some rifle questions??

[cravertosu]

Frank and Nauti are correct. The .308 is time tested and proven round. Another bonus is that it's fairly cheap. I don't know that I would take it to shoot grizzly or a bull moose but it'll take everything else in N.A. without an issue if you shoot well and know your limits. Like Frank, my dad is a huge .270 fan. Killed a lot of whitetail and mulies with it. I killed my first cow elk with the .270 at 300m. (Note: Don't drop your own rifle in the morning before you go) As long as you know your limits and the limits of the round .270, .308, and the .30-06 are all great, less expensive choices.

Myself though, I'm a meat hunter so I do believe in overkill!! Hunting over here though....not so much!

[mlp1985aggie]

haha yea i hear ya!! im not to big on the overkill/bazooka's to take down a medium game animal as well. but for the time being ill just stick to the hog/varmint hunting with my baby the .22-250, and keep bustin with the head shots. probably once i graduate ,finally, ill go in and purchase my bigger game rifle.

[dman25]

I own dozens of rifles but like you the 22-250 is the one I prefer to shoot. Barnes makes a 22 cal. bullt as well as the Trophy bonded that will kill deer to about 150 yrds reliably. I've got a few handloaded up just in case I ever get the urge.

[mlp1985aggie]

dman25 i agree with you a hundred percent and thinks for the background as well. just been hearin a lot of totally different thoughts on the caliber and just put that doubt in my head. but i totally feel comfortable with my 250. and by the way i like how you got yours set up!! what kind of scope do you have?

[dman25]

My TIkka master sporter is topped with a Weaver V24 sitting on Sako Optiliok bases and rings.

[nautiduck]

Frank I definately think a .300 win mag is overkill for whitetail I was just using it as an example of long distance knockdown power. My personal deer and elk gun is a Rem 722 chambered in .300 savage I use Rem core lok 150 or 180 grain depending. My property is all hardwood with alot of undergrowth to punch through and anything smaller than 30 caliber is just too susceptable to getting knocked aside with brush. I have taken deer with my 22-250 but if your off just a little the deer doesnt die as fast. I for one always do head shots and Ive never had one run. As far as an all around shooter I think the 308 is the chit its got the distance and accuracy and ammo is dirt cheap. Im looking to build another for serious shooting Im just up in the air on what action I want to start with plus its got to wait till I find a new job I dont think the wife will appreciate me buying toys considering the current situation. On another note anybody know of a source for laminate blanks I want to design and cut my own stock on this one.

[seapower]

Nautiduck, we all have our favorites, the one that has served us well. A lot of it has to do with what you get used to.Getting to know your gun and what it realalisticy is capable of is paramount. I have an old gun that if I had to pick "just one" for my all round favorite, it would be THE ONE. My old British .303, 180 grain core lockt. I can only assume that many would not choose this gun. I use it only occasionally now, but love it when I do. Back before my eye's started doing foolish things that come with age, I used this gun only. It still has the original open sites and man can it shoot!!! I used to shoot against guy's with scoped .270's just for fun and would just plain whoop them. I could shoot it with open sights at the same ranges that I shoot my scoped .270 now. When that gun went off it was "meat", but I knew and trusted that gun infatically. No matter what I hunted the old .303 would do the job no questions asked.
The original author of this post mentioned using has Grand Dad's 30/30. The introduction of most rounds end's up being more hype than any thing else, but the intro of the Hornady LeverEvolution round makes that old 30/30 an entirely different gun. I use them in my old (really old) Marlin 336 and get a consistant nickle sized 5 shot group at 100 yards. I have used this gun, woods hunting since I was a kid. It's my stand-by bear and hog gun, because of quick sure use and close ranges( don't know if there has truely been a better woods gun made). I've lost count of the deer and bear it's taken. Again I know what this gun it realistically capable of.
I guess I see the importance of knowing and trusting your gun as a-kin to knowing and trusting the engine in your offshore boat. To many guy's will hunt with a gun they haven't used enough to be proficent with. Time in the saddle is everything. We're on the same page,Brother. Frank,SeaPower

[nautiduck]

Frank you have definately hit the nail on the head with the time in the saddle. My Dad bought me a 30-06 to use when I was twelve because a buddy of his said that was a great deer gun (my dad doesnt hunt or fish). When I showed up at grandads one day to shoot in the gun and just get used to it he laughed his ass off and wouldnt say why till I shot the gun for the first time. Now mind you I had been shooting since I was four or five but it consisted of .22 rimfires, .22 hornet (my ground hog gun for the longest time), 20 gauge shotgun, and grandads .243. I had no idea that 06 was gonna kick like a mule. Before anybody says you big baby remember I was twelve and real scrawney for my age hell I could barely hold the gun to shoot off hand. Thankfully Grandad being who he was came out with this beautiful Rem 722 .300 savage which is still the gun I shoot today. It has brought home countless whitetails, 3 mule deer, 1 elk, and 7 black bear one at 530 lbs at 250 yds. Its not the best for real long range shots but it will knock just about anything down to about 350 yds. I still have the 06 too although I havent put a round through it in almost 20 years I guess you just gotta go with what youre used to.