multi purpose words of wisdom???
- Thread starter sniper_26_99
- Start date
Have to throw in my .02 here. I bought a savage 12fvss last year in 300wsm. Cartridge has plenty of down range hit and I can shoot 40 rounds at the range with out being uncomfortable. If you want more precision than stock you can get a shilen barrel from mysticplayer for around 400 bucks and install yourself or you could upgrade the stock.
The only trade off is you have to be willing to carry a 10lb+ rifle
The only trade off is you have to be willing to carry a 10lb+ rifle
Absolutely! That's half the experience of buying from Dave: the great advice and engaging stories. I was there last weekend because I happened to be passing through and my daughter and I got to watch him blueing some hardware. He explained the process to us and some of the challenges, and spent lots more time explaining various rifles, their actions and their history to us while bore-sighting my scope. (Yes--I was passing through and brought my rifle in case I had a chance to see him).
I recommend his website if you can't get to his shop though--you can see his prices and products and they compare favorably with large retailers such as Wholesale Sports--but the knowledge, service, skill and overall experience far exceeds most small gun shops and is in a different class than WSS. Plus, a small shop with a good website shows that the man put some effort into servicing his more distant customers.
The only down side to the Jennings experience is you can spend altogether too much time learning from the man--and if you have plans later in the day you may be late and get yourself in hot water!
I haven't tried those, but I got a Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry which has an adjustable trigger. Dave Jennings adjusted it for me and smoothed it out--probably just under 3#. I'm still a newbie, but it seems to be much smoother than some of the other rifles I've tried, and up at the range some experienced hunters with many rifles gave it a spin and commented on the great trigger without any prompting from me.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
back to caliber...
I have a Rugger M77 in .338 I picked up on the EE.It's 1979 issue with a Timney trigger,decelerator pad and been magna ported.I love it!(thanks Harold
)
My 300wsm has taken a back seat to it.
Now having said that,a .270 will do everything you need.If you need a bigger cal bullet the 30-06 is a good choice.
jmo
I have a Rugger M77 in .338 I picked up on the EE.It's 1979 issue with a Timney trigger,decelerator pad and been magna ported.I love it!(thanks Harold
)My 300wsm has taken a back seat to it.
Now having said that,a .270 will do everything you need.If you need a bigger cal bullet the 30-06 is a good choice.
jmo
sniper_26_99
Member
back to caliber...
I have a Rugger M77 in .338 I picked up on the EE.It's 1979 issue with a Timney trigger,decelerator pad and been magna ported.I love it!(thanks Harold
My 300wsm has taken a back seat to it.
Now having said that,a .270 will do everything you need.If you need a bigger cal bullet the 30-06 is a good choice.
jmo
If you don't count the brass what does 1 338 reload cost you and do you have any problems finding stuff to reload.
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
It cost's a little more than it's 30cal cousins and such because the bullets are slighty more, but apples to apples it is insignificant. If you want to drive them fast you should stick with Nosler partitions and above, if you load down then I see nothing wrong with interlocks and the like. Figure around 65-75g of powder, your bullet of preference, and a larger rifle primer, you don't necessarily have to use a magnum primer. Not sure if that is what you are looking at for cost breakdown, I didn't bother to calculate the price due to the variables. I would say you will definately save on costs with a 338 by reloading vs buying, something that is harder to say about the more common cartridge chamberings.
As for rifle, I vote for one of the older Tikkas 695,658, or 65, followed by a Ruger.
Good luck.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
Cost difference is minor as Homesteader stated,and if you ask me you get more bang for the buck anyway.
Finding components isn't hard,my current supply came via the EE at a very reasonable price.I did a search and found an old add that hadn't been sold out.
I got the Hornady Interbonds I wanted,brass and a box of Noslers as a bonus.
The fact that it isn't one of the "most" popular calibers means you aren't competing with as many folks for components.
sniper_26_99
Member
Well found what I was looking for just taught I'd run the pics thru you guys see what you think.
I also have in the running a 700 vtr 204 ruger
and
700 BDL DM STAINLESS in 300 win mag
all at the same price range.
If I"m looking to get accuracy at 500 to 800 yards would those calibers also do the job?
This is the savage 116 in 338 win mag I was looking at.
Next I will need your advice on scope strength for shooting at 500 to 800 meters. Most likely go wit leupold since they offer best customer service in Canada as another member already mentioned.
CHEERS!!!!!
I also have in the running a 700 vtr 204 ruger
and
700 BDL DM STAINLESS in 300 win mag
all at the same price range.
If I"m looking to get accuracy at 500 to 800 yards would those calibers also do the job?
This is the savage 116 in 338 win mag I was looking at.
Next I will need your advice on scope strength for shooting at 500 to 800 meters. Most likely go wit leupold since they offer best customer service in Canada as another member already mentioned.
CHEERS!!!!!
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
So you rule out the .308 because its not big enough, yet you decide a .204 Ruger is OK?
The .308 is an excellent rifle, for beginners or experienced old farts alike. Very accurate to further then most can shoot it, and will kill 99.9% of NA game easily. Easily reloadable, cheap factory ammo, milsurp ammo available, nice light recoil.
It sounds like you have little experience with rifles. I'd recommend staying away from a .338 WM as a starter rifle. Go for something easier on the wallet and shoulder
The .308 is an excellent rifle, for beginners or experienced old farts alike. Very accurate to further then most can shoot it, and will kill 99.9% of NA game easily. Easily reloadable, cheap factory ammo, milsurp ammo available, nice light recoil.
It sounds like you have little experience with rifles. I'd recommend staying away from a .338 WM as a starter rifle. Go for something easier on the wallet and shoulder
What are you going to hunt that would mandate either a .204 Ruger or a .338 Win Mag? What kind of precision shooting are you looking at?
I'd suggest a heck of a lot more reading before you plunk cash down. Do you already own a rimfire?
EDIT: You say this is going to be your first rifle. I'd suggest an Anschutz, CZ or Savage bolt action .22 (in that order) and a Leupold 4-12x40 AO with fine duplex for starters. You'll learn huge skills for small bills while you figure out the centerfire stuff.
I'd suggest a heck of a lot more reading before you plunk cash down. Do you already own a rimfire?
EDIT: You say this is going to be your first rifle. I'd suggest an Anschutz, CZ or Savage bolt action .22 (in that order) and a Leupold 4-12x40 AO with fine duplex for starters. You'll learn huge skills for small bills while you figure out the centerfire stuff.
sniper_26_99
Member
Your right I was misled with the 204...... That was an honest mistake I didn't do my homework on that one....LOL
In fact I own a 22 and an AR15 but and I have been shooting work related riffles for over 15 years. I mostly stick to pistols and revolvers for leisure and competition.
That being said it doesn't make me an expert in firearms anymore than you could call a trucker a mechanic.
I just never looked outside the box and since my work is taking me to a region where hunting is more available and where large bears and moose roam I would rather buy the proper riffle now then have to change later.
When I meant new to the experience I was talking about my inexperience at choosing and buying a hunting riffle with an appropriate caliber to also be able to have some fun and friendly competitions at long distances.
I love the 338 (I have one) and it's a great hunting cartridge but I don't see it as a good option for target shooting unless built as such: heavy stock, heavy barrel etc., which then makes it a less than ideal hunting rifle.
I fire about 20 rounds comfortably and 40 if I push it before I notice the scope getting too close to my eye in my ruger ultra light.
I would also recommend a lighter cartridge to pull double duty such as those already mentioned: 6.5x55, 280, 308, 30-06 etc.
Another option that I was thinking about if you want to play with a heavier cartridge may be to buy a remmy or savage in 7mm mag or 300 win mag with a heavier barrel and a sporter stock. Then for target shooting look at buying a choate stock. They are definitely not the prettiest looking stocks but they are heavy enough to absorb most of the recoil the magnums put out during longer shooting sessions and they are pretty cheap (I know I have a savage in 300 win mag with a choate stock and it's a pussy cat to shoot).
Anyways that's my thinking, I also hope you reload as shooting the larger rounds can become quite an expensive venture, have fun!.
I fire about 20 rounds comfortably and 40 if I push it before I notice the scope getting too close to my eye in my ruger ultra light.
I would also recommend a lighter cartridge to pull double duty such as those already mentioned: 6.5x55, 280, 308, 30-06 etc.
Another option that I was thinking about if you want to play with a heavier cartridge may be to buy a remmy or savage in 7mm mag or 300 win mag with a heavier barrel and a sporter stock. Then for target shooting look at buying a choate stock. They are definitely not the prettiest looking stocks but they are heavy enough to absorb most of the recoil the magnums put out during longer shooting sessions and they are pretty cheap (I know I have a savage in 300 win mag with a choate stock and it's a pussy cat to shoot).
Anyways that's my thinking, I also hope you reload as shooting the larger rounds can become quite an expensive venture, have fun!.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
So if you've shot a lot with your work, what is the largest cartridge you've fired regularly with work. If you shoot the .338 WM all the time at work, then why wouldn't you get one for your own. If you really only shoot .22's at work, then maybe the .338 is a bit too big of a jump.
If you're in the neighborhood of very large bears, then a .338 is not a bad choice at all. Then again, I go into the mountains quite a bit, and I'm perfectly happy with my .280, or .30-06 or .308 Norma Mag or 7WSM. I don't own a .338, and don't think I need one just in case I might run into a bear.
You can do a lot with a .30-06. Hunt anything you want. A 180 gr Accubond @ 2750 fps will kill any moose you care to shoot.
As for picking a rifle, it's really hard to go wrong nowadays. Just don't get a Rem 710 or 770 or a Mossberg and you'll be fine. After that it's all opinions and personal preference.
If you're in the neighborhood of very large bears, then a .338 is not a bad choice at all. Then again, I go into the mountains quite a bit, and I'm perfectly happy with my .280, or .30-06 or .308 Norma Mag or 7WSM. I don't own a .338, and don't think I need one just in case I might run into a bear.
You can do a lot with a .30-06. Hunt anything you want. A 180 gr Accubond @ 2750 fps will kill any moose you care to shoot.
As for picking a rifle, it's really hard to go wrong nowadays. Just don't get a Rem 710 or 770 or a Mossberg and you'll be fine. After that it's all opinions and personal preference.
