1st Moose, Deer, Elk rifle. So hard to chose. PLZ HELP

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PlayDoh

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So.... I'm sure theres a thousand of these posts, I know I've read about a hundred. I also know I'll get a dozen or more different opinions, but I'm just not sure how I'm gonna "pull the trigger" on any one gun or caliber. I know I'll eventually have a few hunting rifles and learn my own preference, but I really just need a 'Swiss-Army' type of rifle at the moment.
Now I'm 220 lbs, and have no problem shooting 12 gauge slugs, so I'm not afraid of recoil. WIth that said, I want to shoot this rifle a lot, like twice a week or more, so I don't want to get a cannon. Also the cost of ammo will factor in also with lots of practice. I've shot a .22 since I was a kid and I'm a mean shot. I can give gophers a hair cut at 100 yards, so I'm thinking all I'll have to learn is the calibers trajectory, as in bullet drop and windage factors.

I'm going for a Bull Moose and a Muley Doe this fall, but cant really afford 2 rifles. If I didn't get the Moose tag I would be pretty certain I'd go with a .270 or .270 WSM. Not sure about the cost difference in ammo in the two yet. I know people hunt Moose with a 270 all the time, but I'm thinking why not go bigger if you can? my first thought was a 30-06, and I'm still leaning to it. yet now I'm considering a .300 WSM or even a 7mm, but I know fairly little about the 7mm "family".

I'm looking to spend around a thousand for rifle and scope, and I'd rather get a 'keeper' rifle and upgrade the scope someday if I felt like it. The Moose will be up north in AB so thick woods, and my Muley is open prairie, so 2 polar opposites. I kinda want a Tikka since it seems a pretty safe choice. Good quality, easy to sell, and I like the feel, except I'm not sure I'm into the composite. I'm not sure about a budget gun like a Savage axis or the like.

So if anyone can help me out i would GREATLY appreciate it. if I had to go buy one today I think I'd choose a Tikka hunter in .270 or 30-06. I'm not sure I'll be taking any 400 yard shots, but I have no experience with real rifles either. I'd think 200 yards would be the limit of a responsible shot, but I've watched hunting shows and seen the insane long range shots.

I'm not in the greatest shape and I'd rather loose some meat than have to haul a Moose out of thick bush a mile from where I hit him. Ugh, its just so hard to pick. I plan on being very picky about getting a good shot, so I'm sure a 270 would do, and I like the flatness of its trajectory. Just not sure how much of a difference that will make in my first couple years of hunting.

Also if anyone is in or around Calgary and would be willing to let me squeeze a couple rounds off at your range, I would be very thankful for that chance.
 
You described a .30/06... good bolt action from the sevens... your all set and not handicapped in anyway on either game species, nor the other 27 or so... 180's on moose, 150 or 170's on deer... done. 200's if you ever go bigger or meaner.
 
Sounds like you've done your research - any reasonable cartridge will do what you want. My suggestion is to take a look at the ammo selection in your LGS and see what they carry - the top three will be 270, 308 and 3006.
 
I think we should have a meeting of the minds on here and start recommending the 375 ruger,the 416 rigby or the 50 bmg- it would save a lot of typing- they don't listen to us old folks anyway
 
the question is "can you buy your caliber bullets in the weight you want in bulk- that's right- 1000 at a time, your powder in 8 lb kegs and primers in 1000 round lots- only the 30s and then 223s provide this- you say that's a lot of shooting- damned rights- but then you don't miss come hunting season-that's why my savage is a 308 /180- if you're a one box a season hunter, then anything will do
 
Well OP, a very well thought out post, and gave details of what you will use it for.

If as you state you are looking for a "swizz army knife" rifle, for me that is 30-06. You did not state that you reload, and judging from your questions of caliber ....i assume you don't. The WSM family exists as a marketing strategy, not saying that they are bad, they are just not a significant upgrade on the calibers they are supposed to replace. Ammo is more expensive also. If i had a 3006 i would not sell it to get a 300 WSM or 270 Win to 270 WSM either. Any Walmart or small town hardware is going to have 30-06 ammo, 300 WSM in those places is 20-50% more or not available. 30-06 can be bought commercially from about 150-200 gr projectile...hand loaded from 110-220gr....literally mice to moose....your swizz army knife.

I have a T3 stainless synthetic 30-06. Nice light walking gun, it has become my go to rifle....and i own....a .....few. Factor in a limbsaver($50) recoil pad to replace the hockey puck pad it comes with....it kicked more because of the pad and the light weight.

There are a lot of great, and many good choices. Savage Axis is not one of them....run...run silent..run deep....run.
 
Dogleg said:
Sounds like a 30-06 candidate. Factory loads, ammo costs a concern, moderate recoil, moderate range, moose on the high end.
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For a one-gun hunter that would be my choice.
Unlimited choice of factory loads, available anywhere, huge assortment of available rifles these days.
 
Thanks so much guys, and thank for noticing I did do some studying. When I learned of the 30-06 grain selection and the variability of the cartridge, I went back to it as my main choice. My uncle who shoots a 30-06 said he would suggest a .270 since its flatter. My thoughts were that the difference won't effect me for some time as I don't plan on shooting game at that distance. Even if I can shoot at that distance at the range, I want to play it safe while hunting.
I've been to a few gun shops and notably one in Ingelwood in Calgary ( not going to name it ) was very helpful. I didn't feel like I was "holding up the line" or listening to some guy talk out his a$$.

Oh and T-Star, do you have a spare .50 ? I got around $800, is that enough for 2 or just 1? :cool:

Thanks again for all the advice.
 
there's no shame in naming "that place in inglewood" -it's a good gunshop and used by many on this board- and has been for years, catering to both the hunter and target shooter- mof, it's the one place that will stock that "oddball " thing you need -
 
t-star said:
there's no shame in naming "that place in inglewood" -it's a good gunshop and used by many on this board- and has been for years, catering to both the hunter and target shooter- mof, it's the one place that will stock that "oddball " thing you need -
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Ok, I wasn't sure if it was against the rules, since I'm sure its not a sponsor. Ya, I used to get bolts for my .22 Cooeys way back in the day, and I would often just go in there to look when I was young. Not sure if its the same owners, and I suspect its not. Yet Buddy was top notch in his help, knowledge and understanding.
 
PlayDoh said:
So.... I'm sure theres a thousand of these posts, I know I've read about a hundred. I also know I'll get a dozen or more different opinions, but I'm just not sure how I'm gonna "pull the trigger" on any one gun or caliber. I know I'll eventually have a few hunting rifles and learn my own preference, but I really just need a 'Swiss-Army' type of rifle at the moment.
Now I'm 220 lbs, and have no problem shooting 12 gauge slugs, so I'm not afraid of recoil. WIth that said, I want to shoot this rifle a lot, like twice a week or more, so I don't want to get a cannon. Also the cost of ammo will factor in also with lots of practice. I've shot a .22 since I was a kid and I'm a mean shot. I can give gophers a hair cut at 100 yards, so I'm thinking all I'll have to learn is the calibers trajectory, as in bullet drop and windage factors.

I'm going for a Bull Moose and a Muley Doe this fall, but cant really afford 2 rifles. If I didn't get the Moose tag I would be pretty certain I'd go with a .270 or .270 WSM. Not sure about the cost difference in ammo in the two yet. I know people hunt Moose with a 270 all the time, but I'm thinking why not go bigger if you can? my first thought was a 30-06, and I'm still leaning to it. yet now I'm considering a .300 WSM or even a 7mm, but I know fairly little about the 7mm "family".

I'm looking to spend around a thousand for rifle and scope, and I'd rather get a 'keeper' rifle and upgrade the scope someday if I felt like it. The Moose will be up north in AB so thick woods, and my Muley is open prairie, so 2 polar opposites. I kinda want a Tikka since it seems a pretty safe choice. Good quality, easy to sell, and I like the feel, except I'm not sure I'm into the composite. I'm not sure about a budget gun like a Savage axis or the like.

So if anyone can help me out i would GREATLY appreciate it. if I had to go buy one today I think I'd choose a Tikka hunter in .270 or 30-06. I'm not sure I'll be taking any 400 yard shots, but I have no experience with real rifles either. I'd think 200 yards would be the limit of a responsible shot, but I've watched hunting shows and seen the insane long range shots.
I'm not in the greatest shape and I'd rather loose some meat than have to haul a Moose out of thick bush a mile from where I hit him. Ugh, its just so hard to pick. I plan on being very picky about getting a good shot, so I'm sure a 270 would do, and I like the flatness of its trajectory. Just not sure how much of a difference that will make in my first couple years of hunting.

Also if anyone is in or around Calgary and would be willing to let me squeeze a couple rounds off at your range, I would be very thankful for that chance.
Click to expand...

...why not just get yourself a K31, an ACTUAL Swiss Army rifle...
 
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no, it's not the same ownership- jerry passed a few years back, much to the loss of the shooting community,however, the fellows and staff nowseem to be knowledgeable as well-
 
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