Am I over thinking my hunting rifle?

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gotboostvr said:
And 308 isn't the flattest shooting cartridge out there.
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That's true. But it's flat enough.;)
I of course use my 308 Norma Magnum (my retirement rifle), but I've been toying with the idea of getting myself a light weight "mountain rifle" (because at 72, the mountains are getting steeper and taller) chambered in 308 Winchester. The 308 Winchester is what I started out with well over a half century ago, and in the 20 years or so I used it for mule deer, elk, pronghorns and a black bear, I never once needed anything more flat shooting.
Nevertheless, I eventually got myself a 270 Winchester, then a 30-06, then a couple of 300 Win Mags, and finally my 308 Norma Mag. It's fun to look at ballistics charts, and it's fun to shop for and buy yourself a new big game rifle once in a while. So if that's what you want, I say go for it! But you'll have a hard time convincing me that you really "need" a more flat shooting rifle than a 308 Winchester for big game hunting out here in the west.:)
 
I've had a couple of Go Wilds, what are basically RAPs with fancy pants.
I like them better than the standards, and which I've only used in long action chamberings, simply because the slightly heavier barrel balances farther forward, without adding much weight.

The standard RAs are a little light at the front for my personal preference.
 
Buying new guns is fun! Before you do though, try shooting the rifle you currently have at longer range to see how it does for you first. Found more often than not when dealing with distances out to 300 yards really dont notice that much difference with rounds over 2700 fps muzzle velocity. Point blank ranges (2 inches high at 100, 6-8 low at 300) are surprisingly similar. The higher bc bullets start making a difference around 400 yards (might be a foot of elevation). Past that you need a good rangefinder and easily adjusted optics plus wind will become a challenge regardless your caliber choices.
 
gotboostvr said:
Heavier barrel, and as of fairly recently, they take AI mags as well as coming with a scope base I belive.
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That would be correct, but I believe you can add AI mags to the newest ones, simply getting the AI parts and swaping them in.
I think the current Standards also ship with rails as well....the newer tall rails at that.
 
Personally I would wait until you get where you are going in Arizona and see what people are using. That or take some input from any members living where you are going. Love visiting out there and have for decades. Be happy to escape Ohio especially before we start another winter. :)

While I like a cartridge like a 7 mm Rem Mag you may do as well where you are going with your current rifle and unless you want a few rifles now I would just wait.

Enjoy your new home. :)

Ron
 
LoonWulf said:
That would be correct, but I believe you can add AI mags to the newest ones, simply getting the AI parts and swaping them in.
I think the current Standards also ship with rails as well....the newer tall rails at that.
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Learn something new every day. Mine takes expensive Ruger mags, but it came with a scope base, as did my 300 BLK ranch.
 
FL-NC said:
Learn something new every day. Mine takes expensive Ruger mags, but it came with a scope base, as did my 300 BLK ranch.
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There are actually quite a few variations and changes in the Americans, mostly small stuff like the shape of the bolt stop, but some more prominent like the AI, mini and AR magazine adaptations.
The newer Americans have a chunk milled out of the bottom to give some clearance for the AI mags, but are otherwise the same. You don't need that clearance with the thin lipped magazines like promags, but for the wider topped Ruger mags it makes a difference.

Actually if anyone wants an ai stock and parts I've got them.
 
OP, tally all of the votes and see what the majority suggests; then divide by pi and multiply by 3.02 x 10 to the elevendyith power. My math tells me you got some fine forum direction which is to always keep what you have and buy another rifle. Best of all worlds - shop, hunt, talk, shop some more, hunt, talk some more, hunt, I am tired of shopping and talking, hunt, purchase. Then repeat again and again.
 
Thanks to everyone that chimed in, I'm for sure just going to use my trusted 308 to start. It sounds like it should serve me as well as anything else, and I already have a fair amount of familiarization with it.

After a fair amount of time in the field, I may make a few changes to the rifle itself. With a few seasons under my belt, I'll reevaluate and see if I even need a new rifle at all.

It sounds like I'd by far be best served with a range finder and alot of practice. The old adage BA/UU/R as always, was the best advice.
 
gotboostvr said:
For the next few weeks, I'm still living in Ohio. I've been using my old trusty Rossi 92 16" 44mag to put venison in the freezer. It works great, super handy, light more than accurate enough considering the furthest shot I've taken was about 50yrds (put it right through the heart).

But soon, I'm moving out to Arizona. I don't think the ol Rossi will quite cut it on some of the shots I'll need to take. I'm mostly interested in coyote hunting often and mule deer, pronghorn and javalina occasionally as seasons permit. Bear and elk aren't really high on my list, but I'm not saying never.

I've been pouring over used rifles on Gunbroker, reading reviews and checking manufactures specs on just about every rifle under 1k new or used. Comparing just about every cartridge under the sun, MPBR, wind drift, retained energy, recoil etc. I'm thinking either a Kimber in 280AI or Tikka Superlite in 7RM would be just the ticket for wide open desert hunting.

Thing is, I've already got a Rem700. It's 308win, blueprinted action, trigger job, muzzle break, nice stock. It keeps three shots about 0.5" @100yrds with my 168gr SMK handloads and just about the same with my 165gr SGK loads. It's just a little portly with its fiberglass stock and 4.5-15x scope on top. And 308 isn't the flattest shooting cartridge out there.

Here's my question.

Another rifle altogether, or snag a used take-off carbon fiber HS Precsion stock and some lighter glass for the Rem and just have the one rifle you know like the back of your hand?

Edited to add:
View attachment 942333
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Yes you are. If you're going with a new rifle for hunting. 280ai is hard to beat. It's recoil is well within my comfort zone. It shoots relatively flat. It kills very well.
Just pick the rifle you like.
 
Most of my professional Gun friends in Az. are into the .308 , remember it is a current military cartridge and super accurate with plenty of power for Az. game out to sportsmanlike ranges. The 700 Rem as you mentioned sounds great, yes a good fiberglass stock fitted correctly is better and can be lighter.
The 6.5 Creedmore's parent case is the .308 so if you wanted to add that pretty Tikka in 6.5 that would be great for long range shooting and reloading , but I'd use the .308 for Elk if I were you. .
 
Yep! Definitely over thinking it.
I suggest a light weight “walk about” varminter that will double as a deer-antelope rifle. You have elk ect covered with the .308.

I bought a Marlin X7S in .243 for $200 lightly used, 2yrs ago. Second one I’ve owned.It had a bad cheapo scope on it. I removed the defective scope, remounted the bases and rings and installed a used late model Redfield Renegade scope. It’s sub moa with good ammo. Took this yote out the kitchen window at 140yds.

I’ve also got a Remington M700 ADL synthetic in .22-250 I picked up for $200 14yrs ago. Most accurate rifle Ive ever owned.
18mos ago, I bought another Rem M700 ADL in .270 for $250. It too is a shooter!

Cruise the pawn shops and lgs used racks. There are gems hidden among the dregs...
Deer and second yote taken with the .270. Note large rose blossom where .270 impacted . Backside not suitable for public consumption!
 

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GooseGestapo said:
Yep! Definitely over thinking it.
I suggest a light weight “walk about” varminter that will double as a deer-antelope rifle. You have elk ect covered with the .308.

I bought a Marlin X7S in .243 for $200 lightly used, 2yrs ago. Second one I’ve owned.It had a bad cheapo scope on it. I removed the defective scope, remounted the bases and rings and installed a used late model Redfield Renegade scope. It’s sub moa with good ammo. Took this yote out the kitchen window at 140yds.

I’ve also got a Remington M700 ADL synthetic in .22-250 I picked up for $200 14yrs ago. Most accurate rifle Ive ever owned.
18mos ago, I bought another Rem M700 ADL in .270 for $250. It too is a shooter!

Cruise the pawn shops and lgs used racks. There are gems hidden among the dregs...
Deer and second yote taken with the .270. Note large rose blossom where .270 impacted . Backside not suitable for public consumption!
Click to expand...

Nice shooting! That certainly anchored that coyote.

I've never had any love for the 270win cartridge, but a 150gr@3000fps is nothing to sneeze at for sure for general purpose hunting.

I'll definitely just use my 308 for the time being. I'll probably look around for a smoking deal on a used 270win. I know it's not an en vogue cartridge, but it's very hard to argue with its pedigree. If I end up not loving it, I can always rebarrel. Plenty of great options with the long action.
 
gotboostvr said:
Nice shooting! That certainly anchored that coyote.

I've never had any love for the 270win cartridge, but a 150gr@3000fps is nothing to sneeze at for sure for general purpose hunting.

I'll definitely just use my 308 for the time being. I'll probably look around for a smoking deal on a used 270win. I know it's not an en vogue cartridge, but it's very hard to argue with its pedigree. If I end up not loving it, I can always rebarrel. Plenty of great options with the long action.
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I like your idea with the 270. Never was a fan either, but if it turns out to be a good shooter and does well on game it will stay as is. I also have a 30-06 so out of the two I may rebarrel one of them to 35 Whelen.
 
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