Walking Varmit/Hunting rifle

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I think varmint all the way to elk is a little too big of a bite. I don't think I've ever taken over 30 minutes to change a barrel on one of my Savages.
 
skinewmexico you make a valid point. It is a rather broad spectrum that I'm asking one rifle to fill, there's no doubt about it. I've been hunting since I was twelve but it hasn't been until the last few years where I have slowed down and really researched rifle's and variuos calibers rather than just buy the gun and then find out what it's about. I currently own a few guns that are just to expensive to go varmit hunting with them. I don't reload at this time so I am slave to man when it comes time to get ammo. Ammo for my 300wm is horrible and that why I'm thinking of getting rid of it and a few others, then I will only have to buy ammo for a select few guns and in the long run save some coin for the gas tank to go hunting. So in the end thats my main reason for looking for that "all in one gun". It really comes down to pure economics for me at this point in my life. I love guns, but when you have to pay so much for ammo for all of them then the cost becomes an issue, at least for me. I'm trying to start a new business and right now any place I can "cut the fat" is a good place to save money. But I can't give up all my guns no way. Thanks again to every one foe the sugestions.:)
 
Another vote for the .270. If you handload, you can tailor it from varmints up to elk. I like 140gr Gamekings leaving the muzzle at 2850fps for deer. Pretty sure this would be fine on elk too. I'll use that combo 'yote hunting if I'm not after pelt $.

Savage or Model 700? Yes please.
 
I think varmint all the way to elk is a little too big of a bite.
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I dunno. I shot a jackrabbit with a 520 grain .45-70. Killed it dead.:D

Worth a look: http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchland.html

Semi-lightweight (Model 7 class) 7mm-08 or .308 in a Hogue stock. Howas are accurate and very solid, with bolt-locking safeties, which I'd consider a must-have feature in a walking rifle here in the brushland (and which Remington apparently has ditched instead of fixing a problem they had with theirs). This particular model is just coming on the market. It looks to be about half the price of a Model 7 and, if past experience with Howa is an indicator, it's every bit as good a rifle.

HOWA_Ranchland.jpg


I don't know if a bull barrel is a great feature on a "walking rifle". Unless you're walking around with a lot of ammo and a shooting bench, it's just extra weight.:)
 
I dunno. I shot a jackrabbit with a 520 grain .45-70. Killed it dead
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But is that what you'd use if you had an opportunity to clean out a P-dog town, firing hundreds of rounds at ranges of 300+ yards?

I'd go with three rifles in this category:

My Kimber M82 in .22 Hornet is a great "walking varmiter."

A good .223 or .22-250 would be my dedicated varimit rfle.

And my M70 in .30-06 my "everything else" rifle.
 
But is that what you'd use if you had an opportunity to clean out a P-dog town, firing hundreds of rounds at ranges of 300+ yards?
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Nope. But I wouldn't use ANYTHING I'd consider a "walking around" rifle, to do that.

Kinda like a CCW gun for Grizzlies. A real headscratcher.
 
Nope. But I wouldn't use ANYTHING I'd consider a "walking around" rifle, to do that.
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But you could. I could fire hundreds of rounds a day from my .22 Hornet. Hitting with any regularity at 300+ yards would be a real challenge -- but I'd consider it an educational experience.
 
Hitting with any regularity at 300+ yards would be a real challenge -- but I'd consider it an educational experience.
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So was getting the elevation right on a .45-70 BPC rifle, shooting something as small as a jackrabbit.:)

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, same conclusion.
 
So was getting the elevation right on a .45-70 BPC rifle, shooting something as small as a jackrabbit
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Find me a guy who has shot several hundred rounds of .45-70 in one day, and I will show you a guy with one shoulder higher than the other.
 
I'd go with a 7mm-08. Just about a perfect balance. As far as rifles go, I'd pick up a Remington 700, Browning A-Bolt, or a CZ 550. Don't remember if CZ makes a 7mm-08 though, so in that case I would get it in 243. Too small for elk, but excellent for everything else you mentioned.
 
Find me a guy who has shot several hundred rounds of .45-70 in one day, and I will show you a guy with one shoulder higher than the other.
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LOL

Just avoid shooting guns with steel crescent buttplates off the bench. OUCH! Standing offhand or kneeling rested on sticks, they're not that bad.

You're right, though, a .22 Hornet would have a tad less recoil.
 
+1 on .308 or .30-06

Both are good choices for big and small game, personally I use my .300 Win Mag on everything I can and plan on hunting, whether it be coyotes, boar, deer, elk or black bear.
 
I think you're trying to take too big of a versitility bite with your thinking. The 223 is great for varmints and your thinking on a 308 is sound although I would prefer a 30-06.

The 300 win mag is a good elk caliber, but a bit strong for most deer hunting. You actually shoot it a lot?

You might think about getting a 17HMR for those pesky little varmints.
 
I have shot my 300wm alot and used it for deer and elk. The problem with that gun is an old shoulder injury that just won't go away. Now I can't spend as much time as I would like shooting it because of the recoil. It's a great round and I love it, it just hurts now to shoot much. My 223 is set up for varmit, but would like a second gun that has a little more reach, and more versitility. So get rid of my big boomer and get something that can fill different roles effectively. I understand all of the points and arguements that all of you have given to me and I appreciates all of your feedback. The problem is that there are to many choices.:) I'm leaning toward a rilfe in 308 but not sure which one yet.
 
OK 308 then, or install a pad on your 270. Either will take anything you can buy a tag for in Idaho. Remember with a tender shoulder you'll need to balance weight for carry against the weight to help absorb recoil, also a good pad can do wonders to soften the blow to your shoulder.

We have identical 700's one in 30-06 another in 270, one's stock is as it came and one has a nice pad installed. Off the bench both shooting 150 grain bullets there is a world of difference in felt recoil to your shoulder between the two. Pads may not be the sightliest thing you can do to your rifle but they work.
 
The new Remington VTR (varmint tactical rifle) is available in 223, 308, 204 Ruger and 22-250.

700_vtr_410.jpg


Unique triangular barrel (added rigidity, lightweight, rapid cooling), integrated muzzle-break, vented synthetic stock with soft rubber overmolded panels where hands grip, 2 swivel studs for sling AND bipod.

I just got one in 308.

Lightweight, great balance, and they claim the accuracy on these will be around 1/2 MOA.

We'll see. I just got finished mounting a Nikon Monarch 4x16x42 side focus scope on it with TPS steel rings and Leupold Mark 4 2-piece base.

I have a Remington LTR 308 with a Leupold Mark 4 I will be comparing it to.
 
Ooooh, the venerable VTR! Say, Turbozag, you don't need a shooting buddy, do you?
 
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