All round rifle

[12GA00buck]

I only have the finances to support one big game rifle. I pretty much set on the mossberg 100ATR in 30-06 with a 3by 9 variable scope and a super sling. I just moved to AK and need a rifle capable of handling everything from small/medium game to brown bear (if i can ever afford the tags Everything I've read by Jack O' Conner sugjests a 30-06 with 180 grain - 220 grain loads would provide adequate penitration. Also, I like the idea of being able to use 125 grainers for small game and 165 grain loads for medium stuff. the other two cartriges I'm considering are the 7mm mag and 45/70 Govt. Thanks for your ideas

 

[bad LT]

The 30/06 is never a bad decision.

 

[watman]

I've gone with the 7mm Rem Mag, load it up or down makes a good rifle for just about everything in N. America and lots of African game if you play in those leagues.

Justin W.

 

[browningguy]

Yep, the '06 with a good 180 gr. bullet will do just about anything you need it to.

 

[goalie]

I bought one of those ATR-100's last year in .270. It isn't a match rifle, but it is reliable, shoots under 1.5 MOA out to 300, has a very decent trigger, and is pretty light.

I topped it with a 3.5-10 Leupold Vari-X III that I already owned. I can't imagine that an ATR-100 in '06 wouldn't be a great inexpensive working rifle for what you described.

 

[kennyboy]

I know my local Wally World has the ATR with scope. However, they also have Winchester Model 70s with the same 3-9X40 Simmons 8-Point scope for $400. I think the ATR is in the $300 range. My suggestion is to spend an extra $100 and get a quality rifle, if your budget can afford it.

 

[rangerruck]

id ' go either that , or a package rifle savage with accutrigger for about 350 bucks. the trigger is far superior to anything going right now, and with the Savage, if you want diff calibers, you can quick change the bbl yourself, as long as you stick to long action or short action calibers, depending on the rifle you get.

 

[7mmsavage]

If you are going to buy a budget rifle, go with the savage. I'm sure the ATR is a good rifle too, but later you may want to change the stock or add different scope bases and there are a lot of options for the savage out there.I don't now whats out there yet for the Mossberg.The savage is also a time tested and proven rifle and now you can get the accu-trigger as well. I couldn't be happier with mine,shoots like a much more expensive rifle, 7/8 in. at 100 yards, and not just once !

 

[dfaugh]

package rifle savage with accutrigger for about 350 bucks. the trigger is far superior to anything going right now, and with the Savage, if you want diff calibers, you can quick change the bbl yourself

Ditto. My next rifle (hopefully I can afford it soon) will be a Savage, because by all accounts they are accurate, the Accu-Trigger is sweet, and I can swap barrels myself at a later date.

 

[redneck2]

Another thought...

from someone that has hunted for over 45 years...(man that sounds old)..

If you're limited on funds, I'd try to find something used but good. Sometimes you can get screaming deals. There was just a thread here (maybe running now) where a guy got a semi-auto Remington 30-06 with a Leupold scope for $250.

Personally, I wouldn't get too torqued up about the rifle. I suspect nearly every rifle made will shoot better than you need. I'd be a lot more careful about the scope if you're using it for hunting.

The 30-06 has been around forever so it's not sexy and doesn't get the write ups that the new magnums get. It'll still take anything you want. HTH

 

[12GA00buck]

barrel swapping?

First let me say thanks for everyone's advice, I think I'm leaning towards the savage now. Does the ability to swap barrels on the savage mean I can convert the same rifle to any other long action caliber by just installing a new barrel? For instance could I buy the savage chambered in 30-06 and install a 338 win mag or 375 H&H barrel? Would I need to rebed the stock?

 

[one eye joe]

the mags have a larger rim, so you can only change to something that uses the same size bolt face (with a 30/06, any thing based on it like the .35 Whelan, .280, .270. 25/06, or 308 based rounds). At least to my knowledge that is the case. I am sure someone else will chime in if this is wrong.

 

[Metapotent]

Yeah i'd say get a Savage in .30-06 with the packaged 3-9 power scope.

I got mine for only $300 because it was damaged when it was shipped but only received minor cosmetic damage (small chunk out of the butt and small scratch on barrel). It achieved a 5-shot 1/2 MOA group with my handloads once, but usually get about a 1 inch group with factory loads, so its accuracy is undeniable.

I'd say the .30-06 cartridge is ideal for your circumstances, and the savage is incredibly affordable and incredibly accurate. If you want to spend more money you can, but I don't think spending twice as much as a Savage costs to only get slightly better accuracy, and more attractive looks from a rifle is worth it.

But you plan on hunting Brown Bear you say? I think the .30-06 in heavy bonded loads would to the trick, but I personally wouldn't use anything less than my Remington 700 in .375 H&H for that.

 

[KINGMAX]

I went w/ a .270

This year I chose a Remington 700 ADL in .270. I put a Bushnell 4 x 12 x 42 scope on it. I have worked w/ it until my cold is on target at 100 yards good enough tho hit the vitals of a four year old buck looking six by six.

 

[salthouse]

I had a lot of trouble deciding last year when I went to buy my do everything rifle. I ended up with a Sig SHR that included both a 270 and 280 barrel. I would say if you want to hunt varmints as well as big game go with the 270. If its just big game 30-06 is the way to go. I'm looking for a 30-06 barrel for my Sig. Like it was said earlier, you can't go wrong with the 06.

 

[armedandsafe]

I've hunted with a 30-06 since '48. I use 180s on everything except the Barren Ground Griz and the Polar Bear and tiny varmints.

For the larger bears, I used Barnes 220s and for the tinies, I use the 168s.

None of the animals I've shot complained about the round being too old fashioned, or not sexy, or not powerful enough.

Pops

 

[bigcim]

7 rem mag

 

[Frog48]

I have a Savage, in .30-06 Springfield. You cant go wrong with .30-06, its a classic cartridge for good reason.

 

[Metapotent]

I would say if you want to hunt varmints as well as big game go with the 270.

What varmints would you use a .270 for? And what loads?

I own a .270 but have never considered using it for prairie dogs, squirrels, rock chucks, or any other varmint. Seems like over kill for me, and not very cost effective when compared to the .223 which I have alot of experience with in varmit/predator hunting.

 

[salthouse]

Maybe I read too much into the original post. I can't argue that 270 is a better varmint round than 223, 222, etc... I think its perfectly reasonable however to use 270 loaded with 100gr for yotes, and even ground hogs. I really like the idea of having an "all around hunting rifle" that you become very familiar with because you use it frequently. During big game seasons I hope to get to take one shot, and I'd like to make it count. If I only use my hunting rifle for range time and that one shot, I'm not as prepared as I'd like to be. If I use it for other hunting situations, I'm more likely to perform better when I have the opportunity on a buck, bear, etc... Just a personal preference. I also don't get as much hunting time as I'd like to so I feel like I need to maximize my prep time.

 

[Dr.Rob]

The all around rifle for the lower 48 = the '06

I think if big bears and moose were on my list I'd want a bigger rifle, but plenty of folks up there still hunt with a '06.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I like the .30-06 for a multi purpose gun; anything bigger is too big for small game, and anyting smaller is too small for large. Plenty of Alaskans and Inuits have used the .30-06 on Grizzlies and Polar Bears, you just need good shot placement.

**Note** the .30-06 MIGHT be too big for squirrles if you are hunting them for food or fur.

 

[ArmedBear]

I riled some .300 Win Mag fanatic here by saying that I wouldn't buy one, because, to me, it's a glorified .30-06 with a little more velocity and energy, for a lot more money and with a lot more perceived recoil. I still think that, if I'm shooting 150-180 grain bullets in factory loadings.

But I'm not in Alaska!

If you want to shoot 220 grain bullets, I think you really can make good use of the .300 Win Mag's big case and heavy powder charge, as well as the longer barrel and beefier action that probably comes with the magnum rifle. And you can still get down-loaded factory rounds like Remington's Managed Recoil series, when you don't need the power and don't want the kick. It'll cost a lot more to shoot than a .30-06, but you can just get a .22LR or .223 Rem for cheap and painless practice, one way or 'nother.

 

[Jackal]

Why not just go to a gun show, and pick up one of the hundreds of older, classy rifles such as the 1940's-1970's mauser sporters. Most can be had for around $200.00 around here. Most even seem to have some really cool, long discontinued peep sights or interesting scope mounts. My point? Why have to have a bland, utilitarian rifle when you could have a classy, classic.

 

[1911 guy]

Ain't too much a man can't fix...

With seven hundred dollars and a thirty-aught six.

Good all around choice, in my opinion. I'll also second the recommendation of a Savage. I've got an older one (very pre-accutrigger) and it's the most accurate centerfire I own. Handloads are a one-hole affair at 100 yards off a bench. Factory ammo for hunting is just under an inch from the bench.

The Stevens brand is made by Savage, but I hear mixed reviews about the triggers. An accurate barrel is worthless if you can't use it accurately.

As for barrel swapping, yes you can do it. Two conditions need to be met. Same action length and same case head size. For example, a .30-06 could be swapped to a .270.