I'm looking to buy my first hunting rifle and would like some advise. I've decided on 30-06 for caliber. The two rifles I'm looking at are: Remington 700 LSS or CZ 550 lux. The remington stock is laminated and the barrel is stainless steel. The bolt is a push feed and I think they call it diamond etched? , very smooth action on the bolt. The CZ is a wood stock with a blued barrel. The bolt is a mauser design and the trigger is adjustable. The lux has open sights on the barrel where the remington does not. I'm sure both rifles would do just fine, but if anyone has any advise that would be great.
First hunting rifle advise?
- Thread starter stevenwr
- Start date
first hunting rifle advise?
I plan to use a scope, but I like the idea that if something happens to the scope having open sights allows me to continue hunting. The CZ lux will fit a scope no problem with it's open sights. I've handled them both and the CZ stock is a nicer feel. I must admit though the remington is quite the eye candy.
I plan to use a scope, but I like the idea that if something happens to the scope having open sights allows me to continue hunting. The CZ lux will fit a scope no problem with it's open sights. I've handled them both and the CZ stock is a nicer feel. I must admit though the remington is quite the eye candy.
Who cares about eye candy, you want a hunting rifle. Get the one that fits you, it will become an extension of your hand. My dad got a Remington 7600 in 30-06 almost 20 years ago and 2 seasons ago he shot 2 running deer after the scope tipped half off the mounts, he just knew where it was going to hit.
Steven, I'm just thinking that the Lux, being designed for iron sights, may have a very low comb. Your eye will naturally fall on the iron sights, and not the scope. Just because it has scope mount capability, doesn't mean the shape was designed for a scope. I like stocks with a high cheek rest. Monte Carlo design I believe its called. That way you shoulder the rifle and your eye is right where it is supposed to be. Of course it depends on the individuals build.
CZ American might be a better shape.
Also, I'm not convinced the best setup is dual scope and iron sight capability. With a good scope, rings and base, mounted properly, the setup is extremely reliable. Any kind of see through mounts are typically inferior, and compromise fit. Scope too high, mounts inferior. Put all your eggs in one basket, just make it a sturdy basket in my opinion.
CZ American might be a better shape.
Also, I'm not convinced the best setup is dual scope and iron sight capability. With a good scope, rings and base, mounted properly, the setup is extremely reliable. Any kind of see through mounts are typically inferior, and compromise fit. Scope too high, mounts inferior. Put all your eggs in one basket, just make it a sturdy basket in my opinion.
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first hunting rifle advise?
"FOX" your right about eye candy. My thinking is that the materials used on the remington would make it a better hunting rifle (stainless steel vs blued steel, laminated stock vs hard wood). "GRIZZLEYPEG" Thanks for the info. I assumed that if the lux came with the capabilty to mount a scope it would not be a problem. Ironically the first CZ I looked at was the CZ american.
"FOX" your right about eye candy. My thinking is that the materials used on the remington would make it a better hunting rifle (stainless steel vs blued steel, laminated stock vs hard wood). "GRIZZLEYPEG" Thanks for the info. I assumed that if the lux came with the capabilty to mount a scope it would not be a problem. Ironically the first CZ I looked at was the CZ american.
Get the Remington model 700 I have the BDL with removable mag synthetic stock and stainless barrel. This is one good gun. Run around in the rain, mud, snow and when back at camp just run a bore snake down the barrel with a drop of oil and you are good to go again. It also has a vary strong action so it's safe for reloading some high velocity loads.
westcoaster
CGN Regular
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The CZ is a very nice hunting rifle. If it handles and "fits" you better that is probably where you should go. I have hunted my old blued and birch stocked Winchester 670A for over 30 years and while the stock has a few marks the barrel and all metal components are rust free.
About half of it's life was spent hunting in the rain on the coast, the other half in the interior. I attribute it's condition to cleaning and oiling after every use, just like I do to my newer SS M70 now.
My understanding is that stainless steel rusts as well, only slower.
I have a scoped CZ with iron sights and have no issues. The Remington is a good rifle, I just prefer the classic Mauser CRF actions.
Go with what fits you.
About half of it's life was spent hunting in the rain on the coast, the other half in the interior. I attribute it's condition to cleaning and oiling after every use, just like I do to my newer SS M70 now.
My understanding is that stainless steel rusts as well, only slower.
I have a scoped CZ with iron sights and have no issues. The Remington is a good rifle, I just prefer the classic Mauser CRF actions.
Go with what fits you.
The CZ will have better resale value. Of the two models you described, a stainless steel and synthetic stock is hard to beat in pure hunting performance, REGARDLESS of what type of terrain you are hunting in.
BTW: excellent cartridge.
BTW: excellent cartridge.
What are you going to be hunting? Why not get magnum performance? Flatter shooting, more penetration? Same bullet size. That would be a 300 win mag, or wsm. I was in the same perdiciment of a first hunting rifle and I was set on the 30-06, until I heard about the 300 win mag. Been around for a long time also, same as the 30-06. I was told 30-06 is the best around hunting rifle, but if you are going to be going for black bear and moose and elk, or any shots over 300 yards, go with the magnum. So long as you dont mind a bit more kick. Both will kill the same animals, but the magnum is just doing it faster. And at roughly the same price. Only downside i see of the magnum is bullet size variety.
first hunting rifle advise?
I'm going to be hunting deer mostly and maybe elk. The choice of cartridge was not an easy one to make, I've come across many different opinions all valid. What made my decision was this past christmas my father in law, my brother in law and myself went shooting on boxing day. After shooting clay pigeons we were shooting my brother in laws SAKO 300 WSM and my father in laws Parker Hale 30-06. I appreciated the quality of the SAKO but hated the recoil of the 300 WSM. The Parker Hale! I like that gun. We put 50 rounds through it and I would have been happy to put another 50 through it. The 300 WSM's are more expensive then 30-06, so I figure I'd be buying more 30-06 and that would get me to the range more often and in the end I'll be a better shot because of that. The other caliber I've considered is 7mm mag, but have been told that if I don't like a lot of recoil stay away from magnum's. I suppose a good recoil pad may resolve that issue though.
I'm going to be hunting deer mostly and maybe elk. The choice of cartridge was not an easy one to make, I've come across many different opinions all valid. What made my decision was this past christmas my father in law, my brother in law and myself went shooting on boxing day. After shooting clay pigeons we were shooting my brother in laws SAKO 300 WSM and my father in laws Parker Hale 30-06. I appreciated the quality of the SAKO but hated the recoil of the 300 WSM. The Parker Hale! I like that gun. We put 50 rounds through it and I would have been happy to put another 50 through it. The 300 WSM's are more expensive then 30-06, so I figure I'd be buying more 30-06 and that would get me to the range more often and in the end I'll be a better shot because of that. The other caliber I've considered is 7mm mag, but have been told that if I don't like a lot of recoil stay away from magnum's. I suppose a good recoil pad may resolve that issue though.
A 7mm magnum (Remington, Weatherby, WSM or SAUM) has negligibly more recoil than a .30-06 (+/- a pound or two depending upon exact loads, rifle weight etc). They do tend to have slightly more muzzle blast, but are not significantly worse to shoot than an '06.
If you dislike the recoil of the .300 magnum, you are correct in that you will shoot it less. The ammo for an '06 is also significantly cheaper when comparing apples to apples. A bigger, more expensive case, and more powder will always cost more to produce, factory or handloaded.
Shooting should be fun. If you hate the recoil, it will never be fun. In the field, you will never notice the difference in energy between a .300 mag and a .30-06, except at longer ranges where the extra energy of the magnum may give a slightly quicker effect. You will notice the flatter trajectory of the magnum, but only on shots beyond 300 yards.
Either rifle you are looking at is a well built firearm and should serve you well. The best one for you is the one that fits you best, fits your budget, and combines a cartridge of adequate or more than adequate power for the game you are hunting, while being within your tolerance for recoil. A good bullet in a .30-06 will easily kill any deer or elk you will encounter if you place it into the vitals. So too will many other cartridges, but if you want an '06, get it, shoot it, build confidence in it and go kill your animal(s).
If you dislike the recoil of the .300 magnum, you are correct in that you will shoot it less. The ammo for an '06 is also significantly cheaper when comparing apples to apples. A bigger, more expensive case, and more powder will always cost more to produce, factory or handloaded.
Shooting should be fun. If you hate the recoil, it will never be fun. In the field, you will never notice the difference in energy between a .300 mag and a .30-06, except at longer ranges where the extra energy of the magnum may give a slightly quicker effect. You will notice the flatter trajectory of the magnum, but only on shots beyond 300 yards.
Either rifle you are looking at is a well built firearm and should serve you well. The best one for you is the one that fits you best, fits your budget, and combines a cartridge of adequate or more than adequate power for the game you are hunting, while being within your tolerance for recoil. A good bullet in a .30-06 will easily kill any deer or elk you will encounter if you place it into the vitals. So too will many other cartridges, but if you want an '06, get it, shoot it, build confidence in it and go kill your animal(s).
for the record.. a recoil pad does make a difference but so does bullet muzzle energy which varies per load and bullet weight in specific calibres, firearm overall weight( a lighter gun kicks more), and correct length of pull. A magnum is usually shooting higher velocities and might kick hard, but will also be affected less by lateral wind movement and will make it easier to shoot slightly longer ranges with out perfectly accurate ranging. Maybe someone needs to do a poll on what gun maker is the most popular for canadian big game hunters..I shoot browning...
