Any rifle recommendations?

R

RedNeckPlumber

New member
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
I'm fairly new to the CGN community but it seems like everyone's input is fairly appreciated so here I go. I am currently using a benelli R1, chambered in .300 WinMag. Great gun but I've noticed my groupings after 2-3 shots open up significantly to as much as 3-4" at 100yrds. So I'm looking at prob simplifying, going away from the semi and getting back to basics with a bolt action rifle with a heavier barrel that will be better for target shooting. But this will also be my hunting rifle. I hunt all north American big game, deer/elk/moose and would like to be able to still take these targets down at 4-500 yards. So I guess I'm open to all suggestions. Calibre's, makes, models. Even been researching the idea of just building a rifle, just not sure how to start the process or which platform to start with. Thanks!
 
If you have the cash have a custom built ( we've got some great builders here just ask) and if not buy a Cooper. If money is a concern a Weatherby S2 is a nice rifle for the money. And as for what round to shoot nothing wrong with your 300 WM for everything that runs around out there.

That's my 2 cents but just about any modern rifle out there will do the job. But why not just show your Benelli a little love and have a smith go over it to improve your accuracy.
 
I would try reviewing some old posts as this type of question is asked a couple times a week, but as a suggestion, you may want to look at Remington 700 or Savage models. Anything in a 6.5 and up cal would have my vote. I would lean towards a Remington 700 R5 in .308 personally.... but I would have to wonder....how long in between shots? Are you letting that barrel get real warm? Are all the action bedding/ optic screws tight and correctly torqued, have you tired different ammo.... or maybe starting to wince after a couple of blows? All just something to consider as the benelli are typically of excellent quality.
 
Had the scope installed at P&D ent in Edmonton they're pretty good about installs. Tried several brands of ammo, different weights, tips, cleaners for removal of all barrel contaminants. Usually waited at least a min between shots. Was shooting my buddy's 7mm Weatherby at about the same pace and didn't have any grouping issues. I don't think I'm a flincher.
 
That's good to know a few points are eliminated. I don't have personal experience with the Benellis but I have seen decent results posted. Are you going to sell or trade it off? If so there are many options open at the R1 price point that may be suitable.
 
.300 WM is a great caliber for the distance you want to shoot to on big game. I would recommend a solid bolt action such as the Win 70, Ruger 77 or Rem 700... with your requirements, you might want to post in the Precision Rifle forum also...
 
If your first three shots go where they should, I'm not sure what else you want from a semi auto hunting rifle. If you want to shoot targets out to 500 mtrs, then a 700 Rem is the platform to start off with. After that the sky's the limit, both option and dollar wise.
 
I will be either selling or trading my Benelli so that gives me around 1000-1200 dollars to start my build and go from there.

Which 700 platform would be the one to start with? I've been reading of Sps, vtr etc.... Some come only in .308, are there any that have a heavy barrel chambered in .300WM? I really like the customizing options that do come with the 700 as well. Just which one to start with? :confused:
 
Last edited:
If you really want a 700 heavy barrel in .300, then just picking up a Sendero and being done with it is an option. I can tell you that you don't need a heavy barrel for a 4-500 yard hunting rifle and that carrying it will get real old, real fast.
 
You might want to look at a Sako Black Bear which has a medium weight bull barrel which is fluted and it still weighs less than seven pounds. I think Prophet River has them for sale in 308 and 9.3x62
 
You are not gonna get what you want out of one rifle, and you are going to waste a ton of money to find out.

Any sporter weight barrel is gonna heat up and groups will open up after a couple shots. This is why target guns have heavy barrels.

At the same time, it is ridiculous and completely unnecessary to lug around a long heavy barrelled, heavy stocked target gun when you are shooting at game.

Lastly optics are going to be completely different from hunting to target shooting. Hunting even at 500m doesn't require the same magnification as one would use target shooting at 500m, and that extra magnification means a bigger, bulkier, heavier scope.

Trying to make one gun fit both roles means you will be compromising on accuracy at the range, and comfort in the field.

IMHO you need 2 guns.

My suggestion would be to keep the Benelli, and build or buy a custom in a smaller cal. like a 6mm in some flavour that can double as a coyote gun. ;)
 
RedNeckPlumber said:
So what would be classified as a "good barrel"?
Click to expand...

For a hunting rifle, anything that shoots close to MOA, doesn't walk when it warms a bit, and puts the first cold shot in the group. If it doesn't do the last one the others don't matter.

For a target rifle, anything that will group in the 5 ring and hold zero through a 10 shot string plus sighters.

I like .300s and have seven last time I counted. My heavy barrels are specialty things that don't really start to show their worth until beyond the ranges you mention. For the most part they are a handicap for normal hunting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom