If you could only have one rifle for big game what would it
- Horizontal Hunter
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If you could only have one rifle for big game what would it
If you could only have one rifle for North American big game what would it be?
What caliber?
What action/rifle?
Bob
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What caliber?
What action/rifle?
Bob
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- seazofcheeze
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
.300 win mag. Overkill on deer, but I'd want the extra stopping power for moose, grizzly, and maybe even elk.
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- Hatchet Jack
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
12 gauge shotgun with interchangeable rifled barrel
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- jwilkstn
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
I asked myself this a couple years ago, but capped my spending at about $1k. I went with a Tikka T3 stainless light with a Leupold Vx-3 cds 3.5-10x50.
I absolutely love the rifle, and I still think it's as good as any for the money. I handload, and bought 5 boxes of Federal factory ammo for barrel break in, to sight in, and for the brass. Truth be told, I haven't yet loaded anything that outshoots those factory Federals, one-third inch groups at 100 yards. My only complaint about the rifle is the plastic magazine. If it were metal, the gun itself would be flawless.
I also love the scope, and would recommend it to anyone. The cds dial is a must-have if you want to shoot 300 yards or more. I wish, however, that I had went with the 4.5-14x50mm version just because those long shots are more precise with that extra magnification.
As for calibers, I debated long and hard ob it for my selection, and I still think it's overrated to be honest. It all depends on what species and also terrain you hunt the most. Since I've only whitetail hunted it really didn't mean a thing, but since I want to go out west for everything from antelope to elk, it certainly entered my mind. I already had a 30-06 with a Leupold on top, and decided to go with a .270 WSM in the Tikka. It's overkill for the deer I hunt, but shoots practically as flat as anything out there and can handle bullets up to 150 grains if you handload. Currently, my big game load is a 140 gr Accubond but I won't get to test it on elk until next fall. If I expected to be elk hunting with it every year and only whitetail hunting on occasion, I probably would have gone with a .300 WSM instead. Just my opinion, and most calibers will easily do the job with proper bullet placement.
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I absolutely love the rifle, and I still think it's as good as any for the money. I handload, and bought 5 boxes of Federal factory ammo for barrel break in, to sight in, and for the brass. Truth be told, I haven't yet loaded anything that outshoots those factory Federals, one-third inch groups at 100 yards. My only complaint about the rifle is the plastic magazine. If it were metal, the gun itself would be flawless.
I also love the scope, and would recommend it to anyone. The cds dial is a must-have if you want to shoot 300 yards or more. I wish, however, that I had went with the 4.5-14x50mm version just because those long shots are more precise with that extra magnification.
As for calibers, I debated long and hard ob it for my selection, and I still think it's overrated to be honest. It all depends on what species and also terrain you hunt the most. Since I've only whitetail hunted it really didn't mean a thing, but since I want to go out west for everything from antelope to elk, it certainly entered my mind. I already had a 30-06 with a Leupold on top, and decided to go with a .270 WSM in the Tikka. It's overkill for the deer I hunt, but shoots practically as flat as anything out there and can handle bullets up to 150 grains if you handload. Currently, my big game load is a 140 gr Accubond but I won't get to test it on elk until next fall. If I expected to be elk hunting with it every year and only whitetail hunting on occasion, I probably would have gone with a .300 WSM instead. Just my opinion, and most calibers will easily do the job with proper bullet placement.
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- PK_
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
I am with hatchet jack. I absolutely love my 12ga 870 with interchangeable barrels.
But for a true rifle, I recently bought a Bolt action 30-06. Ruger american. Nikon buckmaster 4-12x40. Haven't gotten it to the range yet but seems it will be a nice versatile all around rifle for the money. Capable of killing any animal I would set my sights on.
But for a true rifle, I recently bought a Bolt action 30-06. Ruger american. Nikon buckmaster 4-12x40. Haven't gotten it to the range yet but seems it will be a nice versatile all around rifle for the money. Capable of killing any animal I would set my sights on.
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
any thoughts on a Remington BDL? Is this gun overrated/overpriced?
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
.308 cal Savage scout rifle. Love to have one.
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- woodswalker
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
.308 Winchester mod 88.
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
270 weatherby mag. Great gun will last forever. It's very flat shooting so you can take it out west and not to much overkill on a whitetail. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a moose or elk with it either.
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
270 weatherby mag. Great gun will last forever. It's very flat shooting so you can take it out west and not to much overkill on a whitetail. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a moose or elk with it either.
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- IkemanTx
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
Weatherby 257 mag in stainless... as long as I didn't have to pay for the loads...
It is ample gun for any game in North America, shoots flat as can be, and the bucket has a wonderful tendency to tumble when it hits soft tissue. The cavitation from the tumble causes far more soft tissue damage than a simple pass through.
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It is ample gun for any game in North America, shoots flat as can be, and the bucket has a wonderful tendency to tumble when it hits soft tissue. The cavitation from the tumble causes far more soft tissue damage than a simple pass through.
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
Custom, I'd rebarrel a stainless Tikka T3 or Ruger Compact with a good 20" 35 Whelen barrel.
Over the counter I'd probably go with a Tikka in 300 WSM
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Over the counter I'd probably go with a Tikka in 300 WSM
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
7mm mag bolt action.
I'm reason they call it hunting and not shooting.
- IkemanTx
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
Ruger1 wrote:Custom, I'd rebarrel a stainless Tikka T3 or Ruger Compact with a good 20" 35 Whelen barrel.
Over the counter I'd probably go with a Tikka in 300 WSM
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Man, the Tika T3 Tactical is a pretty little gun. I'd love to convince the wife we need one.
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Re: If you could only have one rifle for big game what would
Ghost Hunter wrote:7mm mag bolt action.
X2
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