1 Hunting Gun

c-fbmi said:
WOW......these threads are sure a lot more subdued when the OP throws out a budget of 2K. It would seem most of you are a lot less opinionated about expensive rifles than you are cheap ones, or possibly it is just that most of you have little experience with rifles over 1K and therefore have no basis for opinions on 2K rifles...........
OP....this budget puts you into some nice firearms, but if you have never owned a rifle before, or done any hunting, you really have nothing to base you wants on and will end up with what someone else thinks is a great rifle for 2K........If I may I'd like to suggest a course of action for you before you spend 2-3K on a rifle and optics. Go to the EE and buy a nice rifle with scope for 6-800 bucks in 30-06, 270, 308, 7-08, (a nice wood and blued Vanguard come to mind, or a Tradex Husqvarna) then go out and shoot and hunt and see how you like it. Get some experience, get a feel for a rifle, how it carries, how it shoulders, how the stock fits your shoulder and face. Do as much shooting as your funds and free time will allow and in doing so you will meet other like minded people who will let you handle and shoot their rifles. Get enough experience to form an opinion of what you like and what fits your personality and hunting situations and THEN go buy yourself your heirloom quality rifle. You may wish to keep your starter rifle for the memories or as a loaner or you can sell it for likely more than you paid for it 3 or 4 years.
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What c-fbmi said.
It is hard to pick a rifle without shooting it and putting it work.
As for a cartridge, if you don't reload a cartridge that is readily available so you shoot it more.
There is a lot of experience on this site and there is a lot of not so good recommendations for what your situation is.
I still own the first rifle I purchased and that was in the 1970's and I still use it. I have many rifles since that time and have still compare other rifles to that first one.
My recommendation is to find a 270 in a rifle that you like and then do a pro and con evaluation after you shoot a couple hundred rounds and hunt with it for at least 2 seasons.
David
 
So.... Again, I am going to reccommend the scout, not in spite of what these guys are saying (although many seemed to miss that you want a detachable mag).....

The scout has spacers that allow you to adjust the length of pull so that the rifle fits you well..... Has the detachable mag you are looking for..... Comes with a ten round mag which is nice for the range (I suggest you pick up a 3 round polymer for hunting)..... It's a .308, so inexpensive milsurp ammo can be found in the cheap if you want to shoot it more..... And it has many sight mounting options....

Plus it has a little touch of tacticool which, judging by your other interests, may float your boat.....
 
I wanted one big game rifle as well and really
Liked the Scout style Rifles - I went with the savage scout 11, the ruger Scout looks good to
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Kind of a weird thread... When I drop 2k or more on a rifle, I generally know exactly what I want. 270 or 308 is pretty pedestrian but whatever floats your boat I guess. If I was using this rifle for deer and bear and I only had one choice I would be looking at a magnum of some sort either 7mm or .30 cal. It is easier to get reduced recoil loads and manage performance from a magnum than it would be to get from the standard calibers you mentioned. Especially if you are reloading. Maybe a nice Kimber or Nosler in a WSM? So many choices and not enough information to make a good recommendation.
 
The OP is a regular with 118 trades. Maybe he is just into some of those non-fudd guns I've been hearing so much about on the TV. 308 would make sense then too.

Sounds like the OP named 2 popular hunting calibers that meet his needs well to me.

I would suggest he handle current production rifles by Mauser and Blaser.

Sako black bear would be good. He might like a benelli r1 though it is not a bolt action, very modern looking and super slick.

All these rifles have box mags and iron sights and are in the ballpark of what the OP suggested.
 
I did this exact thing 10 years ago. Got back into hunting and only wanted one gun. I did my research and asked everyone I knew. I bought a Sako Bavarian in 30-06 and added a VX 3 4.5-14 X 50 with quick release rings so I could use the iron sights. Now I have a total of 20 rifles and shotguns. Good luck sticking to one gun :)
 
Haha, yep betcha can't get just one!

Ruger gunsite scout. CZ has a scout rifle that wolverine reviewed. I'd avoid 'synthetic stocks'. Laminate is maintenance free. Walnut is nice. Winchester model 70 in 300wm is good too. But, 300 am can beat you up, don't know how much experience you have.

A friend if mine's sister, who weighs $1.10 bought a sako in 270wsm. I helped her sight it in and she was tired of shooting at after the first couple rounds. It did recoil pretty good, had my shoulder tenderized.
 
If you are in Ontario, check the area that you intend to hunt to be sure there are no regulations regarding caliber and bullet size. Some areas are shotgun only due to high population density.
I will throw my opinion hat into the ring. I suggest that you pick up a nice Winchester Supergrade Model 70 in .308win.
Another question for you. How tall are you? How long are your arms? No-neck or Long-neck? Some rifles are a bit long in the Length of pull area. (distance from the trigger to the end of the recoil pad. ) This makes the rifle uncomfortable to hold. DON'T BUY ANY RIFLE UNTIL YOU HOLD IT AND SEE IF IT IS A GOOD FIT. I don't know how many HUNDREDS of guns I have bought then promptly sold because they didn't fit my troll-like body. Being in Yellowknife, I don't get much if any opportunity to hold a gun before I buy it. (almost all my buys have been online)
 
sgt.rock said:
If you are in Ontario, check the area that you intend to hunt to be sure there are no regulations regarding caliber and bullet size. Some areas are shotgun only due to high population density.
I will throw my opinion hat into the ring. I suggest that you pick up a nice Winchester Supergrade Model 70 in .308win.
Another question for you. How tall are you? How long are your arms? No-neck or Long-neck? Some rifles are a bit long in the Length of pull area. (distance from the trigger to the end of the recoil pad. ) This makes the rifle uncomfortable to hold. DON'T BUY ANY RIFLE UNTIL YOU HOLD IT AND SEE IF IT IS A GOOD FIT. I don't know how many HUNDREDS of guns I have bought then promptly sold because they didn't fit my troll-like body. Being in Yellowknife, I don't get much if any opportunity to hold a gun before I buy it. (almost all my buys have been online)
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I have to second this. I have more opportunity to shoulder a rifle, but unfortunately most rifles in stock,around here are in the lower grades. If it fits, you will know it right away.
 
Savage in .270. If you want, you can buy a 30-06 barrel and put it on yourself. No bolt/mag/action change. No gunsmith needed. 116 with an accustock perhaps? No need to bed an accustock.

I agree with seeing if the rifle fits you.
 
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