Looking for specific combination of features in a moose gun

NathanR I have the x bolt in .300 WSM, Hunter model. I like the detachable magazine and the tang safety. It's accurate,reliable and easy to carry. I'm also a big fan of the Remington 760/7600's. I'm down to 1 7600 in .308 at present and I usually use a peep sight on it for deer hunting as it is pretty thick where we deer hunt. I see you are in the east GTA. I'm in Courtice so if you want to handle both models and compare, just PM me and maybe we can set something up. Bac4
 
You can have everything on your wish list and more if you want to look at at a Cooper. The only thing is your $1,000.00 will just be a deposit. You'd have to double your budget to get one.
I bought a heavy barrel 280AI and can't wait to have the coin saved up for the scope I want so I can actually shoot it.
It's not going to go on any moose hunts as its just not something I am going to want to carry, its just too heavy for me to walk with.
Yes you can make all the wimp comments you want but my X-bolt at about half the weight is very carry friendly and fits my bill for hunting.
 
If I where you I would go with a Browning X-bolt they are very nice rifles I had a gold medallion X-bolt in 300wm nicest rifle I owned until some a$$hole stole it.
 
Pootle said:
I have very similar criteria to you (I want stainless, synthetic, detachable mag, 7mm Rem Mag, $1,000 for just the gun).

I looked at the Savage Weather Warrior and discarded it for two reasons:
1) It is MUCH heavier than the competition.
2) It is a rather long action with long spacing between the ring mounts - very little ability to adjust the scope mounting for eye relief (which I need).

I looked at the Tikka T3 lite stainless/synthetic and also discarded it for 2 reasons:
1) Read a lot about the gun kicking a lot more than comparable rifles.
2) For the $200-$300 more I much preferred the feel of the Sako A7 soft touch stock and the overall handling of the Sako.

So at the moment I have it narrowed down to three guns:
1) Sako A7 (burris scope package is a good deal, but not sure if I like the scope).
2) Browning X-bolt stainless stalker.
3) Weatherby Vanguard S2 stainless.
I will be fondling them in the same shop together this weekend.

Hope that helps.

Me.
Click to expand...

So I finally went and fondled all those rifles and here's my take:

#1 - Sako A 7 - just handled wonderfully in my hands. Bare-handed the stock just feels right. Due to my glasses I measure ring mount hole to butt vs. length-of-pull as I often need to get the scope a little closer to me for proper eye-relief. This rifle had the shortest measure in that area by about half an inch. Only negative is the package Burris scope - hate, hate, hate it. Seems like it's a bit difficult to find the rifle without the package.

#2 - Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker - just a little bit "worse" than the Sako in all areas for me - not by a huge amount but DM, feel of stock, etc. etc. Bolt was a bit weird - seemed like it came out so far that if you didn't push it back in exactly straight it would get hung up (hard to explain). New ring mount system has pros (extra holes) and cons (not as much selection).

The above two rifles are IMO easily worth the $200 - $300 premium over the following rifles.

#3 & #4 - Tikka T3 Lite Stainless & Weatherby Vanguard S2 Stainless - The weatherby was a little bit heavier and felt "chunkier" - I think this is more of a personal taste thing than one stock being better than the other. After handling a number of 60 degree bolts the 90 degree bolt in the weatherby felt a bit odd. These two rifles seemed to just be different from one another rather than one being better than the other, so tied for 3rd place IMO. I'd still go Browning or Sako if you can afford it.

#5 - Savage Weather Warrior - poor savage. Totally outclasses in terms of handling. Heaviest gun by far. Least comfortable to handle. Weirdest bolt operation (was almost like it was a two position bolt - turn, click, turn some more pull out). Spacing of the ring mounting holes is so far apart being able to adjust scope mounting is questionable. Id o like the accu-trigger, but the other guns have good triggers too.

I didn't get a chance to shoot any of them, but they all have MOA guarantees so my criteria is going to be primarily handling - looks like the Sako for me.

Edit:
Two position safety's mean nothing to me so didn't review that part of the above rifles.
 
There some reason you think you need a magnum? Just curious. Bullwinkle isn't hard to kill. A magnum will just hurt your shoulder and the ears of anybody near you when you're finding the best ammo for it.
"...needs a medium to heavy barrel..." As mentioned, that'd be the last thing you'd want in a hunting rifle. Hunting rifles are like battle rifles. Carried a lot, shot a little.
 
NathanR said:
Hey,

I am looking at getting a solid moose gun for this fall. I am in search of a pretty specific set of features.

I'd like the rifle to be:
-300wm, 338wm, or 7mm RM

-It needs to be removable magazine

-It needs a medium to heavy barrel (I'd like it to double as a bit of a target rifle for some fun in the off season)

Budget is around $1000 before optics.

I've held a Savage 11/110 (I think) at Sail in Oshawa. It felt alright, but I wasn't awestruck by the finish on the stainless steel. Made the gun feel kinda cheap to me.

I've seen that the remington SPS series comes in 7mm RM with the detachable metal, but for $500 msrp am I buying junk?

Thanks for any input
Click to expand...

A used Tikka or Sako A7 rifle and you are set. 300WM, 180gr Accubonds or TTSX. Some new Sako A7's seen for under $1200 with Burris scope.
 
Abolt / xbolt in 300wm. Loose the notion of heavy barrel. A 180 gr accubond will serve you well on this continent (and pretty much most of the others).
 
An older M70 push feed(did I say that out loud?) off the EE or local in 7mmRM or 300WM. Rifle goes into the woods, Moose comes out. How far can you shoot under field conditions? Not hard on the shoulder or the pocket book for whammo either. We all know the 270/308/30-06 family will get r done under most situations for sure, but these two gems,speak with more authority at normal distances, and will "extend your reach by another 150yds or so if the need arises. A new M70CRF in 300WSM, if you must have new.
Detachable magazines are best left for military or tactical purposes in my mind. They are the weak link of any firearms feed system, are slow to change when only short and carried in a pocket and and an well designed internal magazine is better protected and will usually give 100% reliable feeding through much of the lifespan of the rifle and 4 or 5 rounds in the Big7 or Winchesters wonder300 or 300WSM will be all that is required and then some. You'll never leave an internal mag home either if you have your rifle. With a buttstock cartridge carrier, the internal can be loaded as fast or faster than fumbling a short sporter mag, should more than 4 rounds be needed.

My 7mm hasn't been carried for 25 years for whitetail. Looking at the full sized magnum and then looking at the 150 lb buck on the ground just don't seem right. Now a once in a life time lottery Moose hunt like here, well.... that magnum length barrel and recoil absorbing and balancing heft will feel perfectly okay.;);)



Good luck whatever you buy, a dedicated Moose Rifle is a nice thought for at least one in your safe.
 
Have a look at the Browning in 325WSM. Shorter barrel (23"), detachable mag, and in the ballpark on price. Hits very close to the 338WM, and virtually same recoil as a 7mm RM. I have a couple, and have no complaints.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom