Help me decide on a hunting rifle!
- Thread starter The Janitor
- Start date
- Status
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
Utilitarian, minimalistic, versatile, reliable. Sounds like the Scout concept to me.
Ruger Frontier .308
Ruger Frontier .308
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Is there a synthetic stock available for the Ruger Frontier? I like the look of the gun, but laminate stocks are heavy, which seems to run counter to the idea of a scout.
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
Soon after the Frontier came out I spent a few hours combing the internet for aftermarket stocks, as I agree that they spoil a good rifle by adding too much wood. I didn't find anything at the time, but there may be something available since that time.
Also worth bearing in mind that the Frontier may be enough like other rifles in Ruger's inventory that existing aftermarket stocks may be perfect.
Also worth bearing in mind that the Frontier may be enough like other rifles in Ruger's inventory that existing aftermarket stocks may be perfect.
High Planes Drifter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2006
- Messages
- 1,204
I think I'd go with the Remington 700 in .30-06.
Auburn1992
Member
What about an M1a from SA?
LooseGrouper
Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 225
Given the options you've laid out, I'd take the .30-06. It has a slight edge over the .308 in factory ammo availability/loadings.
Regarding the rifle choice, I believe the Rem 700 would be slightly more accurate (negligibly so for most situations), but the BLR would be lighter and possibly handier. Cost difference would depend on which grade and finish you choose.
Sounds like you're a fan of lever guns, but be sure to handle a BLR before you decide to buy. It won't have the exact same feel as the traditional lever guns you're used to. The lack of tubular magazine changes the balance. I have a BLR in .308, and working the action takes a good deal more effort after a shot (when the hammer is all the way down) than it does with my Marlin 336. The BLR is still an excellent choice. It's just not the same kind of rifle as a Marlin or Winchester 94 lever gun.
Just for thought: If you're looking to hunt varmints as you said, you may want to consider something in the .243 to .270 range. 7mm-08 has already been suggested. .25-06 is another good option. .270 Winchester would be my pick in that range, again due to ammo availability/versatility and plenty of factory loadings. Any of those rounds could be loaded down for varmints or up for elk (with .243 Winchester being considered "barely" good enough for elk by some people...still plenty good for deer, though).
Hope that helps.
LG
Regarding the rifle choice, I believe the Rem 700 would be slightly more accurate (negligibly so for most situations), but the BLR would be lighter and possibly handier. Cost difference would depend on which grade and finish you choose.
Sounds like you're a fan of lever guns, but be sure to handle a BLR before you decide to buy. It won't have the exact same feel as the traditional lever guns you're used to. The lack of tubular magazine changes the balance. I have a BLR in .308, and working the action takes a good deal more effort after a shot (when the hammer is all the way down) than it does with my Marlin 336. The BLR is still an excellent choice. It's just not the same kind of rifle as a Marlin or Winchester 94 lever gun.
Just for thought: If you're looking to hunt varmints as you said, you may want to consider something in the .243 to .270 range. 7mm-08 has already been suggested. .25-06 is another good option. .270 Winchester would be my pick in that range, again due to ammo availability/versatility and plenty of factory loadings. Any of those rounds could be loaded down for varmints or up for elk (with .243 Winchester being considered "barely" good enough for elk by some people...still plenty good for deer, though).
Hope that helps.
LG
280shooter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2008
- Messages
- 707
winchester 307
If I were lookn for a lever gun,I go with a used 307 or the winchester 308,
Blr Has a lot of tiny parts that break,My buddie had somethng break a week before the first day of Deer season,The gunsmith said they are know for that,Some small spring breaks,He dumped alot of money in that gun to get it to shoot 1/2 groups,His in 308,He only shoot factory ammo,and the top dollor ammo shoots the best,
I killed alot of Deer with my very old 94,
But rather kill them with my 280.Shoots alot of dif, bullet types and weights,
If I were lookn for a lever gun,I go with a used 307 or the winchester 308,
Blr Has a lot of tiny parts that break,My buddie had somethng break a week before the first day of Deer season,The gunsmith said they are know for that,Some small spring breaks,He dumped alot of money in that gun to get it to shoot 1/2 groups,His in 308,He only shoot factory ammo,and the top dollor ammo shoots the best,
I killed alot of Deer with my very old 94,
But rather kill them with my 280.Shoots alot of dif, bullet types and weights,
The Janitor
Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 94
Aye, 30-06 has a lot of versatility. You can get the 220 grain bullets and get an elk at 500 yards, or drop it down to 110 grain rounds and sleuce duck(they can duck the heavier/slower rounds). That is versatility.
I already own a varmint/deer gun. A Pre-64 .270 Winchester Model 70. I just don't like the idea of taking it everywhere, mostly because of it's value; both sentimental and monetary. Nor do I like having 2 rifles that strongly overlap eachother in purpose.
I've looked into 7mm-08 rounds. I would be happy if I could hit a deer-heart sized target at 400 yards with enough power to penetrate said target. As for coyotes, my longest shot will still be under 100 yards most of the time.
If the BLR can shoot like that and I like the way it feels, I might just buy it.
As for the 700, I can get a partial one for very cheap. $50 plus the price of a stock and a good optic.
Ultimately, this would me my ideal minimalistic arsenal:
I already have about half of those.
Thanks for all the input.
I already own a varmint/deer gun. A Pre-64 .270 Winchester Model 70. I just don't like the idea of taking it everywhere, mostly because of it's value; both sentimental and monetary. Nor do I like having 2 rifles that strongly overlap eachother in purpose.
I've looked into 7mm-08 rounds. I would be happy if I could hit a deer-heart sized target at 400 yards with enough power to penetrate said target. As for coyotes, my longest shot will still be under 100 yards most of the time.
If the BLR can shoot like that and I like the way it feels, I might just buy it.
As for the 700, I can get a partial one for very cheap. $50 plus the price of a stock and a good optic.
Ultimately, this would me my ideal minimalistic arsenal:
- 2 handguns, one compact, one magnum
- 870 and a quality coach gun
- .22 plinker
- 2 rifles, a semi-auto battle rifle and a hunting rifle
I already have about half of those.
Thanks for all the input.
- Status
