multi purpose words of wisdom???

sniper_26_99

sniper_26_99

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Looking to get myself a solid riffle to hunt and at the same time do a little precision with.

I was considering the 338 win mag for its versatility and is probably good to hunt any big or smaller game with.

I was looking at Ruger and Remington since they fit my budget.

I'm also considering availability of components for reloading.

It is my first riffle so I'm looking forward to your input.

Best Caliber to go with and best riffle company?
 
Because you say this is your first centerfire rifle, we correctly or incorrectly then assume you have little experience shooting centerfire rifles. If you are brand new you should not consider a rifle with more power than a .30/06, and most of todays new shooters prefer to start much lighter than the '06. There are a raft of moderate cartridges to choose from, but if big game hunting is part of the plan, then I would not suggest you go smaller than the 6.5X55. The rifle must fit you, this is critical. It should also have a good recoil pad. If either of these are lacking visit a gunsmith.

If I was looking at a new production rifle today, I'd look very hard at a Ruger 77. To me this rifle has all of the features I require of a good quality hunting rifle. I like controlled round feed bolt actions, push feed actions like the Remington 700 are good, I just have a personal preference for CRF. Ruger's new C-6 trigger seems to be pretty good. Ruger's front sight ramp is so good that I have incorporated it into a couple of my custom rifles. The rear sight I'm not so crazy about, and if it was me I would get a good quality ghost ring aperture sight that attaches the the Ruger's receiver, and swap out the bead front sight and replace it with a flat top rectangular post. The font sight will have to be higher than the factory bead anyway, and a flat top front sight gives a much better index of elevation than does a round bead. A post is much more resilient to damage than the bead is also. If you are going to use the Ruger rings that come with the rifle, you might find them to be a bit on the high side, send them to a gunsmith to be lapped. This procedure ensures there are no imperfections that will mar the scope tube, and also provides maximum contact between the scope and the ring to prevent any shifting under recoil. The ocular of the scope should not extend much behind the cocking piece of the bolt or the rear bow of the trigger guard. The trouble is that many of todays variable power scopes have very long eye pieces, which makes proper mounting a challenge. You may need to find extension rings. Speaking of scopes, a low power variable gives you the best bang for your buck. The advantage a scope provides is not magnification, it is that the aiming point and the target are on the same focal plane, thus both are in sharp focus. Big game is not difficult to see, so you don't need a 20X scope on a big game rifle. Any of the variables from 1.5-5X to 2.5-8X. Leupold is the only scope manufacturer with a warranty depot in Canada, so I think they are the logical choice.
 
SuperCub said:
As this is your first rifle, I would suggest a smaller cartridge with less recoil. Something like a 7/08 or 270Win might be a better place to start.


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I have to specify I can handle the big stuff......... I don't own a riffle but have been shooting them all my life.

If you count an AR as a riffle then I lied............. I own 2 riffles.
 
By the looks of the EE forums Ruger owners keep their riffles. There are lots of everything else but not too may recent Rugers.

Does anyone know if they make muzzle brakes for Ruger barrels? I have seen a few barrels wit holes at the end of them? I read its supposed to reduce the kick significantly has anyone tested this?
 
Muzzle brakes reduce recoil at the cost of your hearing. Your gun will be significantly louder, and everyone at the range will hate you. But they are much easier on the shoulder.
 
Ormachek said:
Muzzle brakes reduce recoil at the cost of your hearing. Your gun will be significantly louder, and everyone at the range will hate you. But they are much easier on the shoulder.
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Get a 338 Win Mag. It is a great caliber. Only gun you will ever need.

If you want a muzzle brake send it to Dave Jennings. His muzzle brake is quiet to your ears because it directs the muzzle blast forward. It is also quiet for persons sitting beside you at the range (if you care about such things). Get the trigger adjusted at the same time.

It will reduce felt recoil and noise and assist you to be the best shooter you can possibly be.

I have 3 of these brakes installed on rifles and I just happen to know what I am talking about.:)
 
338 win mag is a great caliber, and could very well fill the role of a truly multi-purpose rifle. If you really want to start with it then just be aware that most people who start with a rifle this large develop a flinch. It is also noticeably more expensive to shoot (even if you reload) than a 308 or 30-06, two other great multi-purpose calibers.
 
Toomanyguns said:
Get a 338 Win Mag. It is a great caliber. Only gun you will ever need.

If you want a muzzle brake send it to Dave Jennings. His muzzle brake is quiet to your ears because it directs the muzzle blast forward. It is also quiet for persons sitting beside you at the range (if you care about such things). Get the trigger adjusted at the same time.

It will reduce felt recoil and noise and assist you to be the best shooter you can possibly be.

I have 3 of these brakes installed on rifles and I just happen to know what I am talking about.:)
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the whole point of a muzzle break is to direct it backwards to counteract the kick, directing it forewards would be useless :confused:
 
+1 on the Jennings muzzle brake. It's at a 30 degree angle, so only slightly forward pointing. It is a nice compromise and Dave does a great job fabricating them from solid metal. He smoothed out the trigger as well. His website is also better than most sponsors here.
 
30-06, 308, 270 etc. If you cant do it with those you shouldnt be hunting. Why not take a 50cal? A very large friend shoots the 338 but has to go to a chiropractor after a day at the range. This guy is big too. Learn to stalk, practice to shoot accurately. Of course thats just IMHO:)
 
Without getting into a discussion about physics and force lets just say that directing muzzle blast backward toward the shooter is not required. Try one and then give your feedback. I do believe you will be very happy.

mikeman20 said:
the whole point of a muzzle break is to direct it backwards to counteract the kick, directing it forewards would be useless :confused:
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Websites are one thing. Visiting the man in person and watching, listening, and learning is quite another. He is a world class master and a very nice human being.

Voxx Boxx said:
+1 on the Jennings muzzle brake. It's at a 30 degree angle, so only slightly forward pointing. It is a nice compromise and Dave does a great job fabricating them from solid metal. He smoothed out the trigger as well. His website is also better than most sponsors here.
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I hunt with a guy that is disabled. He has a permit to shoot out the window. He uses a 416 Rigby. Mostly shoots doe these days. Sometimes moose.

bogie said:
30-06, 308, 270 etc. If you cant do it with those you shouldnt be hunting. Why not take a 50cal? A very large friend shoots the 338 but has to go to a chiropractor after a day at the range. This guy is big too. Learn to stalk, practice to shoot accurately. Of course thats just IMHO:)
Click to expand...
 
sniper_26_99 said:
Looking to get myself a solid riffle to hunt and at the same time do a little precision with.

I was considering the 338 win mag for its versatility and is probably good to hunt any big or smaller game with.

I was looking at Ruger and Remington since they fit my budget.

I'm also considering availability of components for reloading.

It is my first riffle so I'm looking forward to your input.

Best Caliber to go with and best riffle company?
Click to expand...

I shoot a 338wm without a muzzlebrake. This is a wonderful all around caliber that I use for everything from coyotes, to deer, to moose and elk, to black bears. 250 grn NP's shoot very accurately and are not fussed by wind much at greater ranges. As well, FME there is little meat damage on deer and moose - although I blew a hole the size of a small dinner plate out of a wolf this fall at about 350 yards.

I have met small guys that can shoot anything and bigger guys who are recoil sensitive. I only say this to point out that recoil tolerance is highly subjective and does not, from my experience, appear to be directly related to an individuals size.

I have an aversion to the extreme noise a muzzlebrake seems to develop so I don't use them. I guess I view it as if I can't shoot it without a muzzlebrake I won't shoot it. Just my view on it but the last time I checked this is a free country.

FWIW it may be worth starting out any of a number of excellent all around cartridges that do recoil less though. 3006, 308, 280, 7mm08. 270, 6.5x55, and 260 all come to mind as adequate for most game in North America.

An older second hand Remington might be nice, I don't care for the new 700's as they seem to be somewhat shoddily made nowadays. The Ruger hawkeye is a nice rifle. The new Winchesters look very nice - if my safe wasn't already full of Winchesters I might buy a new one. And finaly the CZ 550's are a very accurate well made rifle.
 
338 is one of my favorites.

I'm a big boy - 220lb - recoil really isn't bad - I find it more of a push than a whallop like my 30cals (308 and 300 win mag) hit me with. It's a BIG push - but I beleive it's manageable.

Accuracy is great - seems it likes anything I stuff in it.

Ammo availability - not as great as some other choices - but it's a BIG round - not hugely popular - so finding components to reload it is always easier than 7mm or 270.

I count AR as a rifle - this isn't your first time to the dance :p
 
i've got a 30/06 and a 338wm. same velocity, only with a 250 grainer instead of a 180.
love mine.
 
Whats the best way to go tho? Buy used and take what you find (cal. and make) or go new with what you want?

I've always been weary of used since you never know whats been done to it. I'm sure like me most of you have come across the do it yourselfer at the range who is self taught and thinks he knows everything.............. You never know whats been modded or not on a used riffle.
 
If you are looking to uy new i gotta recommend the savage line ups. I bought one in 30-06 and i love it. For the price you are getting one hel! of a rifle.JMO
Jesse
 
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