Pre-purchase hunting rifle research--suggestions?

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  • comikemike

    Member
    Dec 18, 2013
    25
    Greetings--sometime in the next year or so I'm going to buy a new hunting rifle, and I'd like to tap into the collective wisdom of MDS for suggestions...

    The rifle will serve as my go-to piece for coyote to elk -sized game out West, and I'll make my selection utilizing the following criteria:

    $1,500 max price (not including glass)
    Chambered for .300 WSM (or something thereabout)
    The more out of the box accurate the better--sub MOA is required
    All weather stock and finish
    Light-ish (not necessarily a featherweight, but no 13 lb sniper guns)

    I'm currently spending a lot of time looking at the Sako A7 and 85s, and also at the Weatherby sub-MOA lines. I'm also considering starting with a Remington 700 as a base and sending it off for tuning to meet the specs.

    So, with all of that being said, what do you think? Does anyone out there have experience with the rifles I mentioned above, and should I be looking at something else?
     

    armed ferret

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Sep 23, 2008
    7,943
    McDoogal's
    Kimber montana.

    Although I would STRONGLY urge you to get something like 7-08 instead. If you absolutely need a magnum for the rare bullet-resistant elk subspecies, go with 7 whizzum instead. Better ballistics of the 284 projectiles yield more retained energy downrange with less drop and drift. 7-08 will burn a lot less powder and be a lot less shitty to your shoulder (and possibly face) though.


    If you go 700, a winny featherweight or remington mountain rifle contour (if you can't find a smith to dupe either of these, PM me and i'll give you a guy's info....i just don't like posting publicly because his lead time is still extremely reasonable and his prices are ridiculously low. he barreled my 6-pound 7-08), 3.5-10x40 VX-3 in talleys, and a remington ti stock (sold aftermarket as the B&C Mountain Rifle stock). should be sub 7 pounds.
     
    Last edited:

    jimbobborg

    Oddball caliber fan
    Aug 2, 2010
    17,112
    Northern Virginia
    Remington 700 Sendero II, 7mm Remington Magnum. B&C stock, fluted heavy barrel. Get the trigger lightened to 3.5 lbs and get some good glass. As much as I love the 7mm-08 (I have one) you may decide to go for moose at some point.
     

    armed ferret

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Sep 23, 2008
    7,943
    McDoogal's
    Remington 700 Sendero II, 7mm Remington Magnum. B&C stock, fluted heavy barrel. Get the trigger lightened to 3.5 lbs and get some good glass. As much as I love the 7mm-08 (I have one) you may decide to go for moose at some point.


    1300 ft-lbs of energy at 600 yards.

    Are moose bulletproof?
     

    6Den

    Active Member
    Feb 10, 2013
    835
    Howard County
    I like AF's taste and suggestions for a rifle that you will likely carry a lot and shoot a little. Stick with non-mags so when you DO shoot, it's not so obnoxious!
     

    Duck

    Active Member
    Apr 11, 2012
    126
    Baltimore
    I would go with a 270 win. 280 rem. 3006 or if the recoil does not bother you 300 win. or 300 wea. All of those will kill most of our big game if not all. Bolt Acton on. REM. Win. Browning or Weatherby. If you looking for weight try a Frobes at Hendershotts in Hagerstown. The recoil on the Weatherby is not that bad and you will never notice it on that elk!
     

    Hondo

    Active Member
    Apr 23, 2014
    135
    Frederick, MD
    My dad took down an elk in Northern Arizona with my Savage 30-06. It ain't pretty or fancy, but it's reliable and it gets the job done. It's a great rifle for the money.
     

    iH8DemLibz

    When All Else Fails.
    Apr 1, 2013
    25,396
    Libtardistan
    My dad took down an elk in Northern Arizona with my Savage 30-06. It ain't pretty or fancy, but it's reliable and it gets the job done. It's a great rifle for the money.

    It's 2014.

    Nobody wants reliable simplicity anymore.

    Besides, everyone knows that pretty and fancy makes a rifle more accurate.
     

    Russ D

    Ultimate Member
    Nov 10, 2008
    12,029
    Sykesville
    A 7mm-08 with 162 AMAX will have more energy at 600 yards than a 30-06 with 165's has at 400 yards.

    Just sayin'.

    7-08 has been one of my favorites since I began shooting. Any good marksman can be confident in it's ability. Bad marksman who overestimate their shooting ability falsely rely on power to overcome their own deficiencies and wound a lot of animals.
     

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