Hunting Rifles

[venkman]

Question for The Dude and other hunters. I'm looking to get a good all-purpose big game rifle. Mostly deer hunting but maybe some elk. Caliber and brand/model recommendations would be helpful. I'm thinking .270 Win or .30/06? Maybe .308? What are pros and cons? I'm guessing .243 is a little light for elk? Thanks in advance...although I went on the deer hunting a couple of times as a teen, it's been a while, and I'm needing some guidance.

[Coach McGuirk]

Question for The Dude and other hunters. I'm looking to get a good all-purpose big game rifle. Mostly deer hunting but maybe some elk. Caliber and brand/model recommendations would be helpful. I'm thinking .270 Win or .30/06? Maybe .308? What are pros and cons? I'm guessing .243 is a little light for elk? Thanks in advance...although I went on the deer hunting a couple of times as a teen, it's been a while, and I'm needing some guidance.

you're safe with any of those, except the .243. Personally, if I was setting something up today, it would be a .308 from an AR platform that could double as a hunting/long distance target shooter.

When I used to rifle hunt it was with a 7mm mag. It has some of the best ballistics at long distances that I could find at the time. Some 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 400 yards.

[pellegrino]

you're safe with any of those, except the .243. Personally, if I was setting something up today, it would be a .308 from an AR platform that could double as a hunting/long distance target shooter.

When I used to rifle hunt it was with a 7mm mag. It has some of the best ballistics at long distances that I could find at the time. Some 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 400 yards.

I think JIC is a fan of the 7mm. I know another guy that is a big fan of it too, he uses it mostly for elk hunting though.

I think you need to match the caliber to the terrain, if you're in the west then you'll want something that will reach at the longer distances. Take into consideration what kind of shots you'll be taking then look at some ballistics charts and try to match the caliber with what you anticipate your range/terrain will be. If you are hunting from a stand in dense forest you won't be shooting more than 100-200 yards, max. All of the calibers you listed will do that (the .243 will require more precision and perhaps a custom load) so you can't go wrong in that sense.

I agree with Coach on the AR platform, get it in a .308 and you'd have a fairly versatile weapon. Plus, the AR is just easier to learn to shoot on, if that's

[Jeff Lebowski]

Not much to add from me. I have always hunted with a .270. Family tradition.

[venkman]

Not much to add from me. I have always hunted with a .270. Family tradition.

To be honest, I was hoping someone would say .270. But come on Lebowski, a guy that hits a buck on the run at 200 yards knows his shit. You gotta give me more than family tradition! Why do you like it? Are you strictly deer? What about elk? What models do you like?

[venkman]

you're safe with any of those, except the .243. Personally, if I was setting something up today, it would be a .308 from an AR platform that could double as a hunting/long distance target shooter.

When I used to rifle hunt it was with a 7mm mag. It has some of the best ballistics at long distances that I could find at the time. Some 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 400 yards.

Didn't you build an AR-10 last year. I built an AR-15 with the .223 barrel. Can't you mate a .30 upper with the 15 lower?

[venkman]

I think JIC is a fan of the 7mm. I know another guy that is a big fan of it too, he uses it mostly for elk hunting though.

I think you need to match the caliber to the terrain, if you're in the west then you'll want something that will reach at the longer distances. Take into consideration what kind of shots you'll be taking then look at some ballistics charts and try to match the caliber with what you anticipate your range/terrain will be. If you are hunting from a stand in dense forest you won't be shooting more than 100-200 yards, max. All of the calibers you listed will do that (the .243 will require more precision and perhaps a custom load) so you can't go wrong in that sense.

I agree with Coach on the AR platform, get it in a .308 and you'd have a fairly versatile weapon. Plus, the AR is just easier to learn to shoot on, if that's

Thanks. I have thought about the AR-10 option. I may get one, but I still think I want a more traditional rifle for hunting as well.

[Drunk Tank]

I think 30-06 is an excellent all round choice. Availablity should be good in all areas as well, and the price of the 30-06 compared to "newer" calibers will put a smile on your face.

7mm Win Mag. 100% deadly for anything in N America, but 30.06 would be as well for most game.

The best bang for the buck right now is Savage. With their new accu-stock and accu-trigger, they are one of the most accurate rifles right out of the box.

Check out the Savage 116fcss(stainless) or 111fcns(non stainless). I like the synthetic stock since I wont mind it getting beat up while out beating around in the hills.





I also like the AR platform in .308 as suggested earlier, but cost wise, it is much more expensive ($1100 and up compared to $650-700, unless you go with a high dollar hunting rifle). Also, the AR in .308 is going to weigh in between 9.5-11.5 lbs without the optic and is a much more complicated rifle. A synthetic stocked rifle such as the savage weighs in at ~ 7.5 lbs and is stupid simple to operate. You can get a decent rifle and scope for the price of the .308 AR alone.

[Drunk Tank]

Didn't you build an AR-10 last year. I built an AR-15 with the .223 barrel. Can't you mate a .30 upper with the 15 lower?

Nope. The mag well is too small on the ar-15 lower receiver.

[pellegrino]

Thanks. I have thought about the AR-10 option. I may get one, but I still think I want a more traditional rifle for hunting as well.

Why the traditional look? If it's just for looks, then I'd reconsider. The ergonomics of the AR15 (I wouldn't consider the AR10) are far superior to traditional rifles and they are every bit as accurate below 300 yards, which is a substantial distance for most shooters. It's to the point that Remington now manufactures a hunting rifle based on the AR platform, the R15. There are some manufacturers that are working on producing the AR in the .270 and 30.06 caliber, specifically for hunting. If I were in the market for a new firearm, I don't think there is any question as to what I'd buy.

[Coach McGuirk]

Didn't you build an AR-10 last year. I built an AR-15 with the .223 barrel. Can't you mate a .30 upper with the 15 lower?

nope. Different platform. A .308 platform can be built on the cheap for <$1000. If I was building a .308 (really a 7.62 NATO) I would go with this,





An LWRC REPR

http://www.lwrci.com/p-120-repr.aspx

[il Padrino Ute]

My preference is the 30-06 because it's what my dad used.

[Coach McGuirk]

If you want something on the AR-15 Platform, I would look at building a rifle in the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC. Both have their supporters and detractors. Overall I think they are both a little light for an Elk but that is going to be about as powerful as it gets on the AR15 plat.

[Jeff Lebowski]

To be honest, I was hoping someone would say .270. But come on Lebowski, a guy that hits a buck on the run at 200 yards knows his shit. You gotta give me more than family tradition! Why do you like it? Are you strictly deer? What about elk? What models do you like?

lol.

This is the rifle I own (Browning .270 auto):



My dad had one when I was a kid but he quit hunting and he gave to my brother while I was on my mission. I griped about it so he offered to pay 1/2 on a new one for me. I took him up on his offer. My other brother (the one I have hunted with most of my life) bought one also. I kind of like to just aim and keep shooting when I have a deer on the run (on the rare occasion that I miss the first shot ).

A .270 will bring down an elk, but if you are going to do a lot of elk hunting you may want to get something with a little more punch. My buddy has a .300 magnum he likes to use for elk hunting. Very powerful but it kicks like a mule and is a little heavy.

The obvious solution for you is to get a .270 for deer hunting and something bigger for elk hunting. You can't own too many guns.

That shot I made last fall was with my buddy's old .30-06 (no-frills winchester bolt action). My son was using my .270 at the time.

[pellegrino]

lol.

This is the rifle I own (Browning .270 auto):



My dad had one when I was a kid but he quit hunting and he gave to my brother while I was on my mission. I griped about it so he offered to pay 1/2 on a new one for me. I took him up on his offer. My other brother (the one I have hunted with most of my life) bought one also. I kind of like to just aim and keep shooting when I have a deer on the run (on the rare occasion that I miss the first shot ).

A .270 will bring down an elk, but if you are going to do a lot of elk hunting you may want to get something with a little more punch. My buddy has a .300 magnum he likes to use for elk hunting. Very powerful but it kicks like a mule and is a little heavy.

The obvious solution for you is to get a .270 for deer hunting and something bigger for elk hunting. You can't own too many guns.

That shot I made last fall was with my buddy's old .30-06 (no-frills winchester bolt action). My son was using my .270 at the time.

.270 is probably my favorite caliber. That's a fine gun you have there.