, I'm back to the BAR in .30-06 as one of my go to guns. Mine is an Belgium made Grade III with super wood and a little rose and scroll hand engraving. Weight doesn't bother me since walks are very short. I drive out, sit and watch or take a stand either manufactured or hastily put together from natural elements. The gas action recoils much like a ..243, the rifle shoots really close to one inch groups with factory ammo.

If you see me with a bolt gun, it will likely be a .308, .243,,or .223. I don't like recoil any more and sold my last belted magnum several years ago. At eighty, I no longer need to be macho. BTW, I am no longer mad enough at deer to hunt in the rain.

Good to you,

Jack

Perfect big game rifle? Man, is that a subjective question! Depending on my mood and what I'm hunting I have about 40 in the toy box chambered in as many cartridges. They vary from heavy Shiloh Sharps rifles to svelte Mannlicher/Schoenauer's, double rifles, finely crafted pre-war Mausers, a nice, old Husky in 9.3 X 57 on a '96 action, drillings and German single shot rifles. There's even a Model 70 Featherweight in 270 which is also the only one to wear a scope....and hasn't seen the light of day in 20 years. I've carried most of them from here at about 1000 ft. ele. to almost 10,000 when we lived in Wyoming.

Jack, if you hand load, try some Barnes 130 grain TTSX bullets in your BAR. I loaded some of those with a half grain under the book max load of H4895 and they were very soft shooting, I could detect a difference from the normal 150 grain hand loads and factory loads I'm used to in that rifle.

Let's see. Stainless steel with fiberglass stock. Mauser/M70 hybrid controlled feed action bedded at the factory. One piece bolt. Match grade barrel. Old style M70 trigger. 3 position safety. Chambered in whatever you want.

Probably about as close to perfect as you are going to get if executed properly. I'd have to see one in person to render final judgement but its probably better for my wallet if I didn't as I sure don't "need" a rifle like that to shoot deer from a blind.

I love the older CDLs. Before they turned the stocks into a 2x4. Built my 280AI on one. I'm on a constant vigil for one in pristine condition in 270. Just because. I do like em.

Skeen,
I will be really curious to see how you like that Finnlight with that Edge installed. As far as not buying any new rifles? Eh, probably not.

Built around a Rem 700 Defiance bolt & receiver approx 8lb rifle in .300 win with a 24" fluted bead blasted stainless steel threaded barrel, 4lb trigger, heavy synthetic stock & bedded of coarse. One piece scope base and a 3x9 vari with a bipod.
This would be considered a mountain man rifle not intended for the woosie man.

Is that 8 lbs before or after the bipod?

Because on some rifles, like M700 Rems, the rear sight gets in the way of the scope. First thing I did when I purchased a used M700 was to contact Remington and purchase a replacement rear sight. Next thing I did was mount it. Third thing I did was take it back off so I could remount the scope.