Ramblin’ Mans Rifle

[Pat Riot]

Sounds like you have plenty of recommendations and are leaning towards. 7mm-08. I like .308, but that’s not why I am posting.

Are going to be hunting in any of the states that only allow straight wall cartridges? If so you may need an additional plan.

 

[WisBorn]

@Barbaroja it sounds like you want to live the dream! I have been trying to convince Mrs WisBorn that we should buy a class B RV for traveling primarily out west.
As far as the rifles. If you can swing two I can't think of a better pair than a 7rm and 243win. If you are limited to one the 7rm would be and is my choice. You mentioned that it is a little much for pronghorn and coyotes. Unless you are hunting coyotes to buy groceries it will work fine. I think pelts value is down. The 7rm is also a good choice if an opportunity to hunt Elk becomes available.
The 7rm is also popular in the western states so ammo availability is not much different than 30-06!

 

[Barbaroja]

@Barbaroja it sounds like you want to live the dream! I have been trying to convince Mrs WisBorn that we should buy a class B RV for traveling primarily out west.
As far as the rifles. If you can swing two I can't think of a better pair than a 7rm and 243win. If you are limited to one the 7rm would be and is my choice. You mentioned that it is a little much for pronghorn and coyotes. Unless you are hunting coyotes to buy groceries it will work fine. I think pelts value is down. The 7rm is also a good choice if an opportunity to hunt Elk becomes available.
The 7rm is also popular in the western states so ammo availability is not much different than 30-06!

Yes sir I do. I’m currently in process of shopping for a travel trailer and a proper truck to pull it (I need a new vehicle anyway so it’s a two birds situation). We sold our house in Wa just outside Portland last year so now we have the time and money to do this sort of thing so I’m trying really hard to make it happen. Few people are in my position in their mid 30s and I want to go see all the stuff I’ve been wanting to before I’m too old to enjoy it.
While I can’t argue that bringing both rifles would cover my bases really well, I’m trying to cut it down to one center rifle because I’m also looking to bring my mossberg 500, 10/22,ruger blackhawk in 41mag (or 44spl) and a carry gun of some type, likely an M&p shield.
As for the coyote pelts I’m not too concerned about that as I don’t have a way to process furs on the road. That said I am planning on bringing a few traps along as I plan to spend a lot of time in Utah and they have a bounty of $50 per coyote scalp.
@LoonWulf with the idea of loading copper Bullets for the 7mag is the best plan I have so far…….. short of a new rifle

 

[Barbaroja]

Sounds like you have plenty of recommendations and are leaning towards. 7mm-08. I like .308, but that’s not why I am posting.

Are going to be hunting in any of the states that only allow straight wall cartridges? If so you may need an additional plan.

Don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy the 308win It would be probably the easiest route to the finish line here honestly as I’ve got a mountain of brass and Bullets for it……

As far as straight wall states go I will have a blackhawk with me 41 or 44 in addition to a shotgun so I should be covered should that come up. Good thinking, not something I had considered

 

[gotboostvr]

Another cartridge to consider is 270wsm. Not my favorite, but certainly a viable option. Flat shooting enough for varmints, enough punch for bigger game. Still popular enough you can find loaded factory ammo (or bullets and suitable powders) easily enough.

 

[M65Man]

I'd again consider the 7mm-08, seems everyone who has one love em. I wish I had one and again I'm thinking of a new Mod 70 in it. But if you're talking buying a new rifle? With what I know about all the .308" cartridges. No way I'd buy a 308 when I could have a 30-06 that will cover it plus a broader spectrum of bullet & powder options! You can choose between 2-3 powders in most any 06 and from 125g to 225gr bullets, and reasonably hunt everything from prairie dogs to brown bear!
I love the 308 and if I didn't have an 06 I'd get one. But if I filled my own arsenal today I'd have a 30-30, 30-06, 300 winmag and know I could hunt anything on the planet!
But, I still got an itch for a 7mm-08! But in no way would it replace my 06!
I've got 2 06s, a Tikka and Rem 742 Woodsmaster and I can pick up any load for either, but I consider the 742 a 150yd rifle. But I've to see an 06 that you can't get good hunting accuracy from Winchester or Rem 150g-180g PP or CL ammo!

 

[codytrucker]

For me , most of the year would be hunting varmint/targets of opportunity like chucks , coyotes ,and jack rabbits . So I'd want something handy to carry in a UTV or truck , and take on hikes , that could double as a deer/antelope rifle . A 6MM Remington would be about perfect , or a .257 Roberts properly loaded .

I have often thought that the perfect rifle for me to have taken in the truck for all the situations I had , from shooting woodchucks in Virginia , to pigs in California and Texas , and varmints all over the great basin area , A nice model 7 Remington with a synthetic stock and 22 inch barrel .250-3000 savage would be ideal .

 

[3Crows]

The Government is always the right answer. No, not that government run by morons and idiots that shoots down used car lot toy balloons with $.5M missiles, no, the .45-70 kind of Government . And preferably in a Marlin 1895 .

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

The Government is always the right answer. No, not that government run by morons and idiots that shoots down used car lot toy balloons with $.5M missiles, no, the .45-70 kind of Government . And preferably in a Marlin 1895 .

I've got one for sale!

 

[JumboJVT]

I don’t know why it’s so hard for some folks to just play the game. OP asks a specific question and any number of members come rushing in to make an argument for anything other than what the OP asked about.

Not only won't they play the game, they won't even read the OP's posts

 

[Howa 9700]

Don't know how big of an RV OP is talking about, but unless reloading equipment is going along, a guy would be forced to graze off what can be found on local ammo shelves and that pretty much excludes anything exotic. Recently found myself in sporting goods section of local Walmart and on a whim, decided to check on what rifle ammo they might have in stock. That included 223, 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Win, 308 Win, 30-06 and 300 WM. The usual suspects. If not reloading, I'd be sticking close to one of that bunch. On the other hand, a Lee whack a mole setup might work too.

BTW, when traveling with firearms, what precautions are needed to avoid running into any trouble with the local Po Po, what with all the goofy gun laws these whackadoodles are passing these days?

 

[d2wing]

Yes sir I do. I’m currently in process of shopping for a travel trailer and a proper truck to pull it (I need a new vehicle anyway so it’s a two birds situation). We sold our house in Wa just outside Portland last year so now we have the time and money to do this sort of thing so I’m trying really hard to make it happen. Few people are in my position in their mid 30s and I want to go see all the stuff I’ve been wanting to before I’m too old to enjoy it.
While I can’t argue that bringing both rifles would cover my bases really well, I’m trying to cut it down to one center rifle because I’m also looking to bring my mossberg 500, 10/22,ruger blackhawk in 41mag (or 44spl) and a carry gun of some type, likely an M&p shield.
As for the coyote pelts I’m not too concerned about that as I don’t have a way to process furs on the road. That said I am planning on bringing a few traps along as I plan to spend a lot of time in Utah and they have a bounty of $50 per coyote scalp.
@LoonWulf with the idea of loading copper Bullets for the 7mag is the best plan I have so far…….. short of a new rifle

I agree that you should do it when you can. I also think that having a truck and trailer is better so you can have a vehicle without breaking camp every time. Also you can't take a motorhome some places. I have done it various ways. I planned on traveling more after my wife retired but that didn't work out so do it when you can.

 

[Skylerbone]

Having read the OP and all subsequent responses it’s easy to argue (as often has been done before) that no such ideal chambering exists. True enough perhaps, and not to argue against the plan but might I suggest an initial swap of your 10/22 for a .17 of some ilk for the low end and, if the rifle suits you, another vote for a T/C Encore Pro.

Im not an Encore fan myself but I do own one with multiple barrels. With some internal massaging and external modifications I’ve found it far more likable than stock form. The why of course has been posted by others who mentioned individual State laws. I shoot .350 Legend (straight wall State), 50 cal muzzleloader (black powder season), and 300 Win Mag (large game).

Some of the best advice I’ve read on THR was to find the rifle you love and see what it’s chambered for. That may trump the above advice but an Encore, thanks in large part to the aftermarket has served me well for years.

 

[Electrod47]

Couple thoughts to go along with your quest. Travel light. Don't telegraph to "newly" met people your firearm's. Keep things inexpensive, you don't want to loose anything that's dear to you. Have fun. I'm Jealous!

 

[Constant Velocity]

My travelling / camping gun is a 7x57 over 12 gauge combination gun. Pretty much has all the bases covered.

 

[Buzznrose]

If you have to rely on buying commercial ammunition, I’d go with a .308 or 6.5CM. Either are excellent for anything you’d hunt.

If straight wall cartridge is a requirement for some states, 350 Legend.

 

[doubleh]

Personally if i were in the OP's shoes I would choose the Encore an a selection of barrels to meet my needs. Two screws and a pin and you have a different rifle for what your situation requires. There is a little personal bias in this as I am a big fan of Contender and Encore rifles, more so Contenders but they don't fit the bear/elk category unless it's a short distance situation.

 

[Rodfac]

Fifty three years ago, my new bride (hell...my only bride!), gave me a Sako Forester in .308 for our first Christmas. What a gift, blued steel and dark walnut...I knew I'd won the girl of my dreams....

I have literally lost count of the ground squirrels (with M1 Carbine 110 gr bullets), badgers (Speer 130 gr HPs), skunks (4 of them with 150 gr cast bullets), woodchucks-lost count (125 gr Sierra's IIRC), mule and whitetail deer (way over 50 now as the old gun is my loaner..usually with 150 Sierra's or Hornady's), and 3 elk (Speer 180 Mag Tips IIRC).

I glass bedded the old beast early on & it's still good for ~ 1MOA out to 300 yds off a rest. It has generally been scoped with a Leupold 2-7x in their version of "Sako" mounts, of one sort or another. I hunted Colorado, Idaho, Washington and Texas, back when I had legs, lungs and eyes, with it set to 4x...but coming east, I now use 2.5 for the broader field of view.

Over the years, it's done it all for me, as well as my sons, and a half dozen close friends. Over a round of Single Batch Woodford in a recent deer camp, the laughing lot of malcontents were fantasizing about my demise...and arguing who'd be in "THE WILL", for that old Sako. Truth be told, I'm still accepting suggestions, taking only those that include a BIG bottle of Single Batch Woodford as serious recommendations but hoping to pick a winner with a bottle of "Pappy".

So...one rifle...to do it all...from now until the Fat Lady Sings...it'd have to be that .308 Sako....And below; here's the Sako & here's our summertime ramblin' rig with the Tetons in the background. The trailer is an R-pod, weighs 3200 lbs fully loaded, and tows with a Jeep Grand Cherokee with their 5.7 hemi doing the work. Mileage is ~ 14 mpg. We do a 5 week tour every summer.

YMMv but you'd be wrong...Rod

​

 

[Buckeye63]

I finished up a Bubba special.. Swedish Mauser , 6.5x55 ..It started life as M38 carbine… I picked it up at a local pawnshop for $50 …stock was butchered.. barrel was wacked on with hacksaw .. cutting off the threaded end of the barrel… I left the pawnshop and admittedly drove to my gunsmith.. this guy was a master … he passed around 8 years ago … anyway… I asked him to give it a good go over … checking headspace and such ..

A month later , he called .. it’s ready
He bobbed the barrel to 16.25 inches re crowned installed fresh front iron sight ( handmade)
D&T’ed the receiver ..used blocks to bend and reshape the bolt handle… installed a low mount safety.. “ cleaned up “ the trigger and installed a high quality synthetic stock he had laying around..
The bill was surprisingly light … ( as the trigger)
The little carbine was perfect…I installed a 1.5 light scope … and worked up a few loads with 140gr and 160rd RN .. over the next few weeks and had it punching extremely acceptable holes …
I naturally took several Whitetails … a rabid coon and a couple of yotes … light & handy and capable…
I eventually sold it for a incredible profit to a fellow who wanted a pack carbine… he had emailed me over the years following.. with a pic or two of a few elk and one moose he had taken with the little carbine..
pretty much , built for that purpose in mind