Best all purpose hunting rifle?
- Thread starter jmcdowall
- Start date
Like most of the others have said, a good 30-06 with a decent 3x9-40 scope will serve your needs well. Most people have no problems dealing with the recoil of most rifles up to a 30-06, but if you are tender shouldered then a .308 may be a better choice.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
If you are just beginning to hunt big game why not go the .30-30 route, light recoil, with leverevolutions for longer range smaller deer and nosler patitions for the moose and bear closer in? A marlin .30-30 of what ever style you like would be cost effective plus mom and pops sell 30-30 shells too.
x2...
and while your at it get a .22 of similar set up, (action,scope and stock), start sending lead down range. much cheeper to target with a .22 cal. you will be threading needles @ 60 yards in no time.
Yup.....having a blast already with my .22
So...the alberta farm boys I'm working with out here tell me 30-06 and 308 have too much drop.....
They tell me you gotta go with 270 or 7mm mag. Grain it down for deer, or up for big game. Much flater trajectory......
Someone said 30-06, 308, 7mm are all the same?........
What do ya think.........
So...the alberta farm boys I'm working with out here tell me 30-06 and 308 have too much drop.....
They tell me you gotta go with 270 or 7mm mag. Grain it down for deer, or up for big game. Much flater trajectory......
Someone said 30-06, 308, 7mm are all the same?........
What do ya think.........
Get your hands on a solid bolt action 30-06 which could range from $400-1200+ depending on your taste and budget; put a quality scope on it which will likely run $300-1200+ again depending on you. Buy lots of ammo and practice and you will have done yourself a great service.
If you really must buy into the hype about flatter trajectories, a 7mm Remington Magnum would be your next best choice; it will recoil about the same, but know that the muzzle blast will be louder.
If you really must buy into the hype about flatter trajectories, a 7mm Remington Magnum would be your next best choice; it will recoil about the same, but know that the muzzle blast will be louder.
What is the "hype" about flatter trajectories? Arent flatter trajectories a good thing, all other things being equal? 7mm 160 grain accubonds and give her snoose.
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Take your time
If you are going for lessons (what kind) ask around. Find someone to shoot with. Try a few different (or as many types) of rifles/calibers as you can. Read a few books such as reloading books on the subject. Think about what the biggest game is that you will be hunting and buy one suitable for that game. If you plan to reload your options will be far greater than if you need to purchase store bought ammo.
I'm not sure that (if you are a first time shooter) a 30-06 or other large caliber rifle is the right way to start. Start small with less recoil and noise and develop good habits before getting kicked too much. For most of the experienced hunters a 30-06 is not much recoil at all, but for someone new?
Just my opinion, from the way I started. Slingshot>Bow>Pellet gun>22>20 gauge>12 gauge>30-30 then on up to my other big game rifles, with the 300wsm the hardest kicker I have.
If you are going for lessons (what kind) ask around. Find someone to shoot with. Try a few different (or as many types) of rifles/calibers as you can. Read a few books such as reloading books on the subject. Think about what the biggest game is that you will be hunting and buy one suitable for that game. If you plan to reload your options will be far greater than if you need to purchase store bought ammo.
I'm not sure that (if you are a first time shooter) a 30-06 or other large caliber rifle is the right way to start. Start small with less recoil and noise and develop good habits before getting kicked too much. For most of the experienced hunters a 30-06 is not much recoil at all, but for someone new?
Just my opinion, from the way I started. Slingshot>Bow>Pellet gun>22>20 gauge>12 gauge>30-30 then on up to my other big game rifles, with the 300wsm the hardest kicker I have.
I hear ya....I am learning to use a scope with my .22 and having a ton of fun. I have a 12 gauge, and have had some fun shooting clays.
Is a muzzle break on a 7 mm rem mag plausible, and if so, what is the cost? I've heard a muzzle break will reduce recoil.
Is a muzzle break on a 7 mm rem mag plausible, and if so, what is the cost? I've heard a muzzle break will reduce recoil.
I'm passing on muzzle brakes for hunting rifles because they make so much noise. Everytime I hear one fired at the range, it reminds me why I don't want one, especially when I won't be wearing hearing protection out hunting.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
Another nod for the 30-06 ...great variety of loads and available just about anywhere at hardware stores etc....Enough power to put down what you point at if you hit it right.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Quote: "What is the "hype" about flatter trajectories? Arent flatter trajectories a good thing, all other things being equal?"
trouble is, all things are not equal. Compared to standard rounds, magnum rounds kick more, and generate more muzzle blast, both of which make accurate shooting more difficult. Faster cartridges also may require premium bullets in order to prevent bullet break up on big critters. The belted magnums also cost more to shoot. Yes, without those factors more velocity is a good thing.
trouble is, all things are not equal. Compared to standard rounds, magnum rounds kick more, and generate more muzzle blast, both of which make accurate shooting more difficult. Faster cartridges also may require premium bullets in order to prevent bullet break up on big critters. The belted magnums also cost more to shoot. Yes, without those factors more velocity is a good thing.
.30-06 is Great, but I love the.308. I have taken many deer with it and it will take Moose and Bear too.
Also, don't rule out the.270. It is very common, ammo can be found just about any where and it will also do the job on any big game animal Canada has to offer.
Also, don't rule out the.270. It is very common, ammo can be found just about any where and it will also do the job on any big game animal Canada has to offer.
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
If you are into reloading, a .300 WinMag is great. I reload it down to 30-30 and everything in between making it a very versatile rifle.
I shoot groundhogs with a 110gr SP with very little recoil. Or you can load up 200gr mag loads and go after kodiak bears.
If not into reloading, 300WM can be brutal if you shoot a lot and rule out small game as the caliber is too powerful and you will not have much left of your bunny for the stew pot.
I shoot groundhogs with a 110gr SP with very little recoil. Or you can load up 200gr mag loads and go after kodiak bears.
If not into reloading, 300WM can be brutal if you shoot a lot and rule out small game as the caliber is too powerful and you will not have much left of your bunny for the stew pot.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Flat trajectory is almost irrelevant in any discussion of the all around hunting rifle. The reason is that most folks shouldn't consider shots beyond 300 yards (present company excepted of course). Additionally, the flattest part of the trajectory is from the muzzle to the zero range. Beyond the zero range the bullet drops quickly by comparison, regardless of the muzzle velocity.
The all around big game rifle might be easier to identify if we consider what it is not. It is not a bench gun. Although it could be used for dangerous game, it is not a dangerous game rifle suitable for close range confrontations. It is not a sniper rifle. It is not a main battle rifle or an assault rifle. It is not a varmint rifle. It is not a small game rifle, at least not with its normal loads.
Although the all around rifle can be viewed in many different ways, the common factors include light weight which allows the rifle to be carried all day without undue fatigue, and it should shoot flat enough and be accurate enough for 300 yard shots on big game. It should have a natural feel and lend itself to shooting from field positions. It should be short enough to be useful in heavy cover. Neither the cost of its ammunition, recoil, or blast should be so intimidating as to discourage regular practice It should be equipped with a sling that can be used as a carry strap or as a shooting aid. The ubiquitous scope sight should be at the low end of the powder scale, and should be small and tough rather than large and fragile. Big game is not normally difficult to see in the open out to 300 yards, so high powered optics serve little purpose. The rifle needs iron sights in case the primary sight is damaged in case there is the opportunity for a shot in very heavy cover, so scope mounts need to be quick detachable.
From these very general parameters, your imagination is the only limiting factor.
The all around big game rifle might be easier to identify if we consider what it is not. It is not a bench gun. Although it could be used for dangerous game, it is not a dangerous game rifle suitable for close range confrontations. It is not a sniper rifle. It is not a main battle rifle or an assault rifle. It is not a varmint rifle. It is not a small game rifle, at least not with its normal loads.
Although the all around rifle can be viewed in many different ways, the common factors include light weight which allows the rifle to be carried all day without undue fatigue, and it should shoot flat enough and be accurate enough for 300 yard shots on big game. It should have a natural feel and lend itself to shooting from field positions. It should be short enough to be useful in heavy cover. Neither the cost of its ammunition, recoil, or blast should be so intimidating as to discourage regular practice It should be equipped with a sling that can be used as a carry strap or as a shooting aid. The ubiquitous scope sight should be at the low end of the powder scale, and should be small and tough rather than large and fragile. Big game is not normally difficult to see in the open out to 300 yards, so high powered optics serve little purpose. The rifle needs iron sights in case the primary sight is damaged in case there is the opportunity for a shot in very heavy cover, so scope mounts need to be quick detachable.
From these very general parameters, your imagination is the only limiting factor.
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
I agree with the 308 win.
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Another for the '06
The 7RM isn't a heavy recoiler in my opinion. Pretty hard to distinguish from a 30-06 in similar rifles, for me anyways.
No brakes for me either. If it's to much for me without one I'd rather not have it.
There is a chorus of 30-06 recommendations for a reason...... and YES the '06 is flat enough for AB. If a guy can shoot.....
As mentioned, get yourself a good SS bolt-action (I REALLY like the Ruger M77) and put a good 2-7 or 3-9 on top (I REALLY like the Leupold VXIIs w/ LRD for the money/quality/warranty) practice lots and fill your freezer for the rest of your days....... Wait, that is what I did, that describes my 'meat gun' to a T.
The 7RM isn't a heavy recoiler in my opinion. Pretty hard to distinguish from a 30-06 in similar rifles, for me anyways.
No brakes for me either. If it's to much for me without one I'd rather not have it.
There is a chorus of 30-06 recommendations for a reason...... and YES the '06 is flat enough for AB. If a guy can shoot.....
As mentioned, get yourself a good SS bolt-action (I REALLY like the Ruger M77) and put a good 2-7 or 3-9 on top (I REALLY like the Leupold VXIIs w/ LRD for the money/quality/warranty) practice lots and fill your freezer for the rest of your days....... Wait, that is what I did, that describes my 'meat gun' to a T.
