Looking for first deer rifle in 20 yrs... Help!
- Thread starter Pensfan
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Pensfan
Member
Wow, thanks for all the great info everyone!
I am now the proud owner of the Bushnell Elite 4200 scope that several of you recommended... now I just need a rifle to mount it on, haha. Fortunately we have a decent sized gun show this weekend, so I am hoping to pick up a mate for the scope there.
I am hoping to pick up a higher quality rifle by looking at the used stock at the show. All things equal, I don't care if someone else shot her first.. as long as I shoot her last.
I am now the proud owner of the Bushnell Elite 4200 scope that several of you recommended... now I just need a rifle to mount it on, haha. Fortunately we have a decent sized gun show this weekend, so I am hoping to pick up a mate for the scope there.
I am hoping to pick up a higher quality rifle by looking at the used stock at the show. All things equal, I don't care if someone else shot her first.. as long as I shoot her last.
Everybody else is making good suggestions, I just thought i would add something. I dont know how much shock your shoulder can take, but take a hard look at rifle weight. Even a .243 in a 6.5-7lb gun can come back pretty sharply. A friend who has had shoulder work done will shoot my 7mm a dozen times or more but it weights a whole bunch. He will only shoot my softer recoiling .243 once because its alot lighter, and comes back alot quicker.
Pensfan
Member
Exactly LoonWulf!
My shoulder is great for daily activities after the AC joint resection surgery, I am just not sure how extended rifle sessions will feel afterwards. I have had several people recommend the Sims Limbsaver recoil pads so I'll be looking at those as well. Hopefully the Limbsaver will allow me to shoot any caliber I look at more comfortably.
I am definitely comfortable with a heavier rifle and I prefer the wider stocks/grips and the bull barrels, so I think finding a slightly heavier rifle won't be a difficult task.
My shoulder is great for daily activities after the AC joint resection surgery, I am just not sure how extended rifle sessions will feel afterwards. I have had several people recommend the Sims Limbsaver recoil pads so I'll be looking at those as well. Hopefully the Limbsaver will allow me to shoot any caliber I look at more comfortably.
I am definitely comfortable with a heavier rifle and I prefer the wider stocks/grips and the bull barrels, so I think finding a slightly heavier rifle won't be a difficult task.
with the current crop of "tactical" riflels and carbines around i dont think youll have an issue I have a limbsavers on my .300 and it does do a pretty good job of smoothing out some of the whack. Another option if weight DOES become an issue is to get a break fitted. Ive only shot a few braked guns, but from my experience they work. You really need to be good about putting in hearing protection when your going to fire tho.
I have a limbsavers on my .300 and it does do a pretty good job of smoothing out some of the whack. Another option if weight DOES become an issue is to get a break fitted. Ive only shot a few braked guns, but from my experience they work. You really need to be good about putting in hearing protection when your going to fire tho.One thing you may want to consider investing in is a Leadsled for extended shooting sessions, regardless of caliber that you select. Any gun that's over 7 1/2lbs, shooting a projectile less than 150 gr, at less than 2800 fps is going to be fairly soft recoiling.
While I'm not a huge fan of the Browning A-bolts/X-bolts, I have found that they are surprisingly light recoiling despite their light weight. I can only guess that this is due to the very low drop in the stock....the more straight line the stock is, the better it does at sending the recoil to the recoil pad and not into the cheek.
While I'm not a huge fan of the Browning A-bolts/X-bolts, I have found that they are surprisingly light recoiling despite their light weight. I can only guess that this is due to the very low drop in the stock....the more straight line the stock is, the better it does at sending the recoil to the recoil pad and not into the cheek.
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Since you are somewhat concerned with recoil, check out this recoil table. Notice it has the gun weight, bullet weight and muzzle velocity as well as recoil in ft/lb and recoil velocity.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
This might give you an idea of what you'd be looking at BEFORE making a purchase.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
This might give you an idea of what you'd be looking at BEFORE making a purchase.
I don't know how correct that table is. I can shoot my buddies 450 Marlin over and over and over.
I can shoot my father's 197x's Browning BAR with 1980s Federal Hi-Shoks about 10 times and I am sore. I can shoot the 30-30 with 170 grain bullet about 40 times, and I start getting sore.
I know the 450 Marlin is pushing a 350 grain bullet around 2000 fps, and it should bruise me up pretty good after a tube full. Maybe I just get really amp'd up and enjoy the 450 more.
I can shoot my father's 197x's Browning BAR with 1980s Federal Hi-Shoks about 10 times and I am sore. I can shoot the 30-30 with 170 grain bullet about 40 times, and I start getting sore.
I know the 450 Marlin is pushing a 350 grain bullet around 2000 fps, and it should bruise me up pretty good after a tube full. Maybe I just get really amp'd up and enjoy the 450 more.
Pensfan
Member
Thanks for all the info everyone.
This morning I was talking to my father-in-law, an avid hunter, and he offered me his first deer rifle... a Remington 760 Gamemaster pump action .270. It is in great shape, sans one scar he picked up on a hunt. I am eager to hit the range with it and test her out!
This morning I was talking to my father-in-law, an avid hunter, and he offered me his first deer rifle... a Remington 760 Gamemaster pump action .270. It is in great shape, sans one scar he picked up on a hunt. I am eager to hit the range with it and test her out!
Pensfan
Member
Yes it is... A very nice looking rifle as well. I have never hunted with a pump action before, but it feels great on my shoulder. After a few months of range time it should work out great.
Right now it has a Redfield 2x-7x scope on it, with iron sights. I may change that out to my new Bushnell 4200 Elite 3x-9x after I play with both to see which I prefer. I may also add peep rings to use irons if it ever comes into play.
Another option would be the howa talon thumbhole combo. The stock reduces felt recoil like crazy and would be great for someone with a shoulder problem. I have been toying around with the idea of one in either 7mm rem mag or 6.5x55 but I don't really need another deer rifle. That said you should definitely check it out the howas shoot awesome. check out the howa m1500 thread.
Im kinda with Eb1, deffinetly take a look thru the redfield before pulling it. Ive used quite a few of the old ones, and besides the stupid tv view most were pretty good. I think the 4200 will be better, but the glass on those seems to be just about right for my eye. Those 760s are nice rifles, If you havent run across them yet, check out accuracy systems international. They do so neat stuff with the 760's. Also, if i remember correctly you can get prefit recoil pads for those.
wyohome
Member
I love my 760, my wife used my 'good' rifle (788) opening day so I used my old 760. One offhand shot at ~60 yards and my season was done. I used that while leaving the Kimber in the safe, doing what it does best...look good.
Plus it has 45 year old cheap glass on it, a newer scope would look funny on that old rifle.
Plus it has 45 year old cheap glass on it, a newer scope would look funny on that old rifle.
BrocLuno
Member
As you shoot that 760, take note of how you feel the recoil? There is a fair bit of drop in that stock, so it will raise up a bit more than a stock with a more modern straight comb. Also, keep a log book on how different 270 rounds & bullet weights feel, and their relative accuracy from this rifle. It will soon become apparent which ammo you and the rifle like
You can add a "Decelerator" pad in place of the OEM pad and that will help. With squishy pads, store the rifle muzzle down so the pad does not take a set from resting in the cabinet.
But, the most significant help in protecting your shoulder will be PAST pad in your hunting vest. They are patented and they really do help spread out and absorb the load. With a properly fitted PAST pad, you may be able to take full house loads without any problems.
You can also install an inertial recoil tube in the stock. Mercury tubes are quiet, they add a few ounces to the overall gun weight, but they soak up the peak of the recoil energy very well. They work especially nicely on those older Remington stocks which seem to be the driver in the old days for recoil reduction.
That is a fine rifle and a family heir loom now. 760s have taken loads of game in North America. You know all about the 270 and it's got its following. A well respected cartridge.
When you get some range time, come back and let us know how it went
You can add a "Decelerator" pad in place of the OEM pad and that will help. With squishy pads, store the rifle muzzle down so the pad does not take a set from resting in the cabinet.
But, the most significant help in protecting your shoulder will be PAST pad in your hunting vest. They are patented and they really do help spread out and absorb the load. With a properly fitted PAST pad, you may be able to take full house loads without any problems.
You can also install an inertial recoil tube in the stock. Mercury tubes are quiet, they add a few ounces to the overall gun weight, but they soak up the peak of the recoil energy very well. They work especially nicely on those older Remington stocks which seem to be the driver in the old days for recoil reduction.
That is a fine rifle and a family heir loom now. 760s have taken loads of game in North America. You know all about the 270 and it's got its following. A well respected cartridge.
When you get some range time, come back and let us know how it went
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