Why can't I find the 'right' rifle for me

freddyfour

freddyfour

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Brant County, Ontario
I'm sitting here sifting through the EE like I do so often looking for the next potential 'perfect' rifle for me and I got to wondering how many rifles did you CGN'ERS go through before you found the one perfect all round rifle for you, or maybe your are like me and still looking.

I really thought the Win 70 Extreme Weather was going to be it for me. But the stock has a funny small pistol grip, trigger a bit heavy and the overall weight is more then I would have wanted. Nothing major but still not quite right.At least I have narrowed my chamberings down to something I 6.5 or the 270WSM.

What say you?
 
At least you have narrowed it down to two chamberings, something I tried but could never do.
I started hunting in the early 1960s with two rifles , a 303 British and an 8X57 Mauser and both still served me well.
Then in the mid-60s I just had to have a 300 H&H that I saw in a show, followed about ten years later with a custom built 375 H&H which again I still have.
Since then literally dozens of different chamberings in of course different rifles have come and gone ...still do.
Have I found the perfect rifle ? Probably several times but I have had over 50 years of fun looking for it.

Freddy, you are a better man than I, even today I cannot narrow my gun collection dawn to two rifles.....
 
Still looking, myself. Don't imagine I'll ever find one perfect rifle all-round rifle, and don't imagine anyone else will either. All-around is just to vast an area to cover; the best you can do is find something that you like a lot and is the best compromise for what you are actually doing and with the features you value the most. Even with a unlimited budget and the best custom makers in the world it still cant be done.
 
freddyfour said:
I'm sitting here sifting through the EE like I do so often looking for the next potential 'perfect' rifle for me and I got to wondering how many rifles did you CGN'ERS go through before you found the one perfect all round rifle for you, or maybe your are like me and still looking.

I really thought the Win 70 Extreme Weather was going to be it for me. But the stock has a funny small pistol grip, trigger a bit heavy and the overall weight is more then I would have wanted. Nothing major but still not quite right.At least I have narrowed my chamberings down to something I 6.5 or the 270WSM.

What say you?
Click to expand...

I'd say 140 or so rifles in too many caliber's to remember for me to realize a Ruger Scout stainless 18.5" in 308 is the "Right" rifle for
Me.

My M70 EW in 30-06 is the #2 (I agree about the stock), the only thing I'd change is the chambering to 35 Whelen.
 
Kevan said:
At least you have narrowed it down to two chamberings, something I tried but could never do.
I started hunting in the early 1960s with two rifles , a 303 British and an 8X57 Mauser and both still served me well.
Then in the mid-60s I just had to have a 300 H&H that I saw in a show, followed about ten years later with a custom built 375 H&H which again I still have.
Since then literally dozens of different chamberings in of course different rifles have come and gone ...still do.
Have I found the perfect rifle ? Probably several times but I have had over 50 years of fun looking for it.

Freddy, you are a better man than I, even today I cannot narrow my gun collection dawn to two rifles.....
Click to expand...

:redface: I share your weakness, and I'm sure there are many others here on site that do as well :).
 
Sort of like womean.
The ones you let go, well one should of kept.
The ones kept are like a burr under the arse.

Got a bunch here not sure what to do with?
They all bunched up conspiritating sumtang.

Lookie Kevan..........a spuhll'in meesteak.............:jerkit:
 
My perfect "out-of-the-box" hunting rifle was my Ruger M77 heavy barrel Varmint model in .308, the old walnut stocked, blued steel, tang safety model. I cut my teeth, hunting wise, with a No.4 Lee Enfield and I was a pretty strong individual, so the weight didn't bother me. I hunted with that Ruger for many, many years and it put a lot of game on the table. It shoots like a dream (sub MOA) with the right ammo, the weight eats up some of the recoil, and the caliber can be loaded up or down depending on what you're hunting. Mind you, we stand hunt. Get to your stand or hide, and spend the day so you're not lugging that heavy brute all over creation. If you're dogging, it can be a beast. Sadly, the years are taking their toll and I'm not as muscular as I used to be. I'm still a fan of the .308, and I honestly feel that with the right loading, it'll take anything in north america, but I'm in the process of trying out several lighter rifles. I'm now trying to work up a deer load for my 6.5 Swedish mauser and a Winchester Mod.100 in .308. Nothing I've tried shoots as well as that Ruger, but they give me acceptable game accuracy. By the time deer season rolls around, I'll have good hunting loads worked out for both of them. If anyone asked me for the best "all-around" rifle, I'd tell them to try to find a nice early Mod.70 Winchester or Ruger M77, find out which bullet weight and brand of ammo it likes the best, and stay with it. I'm familiar with a lot of the short magnums and new bells and whistles out there. IMHO, they're only trying to re-invent the wheel. My 2 cents worth? Stick with a proven performer. Find a rifle that closest suits your wishes and if need be, tweak it to suit you. If you're tool handy, you can tweak it yourself. If you need help, find a good gunsmith. Cost is very much secondary if you consider the life expectancy of a well made rifle. I bought my Ruger about 25 years ago so that breaks down to $30/yr. for thousands of dollars worth of meat. At the end of day, find what's best for you and don't be swayed by hype.
 
Kevan said:
At least you have narrowed it down to two chamberings, something I tried but could never do.
I started hunting in the early 1960s with two rifles , a 303 British and an 8X57 Mauser and both still served me well.
Then in the mid-60s I just had to have a 300 H&H that I saw in a show, followed about ten years later with a custom built 375 H&H which again I still have.
Since then literally dozens of different chamberings in of course different rifles have come and gone ...still do.
Have I found the perfect rifle ? Probably several times but I have had over 50 years of fun looking for it.

Freddy, you are a better man than I, even today I cannot narrow my gun collection dawn to two rifles.....
Click to expand...

Oh I will never have just one or two. But I want to find one that fits perfect is great to carry and is suitable for all the animals I wish to hunt.

I have a Browning X-Bolt that I am trading for just so I can try it. But I thinking a stainless synthetic Sako in 6.5x55 might be in my future to try in the next year or so.
 
My perfect rifle(s) has four calibres, 30-06, 30-30, 12 guage and 410. LoL Each is perfect for what and when I am hunting. Plus the obligatory .22's of course.
Honestly I don't think there is "one".
 
To date of the best fitting bolt gun I have had, I almost do not want to admit it, is my semi custom Savage 10FPHS in 260. Accurate as hell, I like the trigger and I love the fit of the HS stock. Biggest problem with it is the weight and the blot ain't so smooth.

 
freddyfour said:
Oh I will never have just one or two. But I want to find one that fits perfect is great to carry and is suitable for all the animals I wish to hunt.

I have a Browning X-Bolt that I am trading for just so I can try it. But I thinking a stainless synthetic Sako in 6.5x55 might be in my future to try in the next year or so.
Click to expand...

Freddy Four, I have a X bolt in 7mm REM mag. If you would like to put a box of rounds through to give it a try, you are more than welcome to. No need to trade for one just to try it out. I can meet up with you at the Waterford club, if that makes sense. If you're a member somewhere else like HAHA, we can make that work as well.
 
Nipigon Jack said:
Freddy Four, I have a X bolt in 7mm REM mag. If you would like to put a box of rounds through to give it a try, you are more than welcome to. No need to trade for one just to try it out. I can meet up with you at the Waterford club, if that makes sense. If you're a member somewhere else like HAHA, we can make that work as well.
Click to expand...

That is a pretty good offer Jack. I live about 15 min from Waterford club, although I am a member at EESA. The deal on the trade is happening though, can't go back on my word and hey who doesn't like getting new rifles;)


Nic3500 said:
It all depends on your "needs". One rifle to rule them all does not exist, IMHO.
Hunting, target, penile compensation, milsurp, handgun, ...
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I should have said my best 'go to' rifles. Not in a million years will I ever just have one rifle.
 
freddyfour said:
Oh I will never have just one or two. But I want to find one that fits perfect is great to carry and is suitable for all the animals I wish to hunt.

I have a Browning X-Bolt that I am trading for just so I can try it. But I thinking a stainless synthetic Sako in 6.5x55 might be in my future to try in the next year or so.
Click to expand...

Freddy, you mention " perfect fit " if you get a chance try a rifle with a Bansner stock.
Of all the custom synthetic stocks available these are by far the best fit for me, I'm just a little guy ( 5' 7" ) and now I have two rifles with these stocks.
Of wood stocks, the ones made by my late Brother fit me better than any other but he was just a little guy too.
You will find in your search that the best fitting stock for you is not necessarily the most expensive.
 
If I ever found the perfect rifle I'd be sorely disappointed, because all the fun of searching would be over.

I've easily invested six figures in the hunt without the end in sight. I have high hopes for my Titanium Satterlee .375 2 1/4", though even if it is perfect it will only be so for a limited role, not everything. There's too much varied hunting here, let alone in the world, to find one perfect rifle.
 
GMC403 said:
I'd say 140 or so rifles in too many caliber's to remember for me to realize a Ruger Scout stainless 18.5" in 308 is the "Right" rifle for
Me.

My M70 EW in 30-06 is the #2 (I agree about the stock), the only thing I'd change is the chambering to 35 Whelen.
Click to expand...

Ruger Scout .308 was my gateway drug 'Er rifle as well..... Sold off all of my rems and other rifles and was down to a scout, a .223, a .22 and a couple of shotguns....... Fell in love with the ergonomics of the M77 mkII action and safety.......

-Sold the .223 Rem and bought a .223 scout....
-223 is a little light for wolves and small deer species = .243 m77 compact
-I dog a lot so reflex sight on scout means needed a new scoped deer rifle.... M77 All Weather 7mm-08
-crap, I don't have a big magnum, love the scout platform = pick up a guide gun in .338 win mag
-no DG rifle or classic M77 in the collection= Ruger RSM .375 H&H
-ah hell, I need more wood in the cabinet, and I don't have a quarterbore = Ruger #1 .257 Roberts
- oh no, no moderate velocity woods rifle above .308 = M77 35 Whelen

Not to mention my rifle collection started making my hodge lodge reloading gear look ridiculous, so out goes all my mixed junk and in comes an RCBS Kit, RCBS dies in all of the above calibers, brass, bullets etc....... And can't have a stack on collection anymore so in comes diamond plate cabinetry, a solid 3 inch top workbench etc etc etc....

That scout was a smart purchase though, does pretty much all I need a rifle to do around here..... Lol
 
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