First Hunting Rifle - For Hunting and Targets

[Brian46]

Ha I guess when u put it that way I do want a sniper rifle, def not a bench gun. However I don't think i should get a 338 lapua yet. Don't get me wrong I will own one eventually but I don't think I'm quite ready for one yet. I kinda have to learn how to walk before I can run with the big dogs.

Im currently looking at a Remington model 700 SPS 7mm magnum with 4x12x40 scope. 26 " barrel. Detachable magazine. Fired seven times. Some guy in my area is selling one asking $625 with scope.

Any feedback or insight on this rifle?

the reason I say sniper rifle is because they are meant to be mobile and have to take a beating and hold up. The rifle you are thinking in comparison will be long, heavy and recoil much more. I shot 7mm mag in a hunting rifle long before a 338 and if I were to do it again I would rather have skipped the 7mm. My first long range rifle was a 338 Lapua and I do not regret it one bit

For a new shooter there is less to worry about with a larger caliber, wind is a big problem in hunting scenarios. 800 yard shots will be made through valleys ang gullys where the bullet could pass through sections with different wind changes, now try and explain to a new shooter how to deal with this shooting a 7mm08 or other cartridge that is being used on game close to its max effective range without just wounding.

 

[FLYBYU44]

A target rifle and a hunting rifle are two different things IMO. Your probably not going to want to haul a heavy barrel target gun around the woods and likewise a light barrel hunting gun isn't ideal for a target rifle either. Also if you haven't shot a CF rifle much before I would try a few out if you can to get an idea of recoil and fit. My first was a Weatherby Vanguard in .308 and I hated it, did not fit me at all. Since then I've had a 300WM Browning that fit better and my current 30-06 is an old Cooey that fits like a glove. The 30-06 feels like my SKS for recoil, but if you get a gun that doesn't fit right it will beat you up like that .308 did to me.

 

[hunter-4-life]

Ha I guess when u put it that way I do want a sniper rifle, def not a bench gun. However I don't think i should get a 338 lapua yet. Don't get me wrong I will own one eventually but I don't think I'm quite ready for one yet. I kinda have to learn how to walk before I can run with the big dogs.

Im currently looking at a Remington model 700 SPS 7mm magnum with 4x12x40 scope. 26 " barrel. Detachable magazine. Fired seven times. Some guy in my area is selling one asking $625 with scope.

Any feedback or insight on this rifle?

I know what gun your talking about. Its on that Sask Gun & Rifle page. If I were you I would jump on it. Then with the $$ you save, rip the scope and rings/bases off, set em aside for a smaller gun. Go buy a good set of leupold rings and bases, and good quality scope for sure. Leupold, Zeiss, Redfield etc. You wont regret buying it one bit.
Of course thats my opinion, you might love the scope and it might be just fine. If so then great. But that gun looks like its in great shape, and $625 aint a bad price, Id offer $550 and see where it gets you.

 

[Bezzy]

I know what gun your talking about. Its on that Sask Gun & Rifle page. If I were you I would jump on it. Then with the $$ you save, rip the scope and rings/bases off, set em aside for a smaller gun. Go buy a good set of leupold rings and bases, and good quality scope for sure. Leupold, Zeiss, Redfield etc. You wont regret buying it one bit.
Of course thats my opinion, you might love the scope and it might be just fine. If so then great. But that gun looks like its in great shape, and $625 aint a bad price, Id offer $550 and see where it gets you.

Ha yeah thats the one! Pretty much my exact plan and what I was gonna offer too. Scary almost... Id rather spend a little less on a rifle and get good scope and mounts. Probably keep the scope thats on it for a while then do exactly what you said and take it off, transfer it to another rifle and get a better scope for this gun. Ill go see the gun in person, as long as nothing is catastrophically wrong, I'll take it. Should be ok as it apparently only has 7 shots through it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[hunter-4-life]

Ha yeah thats the one! Pretty much my exact plan and what I was gonna offer too. Scary almost... Id rather spend a little less on a rifle and get good scope and mounts. Probably keep the scope thats on it for a while then do exactly what you said and take it off, transfer it to another rifle and get a better scope for this gun. Ill go see the gun in person, as long as nothing is catastrophically wrong, I'll take it. Should be ok as it apparently only has 7 shots through it.

Thanks for the advice.

No problem. That's what everyone is here for! Good luck with the new rifle!

 

[Bezzy]

Just a quick update, I did end up purchasing the Remington 700 SPS in 7mm Rem Mag. I immediately went to cabelas and grabbed a few boxes of remington 150 grain ammo and took it out to my friends farm to shoot off a few rounds. My buddy gave me his 308 (forget brand, I think he said CIL) to shoot a few rounds before firing the 7mm Rem Mag, just to get a feeling for recoil as, like I said earlier, the biggest caliber I've ever fired was a .22.. Recoil was quite manageable after I fired a few rounds but the first shot rimmed my sunglasses not going to lie. There is a foam pad built into the stock which helps alot. Honestly I think I felt the recoil from the 308 more than the 7mm rem mag, which I would assume is mostly attributed to the foam pad on the butt of the remington 700. Shoulder was not sore at all after a few rounds. But I can see how it would be painful after many shots, especially using rifles without the butt pad.

However, one thing I don't think I was quite ready for was how loud it was. My friends were all firing off their rifles and shotguns and whatever else they had while not wearing any ear protection whatsoever and all seemed to be fine. This was not the case for me. After a few shots of 308, 7mm mag, and 12 gauge shot shells my ears were ringing so bad that I could barely hear my friends talk and was extremely uncomfortable. After complaining that I couldn't hear anything my friend definitely laughed. I honestly don't care if people make fun of me but if I think my next investment will be hearing protection.

My only complaint I have is the scope. The eye relief distance seemed too short for me. In order to get a proper sight picture, I had to get quite close to the scope. Having to get that close to the scope causes problems for me because every time I fired it, I would nearly hit myself in the face with the scope. My experienced shooting friend also agreed with me that you had too get to close to the scope, which we does not work for a rifle of this caliber. It is a fine scope but maybe not for this rifle. And I was gonna take the scope off the rifle anyways so its really not a big deal.

So far I'm fairly happy with the rifle and it seems to be working fine so far.

 

[hoytcanon]

Don't ever go to the range and shoot without ear protection! In the old days we didn't wear it... just didn't think of it... I'm paying for it now... mostly deaf in my left ear and have tinitus (constant ringing)... get good hear protection before you shoot again... just one shot can do irreparable damage... be safe.

If your buddies are laughing about "ringing ears" like it is a joke, then they are rookies.

As for the scope, watch the EE for a good Leupold VX-2 in 3-9 or 4-12... $300-$400 to your door... and really forgiving eye relief.

 

[gunaddict99]

Congrats on the new rifle. As you discovered hearing protection is a must, even if your just spectating. The muff style that goes over the ears worked the best/most consistently compared to the in ear models or plugs for me. The non-electronic models are inexpensive. I found the lower profile browning model works well with all types of rifles/stocks. Less discomfort will also allow you to shoot better.

I would recommend viewing this youtube video on setting up your scope. "Set up your scope for success - Long-Range Rifle Shooting Technique"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COoXVpGfXQE There whole series if good.

As you discovered, eye relief on a hard recoiling rifle is probably the most important scope specification. If ignored it will remind you promptly. Can't take advantage of a high power scope if you've got blood running in your eye from a cut eyebrow. I would look for a scope with approx 4" of eye relief throughout the magnification range.

BTW, you can get an inexpensive shoulder shooting pad to further reduce recoil for extended shooting sessions, or shooting those metal butt plate rifles. I picked up the Past model.

 

[Boomer]

Don't ever go to the range and shoot without ear protection! In the old days we didn't wear it... just didn't think of it... I'm paying for it now... mostly deaf in my left ear and have tinitus (constant ringing)... get good hear protection before you shoot again... just one shot can do irreparable damage... be safe.

If your buddies are laughing about "ringing ears" like it is a joke, then they are rookies.

As for the scope, watch the EE for a good Leupold VX-2 in 3-9 or 4-12... $300-$400 to your door... and really forgiving eye relief.

X2
Hearing damage is no joke, and worse than the loss of hearing is the constant hiss of Tinnitus. Both ears for me, but the left is worse according the the audiologist. It blends in with people's voices and turns conversation into a hum, it distorts music, and it never goes away. Hearing aids don't take it away. This is the result of ignoring the pain of shooting a .357 Magnum revolver and an assortment of centerfire rifles with no hearing protection. Heavy equipment and rock drills, again with no hearing protection, didn't help. If a set of electronic muffs cost as much as a new gun, buy the muffs first.

 

[Bezzy]

X2
Hearing damage is no joke, and worse than the loss of hearing is the constant hiss of Tinnitus. Both ears for me, but the left is worse according the the audiologist. It blends in with people's voices and turns conversation into a hum, it distorts music, and it never goes away. Hearing aids don't take it away. This is the result of ignoring the pain of shooting a .357 Magnum revolver and an assortment of centerfire rifles with no hearing protection. Heavy equipment and rock drills, again with no hearing protection, didn't help. If a set of electronic muffs cost as much as a new gun, buy the muffs first.

The electronic muffs amplify sounds while hunting but deadens the sound of the gun going off correct? Ive never even heard of such a thing until you just mentioned them. Ive only used regular peavey mart muffs that I use for shovelling grain inside bins. Ill have to look into a good set of electronic muffs.

EDIT: I just went and put a few more rounds through, this time with some hearing protection. The gun was pleasurable to shoot and only felt a dull thud, didn't hear the loud crack at all. After putting 5-7 rounds through I feel no shoulder pain at all. I need to work on my shooting technique because I feel like I'm pulling a few of the shots. Here are some of my shots, going right through my gong target at ~280 yds.



Small paint chips are from my 10/22 at various ranges out to ~280, while the big holes and the holes clean through are from the 7mm Rem Mag