Thinking about a new rifle, need ideas

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My cousin routinely takes elk with a 243. The problem there is that such a round requires a very good shot placement. Her dad/My uncle swears up and down that the 6.5x55 is the perfect cartridge for NA big game, citing accuracy, low recoil and effective killing. The next hunting rifle I get, if I ever do get one will probably be 6.5x55, but by the time I get a new rifle, projectile weapons will probably be obsolete.
 
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someguy2800 said:
I've yet to kill anything too dead. Big bullets at moderate velocities do surprisingly little damage meat damage and produce dramatic blood trails. Too much much powder use is just a financial question, and too much recoil is highly subjective from one person to the next. One persons shoulder bruiser is another persons plinker.
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I have shot .375 and much larger. Carried a 7 mag for 40 years. Close to 70 gr (69.8) of powder, compared to the 43 gr used in 6.5x55 or .260 Rem is a huge difference.

It has been accepted for several decades that .30-06 is the upper level of tolerance of recoil, for the majority of shooters. Some tolerate or accept more recoil.
A friend was shooting a .22LR match. They got into a tie breaker. Kept shooting and shooting, couldn't break the tie. The other shooter finally pulled a shot and the tie was broken.
Lester asked him what happened and he says, "I flinched. I got tired of that rifle thumping me." Lester agreed with him. This from a guy that has shot 4000 12 ga skeet, in a row, in 1 day, without a miss.
 
Seedy Character said:
I have shot .375 and much larger. Carried a 7 mag for 40 years. Close to 70 gr (69.8) of powder, compared to the 43 gr used in 6.5x55 or .260 Rem is a huge difference.

It has been accepted for several decades that .30-06 is the upper level of tolerance of recoil, for the majority of shooters. Some tolerate or accept more recoil.
A friend was shooting a .22LR match. They got into a tie breaker. Kept shooting and shooting, couldn't break the tie. The other shooter finally pulled a shot and the tie was broken.
Lester asked him what happened and he says, "I flinched. I got tired of that rifle thumping me." Lester agreed with him. This from a guy that has shot 4000 12 ga skeet, in a row, in 1 day, without a miss.
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At $35 per pound of powder that works out to be an extra $0.14 per round in powder. I think I can fit that into my hunting budget. I don't contest that many shooters have not conditioned themselves to deal with heavy recoil, I only contest that a 375 is too big of a caliber for deer hunting. That's just not true. Training yourself to not flinch at the bench in long shooting sessions takes training and discipline, but I've never had to battle that while hunting because your mind is concentrated on the game.
 
Picher said:
I have a couple of Rem 700s in .270 Win and like them. They've taken deer at various ranges to over 300 yards and killed a nice Maine Bull Moose at nearly 300 yards (picture). I've also owned a couple of 30-06s, including my first centerfire deer rifle. The .30-06 is a good cartridge, but I'd look long and hard at a 7mm-08 for a new rifle these days. I like the short-action Remington 700 and other makes. (Picture, me with my 700 BDL Stainless fluted .270 Win)View attachment 1116318
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Great rifle, Great hunt. Wow.
 
Picher said:
I have a couple of Rem 700s in .270 Win and like them. They've taken deer at various ranges to over 300 yards and killed a nice Maine Bull Moose at nearly 300 yards (picture). I've also owned a couple of 30-06s, including my first centerfire deer rifle. The .30-06 is a good cartridge, but I'd look long and hard at a 7mm-08 for a new rifle these days. I like the short-action Remington 700 and other makes. (Picture, me with my 700 BDL Stainless fluted .270 Win)View attachment 1116318
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Is that the factory wooden stock or a replacement?
 
Personally I NEVER consider or associate ammo or component cost with hunting . One simple reason , I only shoot a handful sighting in and 1 maybe 2 hunting ; So hardy worth any effort determining cost per round .

Now Target and Range shooting OH YEAH !!!!!!!!. That along with every known devise gadget under the Sun pertaining to reloading ,has contributed tremendously to MY abject Poverty over the past #57 years . MY Wife still thinks it's because of MY Former Planes :)
OK they subtracted a couple of bucks also ( MAYBE )
 
someguy2800 said:
At $35 per pound of powder that works out to be an extra $0.14 per round in powder. I think I can fit that into my hunting budget. I don't contest that many shooters have not conditioned themselves to deal with heavy recoil, I only contest that a 375 is too big of a caliber for deer hunting. That's just not true. Training yourself to not flinch at the bench in long shooting sessions takes training and discipline, but I've never had to battle that while hunting because your mind is concentrated on the game.
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Nope, a flinch is a flinch. Seen an old man buy a .458 to go Africa. Mounted scope and went range. 3rd round he hit target and called it good. Went on a hog hunt, had a large sow charge him. He shouldered the rifle and was shaking all over. Never removed safety or fired. Sow knocked him down, cut his leg and disappeared into the brush.
He canceled his Africa trip and sold the rifle.
The flinch is subconscious and seeing game doesn't override or eliminate the ingrained flinch.
 
Seedy Character said:
Nope, a flinch is a flinch. Seen an old man buy a .458 to go Africa. Mounted scope and went range. 3rd round he hit target and called it good. Went on a hog hunt, had a large sow charge him. He shouldered the rifle and was shaking all over. Never removed safety or fired. Sow knocked him down, cut his leg and disappeared into the brush.
He canceled his Africa trip and sold the rifle.
The flinch is subconscious and seeing game doesn't override or eliminate the ingrained flinch.
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Well if one guy you knew couldn’t shoot his rifle then that proves it! I'll sell all my thumpers now, all the game I've shot with them must have been lucky shots.
 
Seedy Character said:
.375 is wayyyyyyy too much for anything except elk, moose, Bison, bear.
Too much bullet, too much, powder and too much recoil.
Do-All Worldwide, but North America;
.30-06 makes more sense.
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06 is never a bad answer!

And ill agree .375s are a little bit "much" for hawaii......but still....
PXL_20201010_182507056.MP.jpg
Never shot anything with my .458 win besides rocks, but ive taken quite a few animals, and hit steel out to 800 and change with that .375, That guns not going anywhere lol.
 
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BushMaster-15 said:
Personally I NEVER consider or associate ammo or component cost with hunting . One simple reason , I only shoot a handful sighting in and 1 maybe 2 hunting ; So hardy worth any effort determining cost per round .

Now Target and Range shooting OH YEAH !!!!!!!!. That along with every known devise gadget under the Sun pertaining to reloading ,has contributed tremendously to MY abject Poverty over the past #57 years . MY Wife still thinks it's because of MY Former Planes :)
OK they subtracted a couple of bucks also ( MAYBE )
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I do more practice with my hunting rifles compared to most, but even that is only typically like 50 rounds a year for whichever rifle I pick to use in a given year. Compared to the money I spend on replacing gear, gas in the truck, the value of a week of vacation from work, ect... my reloading costs are insignificant.
 
someguy2800 said:
I do more practice with my hunting rifles compared to most, but even that is only typically like 50 rounds a year for whichever rifle I pick to use in a given year. Compared to the money I spend on replacing gear, gas in the truck, the value of a week of vacation from work, ect... my reloading costs are insignificant.
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I wasn't singling You or anyone else on this topic or forum ,with regards to ammunition shooting while hunting ; I simply read that the " Average " US hunter shoots less than a box of bullets during hunting season . Fyi ; This was for Center fire rifle . NO bearing or references were given on practicing . As I've hunted in a Number of places Countries and continents ,I could repeat " ONLY " what Guides aka PH's refer and talk about . Those yearly warriors is one such reference :D. Camp tales before or after a hunt become visual ,as at least I assume they're telling ME for a reason ; Generally NOT to duplicate the aforementioned bloke who was 8" off the mark at 50 yd. :eek:

As I drive a couple of Diesel's and buy groceries I can fully appreciate the significance of $$$$'s . Personally I've got way way to much $$$$$$'s in loading and shooting equipment and feeding them has become MORE $$$$'s as opposed to #3 years ago .

I just saw a Thanksgiving inflation current administration publication from the NCBO , referencing 2021 @ 14% inflation and 2022 @ 21% . Just that box of stuffing bread shot up 69% :eek: I won't go into the rest as it was PAINFUL to read !.

I don't think any of us who purchases reloading supplies ( or anything for that matter ) but especially Food Fuel Electricity or heating oil need reminding . So I'll shut up :)
 
This is what Bernie originally posted and I FAILED TO READ IT CORRECTLY !. MY BAD :cuss:

I am starting to think about a new rifle. I have two purposes, shooting at my private range out to 425 yards, and hunting. I am a whitetail hunter, but have never really done much modern gun hunting for them, but now I have a place that I can do that on a friends small ranch. I have never elk hunted, but would like a rifle that could take an elk if I got the chance. I have always shot M-1 rifles for fun, but at my age my eyes are starting to give me trouble, so I really want a rifle that I can not only hunt with, but that I can also shoot recreationally that would take an optic.

I am not looking for a super lightweight mountain rifle because my knees don't allow me to backpack into the back country anymore. I want something that is accurate, and I am thinking .30-06 might be my caliber of choice because I already load for it.

What are some of your ideas. I am thinking a stainless Tikka T3 in .30-06 might be a good one. Any other ideas? END quote !.



I failed to read NOT looking for a lightweight rifle . I'm still in the 6.5mm or .308 camp though but if Bernie's got 30-06 and likes it , I'd do that .

However shooting accurately and hunting and accepting an optic ,is nearly any rifle now days isn't it .

So AR Tikka Sako Savage ( Don't laugh I own a couple and their near one hole wonders ) Bergara ?

https://www.bergarausa.com/Bergara_Performance_Rifles.php

Bergara-performace-series-B-14[1].jpg ​
 
Another vote for the Tikka in 30-06. If you find the recoil objectionable as you get older, you can always download it for target and stuff like deer hunting. I have shot deer with mine using a cast load that is nowhere near the recoil of my usual Partition elk load in mine.

Personally, I don't hunt with the 30-06 except for elk season. Too much recoil for me as I get older and my shoulder gets more tender. If it doesn't bother you, that is great.
 
Grandson HAD TO HAVE a .30-06.
He got a Savage and a box of Remington 180 gr hog buster.
Shot 1 round and wouldn't touch the rifle again.
I loaded him some 125 gr Sierra at 2500 fps.
1" groups and he loves it. Deer can't tell the difference.
 
robin banks said:
there is no bear on earth that can stand up to a 220 gr bullet at 2600 FPS launched from a 30-06
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Record Bear have been taken with a Bow ,so ?. As I don't hunt Predators for personal reasons , I won't argue the point .
Having shot game in Africa using the less than accepted caliber standards , all things are possible .
The Majority of PH and Guide outfits require clients to bring Minimum calibers depending upon which species of Bears one is hunting ,
' Brown Bears " IF " the standard remains as it was ,I believe is .35 Whelen is minimum with #2 .338 Win Mag and up .
Elephants were killed with 6.5mm and 7mm for certain , just depends on shot placement and distance ,along with proper bullet selection ; IMO .

I remember this older fellow down on the Bayou in Louisiana , used to say huntin alligators is fun ,until you miss . Showed a nasty leg scar and reminded ME ,only takes once son and I was real lucky .
 
BushMaster-15 said:
Record Bear have been taken with a Bow ,so ?. As I don't hunt Predators for personal reasons , I won't argue the point .
Having shot game in Africa using the less than accepted caliber standards , all things are possible .
The Majority of PH and Guide outfits require clients to bring Minimum calibers depending upon which species of Bears one is hunting ,
' Brown Bears " IF " the standard remains as it was ,I believe is .35 Whelen is minimum with #2 .338 Win Mag and up .
Elephants were killed with 6.5mm and 7mm for certain , just depends on shot placement and distance ,along with proper bullet selection ; IMO .

I remember this older fellow down on the Bayou in Louisiana , used to say huntin alligators is fun ,until you miss . Showed a nasty leg scar and reminded ME ,only takes once son and I was real lucky .
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a few decades ago renowned hunter Finn Aagard and alaskan hunter / guide Phil Shoemaker did penetration tests and found that the .30 220 gr from a 30-06 came in second and barely beaten by the .375 H&H. they used every rifle capable of taking a bear. remember when elephants were take with the 6.5 and 7mm bullets were much inferior to what is around today. I do not recommend that but Bell did it. the rebels I knew never shot gators in the water just hit them on the head with a bat destroying the pea brain. another guy had a gun just in case
 
robin banks said:
a few decades ago renowned hunter Finn Aagard and alaskan hunter / guide Phil Shoemaker did penetration tests and found that the .30 220 gr from a 30-06 came in second and barely beaten by the .375 H&H. they used every rifle capable of taking a bear. remember when elephants were take with the 6.5 and 7mm bullets were much inferior to what is around today. I do not recommend that but Bell did it. the rebels I knew never shot gators in the water just hit them on the head with a bat destroying the pea brain. another guy had a gun just in case
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As I said I won't disagree or argue ,it's between guide, PH and clients unless within districts which require minimum caliber compliance .
Remember penetration is but 1 aspect of expansion ,velocity and calculated as energy most certainly come to Bear , Pun Intended .

Bell , Was MY original point shot placement velocity and distance factors heavily into a successful hunt or it becoming a mop up .

Commercial gator hunters for the vast majority ,use .22RF about a silver dollar size spot on the top of their heads slightly behind the eyes centered . Not positive as I've never shot or studied them but believe they aim for the ear cross canal . Gators have ear flaps aka auditory slits behind their eyes ,so their brain function must be centered up around that spot . Some use bang sticks ,although I personally didn't see any of them . I was with a native long time Friend ,who resides outside Houma ,LA. . Before someone jumps on ME ,there is also sniping which requires some fair shooting skill ,as the boat is moving on water. I was told small caliber center fire is weapon of choice aka .223 and up .
 
BushMaster-15 said:
This is what Bernie originally posted and I FAILED TO READ IT CORRECTLY !. MY BAD :cuss:

I am starting to think about a new rifle. I have two purposes, shooting at my private range out to 425 yards, and hunting. I am a whitetail hunter, but have never really done much modern gun hunting for them, but now I have a place that I can do that on a friends small ranch. I have never elk hunted, but would like a rifle that could take an elk if I got the chance. I have always shot M-1 rifles for fun, but at my age my eyes are starting to give me trouble, so I really want a rifle that I can not only hunt with, but that I can also shoot recreationally that would take an optic.

I am not looking for a super lightweight mountain rifle because my knees don't allow me to backpack into the back country anymore. I want something that is accurate, and I am thinking .30-06 might be my caliber of choice because I already load for it.

What are some of your ideas. I am thinking a stainless Tikka T3 in .30-06 might be a good one. Any other ideas? END quote !.



I failed to read NOT looking for a lightweight rifle . I'm still in the 6.5mm or .308 camp though but if Bernie's got 30-06 and likes it , I'd do that .

However shooting accurately and hunting and accepting an optic ,is nearly any rifle now days isn't it .

So AR Tikka Sako Savage ( Don't laugh I own a couple and their near one hole wonders ) Bergara ?

https://www.bergarausa.com/Bergara_Performance_Rifles.php

Click to expand...

Nothing laughable about Savage rifles shooting as you state. They are well known to be accurate rifles.
 
30-06 is a simple answer because you already reload it. In which rifle is a lot more complicated. So many great choices in the not too light ones. Winchester Model 70 maple looks very nice. CZ 557 Black Edition I have is good for target, light in recoil, but heavy if you have to walk much. Weatherby Mark V. Mauser 98 (not for the faint of wallet). Depends more on which controls (safety, trigger) and finish you prefer than anything else at this point. Does it need to be threaded? A good muzzle brake makes a lot of difference on recoil for target shooting, as well as the recoil pad. Some rifles come all dressed, others have to be improved.
 
Turkeytider said:
Nothing laughable about Savage rifles shooting as you state. They are well known to be accurate rifles.
Click to expand...
I bought a .308 Model 112 or 114 ? I've had it near #20 years and if it has a box of shells through it ,I'd be REAL surprised !!.
I put a nice Nikon scope on it and went out to the range to sight it in . Made some nice hand loads for it paper on target back to the bench shot one round near centered 1" right . Remembered had not put backing paper behind the target . So back down range backed paper . Back to the bench shot again didn't see any other hole ?? . As No one was on the line ,I popped down range and verified NO other hole ,other than in the backing paper !. I swear by all that's meaningful not a jagged hole a clean as if one shot hole . Then I moved the scope #4 clicks ,they were all right there centered up but cloverleaf . A few weeks later Work became overwhelming and I had bought a handful of Rifles including Tikka's Browning and Savages all Brand New and half of them still are . Upon retiring I began assembling AR platforms of various manufactures components in various calibers .

So NOW I'm loading experimenting shooting various Rifles and have STOPPED building anymore . FYI : Tikka's were mid $400.00 range when I purchased mine and the Browning has nearly tripled . Now days Savages have easily doubled perhaps even tripled ?.
 
bernie said:
I am starting to think about a new rifle. I have two purposes, shooting at my private range out to 425 yards, and hunting. I am a whitetail hunter, but have never really done much modern gun hunting for them, but now I have a place that I can do that on a friends small ranch. I have never elk hunted, but would like a rifle that could take an elk if I got the chance. I have always shot M-1 rifles for fun, but at my age my eyes are starting to give me trouble, so I really want a rifle that I can not only hunt with, but that I can also shoot recreationally that would take an optic.

I am not looking for a super lightweight mountain rifle because my knees don't allow me to backpack into the back country anymore. I want something that is accurate, and I am thinking .30-06 might be my caliber of choice because I already load for it.

What are some of your ideas. I am thinking a stainless Tikka T3 in .30-06 might be a good one. Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
So if I had unlimited money I'd be buying Sako rifles left and right in all kinds of calibers, but I don't so I have a couple of Mossberg Patriots in 270 Win and 6.5 PRC. But you can't go wrong with 30-06! I'd like to get a Sako in 30-06 someday...
 
BushMaster-15 said:
I bought a .308 Model 112 or 114 ? I've had it near #20 years and if it has a box of shells through it ,I'd be REAL surprised !!.
I put a nice Nikon scope on it and went out to the range to sight it in . Made some nice hand loads for it paper on target back to the bench shot one round near centered 1" right . Remembered had not put backing paper behind the target . So back down range backed paper . Back to the bench shot again didn't see any other hole ?? . As No one was on the line ,I popped down range and verified NO other hole ,other than in the backing paper !. I swear by all that's meaningful not a jagged hole a clean as if one shot hole . Then I moved the scope #4 clicks ,they were all right there centered up but cloverleaf . A few weeks later Work became overwhelming and I had bought a handful of Rifles including Tikka's Browning and Savages all Brand New and half of them still are . Upon retiring I began assembling AR platforms of various manufactures components in various calibers .

So NOW I'm loading experimenting shooting various Rifles and have STOPPED building anymore . FYI : Tikka's were mid $400.00 range when I purchased mine and the Browning has nearly tripled . Now days Savages have easily doubled perhaps even tripled ?.
Click to expand...
them savages punch well above their weight
 
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