Pump or Bolt for 30-06 hunting?

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I have my heart set on a 22" barreled 30-06 for hunting Ontario's deer, moose and black bear. I have it narrowed down to 2 guns that I think I could live with for lots of years to come. Which one would you pick for my needs and why?

1. Remington 7600 walnut
2. Winchester M70 Featherweight (new one)
 
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The pumps are nice, accurate, and far more mechanically complex that a bolt. Something to bear in mind. (the more parts / peices it has, the more potential is has to screw up) Bolts are easier to work on, fewer parts, clean, tweak, etc. Plus you can adjust the triggers much easier than the pumps!
 
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I have never hunted with either, im used to my Marlin 336 lever action.

I know im settled on a 22" barrel, the 7600 is around $725 while the M70 seems to be around $800-$900.
 
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Both are very good choices, but dont let the bolt gun SNOBS put you off a 7600. ;)

They are fast, accurate, dependable, handle well and c/w a detachable mag. You can easily strip them down inluding removal of bbl with no special tools. The trigger can be tuned and the forend rattle can be fixed very easily. They are easy to scope and don't cost a fortune. Most people that don't like them have never really used one that much.


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SuperCub said:
Both are very good choices, but dont let the bolt gun SNOBS put you off a 7600. ;)

They are fast, accurate, dependable, handle well and c/w a detachable mag. You can easily strip them down inluding removal of bbl with no special tools. The trigger can be tuned and the forend rattle can be fixed very easily. They are easy to scope and don't cost a fortune. Most people that don't like them have never really used one that much.


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Click to expand...

That may very well be.....but are they as smooth as a Sako ?? :stirthepot2:
 
I have a couple of each and I can say they are both great guns.

I have never handled a gun that fit me better than a M70 Featherweight and their overall appearance is a good as it gets. Of the 4 I have had none where absolute tack drivers. I think the thin barrel is the greatest cause of this but they all generally put the 1st shot from a cold barrel where I expected it so really doesn't matter. I also wish they came with a detachable mag.

I have used Rem pumps since I was old enough to hold a gun up and if it came down having just 1 center fire rifle (heaven forbid) it would be my 7600 in 280 Rem. People talk about the pump rattling but I have never had that problem with the newer ones. There is a o-ring that goes after years of use that is easily replaced.

The pump has a detachable mag and offers a faster follow-up shot if that is of importance to you and I prefer the cross bolt safety on the back of the trigger guard over any other type. What I don't like is the noise they make when loading as you have to use a pump them with authority otherwise you risk not chambering the shell all the way and it won't fire.

You won't go to wrong with either but day in and day out it is pretty hard to beat a 760/7600 for big game hunting in Ontario.
 
I think that if a person is very used to a pump that might be the way to go, for instance, if you do alot of waterfowl hunting with a pump gun and followup shots are natural(done without even thinking). Later on in the season, using a 7600 should feel very natural and most shots in Ont. are closer then out west anyways.
 
Bolt rifles with Scopes are great for the long shots. That being said there aren't too many long shots in Ontario where you can hunt with a 30-06. One of the twists of deer hunting in Ontario is that you generally shoot deer at 30 yds with high powered rifles and 130 yds with muzzle loaders. I'd go with the pump but try em both and buy what you like.
 
If it were me, I would buy the Featherweight and not even think twice. But our terrain is just a bit different than yours. ;)

If you feel you need a fast second shot, go with the 7600. But if you feel good about putting your first shot in the right spot the Winchester is far classier. And if you learn to cycle the bolt fast, you could get out a second shot pretty quick, too.
 
Thanks for your info guys, I appoligise that this thread is so simular to my "which 30-06 for Ontario" just below this!!!

I love the looks of the new Win M70 featherweight, what an absolutely gorgeous and classy rifle that is! But knowing the terrain and bush that I normally hunt here in Ontario it is hard to ignore the 7600. Yes quick follow up shots would be nice for moving deer, we get alot then hunting with dogs!!

I think the 7600 is just about as perfect as a rifle can get for Ontario. With a 22" barrel, detachable mag, fast follow ups with the pump, good accuracy out to 200 and 300 yards. And a sticker price of $250 less than the M70.

Please dont get me wrong here if I lived in open terrain or hunted alot of farmers fields or even hardwoods the M70 would be awsome!! But I hunt farmers fields, hardwoods, cedars, swamps, bogs, hills and pretty much the a$$hole of the earth here in Ontario. Remington 7600 gloss with the 22" barrel in 30-06, I think would be a rifle that serves me for decades aswell as my sons (if and when I have one).

I need to hear from you 760 and 7600 guys that have been shooting and hunting with yours for ever, tell me your stories! Thanks
 
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Sounds like you have decided on the pump.

One guy tripped with his 760 (think) and landed in a wet area. Was chasing a better shot on a deer. Landed on the rifle in the mud/water. Lost out because his glasses were mucked up. Tried a trial shot at a tree and gun hit where it was aimed. I took the shot because his glasses were too smeared.

He wiped it down when he got back to camp and that was it.
 
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