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View Full Version : New rifle, what to get?


redmega
10-15-2011, 04:05 PM
I am thinking of getting a new rifle but i am not sure what to get.
I curently have a couple .22,.17, .223, .243, .257wby and a 30-06. I was thinking of either a 7mm rum or a .300 rum. What would you guys suggest. I kinda want something bigger but its still up in the air.

elkhunter11
10-15-2011, 04:11 PM
What is the intended use of the rifle? Be aware that the recoil of either is much more than your 30-06, and barrel life is much shorter.

redmega
10-15-2011, 04:17 PM
I was thinking of a hunting rifle for elk and moose sized game and a little bit of longe range target shooting. A friend has a .338 Lapua and I kinda want to be able to shoot at the same distances as he was but without the whole tactical theme. I was unaware about the poor barrel life. Any suggestions?

Liv2Hunt
10-15-2011, 04:34 PM
Not sure about barrel life, but I've shot a .300 Win Mag for years and love it. In fact I have two.

catnthehat
10-15-2011, 04:44 PM
I was thinking of a hunting rifle for elk and moose sized game and a little bit of longe range target shooting. A friend has a .338 Lapua and I kinda want to be able to shoot at the same distances as he was but without the whole tactical theme. I was unaware about the poor barrel life. Any suggestions?
You can shoot a 338 lapua without the tactical crap.
Sako builds a very good rifle , un- braked , and they will do MOA at 1,000 with no problem in a sporter stock, but unless you brake it, the recoil is prety high, as is the 300 RUM.
The RUN however, is quite a bit cheaper in the brass department!:scared:
Cat

Homesteader
10-15-2011, 04:53 PM
I just picked up a sweet Jackson Hunter in 7mm-08 from Prophet River. I have'nt shot it yet, but it sure seems like a nice little unit for offhand, and bench. Tips the scales at an even 7lbs with the leupold bases on. Looking forward to taking her out after hunting season, and doing some load development.

catnthehat
10-15-2011, 05:01 PM
I just picked up a sweet Jackson Hunter in 7mm-08 from Prophet River. I have'nt shot it yet, but it sure seems like a nice little unit for offhand, and bench. Tips the scales at an even 7lbs with the leupold bases on. Looking forward to taking her out after hunting season, and doing some load development.

A whole bunch more sensible than a 338 IMO!!
Not that I'm saying no one should buy one, but it sure is a lot easier to get used to shooting a new rifle in 708 than a small cannon!!:sHa_sarcasticlol:
Cat

BallCoeff.435
10-15-2011, 08:12 PM
I am thinking of getting a new rifle but i am not sure what to get.
I curently have a couple .22,.17, .223, .243, .257wby and a 30-06. I was thinking of either a 7mm rum or a .300 rum. What would you guys suggest. I kinda want something bigger but its still up in the air.

Then you probably want something either flatter or heavier or both. In a relatively common cartridge.

In the first case, you should look at 280AI, or 7mmRM, or 300 win mag together with the kind of package (rifle) you can get it in. In the second, consider something in .338 like 340 Wby or 338 Lapua, or maybe even 375H&H or 375Ruger or 9,3x64 Brenneke.

Practically speaking, IMHO a heavy-barrel Browning 300 winmag would be your best bet.

Also, better to up the caliber a bit than do an Ultra anything.

BallCoeff.435
10-15-2011, 08:28 PM
A whole bunch more sensible than a 338 IMO!!
Not that I'm saying no one should buy one, but it sure is a lot easier to get used to shooting a new rifle in 708 than a small cannon!!:sHa_sarcasticlol:
Cat

Not necessarily. A precision rifle and good shooter can throw a .338 slug out to 400 meters or more to cleanly kill larger game. That's the whole purpose of a .338 - to get the minimum necessary energy and momentum out to the required point of impact after pushing all that air out of the way. If that's what you want to do.

But that means the rifle has to be up to the task, and the shooter has to be able to deliver as well from a field (not bench) position. I'd rather both have the ability in any hunting situation so you don't limit yourself. You can always get closer or chose a smaller animal if you have to or want to.

If you're used to the kick of a vanilla 30-06, then a heavier precision .338 whatever will be easy to master. Even a pleasure to shoot because once you're dialed in, there should be no unexplained surprises.

redmega
10-15-2011, 08:31 PM
By the sounds of it I should stay clear of the ultra mags. What are your guys thoughts on the 325wsm is that 1 gonna beat the sholder to a pulp as well or does it have a milder recoil? I know the 300wm is very popular I just kinda wanted to be a little different. I have shot a few .338 before and the recoil was tolerable. Might have to find someone to let me try out theirs.

u_cant_rope_the_wind
10-15-2011, 08:55 PM
the 300Rum is a throat burner if shot alot, because of the preasure and heat the throat tends to burn out before the barrel does

SkytopBrewster
10-15-2011, 09:11 PM
Get a plain old .338 WM, you need a high power something to top that collection, no need to get caught up in all the short mag stuff, go 338 win mag

catnthehat
10-15-2011, 11:02 PM
Not necessarily. A precision rifle and good shooter can throw a .338 slug out to 400 meters or more to cleanly kill larger game. That's the whole purpose of a .338 - to get the minimum necessary energy and momentum out to the required point of impact after pushing all that air out of the way. If that's what you want to do.

But that means the rifle has to be up to the task, and the shooter has to be able to deliver as well from a field (not bench) position. I'd rather both have the ability in any hunting situation so you don't limit yourself. You can always get closer or chose a smaller animal if you have to or want to.

If you're used to the kick of a vanilla 30-06, then a heavier precision .338 whatever will be easy to master. Even a pleasure to shoot because once you're dialed in, there should be no unexplained surprises.
I may be wrong , but think we are not talking about precision rifles , but hunting rifles of the sporter weight type and " normal" hunting ranges, not extreme ranges.
The fact remains that a shooter will naturally shoot an unbraked 708 better than an unbraked 338 mag . ultra mag, or Lapua, etc.....
Cat

j3006
10-16-2011, 09:07 PM
Guns are fun.

If you are looking for a great hunting rifle then, you already have one in your 30-06. But as I said guns are fun. if you are looking for a good long range rifle that you can shoot great at over 500 years. the go for the 300 weatherby Mag. Great long range balistics and will be a great yukon moose gun as well.

Otherwise stick to your 30-06, one of the best calibres around.

Cheers.

waylow
10-16-2011, 09:11 PM
270 wsm or 7mm rem mag, maybe the 325 wsm.

t.bone
10-16-2011, 09:46 PM
There is nothing wrong with the ole reliable 30-06.A well placed 180 gr out of the 30-06 will drop anything in north america.But on that note i did go and buy a ruger hawkeye in 338 win mag.It was grouping ok,but i gave it to custom gunworx and had a muzle brake put and glas bed my stock for added strenght,as the 338 wil crack the stock.Now it feels like a 25-06 on a bad day and have 1/2'' groups with 73.3 grs of Imr 4831 with a 200 gr nosler accubond.I absolutly love this gun.It is running those 200 gr accubonds to 3000 fps with 4000 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzel,at 500 yrds it is still more then the 30-06 at 300 yrds.I bought this 338 strickly for elk hunting.I would still use my 30-06 with 180 gr accubonds on moose.I dropped a bul moose 3 yrs ago at 250 yrds in the lungs and i weighted the bullet after it went into the moose and it still weighted 124 grs.it is one impressive bullet.Kep in m ind if you buy a 338 lapua or 300 rum you are looking at $1 a shell and if you reload it will take around 85 to 98 grs of powder to my 74,that is a whole lot morer recoil and more money on powder and the bullets are even more.

elkhunter11
10-16-2011, 09:51 PM
if you buy a 338 lapua or 300 rum you are looking at $1 a shell and if you reload it will take around 85 to 98 grs of powder to my 74,that is a whole lot morer recoil and more money on powder and the bullets are even more.

The 338Lapua can use the same bullets that you use in your 338winmag, so they won't cost any more. The same make and model of bullet that you use in your 338winmag will be lower priced in .308" for use in the 300RUM.

HunterDave
10-16-2011, 11:23 PM
I curently have a couple .22,.17, .223, .243, .257wby and a 30-06.

Are you using these rifles to hunt with or are you just collecting them? If you are using them for hunting:

.22 - plinking/grouse/rabbits/gophers...........17 coyotes/gophers..........223 coyotes............257wby antelope..........30.06 deer/elk/moose............300 win mag for everything bigger than a deer.

If it were me I'd sell the 243 and buy a 300 win mag before getting something bigger to shoot grizzlies and samsquaches. :)

Lefty
10-17-2011, 06:57 PM
The 35 Whelan, 338, 375, or 325 gives you options of bigger bullets which is different from your 30-06. The 7mm or 300 is still the same size bullets as the 30-06 but just a little faster. Don't think you will notice much difference on game between them.

redmega
10-17-2011, 08:57 PM
I am not to conserned about it being used as mainly a hunting rifle, the ones that I own now have me covered for anything that I hunt, I would like to own a bigger gun that isnt gonna beat me up too badly though. I would also like the option of using it in the field and still compete with my buddy at the range, he shoots out to 800yds with his lapua. Im thinking that a .300wm might be the way to go.

I also like the idea of having a large caliber to make me feel more manly lol

rugatika
10-17-2011, 09:04 PM
300 or even the 340 wby. in an accumark.

t.bone
10-17-2011, 09:36 PM
I put a 5-15x50 tactical milldot bushnel 3200 elite on my 338 win mag and i have no issue hitting targets at 500 meters.i wanted a 338 lapua instead of the win mag but if you ned more rounds at hunting season in case you didn't take enough with you,it will be tough to find find 38 lapua in a small towm ike nordeg or sundre.i bought the 338nwin mag for cause i didn't want a 30-06 on nitros.If your going to buy a bigger caliber buy a biger caliber,the 300 win mag is only 200 fps faster then the 30-06.I have no issue at shooting out 800yrds with my 338 win mag,but i will definately not try to kill out that far,too many variables to go wrong when shoting deer or elk out to 1/2 mile away.

rainman
10-17-2011, 10:24 PM
Get a plain old .338 WM, you need a high power something to top that collection, no need to get caught up in all the short mag stuff, go 338 win mag

x2

thirty-30
10-17-2011, 10:59 PM
Consider .270 WSM as well. I am absolutely sold on it as my second favorite caliber after my .45-70. Dunno why I love the .45-70 so much, just do. My go-to rifle is a .270 WSM. A savage, specifically. (Yes, I know it is a savage, I love it anyway) -- specifically a savage 16FHSAK. I've been meaning to post a review on this, along with some grouping pics.

Anyway, you'll find it here:

http://www.biggamehunt.net/reviews/savage-accustock-weather-warrior-review

Anyway, it is a zippy fast round that won't drop much and will harvest anything in Alberta short of buffalo (according to most) anyway. Recoil is manageable, and there are lots of nice heavy barrel setups for that that won't bust the bank either.

I find it is an excellent setup for me and without scope, was sub 500 for me, though I got a good deal on it. The brake is actually nice at the range when nobody is around, though I turn it off naturally when someone is ;p

You can prolly get the same gun in 300 WSM as well.

Lonnie
10-17-2011, 11:18 PM
stick with the -06 its a good all aruond cartridge and it will kill out to 500 yd. if you do your part. if you want to shoot long range at the range get a 308 bench target rifle then your good out to 1100yds.

32-40win
10-18-2011, 10:36 AM
I wanted a new toy this year, something I could use for hunting if I wanted to, or just plinking at the range. Wasn't into the long range shooting idea, so, looked into older, slower larger caliber stuff.
Thought about a 38-55, a 40-70, a 405, a 45-70. Already have a 7-08 and a 338WM. Ended up getting a 450/400NE because it was very different, and could be loaded down to 40-70 specs or up to exceeding a 45-70 quite handily.
If I wanted a 500yd+ gun, I'd just rebarrel one I already have to the 338Wm and use it. May do that yet, I have to talk myself into it.