Hunters!!whats your most universal rifle?

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

For the girlfriend you might try a 7-08. Accurate good knock down and less recoil.

My best hunting rifle is a Sako Finnbear in 270.




BTW: It might be for sale. I am thinking about selling quite a few of my long guns.

Really nice gun Henry..

[TimT]

I'm seeing a .270 pop up a lot in this thread...

When my dad passed I inherited a few nice long guns...

One of his favorites and the one I cherish most is a 1958 Winchester .270 Featherweight..

The only thing about this particular rifle that is negative is.....That its a featherweight..you feel after every shot...even with a padded stock...

[winders]

Originally Posted by Arthropraxis

I like a 7mm magnum. If you load your own it can be adjusted for light weight/high speed or heavy/higher impact for a variety of distances or densities of targets.

/Thread

[targa911S]

But hunting is different than target shooting. Recoil on one or two well placed shots should be survivable. A .270 is not what I would consider a heavy recoil round. a 1958 Winchester .270 Featherweight is a nice gun for the job.

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by targa911S

same here in western PA. The Remington 760 or 7600 in .270 is referred to as "The Amish machine gun" around here. Of course any lever action 30-30 as well. Lots of 30-06 guns but few seem to use them anymore. I shoot varmints so 22-250 is my caliber of choice.

Want a 760 in 270? just might have one. Say the word

[Synchro Joe]

A .30-06, .308, or .270 would do the job for medium or large game in North America. I've shot Elk with .270 and it's OK, but not great. IMHO the .30-06 is the best all around rifle for almost any task. For larger game (bear, moose, etc.) you best be looking at .375 H&H or maybe a
.416 if you're really serious. A .375 is great for Elk and will bring down the big ones.

[aigel]

I would buy a .243 to start out. It is plenty of gun for a whitetail. It has low recoil, so no bad habits will form (flinch), even when practicing shooting a lot. It shoots flat (flatter than the .308), so you can also use it for open country hunting or even varmint hunting. And most importantly, you can share it with your GF once she is ready to step it up from the .22 to practice at the range or go deer hunting. If someone is afraid of recoil, you have to be VERY careful what you hand them, otherwise they'll flinch and you will take a long time to break that habit. You can then decide if you want a second .243 or something a little bigger.

I would buy a new rifle. A used rifle is always a pig in a poke, unless you are okay to return it or try it out before committing. I would buy a savage with the accutrigger and a medium prized 3-9 scope, i.e. a bushnell elite that's got the rainguard coating, for those wet days in the field. You can buy a plastic stock basic model or a nicer one with a nice blueing and walnut, it will be a good bang for the buck at any rate.

That's my input. It is a bit a ford vs. chevy discussion. There are a lot of right answers to your question, but the GF situation and recoil make me lean towards the lighter gun. We always want the biggest baddest thing out there - but just like in racing - don't be the guy with the 800 hp Camaro getting lapped by a 914 ...

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

For larger game (bear, moose, etc.) you best be looking at .375 H&H or maybe a
.416 if you're really serious. A .375 is great for Elk and will bring down the big ones.

You are talking brown bears, right? For a black bear, IMHO, any 30+ caliber rifle will suffice. 30-30 and up. Just wanted to clarify, so the OP knows he could go bear hunting with a lot less gun, just not on Kodiak Island.

G

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by aigel

I would buy a .243 to start out. It is plenty of gun for a whitetail. It has low recoil, so no bad habits will form (flinch), even when practicing shooting a lot. It shoots flat (flatter than the .308), so you can also use it for open country hunting or even varmint hunting. And most importantly, you can share it with your GF once she is ready to step it up from the .22 to practice at the range or go deer hunting. If someone is afraid of recoil, you have to be VERY careful what you hand them, otherwise they'll flinch and you will take a long time to break that habit. You can then decide if you want a second .243 or something a little bigger.

I would buy a new rifle. A used rifle is always a pig in a poke, unless you are okay to return it or try it out before committing. I would buy a savage with the accutrigger and a medium prized 3-9 scope, i.e. a bushnell elite that's got the rainguard coating, for those wet days in the field. You can buy a plastic stock basic model or a nicer one with a nice blueing and walnut, it will be a good bang for the buck at any rate.

That's my input. It is a bit a ford vs. chevy discussion. There are a lot of right answers to your question, but the GF situation and recoil make me lean towards the lighter gun. We always want the biggest baddest thing out there - but just like in racing - don't be the guy with the 800 hp Camaro getting lapped by a 914 ...

G

This is sound advice..

[ledhedsymbols]

I agree that a 30-06 is amazingly versatile. Unlike some of the other WSM or WSSM cartridges, you don't have to worry about it becoming obsolete and having to custom make brass and handload.

If you are interested in something a bit smaller, but still enough rifle for deer sized game. I consider my .257 Roberts to be a fantastic rifle. My father bought it for me when his -06 proved to be too much rifle for me as a skinny 12 year old kid. Mine is nothing special. It's built on a Japanese WWII Arisaka action, but has a decent 3-9X variable Leoupold and is a flat shooting, low recoil bolt action classic out to 350 yds or so. Also consider a 25-06 as well.

[matt711]

.270 is pretty much all the rifle you will ever need.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by GWN7

.30-06 is a all around good gun. You can get various weight ammo to meet what your shooting needs will be for a reasonable price. As mentioned a bolt action.

Totally agree. The old 30.06 has been around forever and hard to beat!

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I would strongly suggest you go and try several different rifles. Do not have to shoot anything, just put them up to your shoulder and try them out. See if you prefer a lever, bolt, semi, single over another choice. This is the first place to start. I strongly suggest you and your SO use different rifles. She will definately like something other than you and will be just as correct in her choice as you are in yours.

Having a .22LR rifle is not a bad idea. You can practice with it and get better at shooting. Is your SO scared of the recoil or the noise? Remember to invest in hearing protection!!!!!! Learn to shoot with basics, do not work on optics to begin with. Work close in and move target further away as you get better. Do not discourage yourself unnecessarily. Personnally, I am only an average shooter. There are tonnes of us like that, do not expect to be an expert right off the bat.

Heavier rifle, less recoil. Wood stocks generally will absorb more recoil than composit. Hollow stocks are just a recipe for disaster. If the barrel is heavier than the stock and wants to droop in your hands I would go to another gun!!!!

My Wife is not a dainty flower nor is she a large woman. We both use different .44MAGs for hunting upland game. This is about 100 yards shooting distance. .45LC will do same with less recoil and cost. I cannot stand to shoot a .44MAG pistol, she has one she really likes.

You need to look at the area where you live and will hunt. What calibers are legal? What game are you going to hunt primarily? Each type of rifle has an advantage and disadvantage. Learn to shoot without a scope. Try one to see what you think. Wife hunts with an open notched sight, I use a lymon style. I use open on another rifle, she has a 12x scope for going out 400+ yards. If you are shooting at 100 yards or less then you likely do not need a scope. If you are wanding through Wyoming seeking elk then you will likely need a scope, sled, saw, etc.

There are also gel pads for the rifle ends that will reduce the recoil. Invest in one.

Many good choices have been given but you need to look at the legal requirements, cost, availability.

Also, check on used weapons. Do not be scared of them! Take them through a gunsmith before buying or have another more knowledgeable party look at them. You can find some really nice stuff in great condition. A good old Marlin 36C in 30.30 will be rather inexpensive and they have long lives!

[gt350mike]

Several years ago I passed down my Ruger M77 30-06 to my son and regretted doing ever since. It has a little more kick than a .243 or .308, but there isn't a cartridge that is more versatile or readily available. Fortunately my wife assumed I wanted a new rifle to replace the Ruger and gave me Steyr 7mm Mag for our anniversary present a few years ago. It's the most accurate rifle I've ever owned, but it's a little overkill for hunting deer unless I'm taking long range shots.

If you're considering a shot-gun for deer hunting, you've got to check out Savage's bolt action 20 gauge. Out of the box, a sports writer was shooting fairly tight groups out to 170+ yards and I've heard the shotgun can be customized to shoot accurately out to 300 yards. It's definitely not a great jack of all trades gun, but you have to admit the idea of shooting a shotgun slug out 300 yards is amazing.

[mattdavis11]

Given the criterion, I'd look at a 25-06. Ruger M77 .270 is what I prefer.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

I would strongly suggest you go and try several different rifles. Do not have to shoot anything, just put them up to your shoulder and try them out. See if you prefer a lever, bolt, semi, single over another choice. This is the first place to start. I strongly suggest you and your SO use different rifles. She will definately like something other than you and will be just as correct in her choice as you are in yours.

Having a .22LR rifle is not a bad idea. You can practice with it and get better at shooting.

And there you have the answer you need.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Rick V

And there you have the answer you need.

Totally agree but not to forget that if you find a rifle that you like and its a bit short or long, the stock can be modified to fit the shooter. Either shorten the stock or add a recoil pad to make it fit YOU, not the other way around.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Given the criterion, I'd look at a 25-06. Ruger M77 .270 is what I prefer.

25.06 is a nice small caliber BUT try finding ammo for it... unless you reloaded I would not go with an off-beat caliber like this. A box of .270, 7mm or 30.06 can be found on most gun shop shelves... even out in the sticks...

[MT930]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Around here a .270 is considered a one size fits all.

It's light for Elk or Moose but used all the time for them. It's my White tail - Muley cartridge of choice.

[HardDrive]

I hunt with a .30-06.

I don't care to be dragged into the seemingly endless .30-06 vs .270 argument.

The Winchester short magnum loads are fine, but like others have said, it remains to be seen if the ammo will be readily available 20 years down the road. Walk into any rag tag gas station that sells ammo, and they will have .30-06, .308.,.270,.30-30, etc..... 7mm Winchester magnum? Not so much.

I've got to honest, I find these discussion mind numbing. You can kill deer just fine with .223. Bullet placement if far more important than caliber.