New rifle thoughts

[Bill1225]

Hi everyone I'm a new member just want to start with a quick intro/bio I'm 33 carpenter/ avid hunter outdoorsmens split my time between Pennsylvania and Alaska . I'm Currently is a position to get a new rifle and I'm not really sure what to get to compliment my current rifle battery . I would like to keep it a bolt action . I'll start with what I have. I have a 243 and 308 both Winchester feather weight model 70's with 2.5-8x optics , a 270 win standard pre 64 model 70 with 3.5-10x and a 338 win mag custom Alaska bush type rifle 22" barrel open sites and quick release mounts with a 2-7x on it . I have thoughts about adding a dedicated long range hunting rifle or a larger stopping rifle . Any thoughts or suggestions on what would compliment my existing rifles would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LoonWulf]

Hi Bill, and welcome to THR.

The real questions which do you think you'd enjoy more right now? You can always add more rifles.


Personally I rounded out my battery of rifles with a dedicated long, longish? Meh, a rifle built to shoot farther than I'm willing to walk.

Before that I built a .375 Ruger.

My opinion is that the bigger bore rifle (as long as its comfortable to shoot) will likely see more use unless you actually need the precision a large, heavy, long range rig provides.
I carry my .375 quite a bit, it lighter and more compact than many of my other guns, and I really enjoy shooting it.

My heavy 7 gets taken to the range pretty often, and when im driving, or only walking a short distance Its one of the options that goes along fairly often. If im going to be walking any father than a mile or two tho, a 12lb rifle that takes time to set up and shoot (and isnt great for snap shooting), usually stays home.

I also have a pretty good spread of 22-30 cal options, but they dont get out as much as the 7mm or .375.

 

[Doc7]

You already have a great set of rifles.

What about a classic 22 for small game?

 

[FL-NC]

If I wanted another long range rifle, I would get a Ruger precision in 308. More stopping power? Is this for dangerous animal defense, like huge bears? Maybe a Marlin 45-70.

 

[cheygriz]

Browning BARll Safari in .338 WinMag.
Dead accurate
Soft recoil due to being a gas semi-auto
Beautiful finish
Powerful enough for the biggest bears.

 

[DannyLandrum]

Welcome....First off, I think you have made excellent choices thus far - you may not need anything. Your question seems to be more about chambering choice and general configuration & weight rather than any specific make and model, so I'll go with that. Next, keep in mind that I'm no expert. I'm a big hunter, but never hunted Alaska - you sound more experience than me in hunting. I won't mention anything like a .22lr or .223 or shotgun, nor a heavy rig like a "tactical / heavy precision" rifles, since you sound all about the big game hunting - which is pretty much where I am. To give you my best two cents, I'd like to know your age, fitness level, and what you see as the specific roles (species / continent / terrain / situation) of each of those 4 rifles you already have - also, relatedly, what actual accuracy are you achieving with each of them? .75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, or more (in MOAs)? I'd also have to know whether you want to go to Africa or not, and which country (if you know), or at least what species do you think you can afford to go after? Obviously, financial resources is a huge important variable, too. Also, do you reload or just shoot factory?

Without knowing more, here are a few possibilities:

1. Sell all but the .308, then get another one exactly like it as a backup. KISS principle. You could follow the exact same plan with that .270 - just make sure the backup likes the same loads as the primary.

2. Trade out the bush rifle for a similar config but different chambering: Either (a) a lighter-recoiling but equally effective rig in .338 federal, .338-06, .35 Whelen, or .350 Rem mag, or (b) just be done with it and go for a short-barreled (22" or less) .375 HH or 9.3x62mm, which can also be used in Africa to good effect on plains game and larger.

3. Get a true high-alpine mountain rig: trade out that heavy-ish .270 for what is really the ultimate in long range for sheep, goats, desert pronghorns & mulies - which is the Kimber Mountain Ascent in .280 AI - really there is nothing not to like about this rifle (except Kimber customer service I guess - does it still suck?).

4. Your 'true stopper' rifle: Get something in .416 Ruger - probably a Ruger of course, in the Alaskan style - could also be used on anything in the world, including African DG.

5. Drink the koolaid and get something in 6.5 creedmore, to either replace or supplement the .243 and .308... maybe a Bergara, Browning X-Bolt, Tikka T3, or Kimber 84, among many other good choices. If you can't stomach detachables, ditch the X-Bolt and Tikka.

6. Catch super-magnumitis like so many people and get a hunting rifle in .338 Lapua, .30-.378 Wby mag, .28 Nosler, .26 Nosler, .30 Nosler, .300 RUM, etc.

Note that I wouldn't recommend #6 but many do. The only thing I might think a good idea on #6 is a .28 Nosler - overbore but not THAT overbore, and has a lot going for it as a fantastic long range hunter if you can afford to replace the barrel at some point and shoot the ammo. .30 Nosler has some appeal too.

Scopes - your configs sound excellent - look at the Leupold VX5-HD if you go for a heavier bad-arse LR rig. VX6 as well. Schmidt & Bender, US Optics, and Nightforce are always great options, *if* you can find one light enough for what you're trying to do (how far do you hike from the pickup and what's the budget?).

If you're willing to go used, your options open up greater still, in both chamberings and rifle choices.

 

[Random 8]

If you hunt Alaska a lot, I think you'd be well served with a heavy magnum .30 or .338 for longer range use on big stuff. I've always had an interest in the .308 Norma Mag and the Mauser magnums it's chambered in. Depends on the hunting scenarios you find yourself in I guess. If you're not taking moose or bears at extended distance, your bush rifle will do the job, and you really don't need another rifle. If you wanted to do something fun, how about a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 9.3x62 or a Remington pump in .35 Whelen to replace your current bush rifle with something odd an interesting?

 

[ACES&8S]

How about a -7mm Rem Mag- in Rem model 700 or a Win model 70 either one for long range & stopping power both.
For the Alaskan fox & such use the -22 Hornet- in a CZ 527 American.
Sounds like you have a very good set of firearms already.

 

[BigBore44]

So he has a .243, .270, .308, and a .338 WinMag. He really doesn’t need anything else. If you can’t stop it with a 338, “bigger” probably isn’t going to help. And how far is “long range”? The 270 and 308 will shoot pretty dang far.

 

[adcoch1]

I think you need a 22 hornet or maybe a 22 mag for fox, squirrels, and grouse/partridges. Other than that I may trade in the 270 for a 280 rem ai or a 7mm mag for some long range duties.

 

[adcoch1]

How about a -7mm Rem Mag- in Rem model 700 or a Win model 70 either one for long range & stopping power both.
For the Alaskan fox & such use the -22 Hornet- in a CZ 527 American.
Sounds like you have a very good set of firearms already.

Saw your post after I wrote mine... The cz was gonna be my pick for the 22 also...

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Ruger #1 22.250.

IDK if the twist rate has improved or not, but get a fast twist rate and get some heavy for caliber bullets and you have a lightweight longis range yote evaporator.

Greg

 

[js8588]

Pennsylvania-Alaska. Hmm...
308-270-243 boxes checked.

Med bore 338 (basically the same as a 9.3x62) covered.

7mm Rem Mag/300 Win Mag...nothing in that category (though the 270 almost gets you there).

375 and up sounds like the ticket. Winchester M70 Safari, CZ 550, or Ruger Guide Gun/Hawkeye African (though in the case of the Guide Gun the 338 you've got is pretty close).

If you wanted to retire the 270, 308, & 243, pick up a 6.5x55

 

[roscoe]

You need a levergun. You are all set with bolties.

 

[Bushpilot]

Welcome to THR...

You already have a good long range rifle in the .270 and a pretty good Alaskan "stopper" with the .338. Those two rifles by themselves will do a great job on any big game in PA or AK as well as most of the world except Africa, and quite a lot there too. As others have said you could get a 7mag or 300 mag as another long range rifle or a 375 HH as another stopper but in reality you have the bases pretty well covered. As it is I doubt that the lack of a "proper" rifle for the job is keeping you from hunting any big game North America has to offer... It's always fun to come up with an excuse to buy another rifle though.. So, with that in mind, I guess I'd go with a 375 H&H.....

 

[redneck2]

Long range, I’d get a 7 or 300WM with a Leupold 3-18 VX-6. There’s other esoteric specialty cartridges that shoot a little flatter. .300 Weatherby etc. types if you don’t mind getting the snot kicked out of you.

Short range, I’d get a .45-70 Marlin lever

You don’t really have anything that’s not covered already, so this seems more “just because I want something different”

 

[Bill1225]

Thank you all for the input , I will start off by acknowledging I really don't need any rifles unless I choose a big 5 hunt . I'm honestly at a point in my life cleaning house of all the novelty guns and enjoying building my hunting rifle battery. I see alot of input on other type rifles. I didn't mention I have aswell lever guns a 94 in 44 mag and a 1895g , A 223 ruger #3 carbine ,and a few keeper 22lrs and a handful of tacticool pistols and rifles that as I have gotten older have really lost there appeal and they are what I'm clearing out. The areas I see lacking are a true varnmint rifle , a med+ game long range rifle ( I would feel more confertable if my 338 wasn't handicapped by design in terms of long range hunting by the chopped barrel and optics ) and a true large bore stopping rifle . Once again thank you all for the welcome and advice , I truely enjoy and appreciate all the input.

 

[Robert]

Winchester Safari Express or Alaskan in 375 H&H Mag.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Well, you've come to right place for advice. Welcome. Lots of knowledgeable folks here. I'm not one of them as many here will tell you but that hasn't stopped me from posting.

I know my way around some last century cartridges, mostly .223 which is dated, so take this with a grain of salt or a stiff drink if you prefer.

You mentioned varmint rifle. To my knowledge the 22-250 seems to be the current trend. I don't own one but it has to be fastest, flattest, 400 yd 22 cartridge out there. That would be my choice if I wanted to call in varmints who suspect they are about to be shot. I see coyotes on my property ever week and believe me they're tuned in to what's going down. I can't shoot them because I have neighbors close by so I'm happy to let them keep the feral cat population down. I know farmers that leave them alone because they eat a lot of rodents.

As far as 30 cal something or other the 300 WSM is intriguing. It can move a 110 grain bullet at 3500 fps and a 220 grain bullet at 2600 fps. That right there is a very versatile cartridge. You might say it's a good varmint cartridge and a heavy hitter. Might be the most versatile 30 cal out there if you reload. I don't know what the factory ammo situation is however. Your 308 can be loaded down also with 110 grain and that would be a fine varmint load.

 

[CoalTrain49]

If you hunt Alaska a lot, I think you'd be well served with a heavy magnum .30 or .338 for longer range use on big stuff. I've always had an interest in the .308 Norma Mag and the Mauser magnums it's chambered in. Depends on the hunting scenarios you find yourself in I guess. If you're not taking moose or bears at extended distance, your bush rifle will do the job, and you really don't need another rifle. If you wanted to do something fun, how about a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 9.3x62 or a Remington pump in .35 Whelen to replace your current bush rifle with something odd an interesting?

I think he said he had a .338

 

[z7]

I will venture two options of similar flavor:

A target/varmint rifle, heavy barrel, target stock/chassis, in a caliber that you will enjoy shooting a lot, 6mm br, 6.5 creedmore or something. Build it like a practical/tactical/field rifle (less than 18lbs, bipod, great glass, ergonomic for various positions). Think Accuracy International

Alternative: long range hunting gun-300 Norma or 7mm magnum, 10-14 pounds scoped, a lighterweight stock (like a manners eh-1) and carbon fiber barrel. Work towards hunting an animal at 500yds. (You must practice, learn the wind, have a good laser range finder, be disciplined and only take a shot you know you can make). I am not condoning shooting at an animal farther than you know you can make a clean kill

 

[jmr40]

I think you've got the bases covered pretty well. With some overlap. The 308 and 270 both fill the same role. If I were in your shoes I'd look at some version of a 375. But that would make the 338 expendable.

 

[mdauben]

I'll start with what I have. I have a 243 and 308 both Winchester feather weight model 70's with 2.5-8x optics , a 270 win standard pre 64 model 70 with 3.5-10x and a 338 win mag custom Alaska bush type rifle 22" barrel open sites and quick release mounts with a 2-7x on it . I have thoughts about adding a dedicated long range hunting rifle or a larger stopping rifle . Any thoughts or suggestions on what would compliment my existing rifles would be greatly appreciated.

If it was me, for a "long range hunting rifle" there's a lot of choice these days. Personally, I would avoid the current crop of "Precision Rifles" from Ruger, Savage, etc. IMO they are great bench guns for shooting long range targets, but not what I would want for the field (unless that's what you want, of course!).

Give the calibers you already have, I'd probably look at something in 6.5 Creedmore. Due to its current popularity there's a lot of ammo (components and factory) to choose from, and its obviously a good choice for long range shooting. For a stainless and composite gun, the Browning X-Bolt Stalker Long Range looks like a good choice. For a blue and wood choice, there's nothing that really stands out for me, although the Mossberg Patriot Revere might be worth a look.

For a "larger stopping rifle" I don't think you can go wrong with the .375 H&H. Winchester makes a Model 70 Alaskan in that caliber which would be my personal first choice (although I like blue steel and walnut stocks), though the X-Bolt Stainless Stalker by Browning is an attractive alternative if you want stainless with a composite stock for weather resistance.

 

[Legionnaire]

Looks to me like you have the basics covered. The .243 cartridge will do for varmints/medium game, though your rifle/optics aren't optimized for that ... at least not for long distance. If you're interested in reloading for a wildcat, a fast twist light varmint contour in .243 Ackley might be a fun addition. In a pinch you could shoot .243 Win cartridges, and with a 26" barrel it could be set up for some fun long-range varmints and targets. I just don't see any holes in your current hunting battery short of a heavy dangerous game cartridge ... and that might make your .338 redundant. Trade the .338 for a .375 Ruger?

 

[Labguy47]

You have the bases covered, if what you’re looking for is a true big bore I’d recommend a Ruger #1 or a Barrette m998. I don’t consider these fun guns, but they are heavy hitters. I would also need a Leupold 6-20x52 to even make a descent showing with one.