Short vs Long Action Bolt Gun???

Put rails on your rifles. Makes swapping scopes easy and don't have to worry about not being able to move your scope back far enough.

Edit: To the OP. 30-06 is what I would pick.

I would worry about it. So far I have gone through half a dozen gun and scope combos and ring types, ext and non and it has been a royal gong show. All look great until one zooms in then it's pinhole time, not enough eye relief is super frustrating.
 
Having owned numerous short and long action bolt guns, I prefer the look and the feel of a long action rifle, with the exception of the mini bolt actions designed for .222 size cartridges. If you train yourself to work the action forcefully at the shoulder, you will not short stroke it. That means you flick the bolt handle upwards, then pull it back forcefully until it hits the bolt stop hard, then reverse your hand on the bolt knob and drive if forward with so much force that your hand pushes the bolt handle down through the momentum of it's forward stroke. Not only does this shorten the cycling time, it improves the reliability of the rifle, compared to gently easing the bolt back and forth. If you like the idea of a short action cartridge, if chambered in a long action rifle, you can seat the bullet out far enough that the boat-tail, should there be one, is in the shoulder area of the case, and you essentially have use of all the powder space without intrusion by the bullet, and still be able to load these rounds in the magazine.
 
I have both long and short actions. [a number of each]

Never had a problem with mounting scopes...even those with relatively short tubes.

Have yet to "short-stroke" any of my long action versions either.

It's largely a matter of mindset, even under exciting conditions. My choice would be the 30-06.

Regards, Dave
 
What do you guys think when it comes to the M77 Hawkeye? The 30-06 is half a pound heavier and .75" longer than the .308, I don't want this little bit to be a big deciding factor but it will be an Ontario bush rifle. I don't know if this is a valid point but I feel like with the 30-06 I will never feel like I need more rifle, I am worried that I might feel like I want more rifle than the .308 for big Ontario moose. Not sure if im right in thinking that???
 
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The Ruger Hawkeye is one of the best rifles out there in my opinion. CRF, very well built, and generally pretty accurate.

In my opinion the .30-06 is a slightly better all around cartridge vs the .308 but either one will handle big moose very similarly. I don't think you or the moose would notice too much difference between the two. I'd load a 180 TSX in either one and be comfortable.
 
What do you guys think when it comes to the M77 Hawkeye? The 30-06 is half a pound heavier and .75" longer than the .308, I don't want this little bit to be a big deciding factor but it will be an Ontario bush rifle. I don't know if this is a valid point but I feel like with the 30-06 I will never feel like I need more rifle, I am worried that I might feel like I want more rifle than the .308 for big Ontario moose. Not sure if im right in thinking that???

I would suggest going to a shop that has both, and give them a heft. One will feel a little better to you than the other. 30-06 and 308 will kill just as dead and the scope is a non issue... Personally I would pick the one with better wood!
 
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