What hunting rifle???

[Rich McVey]

I dont currently own a "Big Game" caliber rife and I'm looking to buy one.

I had .308 (7.62x51) in mind originally but I like the balistics of the .300 Win Mag. As I was looking around... the .338 Win Mag and the .375 H&H cross my view.

I will mainly be hunting Deer and Elk, but a Bison trip to Montana sounds interesting too.

I can only get the one right now, what do you suggest?

Thanks
Rich

[BentRod]

I dont currently own a "Big Game" caliber rife and I'm looking to buy one.

I had .308 (7.62x51) in mind originally but I like the balistics of the .300 Win Mag. As I was looking around... the .338 Win Mag and the .375 H&H cross my view.

I will mainly be hunting Deer and Elk, but a Bison trip to Montana sounds interesting too.

I can only get the one right now, what do you suggest?

Thanks
Rich

Rich,
Any of the above will work. In my opinion, the .308 is a bit small for elk and I'd guess even more so for Bison (have limited experience with this rifle). The .338 (my brother has one) is a great elk rifle and probably a fantastic choice for bison, but a little on the large side for deer (wasted meat). I shoot a .300 Win Mag. I chose this rifle because of it's ability to shoot flat (great for long distance shots such as in eastern WA) and pack a punch. I believe it's a bit large for deer (not ridiculously), but will take out elk and bear with no problems (I mainly hunt elk). Therefore, of the three, I'd suggest that for all applications listed (admittedly, I'm biased). This rifle will certainly test your shoulder compared to a .30-06 though, so don't plan long sighting sessions at the range. Another option might be a 7mm, which I have less experience with, but know is also a very versatile rifle. If you're going to be carrying the rifle around all day, then you should consider the weight of the rifle too. My .300 is heavier than most of my hunting partner's rifles and carrying it around all day can be taxing. However, if you go with a lighter stock on a gun like this or the .338 then you might find just the thought of firing it will make you flinch. My 2C.
Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.

[Amx]

There's a guy here on WaLakes that had a .308 for sale. I sorta forget his handle, he isn't on too often. I know that rifle is great as he get it from me. If I remeber his handle I'll post it. Tightlines or some such thing. maybe Mike can look up those names as I can't. All I get in a list of members by join date, not in alphabeticle order, makes it impossible to look up a member.

[MarkFromSea]

Wrote a longer reply, it disappeared. 30-06, one of Remington's 700 series, 180 gr, kills em all, bullet placement.

[Big D]

I'd also go with a 30.06 because you can purchase or reload anything from a 25 grain sabot up to I think 200 grain and maybe a little larger. It's been a long time since I've hunted but I've taken everything from Prairie Dogs at long distance to Alaskan Caribou at even longer distances. I packed a Remington 700 series with lots of upgrades and they really do make allot of them. One of my favorite up grades was a oversized sling mount with a leather M-1 Garand sling. This really made the rifle look sweet and nice to carry. Do be aware that there have been some issues with older 700 series Remington’s firing when the safety is moved.

Remington Model 700 & Model 40-X
If you own a Remington Model 700 or Model 40-X rifle:
Only those Model 700 or 40-X rifles made before March 1982 were manufactured with a bolt-lock mechanism. Model 700 or 40-X rifles made after March 1982 do not have a bolt-lock mechanism and may be loaded and unloaded with the safety in the “S” or “On Safe” position. Consequently, post-1982 Model 700 or 40-X rifles are not subject to this bolt-lock Safety Modification Program.
To determine whether your Model 700 or 40-X rifle has a bolt-lock mechanism, either:
Call Remington toll-free at 1-877-387-6691 and a service representative will help you determine if your firearm has a bolt-lock mechanism, or If your Model 700 or 40-X rifle has a bolt-lock mechanism, it is eligible for this bolt-lock Safety Modification Program. If you participate, your firearm will be cleaned and inspected for proper functioning by a qualified gunsmith. Once the condition of your firearm has been assessed, you will be notified of one of the following:
Your firearm’s trigger assembly is otherwise in good operating condition, and the gunsmith will proceed to physically remove the bolt-lock feature so that your rifle can be loaded and unloaded while the safety remains in the “S” or “On Safe” position; or Your rifle’s trigger assembly is found to be in an unsatisfactory or potentially unsafe operating condition because of any number of factors, including wear, alteration or maintenance. The entire trigger assembly will be replaced with a new factory trigger assembly, which does not incorporate a bolt-lock mechanism.

In either case, the total cost to you is $20 plus shipping and handling. You will also receive a safety redemption certificate to complete and submit in order to receive a free blaze orange hat (one hat per certificate).
How to participate in the Safety Modification Program
Complete the General Repair Form and Send or deliver your firearm and the completed repair form to:
Remington Arms Company, Inc.
Ilion Firearms Plant
Attention: BL Safety Program
14 Hoefler Avenue
Ilion, NY 13357
Remington will bill or arrange for payment once your firearm is received and evaluated.

CAUTION: It is your responsibility to comply with all laws and regulations regarding transportation or shipping of your firearm. Absolutely no ammunition should be packaged with the firearm whether loaded in the firearm itself or included in the shipping container. The firearm should be transported only in a completely unloaded condition.

[Jipper]

I would go with a 30-06 because it is an all around gun,get 180 gr bullets and with the right bullet placment you can take down almost all game on this planet,i own one and i love it.

[AJ's Dad]

The .300 win mag has been my all time favorite for many years. That baby will reach out and touch em from a long ways out. I won't bother telling you about the long range shots I have made with it on Antelope in Montana. You wouldn't believe me any way. The 300 would me my choice.

[Jipper]

How far were they?

[AJ's Dad]

My first was 750 yards. The second was right at 1000. We stopped counting at 900 paces and my buddy said look man, that thing is another hundred yards away and nobody is going to believe you made that shot anyway. LOL. I couldn't believe it myself. On the other hand, the antelope didn't go down right away. It just stood there while I tried to duplicate that shot to finish it off. I missed with 8 more tries so we moved closer to end the ordeal. The 750 yarder put that one down and finished it off in one shot. The 300 is the way to go in my opinion.

[Jipper]

What an amazing story!!!! I shure hope i can tell one of thoes.

[BentRod]

What an amazing story!!!! I shure hope i can tell one of thoes.

Probably not with a .30-06. Just giving you a hard time.

That is an amazing story AJD. Can't imagine taking a shot at that distance.

[fullybuilt2.0]

.300 FTW!!

[yooper_fisher]

30-06! Jack of all trades, master of none. It's a great all-a-round gun if you want just one. I use a .270, but I feel like it's too small for elk (although I have killed them with it). My dad has killed almost every big game animal in N.A. (including bison) with his 30-06, but we mostly hunt whitetail. These long range shots that people are talking about are great, but they take a lot of practice time to know where your bullet is going to hit. The caliber has nothing to do with it. A well trained shooter can take down an animal at 500 yds with a .223, but a bad shooter won't hit a barn at 100 yds with a .300.

Like Mark said, it's all about bullet placement

[dicinu]

I am a fan of most long rifles but my 7mm mag is my go to rifle for elk I have separate rifle for deer and Lopes and also another rifle for yotes, granted my 7mm can do it all I love this round. 300 win mag is a great round also I would stay away from 300 WSM rifles, to me they pack a nice punch on the shoulder. honestly a 243 will work on a elk if you place the shot right and also feel like tracking down the animal... 30 06 is a good round I am not the biggest fan of the round, but it will reach out and touch someone also.

if I was looking for another rifle for bigger game than a elk 300 or 338 depending how big I was planning hunting for or if I was planning an African safari. state side I would stay 300.

then comes the rifle manufacture

My personal favorite is savage with the accutrigger great rifle and even better trigger

my second choice would be weatherby

then remington for my 3rd choice

now all these are my personal choices and all on accuracy and trigger adjustments without needing to order new parts or the accutrigger system to me made my shooting a lot better...

[FishBaitThe2nd]

A .22 is the way to go. Lol , id say a .30-06 imo. I havent hunted with them, but my grandpa has and he said there one of his all tiem favorite guns. All ive hunted for are quail and dove

[Rich McVey]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am still somewhat undecided but Im thinking about leaning towards the .300 Win Mag.

Oh and FishBaitThe2nd, I already have a killer .22. Nice scope, getting a new stock, and..... It has a surpressor.

[bugmasta]

30-06 all day long twice on Tuesday. If you have the budget for 3 guns, then .270 for deer, 30-06 for elk, 338 for bison. But if you need the do everything gun, go 30-06. You hit a deer with a .300 in the wrong spot and you are gonna lose half your meat. The .300 would be good for bigger game, but I would not go after deer with it.

I have killed deer, elk, bear, cougar, coyote with my 30-06; shot placement and proper ammo make all the difference.

[Ezlivn89]

My cousin has a 300 WB. cool gun, acurate, expensive as hell to shoot, I have a 30-06, love it, use it for all types of hunting for yoti to bear. Never had any issues and has dropped every animal i have shot ( lucky so far) Love it. Cousin also has a .243 he has taken down elk with. Its all about shot placement

[CoyoteCrazy]

What Ranges are you looking at hunting? If you can only get one gun, 45/70. The new Hornady rounds make it lethal out to 200 yrds, the heavy bullet drops everything and you can even drive the shoulder on a bison. It does have long range limitations, but 90% of animals taken are shot under 100 yrds. I shot a Roosevelt Elk 2 years ago and it was a clean heart shot and dropped himonly went 40 yrds. Other guys in my party were all shooting 300 win/mags and the bulls were taking 2-3 shots on average. It is slow moving as far as bullets are concerned, but hits like a freight train. 325 gr in the Hornady leverevolution can stop anything you will encounter including an Ex-wife's buick.
IF you plan on hunting the more open spaces for deer/antelope, I like the 25/06. Fast flat shooting and accurate. That is my input, they work great for me.

[Rich McVey]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I went with the .300 Win Mag. I pick it up in the morning.

Im not sure when I will be able to look at another rifle purchase, but a semi auto is on the list. AR10 maybe, but that may be a while. Looking to get a muzzle loader and a new pistol before another rifle comes along.