All Around Rifle

[theboyscout]

i need a rifle that can be used anywhere from 10 yards and 800 yards for hunting. i have been looking between 30-30 30-06 and the 308, but what i cant seem to find a gun that has both iron sights for up close like in the florida woods, and a type of scope for long distance like in the plains, what do i choose? which gun maker is best? which gun maker wont cost me an arm and a leg? (i live in deltona Fl if that makes a difference on where to get the gun)

 

[NWcityguy2]

800 yards for hunting? I might as well be the first person to ask.

Discarding that one thing, look at these... (all are available in 308)
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11HOGHUNTER
http://www.ruger.com/products/m77RugerCompactMagnum/models.html
http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/features.html

Or look used. Iron sights used to be much more common.

On scopes, if you aren't varmint hunting do go crazy on the scope. 2-7x and 3-9x scopes do a pretty good job and don't weight a ton.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Also if there is no survival aspect to this, look at getting a single rifle and two optics. A traditional scope for longer shooting and a red dot for closer. Red dots are faster to shoot from than iron sights anyway. You would certainly have many more new rifles to choose from.

 

[jmr40]

I'd buy a bolt rifle I liked in 308. Iron sights can be added for less than the cost of a budget scope if that is a requirement, but a low powered scope is a better choice than irons anyway. I'd put a quality 2-7X, or 1-4X scope on it and call it good. At 2X you have a field of view good enough to hunt at ranges close enough to leave powder burns on a deers hide, 7X is enough magnification for deer hunting farther away than you can shoot.

For close fast shooting a low powered scope is faster than irons. Most actual shooting is right at first or last light where a scope allows you to see the game and sights much better than with your irons or a red dot. Most of the guys shooting the 3 gun courses are using some sort of 1-4X scope. That says a lot about what works for both fast up close work and longish range precision.

A budget would help, an arm and a leg means different things to different people.

I like the new Winchesters, street prices range between $450 to $1,000+ depending on exactly which version you choose. If on a tight budget it would be the $450 Super Shadow, If not I like my Extreme Weather.

 

[ShadowsEye]

Well in my opinion -06, and 308 aren't practical hunting rounds for large game past 500/600 yards depending on the load. Most long range hunters have heavy long barrel setups that they fire prone, it's a sport in its own right.

I'd say, get a practical light-weight hunter that you can effectively shoot out to 300 yards, pick a flat shooting round and practice.

 

[theboyscout]

800 yard is a little exaggerated but i mean i want to get a gun that can go the distance when i go up state to hunt with the family, but won’t destroy the meat from close range like in these Florida woods

 

[theboyscout]

as a budget i would like to stay between $300-$600

 

[CountryUgly]

Savage 110 in 30-06. Leupold vxIII 3-9x40. Try several types of ammo to see what works best. It won't wreck meat inside 50 yards and I've got one witnessed and measured 690 yard whitetail kill with this very setup. I've dropped dozens of deer with this setup over the course of several years with distances ranging from inside 20yds all the way out to "you ain't got no business shooting at animals at that distance". Keep in mind though out past 300 yards it ain't point and click. If you plan on shooting past 300 (which I don't reccommend) you better practice and practice alot! As far as the 30-06 goes it's probably the best do all round out there and I'm saying this with the .270 being my personal favorite and the 6.8spc being my current deer slayer. The .308 is also a fine and proven choice but is not one of my personal favorites. I just feel the '06 is just the better hunting round.

 

[303tom]

Any good rifle in .308................

 

[Bobson]

With the budget you listed, I'll recommend a Savage Axis in 308, 270, or 30-06. Pick up a Zeiss Conquest in 2-7x or 3-9x. That'll get you to, or just under, that $600 budget cap - with a very capable and surprisingly accurate rifle, and an excellent scope for the money.

 

[Abel]

Get a 270 Win. or a 30-o6 Springfield. I would say that any store that sells used rifles will have several to choose from.

 

[Halal Pork]

You want new or used? For used, wander over to that gun shop in Deland. I haven't been there in forever but they used to have quite a bit to pick through.

For new, you might look at the various Savage w/Nikon packages. Here's an example:

Link

 

[Russ Jackson]

Marlin XL7 30-06...Russ

 

[AGrizz]

REMINGTON 700 SPS 308 of your choice for the rifle and a http://www.rapidreticle.com/Scope.aspx http://www.rapidreticle.com/Main/ScopeItem.aspx?ID=3&grpID=3 Spend some time and look this combination over very well. There is a retical on each page for each scope. Place your cursor on the retical and click to enlarge the retical. Click the retical again and it gets even larger for your viewing. They are not complicated and are great to use.

Pride Fowler Industries, Inc

Pride Fowler Industries, Inc, a company known for innovation and not imitation, has created a line of high quality optics that is revolutionary in the field of shooting. Since 2004, with the advent of the RR-22-1 (3-9x32mm) and the RR-22-2 (3-9x32mm), PFI perfected and patented the ballistic reticle and developed the use of the reticle into a full line of powerful optics.

With John Pride and Mickey Fowler at the helm, two very proficient shooters that have won the Bianchi Cup 8 times between them, the Rapid Reticle family of scopes grew with an optic for almost every type of scenario or situation. The ballistic reticle was perfected as it is integral to the company’s concept of producing the best optics in the world.

The military inspired the RR-900, RR-800, and RR-CQLR series for long range shooting with the .223 Remington (5.56 NATO) and the .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO). Hunters and sportsmen alike can utilize the RR-600 series for a variety of ammunition. The line includes a series for .22 LR, Magnum, 17HMR, and even pistol scopes for the .44 Magnum and .500 S&W. Additionally, the line of reflex red-dot optics developed by PFI is the most innovative on the market which includes the SOPS-Compact that is so versatile, it can be used as a primary sight or tandem on a long range optic.

Militaries, law enforcement teams, and sportsmen all over the world depend on PFI products to perform. There is no margin for error as lives depend on these optics. This is why each scope is made of the toughest materials and is thoroughly tested again and again to ensure quality. Many scope companies have produced hold-over type reticles, including mil-dot and ballistic, none have offered one that is so simple to operate for all users from novice to expert. The Rapid Reticle line of optics are offered with magnification in both fixed and variable power and the Spec Ops Red-Dot models are designed by shooters for shooters.

The RR-800-1 was designed specifically for long range military and sports shooters especially for those shooting .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO) and .223 Remington (5.56 NATO) rounds. This widely acclaimed scope features the patented PFI ballistic reticle with windage marks out to 10 mph. The system is extremely accurate, quick to use and easy to understand. After ranging the target and estimating windage, shooters from novice to expert, can easily shoot out to 800 yards without any manual adjustments. The RR-800 series has been thoroughly combat tested and has surpassed the rugged requirements demanded by the military. From military to law enforcement to sport shooters alike, the RR-800 can be counted on.

Great combination that will last you forever.

I have no vested interest in Pride Fowler these are a great optic that has not been advertised enough to general hunting. They are available from the .22 to the magnum calibers.

 

[GCBurner]

i need a rifle that can be used anywhere from 10 yards and 800 yards for hunting. i have been looking between 30-30 30-06 and the 308, but what i cant seem to find a gun that has both iron sights for up close like in the florida woods, and a type of scope for long distance like in the plains, what do i choose? which gun maker is best? which gun maker wont cost me an arm and a leg? (i live in deltona Fl if that makes a difference on where to get the gun)

Sounds like you are looking for something like the Ruger "Scout" rifle, their take on Jeff Cooper's original concept for a "do everything" rifle.
http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/index.html

 

[henschman]

I'd get something in one of the lighter, higher ballistic coefficient rounds like .260 Rem or 7mm-08. Then you can keep the rifle a little lighter and handier, it will be lighter recoiling and flatter shooting than the thirty cal's if you have to take a longer shot, and it will kill anything you will run into down in Florida. Just get a decent variable power scope that goes down to 2 or 3x on the low end for hunting in the brush, and then you can crank it up if you need to spot or if you need it to see the target on an longer shot.

 

[snakeman]

I would go with a howa talon thumbhole in 300 win or 7mm rem mag. Then I would top it with a leupold vxR in railed rings and stick a bushnell trs 25 on top of that. That way you have the scope for the longer shots and the quick red dot up close. Coupled with a lot of power and range from the calibers listed, this will be a devastating combination.

 

[aubie515]

Not a very realistic budget for all of your requirements. Only rifle that I can think of that would fit your bill would be a Savage Scout model. It has iron sights and if you want to add optics you can do so as well in your price range.

 

[Ken451]

Wouldn't the first question be "what are you hunting?" Prairie dogs? Elk? Deer? Coyotes? Pigs? Wouldn't that be a major factor in caliber?

 

[Sav .250]

When the 30-30 was designed,I don`t think they had 800 yds (your yardage) in mind.
That aside, it certaily would be a good cal in for most stuff in Fl. As would the others.

 

[W.E.G.]

Quit worrying about "destroying meat."

If you shoot one through the chest broadside, what meat are you going to destroy?
Half a pound of "chilli meat."

If you have to shoot one in the butt, because that's the only shot you have, don't you want a bullet that will penetrate the length of the animal before it stops or comes apart?
This is why "marginal" calibers are a no-go for the "all around" rifle. If you ruin meat, it just comes with the territory. Its not like you are going to vaporize a deer, no matter what caliber you shoot it with. The vast majority of the meat will still be edible.

I recommend the .308 Winchester.
You can't go wrong.

There are many other good choices too.

I'm partial to the .308 because so many "fun-guns" are built in that caliber too.
...and it just flat-out works.

If you can hit a deer with a .308 it at 800 yards, you will kill it.
But you need to try to do a lot better in your stalking and fieldcraft than shooting at game at such distances. The margin for error is immense when you take that kind of shot in unknown-distance, and unknown-wind conditions.

which gun maker wont cost me an arm and a leg

OK, so scratch Weatherby off your list.
Never spend more than you need to.
Always spend as much as you have to (to obtain quality and reliability).

I remain strongly opposed to most Ruger rifles because of that weird proprietary scope-ring system that Ruger imposes on its customers. Some folks seem to tolerate it. I despise it.

If I were buying a "deer rifle" today, I think I really like the Savage for its price, reputation for quality, and exceptional trigger right out of the box.

Consider the Savage "Weather Warrior" model.
Chuckhawks review: http://www.chuckhawks.com/savage_16_14_rifles.htm

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[mdauben]

i need a rifle that can be used anywhere from 10 yards and 800 yards for hunting. i have been looking between 30-30 30-06 and the 308, but what i cant seem to find a gun that has both iron sights for up close like in the florida woods, and a type of scope for long distance like in the plains, what do i choose? which gun maker is best? which gun maker wont cost me an arm and a leg? (i live in deltona Fl if that makes a difference on where to get the gun)

You are honestly asking for two different guns and 800 yards is well outside the range of normal hunting, even in the west.

Of the one's you mention, the .30-30 is a great bush gun. Its generally small, light and yet of sufficent power within its range. It is at best a 200 yard gun with the proper ammo, however. It would likely be ideal for hunting in the SE though and I know people in this region of the US who hunt with nothing else.

The .308 and .30-06 have more range and are easily capable of taking game at 400+ yards, if the hunter does his part. Shooting at even 400 yards is a non-trivial exersize that requires a good marksman and plenty of practice.

If you honestly want a "dual-purpose" rifle for eastern brush and western plains, I might go with the .308 (or any of a half dozen other short-action cartridges between .243 and .308) in a gun with a barrel no longer than 20 or perhaps 22 inches, with a moderate power scope of 2-7X or 3-9X (you don't really need iron sights for close in, low power scopes work just fine). Savage would be my first choice as they are famous for their economical and accurate guns. Some people recomend the Marlin X7 series of bolt actions, too. This will probably do you for any of the non-dangerous game in NA.

 

[X-Rap]

The criteria in this round of "the best all around rifle" thread was a fail from the start. Pick one that does a very good job in the middle and save your money for the specialized guns. A good bolt from XYZ with a good variable scope in anything from 243 to 30-06 will fill the bill on deer from 0-400 if you will learn to shoot it well.
Good glass and a good trigger is what you want for starters.
When you save up your money a good lever with an aperature sight and a 7mm with a top quality scope will fill out your stated requirements.

 

[Mike J]

I agree with NWcityguy2. Look at what is available now with iron sights. If you don't like it or it doesn't fit your budget look used. I have a post 64 model 70 that I bought back in 89. It came with holes drilled & tapped for a scope & factory irons. I don't believe I would try a shot on a deer past 300 yards with my old .30-06 but I am not one to say it couldn't be done. I just don't think I have any business doing it. I have lost meat due to damage done by the .30-06. Your best bet if you want to keep as much meat as possible is to go for either a lung shot or a neck shot. I have never shot a deer in it's posterior as another poster mentioned. I have whistled to get one to turn it's head to look for the source of the noise so I could shoot it in the neck though.

Most of the guys I know that say they have taken deer at 400 plus yards were using 7mm mags.

 

[Franco2shoot]

Go to gun shows in your area and look for a good used Remington Model 7. I picked mine up for $250, and added a quality scope for $175. I don't know about 800 yard shots. I live in Northern Virginia where most shots are between 75 and 125 yards, but the .308 will bring down anything I'm gonna encounter. The model 7 is nice and light, with a short barrel that makes it perfect for the kind of encounters you are likely to have.


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