First, you have to decide if you want a rifle for hunting or target shooting. Since you are planning to reach 10,000 rounds, which is a LOT for a bolt action rifle, I’m going to assume that you are buying it primarily for target shooting. If that’s the case, a hunting rifle like Sako 85 or Mauser would be a very poor choice.
If you are new to rifles, you may not appreciate the fact that a sporter profile barrel that you’d find of a typical hunting rifle can be shot about 3-5 times before having to let the barrel cool off. Otherwise, your groups will start opening up in a very noticeable way. Also, hunting rifles have to be light so that you could carry them in the field conformably for hours. Shooting a lightweight hunting rifle, especially from a prone or sitting position, can get unpleasant pretty fast unless you are shooting something with no recoil like a .223. That’s why target shooting/tactical rifles come with heavy barrels and are in general much heavier that hunting rifles.
You need to pick the right tool for the right job.
Thanks for sharing. The heat issue I'm sort of aware of, but am still learning more. Although, I must admit, I thought it would be closer to 10 rounds on a hunting rifle such as these. Enough to be able to shoot 3 groups of 3 when practicing, or trying new loads.
In terms of the rifle, I'm should have clarified more. Sorry. I can see how you came to that conclusion. Overall, I'm not looking for one "do all" gun. I do believe in having the right tool for the job, and multiple guns with different uses.
I'm thinking .22 / .223 would take the majority of the rounds fired each year. But I do want to practice will my hunting rifles as well. 500-750 rounds a year perhaps? Various positions, ranges, elevations, etc.
I use to bow shoot a lot as a teenager, so I do believe in keeping skills up with each tool I plan on using (thus I practiced a lot of instinctive recurve, as well as compound). From my understanding most barrels in the hunting calibres I'm looking at (leaning towards a 7mm-08 for a small bore rifle) last 4000-5000 arounds before needing a new one. So I would perhaps get 7-8 years out of one? I don't mind paying for a rebarrel, but I did want to take that into account with the rifle I buy, that's all. As I tried to share above (post #27).
Does that make sense? Hopefully that helps to explain where I'm coming from.
No need to appologize, I started this thread for a discussion! My advice would be to buy the hunting rifle you want and use it for hunting. Be mindful of the calibers you choose from, if you really plan on shooting it that much.. as some will wear out barrels much faster than others once you get into the overbore catridges. However, I don’t think there’s a do-all rifle you’re looking for, I’ve tried. Also, you would be hard pressed to find a smith able to heat lock a new barrel on a European rifle. You’d want threaded. And a more expensive rifle is not cheaper to rebarrel, its more expensive to rebarrel if you want the same quality as the original or better. If cost is of a “medium concern” and like I was saying before, get two rifles. Like capp325 points out...pick the right tool. You could prob find a cheaper bench rest rifle to practice with. The 223 is a great caliber for that and with a heavier barrel it would have a long life. Or if ur getting into reloading lighter grain 308 match ammo, less recoil.
Note: the two rifles I was comparing in the start of thread have 20” med heavy barrels.
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to look for a threaded barrel. I do know costs go up with quality, that's okay. I was more so thinking about issues I'm not aware of yet, like press fit barrels vs threaded. Thanks!
I do also plan on having a few rifles (22 and .223 come to mind, probably both) and those will take the majority of the use. Then something for mid size and plains game (which will be my primary hunting rifle at first, leaning towards 7mm-08). Then eventually something for large/dangerous game. .338 perhaps?
As I shared above, I like to develop and keep my skills up with whatever I do. One of my good friends used to shoot about 5000 rounds a year, and as I previous bow shooter, he won me over to the idea. So while I may only run 500-750 rounds through a hunting rifle per year, I want to be able to shoot it, anywhere, anytime, any range, elevation etc. So I'm just trying to take into account that kind of use, and the eventual rebarrel which comes. As I said, just trying to learn.
Thanks again for the help.
