What makes the best rifle for you
 

Why do you chose a rifle .. would like to hear your top 3 reasons
-- fit
--- accurate / to what level
-- feel
-- name
-- barrel length
-- action
--- stock type
--- cartridge
--- weight
--- popular / everyone has one

I like the wood , palm swell .. shorter barrels ... 22.5 in for most ..

-Comfortable for me
-balance
-reliable functioning
-smooth action
-consistent POI
-sub moa
-good trigger

I could care less about popularity, brand name, or the availability of factory loads; as long as reloading components are available.

Durable, like Stainless Steel Synthetic,

(we are in Canada and we hunt in very tough conditions sometimes)

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...B6552BAA6B.jpg

my first ever shotgun had cracked wooden stock due to use it as a tool not piece of furniture.

Reliable... so this involves brand. All my hunting rifles that I use are Sako's

Accuracy less then MOA.

Purpose...

My Gun for chasing Elk on foot is Finnlight 300 Win Mag with 180 gr Barnes TTSX, so weight here is a factor.
If we could only own one gun in Alberta this would be my choice.

Extremely reliable,highly accurate, shoulders fast with quick target acquisition and recoil that allows me to keep target in the scope for a fast follow up shot.

A winchester featherweight in any caliber that's based off a 30-06 case is the answer. Others may not agree.

- Make and model of rifle I have never tried before
- Cartridge I have never tried before
- A new fad cartridge especially if I have experience with something similar
- A Number 1 Ruger every 3 or 4 years because that is what I do every 3 or 4 years.
- A cartridge that I have tried before because I have fond memories of it and I am trying to re kindle the romance
- A 30-06 because many have and I didn't want to miss out.
- All the common ones between .243 and .300 Mag.
- Whatever peaks my interest when I have the bucks in my pocket.
- Of all of the above, the only cartridge I have never harvested game with is the 30-06 is because I never took it hunting just because.
- I am way past three reasons, but I have one the I may say never to and that is any cartridge designated Weatherby just because.

for hunting type gun...
anything that isnt 270win 3006 or vanilla ice cream plain or ordinary can stay in the store.
id much rather spend $6000 on one scoped gun than 6 -$1000 guns of differing types actions etc.
must have above average performance, accuracy is secondary (doesnt need to shoot dime sized groups for deer hunting)
i could careless if the ammo is not readily available or $80 a box.
600 rounds and the barrel needs to be replaced, (600 is a lot of hunting)
i dont care about resale value.
fancy wood stocks, checkering etc have no place in this race.

for safe queen
wetehrby custom deluxe, blaser, fancy wood and metal engraving,

That's a big "it depends".

I like a rifle that swings well, carries just as easily , single shot falling block to keep overall length short,open express sights with a QD 6X scope for longer shoots, moderate cartridge too keep recoil down at the same time being able to have enough energy to kill well and be accurate at around 500 yards,and classy looking as well.

In short, a customized Ruger single shot!:sHa_shakeshout:
No safe queens allowed in my gun locker, Roger!!:bad_boys_20:
Cat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pscf5bd7db.jpg

1. It has to fit properly.
2. It needs to have a crisp trigger with no creep or a lot of over travel.
3. It needs to shoot MOA or better.

Over and above the 3. I prefer synthetic stocks and removable magazines too.

First shot accuracy and consistency, minus 30 to plus 10

Light weight

30-06

1 Synthetic stock
2 26 inch heavy barrel (varmint)
3 capable of 1/2 MOA
4 minimum 3800 fps

I only have one ... fun to shoot (which is pretty much all of them for me) :)

Sub-MOA accurate, a good trigger, smooth action and yes: looks matter, but they don't redeem it if the other qualities aren't there. I prefer a safety that locks the bolt such as on Winchester's (I've had a Remington 700 slung over my shoulder that dropped a cartridge to the ground when the bolt was snagged open by a branch, though I noticed it when it happened). So far, Kimber has been my favorite, though I might be a bit against the grain in wishing they had a thicker barrel profile for a little more weight/ rigidity/ thermal mass.

I would choose a rifle to fit a niche specific to what I want to use it for. I'm a gun nut who has to have as many rifles as I can afford. No "If you can just have one rifle" for me.
So depending on it's purpose, my rifles are all different to some degree. Variety is the spice of life.
It's difficult to know how a rifle will fit till it's scoped, unless you've shot that model before, and accuracy is a gamble till you've bought it and shot it...
If it looks ugly to me though, I won't give one a second glance.
So, if you want three...
--Looks
--Bolt gun
--Reputation (and personal experience with), for accuracy and reliability

Respectfully, I must depart from your view. Life is too short to carry an ugly gun. And until about 1990-1995, very few carried plastic and stainless, and still got the job done in fine form, from Arizona to Alaska. I love walnut, bbls, and good steel, even on the floorplate and trigger guard. Not custom stuff, just quality factory stuff from the 60's and earlier. If it weighs 9 lbs instead of 7 lbs, so be it.

1. Fit & Feel
2. Purpose based

Accuracy isn't known until you shoot, work on it. Cartridge choice is what gives me reasons to keep buying lol

1. I won't own a rifle with a bad trigger.
2. Fit. I'm not built like the average bear.
3. Accuracy. Whether it be one hole in my varmint rig or in and around M.O.A. For my big game rifles. I likes 'em to shoot.

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1. Manufactures QC! because what good is a rifle when it is in the shop! If you are a hunter this could put a big damper on your short season!
2. Reliability! Because your going into the field knowing that your tool will get the job done, so if anything goes wrong you will know to improve yourself and not your tool!
3. Smooth action! Creature comfort, I like being able to cycle ammo easily!

If your rifle has all these standards, chances are it is sub m.o.a capable, which is also very important for me!

I agree with you, not that the sako's ugly, but I'm ok with blued and walnut.

Steyr model M for me :)

For me it's fit, reliability, accuracy and ruggedness. Blued wood rifles are pretty but for the way I hunt they aren't practical since I would be to concerned with hurting them vs hunting. I had just bought a beautiful Sako L691 but couldn't see taking it runthe bush, banging the stock or having it rub on my pack so down the road it went.

I'll stick with a Sako 85 Finnlight...

I'm with you alder and if more of today's guns weighed 9lbs versus 6.5 there'd be fewer 7mm - 338's on the used market. Can't tell you how many guys I know that have grabbed lighter guns like Tikka's in the mag calibers, shot them 10 times, then put them up for sale.

I've got lots of respect for the guys that can shoot them w/o developing a flinch.

For me it is:
1. Fit - If it don't fit right it never will.
2. Trigger Pull.
3. Tie between overall looks and caliber. I like some oddball rounds.

I'm with this guy, my guns are tools, I like reliable and easy to care for in any weather. Also aren't scared to use it or scratch it up. I've got a sako finnlight 7 mag, and a second finnlight on its way in a 260, I'm in my 20's and don't plan on buying another big game rifle ever again. (Just hobby guns to buy... lots of hobby guns...)


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I like good barrel riflings.
Smooth trigger.
Balance between quality & price.
Laminate wood stocks.
Any brand so long as it looks and fits my needs.

The above is what I normally look for, but l'm open to move a bit when it comes too wood or today's synthetic shocks.

Don.

PS: I ok with heavier rifles too.

Fit

Balance

Trigger

Proper weight for purpose and cartridge
(ie: 7lb .250-3000 Savage - 9lb .338 Win)

Blued/Walnut or Stainless Synthetic dependent on purpose

357

The smell of cosmoline.

When I lift that gun it has to be right there ,good fit,balance,nice trigger and a cartridge and bullet that I trust and shot well.

Overall fit, primarily as it relates to cheek/scope reticle acquisition, so when it's shouldered you can shoot quickly and instinctively without adjustment if and when required.

Weight, under 9 lbs with scope.

Highly accurate, sub MOA (.25 benched) with high energy, high velocity flat shooting, hard hitting caliber/cartridges.

If I were to pick a fourth reason it would be esthetics.

One that doesn't tell me what chores need to be done or need to snuggle.