Starting to look for a new, "all-round", and maybe lightweight hunting rifle

jables

jables

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Starting to look for a new, "all-round", and maybe lightweight hunting rifle

As the title states, I'm looking into a new rig for MY all-round hunting needs. I know there's no such thing as a do all rifle and everybody's needs and hunting situations can be different, so let me start with the basics. PS. I currently own a Weatherby Vanguard S2 22-250, Marlin Model 1936 30-30, and Remington Model 700 Sendero SF II 300 WM.

I currently live and hunt (mostly) in northeastern Ontario for deer, coyotes, wolves, and calf moose. I only apply solo for archery bull, so hunting adult moose with this rifle is out of the question. I am looking for a short action, lightweight rifle with a 20-24" barrel. Finish isn't the be all end all either, I much prefer a beautiful real wood stock compared to a composite stock, however, I would be prepared to sacrifice form over function. For caliber range I feel that (and correct me if I'm wrong) anything between a 243 and 308 will fit the bill.

Seeing as this rifle will also be doing a little bit of coyote hunting (not varmint hunting like you guys out west with your gophers), I feel as though the 243 would be a nice caliber to use some light 58gr, flat-shooting loads for 'yotes, but still has the option to load up to around 100gr for the bigger critters. Benefits I find for the 243 are the ability to load the lighter loads/ballistics, availability (ammo and many rifles), and enough power to take down any deer I'll be after as the ranges are generally less than 200 yds in my hot spots. The downside to the 243 for my application would be less power on longer range shots on big deer and calf moose vs something like a 7mm-08 or 308. Obviously the advantages to the slightly larger calibers would be more knock down power, but the lower end bullet weights in these larger calibers aren't quite as flat shooting as the smaller 243, but not far off either.

Now for the guns, and this is the trickiest part for me because I'm open to many options, but looking to hear some opinions from the gunnutz!
I am quite picky for triggers and prefer a trigger weight in the 2-4 pound range. I was disgusted with the 40X (or whatever one it is) trigger on my Model 700 and replaced it with a Timney after my first day on the range, and I've been pretty happy ever since. I've actually been quite happy with the 2 stage trigger on my Vanguard S2, however the rifles that I'm thinking about have single stage triggers. My budget for a gun is anywhere up to the $2200

1) Kimber 84M Classic Select Grade: This is a rifle that seems to fit my needs quite well. It's lightweight, has a nice wooden stock, and chambered in 3 popular calibers (243, 7mm-08, and 308, and the 257 Bob). Something about a classic looking rifle that weighs under 6 pounds seems to fit the bill nicely, but just like everyone else that asks about Kimbers questions their accuracy. I'm really just looking for about a 1 MOA rifle for the time being, upgrades such as the barrel and gunsmithing work can wait until the funds are available. NOTE: the SuperAmerica may be an option - Let me know what you think, but I guess I already know the answer...

2) Damn near any Sako/Cooper with a nice wooden stock - I am willing to sacrifice some weight for the beauty (and quality...) of a Sako/Cooper- Comparatively priced with more caliber options than the Kimber SuperAmerica ~$2200. As I've been lead to understand Coopers and Sakos are more or less on the same stage quality wise? Curious to hear what you guys think.

3) Forbes Model M20B - super lightweight, might be difficult to find, composite stock, nice trigger, etc... I know I'm not currently hiking around too many mountains, but I have (and will again for sure!) hunted in western Alberta on elk and whitetail hunts, and plan to (hopefully) move back out that way, which may lead to a sheep hunt or two if I'm lucky (I know some people to take me). From the Forbes catalog the price seems pretty good - ~1600 USD for a 4.75 pound rifle with Timney trigger. I've yet to hear much about these rifles and haven't seen any of the M20s up on Prophet River yet, or any other Canadian dealer. I figure finding this gun might be like finding a needle in a haystack.

4) Custom based off Model 700 SA (others?). Lots of options and specs take lots of time and $$$ to get. For my situation I don't think it would be worth it, unless I bought used or started from a used barreled action, add a lightweight stock (suggestions?), and have the trigger replaced or tuned if it hasn't been done already.

The scopes that have caught my eye so far are both by Leupold- the VX3 2.5-8x36 and the VXR 2-7x33. I like these scopes because they hold true to being lightweight, and lets face it, for the price they both look good on paper. High magnification is not at all needed on this rifle, however if for some reason I need a higher mag scope in the future or for a different hunting situation I have a couple back-ups that could do the trick in a pinch.

Well that's my post for the day. I'd really appreciate hearing about what you guys have done under similar circumstances, what you feel I should do/change/think about, etc... I currently do not reload, but plan to in the near future. Total budget with gun, scope rings, and bases I figure shouldn't (but not exactly "won't") exceed $3000. Have at 'er boys and let me know what you think!
 
I don't think you'll see a short action Forbes up here for a while. My personal choice would be a used Sako. If new is your preference, look at the Sako 85 Bavarian in .308 or 7-08.
 
I've only had a chance to check out the Sakos online, but I'd like to check out the hunter and classic series as well to see which provides a better fit. Used is absolutely NOT out of the question in this case. I'd much rather pay the same for a higher quality rifle with a couple cosmetic issues over a lesser rifle out of the box.
 
I would look at the 257 Bob, 260 or 7mm-08.
The Bob has a little more oomph than the 243 for your calf moose with 115gr. or 120 gr. Nosler Partitions. Hornadys's 75gr. V-max are fine for varmints.
For Coyotes I like either the 85 gr. or 100gr. Nosler BT's ( don't care about hides, but with 100's, the exit hole is rarely big.
The 260 is a great little 6.5 cartridge, more than enough for your game. A 700 "Mountain" is certainly light enough & not bad looking. They shoot well
and a little extra spent on trigger work.
The 7mm-08, is plenty of cartridge, a bit more than required for either coyotes & deer.

My choice would be the Kimber Select in 257 Roberts with the 2-7 Leupold. A little pricier than the 700 Mountain, but damn, they is nice lookin' ! :)
 
7-08 with 120gr Barnes will be your all around bullet.

I prefer heavier but it will be flat shooting and have enough on game performance to handle what you are throwing at it.

As for rifle, find the one that fits you nicely, if you find an expensive one that fits with all options you are good to go.If a less expensive one fits you but doesn't have all your options , spend the balance on upgrades.

As for glass, less may be more for you here, a light weight fixed 4 or 6 with good glass and nice reticle will be plenty for your needs IMO.
 
I was on a similar quest last year. I wound up with a X-bolt in 308 and I love it. I had an older Sako in 30.06 prior and it shot well, but weighed me down. The Sako 75's and 85's are lighter and great rifles, but more than I wanted to spend on a rifle that was going to be carried hard and exposed to the elements on the west coast (lots of rain). I wound up with the x-bolt carbon stalker shot show special, with the stainless fluted barrel: cost all in including tax and shipping for $1200. The carbon fiber "finish" on the barrel is even pretty easy on the eyes for a silver/black rifle. Given the performance and fit (for me) this was hard to beat.

Happy Hunting...
 
You might want to look at a Remington Model 7 CDL in 260 Rem (or 243 if you prefer)
 
I picked up what i believe to be the best all around gun for myself. Browning xbolt stalker in 325wsm. Its fast, flat, accurate and efficient. Weight is minimal with the short action mag and 24" barrel, you can get wood or synthetic, has a dbm and the trigger fits your bill. I load a light deer load with 150g hornady bullets and 195g hornady when i am going for big game. Only downside is you have to reload for it. If you are willing to spend 3k, this rifle and a vortex viper 4-16 will come in at about 1500$ with some frequent pestering at the local gunshops. that leaves yourself with 1500$ for pretty much any reloading equipment you would want to afford. Dont be too quick to dismiss the 325wsm, the more you look into this bullet the more impressed you are going to get, pm me if you want some good links.
 
For my current hunting needs I feel my 300 Win Mag can handle more than enough. I am looking for something .30 cal or less. Not to say it would'nt do its job, but its a little too close to the ballistics of the 300 WM than I can justify right now. That being said, one of these days I could see myself with something along these lines for big game only. I've know a few people who have shot the caliber and have been really impressed.
 
I am running an A-Bolt II in .270 WSM w/ a Leupold Canadian, (stainless, duratouch). Excellent rifle/trigger, and in a cartridge that meets all your requirements. When you start reloading you can really take advantage of some bullets outside the common factory offerings. (I have a load w/ a 90gr hp that will shoot into an inch at 200 yards at about 3400 fps!) You could get into something like this for far less than your budget.

Good Luck
 
I've got everything on your list but the Forbes, and everything on your current list but the Marlin.

I'd take the Cooper over the Sako any day of the week. You have to know going in that they are far from light. Neither is the Sako. Triggers are great on the Coopers, and both of mine shoot. Honestly though, if you can't make a heavy rifle shoot for over 4 grand you're in the wrong business. Personally I think Sakos are over-priced for what you get.

I've got 4 Kimbers including one Select grade. That one is a 7mm Rem and is one of my favorite rifles regardless of price. It has nicer wood than either of my Coopers, an even better trigger and cost less than a third of what my Western Classic cost. All steel, CRF action, M70 Safety, light weight and shoots well enough for anything that I'll ever do with a 7mm Rem. Nice looking rifle.

Something that isn't on your list but would be worth a look is Winchester Featherweight with a Grade 2 wood upgrade. You could get it in 7/08 if you really want the short cartridge. I picked one up in .270 a couple of days ago simply because I liked the wood on it. If anything the stock is nicer than both the Kimber and my Coopers. Darn thing really shoots too. I've had mixed luck with Winchesters over the years; I think the action and design is as good as it gets for a hunting rifle but the execution has frequently come up short. Maybe they've got it right now, but when a M70 starts shooting a bunch of 1/2-3/4" groups from the first day I start paying attention.
 
Prophet River has a Ruger M77 All-Weather in .260 Rem in stock for $829... I bought one two weeks ago... nice light rifle... but not too light (as in a 5.5 pound Whelen).
 
totally agree . the 325 is very versatile and has lots of advantages

ekoso said:
I picked up what i believe to be the best all around gun for myself. Browning xbolt stalker in 325wsm. Its fast, flat, accurate and efficient. Weight is minimal with the short action mag and 24" barrel, you can get wood or synthetic, has a dbm and the trigger fits your bill. I load a light deer load with 150g hornady bullets and 195g hornady when i am going for big game. Only downside is you have to reload for it. If you are willing to spend 3k, this rifle and a vortex viper 4-16 will come in at about 1500$ with some frequent pestering at the local gunshops. that leaves yourself with 1500$ for pretty much any reloading equipment you would want to afford. Dont be too quick to dismiss the 325wsm, the more you look into this bullet the more impressed you are going to get, pm me if you want some good links.
Click to expand...
 
IMO skip the Leupold and get a Swarovski Z3 in either 3-9x36 or 3-10x42. They will only weigh only about 1oz more than the 2.5-8x36, but they are much nicer scopes. The price isn't that huge of a step up either.
 
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