Hi there, just introduced myself in the other forum and thought I would get a couple questions out. After some research i think I have decided on the Remington 700XCR as my first gun but wavering between the 300WSM or the 30.06 Splfd thats assuming I have a choice when I am able to purchase it in a few weeks since my PAL wont be coming in the mail until mid November. which is too bad I see online at a sports store here in Alberta that i could get it on sale right now for 849 instead of 1179. Almost wondering if it's a good idea to get a friend with their license to purchase it for me and then transfer it over when my license comes in and we can go to the range in the meantime... anyways any advantages to the 300WSM over the 30.06Spfld? From my understanding and searching the 300WSM is got a little more punch and faster fps but not much more recoil? wont be hunting huge game just deer and maybe elk so think the 30.06 will be more than enough Like I said I havent really even shot a firearm so would really like to get out to the range and test some friends rifles to see what's what but chances are it aint going to happen... And is there any good sites that explain ammunition etc where I can do some research? point me in the right direction guys... and girls
My first rifle
- Thread starter PuffyG
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The .30/06 would be my first choice. Factory ammo is available anywhere and the '06 is clearly the most versatile factory loaded cartridge, living up to its mice to moose billing. If you are going to handload, which I highly recommend, simply because it allows you to put more rounds down range per dollar, you can load your ammo to your comfort level, or load it for a specific purpose, and few other cartridges have as much data in the loading manuals. Don't over look the .270 Winchester or the .280 Remington, both of which are based on the .30/06 parent cartridge.
I've had the opportunity to examine some of the recently manufactured M-700s, and I am somewhat disillusioned. Its too bad the Remington's bean counters have put affordability ahead of quality in their premier rifle line, they should have paid attention to Winchester's problems as a result of cheapening the M-70 in the 1964 production run, it destroyed consumer confidence in the brand name from which they never really recovered. The new FN manufactured Winchester M-70 returns to the original idea, a working man's rifle high on quality low on frills. Its fine to produce a budget rifle, but you shouldn't cheapen your flagship product. My observations are that the wood on the M-700 wood stock models is poor, the tupperware stocks on the synthetic models is flimsy, the DBM bottom metal is light plastic, the BDL floor plate appears to be what we used to call metalized plastic. I think you would be further ahead with a Ruger Hawkeye or one of the new Winchester M-70s.
But none of this will matter to you if the M-700 has captured your imagination and you just have to have one, but consider the purchase of an older used rifle. As for the sale at local sports store, I wouldn't worry too much, M-700s frequently are put on sale by a number of retailers. Check out the supporting dealers at the top of the page, and purchase a subscription to the Canadian Access to Firearms paper published in Whitehorse.
I've had the opportunity to examine some of the recently manufactured M-700s, and I am somewhat disillusioned. Its too bad the Remington's bean counters have put affordability ahead of quality in their premier rifle line, they should have paid attention to Winchester's problems as a result of cheapening the M-70 in the 1964 production run, it destroyed consumer confidence in the brand name from which they never really recovered. The new FN manufactured Winchester M-70 returns to the original idea, a working man's rifle high on quality low on frills. Its fine to produce a budget rifle, but you shouldn't cheapen your flagship product. My observations are that the wood on the M-700 wood stock models is poor, the tupperware stocks on the synthetic models is flimsy, the DBM bottom metal is light plastic, the BDL floor plate appears to be what we used to call metalized plastic. I think you would be further ahead with a Ruger Hawkeye or one of the new Winchester M-70s.
But none of this will matter to you if the M-700 has captured your imagination and you just have to have one, but consider the purchase of an older used rifle. As for the sale at local sports store, I wouldn't worry too much, M-700s frequently are put on sale by a number of retailers. Check out the supporting dealers at the top of the page, and purchase a subscription to the Canadian Access to Firearms paper published in Whitehorse.
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
first rifle
If you buy a 30-06 you will be able to hunt anything in north america, that been said you should check out, that means handle a few different rifles to see which feels good in your hands. I would look at the Winchester M70 they are a good value and quality.
Safe hunting.
If you buy a 30-06 you will be able to hunt anything in north america, that been said you should check out, that means handle a few different rifles to see which feels good in your hands. I would look at the Winchester M70 they are a good value and quality.
Safe hunting.
One thought, if you are going to be hunting deer and elk a maybe, is to look for a chance to shoot a 30-06 before you buy one. I believe for the average hunter a 30-06 is at the top end of recoil tolerance, and if you have one that doesn't fit well, they can pound you pretty good. (personal experience speaking here) For many people, something like a 270 or 7-08 is much easier to shoot well. No matter what you shoot, first problem is hitting the target in the right spot. One other bit of advice, I'd suggest not too high powered (or big/heavy) a scope for your rifle. Buy quality, but not the space hubble! When an animal shows up suddenly at close range too much magnification can be a problem. Something like a 2x7 or 3x9, turned to the lowest magnification until you spot a distant target, will work well.
Rory McCanuck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Middle of Manitoba
If you have not done a lot of shooting, the recoil of the 300 wsm is likely to knock the snot out of you. Ammunition will cost more too, and will be harder to find.
Without a shadow of a doubt the .30/06 is the better choice of the two, but I agree with Pat on the recoil issue. I would strongly consider a .270 Winchester. It will do just fine on all of the commonly pursued big game in North America.
Get the 06, i just ordered one. I wasn`t thinking to clearly when i sold my old one a few years ago and have been waiting for the right one to show up. The recoil difference between a 270 and the 06 is so small it isn`t worth mentioning, stock design will have more influence than anything. Just my .02 worth.
You said you haven't shot much? Then IMHO get a .22LR, and shoot it a lot. Its much harder to learn to shoot a gun well when you have to deal with recoil. You can still buy a high power to hunt with, but don't shoot it more then you have to until you get the basics down, and shoot your rim fire more, you will be a better shooter for it
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Of the American manufactured centerfire rifles that are built as no frills working rifles, my choices would be the Winchester M-70 and the Ruger Hawkeye. I have a number of older Remington 700's and like them as well, but Remington has cheapened the 700 to the extent that I wold no longer consider one. Remington appears determined to repeat Winchester's 1963 decision to destroy consumer confidense in their brand name. If I was to choose between a new 700 and a Savage I would choose the Savage; even though I don 't find the Savage bolt guns cosmetically appealing.
If you decide to choose a Winchester M-70 but prefer a synthetic stock, my advise would be to immediately upgrade to a good quality fiberglass or kevlar stock and glass bed it to the action. Yes this adds a significant cost to your rifle, but its worth it. If an individual wants to turn a new Remington 700 into a quality rifle, he needs to replace both the stock (the new M-700s wood stocks look cheap) and bottom metal, so the upgrade could easily exceed the price of a new rifle, but then you'll have something.
My M-70 is blued steel model with a wood stock and I live in what at times like today is a wet dreary place. On days like today, I might be inclined to give the metal a wipe down with an oily rag before heading out, and certainly when I get back in. But I like the feel of this stock so I will do what I can to keep it. Its already bedded to the action, but this winter when the humidity is low I might hog out the length of the forend and fill it will glass bed to ensure it doesn't warp.
If you decide to choose a Winchester M-70 but prefer a synthetic stock, my advise would be to immediately upgrade to a good quality fiberglass or kevlar stock and glass bed it to the action. Yes this adds a significant cost to your rifle, but its worth it. If an individual wants to turn a new Remington 700 into a quality rifle, he needs to replace both the stock (the new M-700s wood stocks look cheap) and bottom metal, so the upgrade could easily exceed the price of a new rifle, but then you'll have something.
My M-70 is blued steel model with a wood stock and I live in what at times like today is a wet dreary place. On days like today, I might be inclined to give the metal a wipe down with an oily rag before heading out, and certainly when I get back in. But I like the feel of this stock so I will do what I can to keep it. Its already bedded to the action, but this winter when the humidity is low I might hog out the length of the forend and fill it will glass bed to ensure it doesn't warp.
The recoil on a 30.06 is comparable to a 700 Rem mag but the 300 wsm definitely has more recoil IMHO. In lighter guns this is defintely noticeable. Eg. a 300 in a tikka T3 lite has a nasty bite
Of the two, I would take the 30-06.
But, if you do not have a lot of shooting experiense, this might be a risky purchase.
For hunting, accuracy is everything, and the number one problem in shooting well is flinch. I see a lot of hunters at the rnage with thunder-boomers that shoot huge groups and say it does not matter because they have so much power. Not true.
If you bought a 260Rem or a 7-08 you would probably become a better shot and enjoy the experience more.
Since you are new to this, you would be best served with a rifle that shoots well, right out of the box. I have a number of remington pump actions. They have floated barrels and shoot under 2 minutes, with hunting ammo, out of the box. My 308 shoots 1 inch groups with match ammo. None of my bolt rifles did that until I tweaked them.
I don't see the Rem7600 on EE very much because I suspect owners are so pleased with them.
If you want a Rem700, buy a good used one. Or any M70.
I agree the scope should be no bigger than a 3x9. I prefer 2x7 on mine.
But, if you do not have a lot of shooting experiense, this might be a risky purchase.
For hunting, accuracy is everything, and the number one problem in shooting well is flinch. I see a lot of hunters at the rnage with thunder-boomers that shoot huge groups and say it does not matter because they have so much power. Not true.
If you bought a 260Rem or a 7-08 you would probably become a better shot and enjoy the experience more.
Since you are new to this, you would be best served with a rifle that shoots well, right out of the box. I have a number of remington pump actions. They have floated barrels and shoot under 2 minutes, with hunting ammo, out of the box. My 308 shoots 1 inch groups with match ammo. None of my bolt rifles did that until I tweaked them.
I don't see the Rem7600 on EE very much because I suspect owners are so pleased with them.
If you want a Rem700, buy a good used one. Or any M70.
I agree the scope should be no bigger than a 3x9. I prefer 2x7 on mine.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
Welcome aboard, let the addiction begin.
Whatever you choose, you will find a reason to own the other one," because you might have chosen differently if you had known"
I always would like to find more range time and more "gun budget"
have fun, welcome here
Whatever you choose, you will find a reason to own the other one," because you might have chosen differently if you had known"
I always would like to find more range time and more "gun budget"
have fun, welcome here
