One Nice Rifle vs Two Decent Rifles

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nachosgrande

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Need some advice. Looking to get a good bolt in the $500 to $600 range before optics. Can't decide between .308 and 30-06. What's the better option, get a Remington 700 with a cartridge adapter (http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm), or two Mossberg ATR 100s (one in .308 and one in 30-06)?
 
do not stick a cartridge adapter in a gun you care about, many times the adaptation becomes a great deal more perminate than you desire
 
I didn't know they were so permanent. I was hoping it would be something I could just take in and out at my discretion depending on what I'm hunting. That stinks. But you're right, for me that dollar amount creeps into gun you care about territory.
 
Is there a reason you want both a '06 and a 308? Both are comparable in terms of hunting uses, poking holes in paper, etc. The 30-06 of course is more powerful and can shoot heavier bullets, but depending on your intended use/need that may not matter.

If it were me, I would buy 1 nice rifle (no cartridge adapter) and learn to shoot it well and get decent glass on it. Nod to the Remmy 700 in either flavor.
 
The reason is that I can find 308 (or 7.62 NATO) extremely cheap and would love to use that at the range (I'm not a reloader......yet), but would love to have the ability to use 200+ grain loads when hunting. Now that I think about it, I'd have to resight my weapon each time I switched calibers, wouldn't I?
 
Cheap within the context of our current gun economy. I'm still finding it in bulk for half the price of 30-06, unless you have a better source for non corroded ammo.
 
More than likely. You probably would resight when switching to a different hunting load in a single caliber anyway.

Plus what would you be hunting that a .308 wouldn't handle? It's fine for everything up to and including elk. So other than maybe a grizzly bear, I don't think the .308 would be under powered for any critter in North America.

Most people will tell you shot placement is more critical than caliber - especially when comparing a .308 to an '06.

But really it comes down to what makes you happy. If you want both, by all means go get both! Or buy one now, save up and buy the other later. The guns you listed aren't going to be jumping up in price like the EBR are.
 
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I bought a Remington 700 in 308 thinking I could do the same thing. It didn't work. Factory hunting ammo and FMJ military surplus shoot to different points of aim.

You might be better served by getting one gun and spending the extra for the second gun on a reloading kit. If you reload you open up a whole new world of potential for your rifle.

You don't need 200gr bullets to hunt with either. You can use bulk 150-180gr to practice with and the same weight premium bullets for hunting.
 
One nice beats two "decent" rifles all day long. Would you rather have one pretty wife or two skanky girlfriends??? :D

Seriously, get a good rifle and while you are at it, get a good caliber--the .308.
 
John828, do you really want me to answer that question? You'd get a different answer every day.
 
Better hope Mrs. Nachosgrande (would she be Nachos Bella Grande,) doesn't read this here forum.
 
I think we're all better off if our wives don't read this forum. As far as my wife knows, once the gun is purchased, that's the end of expenses for it.
 
Aw shucks you never told her you have to feed them? Or that some don't see so well, so you have to get glasses for them? Sometimes they have to go to the doctor and have a surgery or two. And they are so needy, not wanting to be alone and all, so you have to get them some playmates. Then their playmates need the aforementioned accoutrements, ad infinitum.

Back on topic. Have you made a decision? Tough, huh?
 
Funny stuff, John. Still haven't made up my mind. Guess I'll let the guy at the gun shop counter do it for me. By the way, that CZ looks really tempting. Wonder how accurate it is.
 
CZ's are great rifles. I haven't heard/read of an inaccurate one. Can't go wrong with a CZ or Tikka for that matter.
 
Getting two rifles in calibers as close to each other as .308 and .30/06 is really, really hard to understand. You could get the .30/06 and then set up a GREAT reloading rig for FAR less than the cost of another rifle and scope. The .30/06 can be loaded down to below -.308 levels for targets and use cheap bullets to boot. Better yet - get a .308 and don't worry about using the Cape Buffalo bullets.

There is no comparison between the Mossbergs and a Reminton 700 - do you want an AMC Pacer or a Buick Riviera?

:cool:
 
I would get 1 decent rifle and good glass. I try to spend 3/4 the cost of the rifle on glass and rings/base. In some occasions I have spent more on glass than on the riffle itself. Nothing can be more frustrating than optics problem.

I purchased a new 200 dollars stevens in 7mag and replaced the trigger and put a 500 dollar scope/ring combo on it and now shoot under moa with hand loads when I don’t mess things up which is usually about half the time. Better shooters than myself have been able to keep it under 2 inches at 200 yards as long as the barrel does not get warm (it has a real light barrel)

All I am saying is you can get accurate rifles for pretty cheap now compared to years past and do not overlook the cost of glass when planning your purchase.
 
Why would you want a .30-06 and a .308 so badly? There's a LOT of overlap between the cartridges.:)

If you wanted a .243 and a .300 Weatherby, that would be different.

I'd lean towards whatever rifle(s) you figure you will actually use. I also don't think there's anything particularly special about a 700...

Not that they're bad, mind you; I would call a 700 a "decent rifle."
 
Without question, one nice one. Pick a caliber; they're basically the same; six of one; half dozen of the other. But read up and choose the one that floats your boat.
 
Also, a lot of people have bought guns in a certain caliber because cheap surplus ammo was available, only to see supplies dry up.

If you want to shoot centerfire bolt guns often and seriously, roll your own cartridges.

If you're going to roll your own, you can buy whichever chambering actually fits your hunting needs, not the perceived availability of cheap ammo.:)
 
The .308 will do what the 30-06 can but in a shorter action... Both are great rounds my main hunting rifle is a 30-06... Only because I have had it for years and am most used to it... All other guns are in .308...
 
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