New Hunting Rifle advice

[jerm8352]

The wife finally gave me the ok to buy a new hunting rifle. I currently have a Remington 783 in 300 win mag. But it tears up my shoulder and is heavy and I am looking to get a 6.5 creedmoor or 7mm 08. I do not want to break the bank but I am looking for a nice rifle for elk, mulies and antelope here in Pinedale Wy. That Remington 783 shoots straight but it just feels cheap. I have read a lot about all these new entry line rifles being very accurate and just wanted to know all your thoughts. I am not married to one particular brand and yes I know to go get my hands on as many as possible but just looking for a place to start. I load my own rounds as well so I should be able to get pretty good accuracy with a decent rifle.

Thanks for all the insight.

 

[Southern Elk]

Not sure what your budget is, but I’d look at a Tikka T3 and Browning Xbolt.

 

[jerm8352]

Probably a step under those but not sure yet.

 

[JohnCushman]

I'm not trying to sound like a sponsor whore, but I bought a Howa 1500 in 30-06 and I'm cloverleafing 3 shot groups at 100 yards with handloads. The rifle ran about $450. I also have a Ruger American and it's a damn good shooter with factory ammo for a good price point. A good time to look for guns it towards the end of summer when sales and rebates start. There was just a good rebate on Savage rifles. My advice would be to find the rifle you like and look at Bud's online. They usually beat just about anyone's price, plus do a 90 day layaway. Also, don't overlook the Savage Axis, TC Compass, and Mossberg Patriots. All of them shoot great for entry rifles.

 

[Scarey]

If you are going for elk or mulies I'd lean more toward a .270 .308 or 30-06. The 7mm08 will do the trick as long as you do your part. I personally use my 7mm08 more for deer size game. I'm sure if you don't mind spending the $ you could look at .280AI. It all depends on what your preferences are. Do you want a rifle that is easy to find rounds for, do you reload, do you like the offhand / unique calibers. Me personally I own several different rifles all non magnum. .243Win, .270Win, 7mm08 Rem and a .280 Rem. All very capable rounds.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Browning X-bolt Hells Canyon or Tikka T3x SS.

 

[elkduds]

Savage: accurate, affordable. Out to 400 yards in a short action I'd choose 7mm over 6.5 because I only hunt elk. I don't shoot @ game beyond 300, though my 270 and 7 RM will both go there..

 

[Pagosa]

If you do some looking online (classified section on hunting forums) you can find nice lightly used rifles at several hundred dollars off their regular price. I purchased a new Remington 700 CDL for $600 once. I personally like Remingtons and 7mm mags. A light-weight rifle 6lbs in a 7mm-08 will kick, not like your 300. Rifles around 8.5-9.0 lbs seem to shoot the best with moderate recoil. Best of luck in your search.

 

[noharleyyet]

check out this thread

NIB Rem 700 mountain ss for sale

For sale is my Remington mountain ss in 7-08 with bell and Carlson stock. Never been fired took it out of the box and looked at it when I bought it a year ago. Anyway I'm gonna want the money to fund another project asking $875 obo shipped to your ffl.

www.hunttalk.com

 

[Nick87]

check out this thread

NIB Rem 700 mountain ss for sale

For sale is my Remington mountain ss in 7-08 with bell and Carlson stock. Never been fired took it out of the box and looked at it when I bought it a year ago. Anyway I'm gonna want the money to fund another project asking $875 obo shipped to your ffl.

www.hunttalk.com

Thanks for the free advertising noharley!

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

I'd scour the used racks of your nearest sporting goods stores. You can typically find a couple of used Winchester Model 70s or Remington 700s with nice wood in calibers that would work. I know you said that you want to upgrade from your cheap 783, but aren't willing to spend the Tikka money, so used would be a great option.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I love my Remington Model Seven SS rifles. Very accurate and handle nicely.

 

[mtmuley]

783's and Tikkas feel about the same. mtmuley

 

[CForest]

A lot depends on budget, tikkas are some great shooters for the money but as mtmuley mentioned they don't feel like a high end gun. Although I don't own one (yet) the Bergara might be a great fit for you, very solid feeling gun and most all reports are that they shoot great. In all honesty you just need to go to a good gun shop and play around with some guns and see how the feel. I own more brownings than anything because they shoot pretty well but most importantly they fit me perfectly. In regards to caliber, the 6.5 creedmoor is just not a reliable elk gun imo. I've shot quite a few cows with the 7mm-08 and while it has worked every time I wouldn't want any less that is for sure. A 270 or 308 may be worth a look

 

[nrpate05]

Are you going to keep the 300 Win or is this a replacement for that? If you're going to keep it, I'd use that for elk and get a nice 7mm08 for speedgoats and mule deer. If you aren't concerned about weight, the Weatherby Vanguard and Howa 1500 are really good for the price. I have a Howa in 7mm08 and it was less than $400. It shoots pretty well too. The Vanguard is the same action (or very similar) but a little bit better fit and finish in my opinion. If weight is an issue the Tikka T3 is a great gun for the money. It feels a bit 'cheap' but it shoots very well. Good luck with your search. I love Pinedale. Used to hunt unit 90 for antelope when I was a resident and that unit is one of my favorite places to hunt.

 

[jerm8352]

Thank you for all the input. I guess a little more info would help. I have a 30.06 as well that I shoot fairly well but I got the .300 win mag for elk and have just never gotten comfortable with it and started flinching even with lots of bench time trying to get comfortable. I don’t seem to have the problem as much with other guns although after shooting the 300 at the range I tend to flinch with anything. I know this is something that I have to work through and I will but I was also looking for something without a lot of kick that would help me make better shots. Randy mentions 7mm 08 in a YouTube video and I just went there. And the wife said I could get a new gun and I wasn’t gonna turn that down. Maybe I should just get a deer gun and use what I already have for elk. I just want to ethically take down animals and I just never seem comfortable with the 300 even though I have killed animals with it. Sorry for the long rant and thanks for the help. My wife seems to want to start hunting antelope and I have a 3 yr old and I just jumped to light recoil thinking they may be able to use it.

 

[Scarey]

Thank you for all the input. I guess a little more info would help. I have a 30.06 as well that I shoot fairly well but I got the .300 win mag for elk and have just never gotten comfortable with it and started flinching even with lots of bench time trying to get comfortable. I don’t seem to have the problem as much with other guns although after shooting the 300 at the range I tend to flinch with anything. I know this is something that I have to work through and I will but I was also looking for something without a lot of kick that would help me make better shots. Randy mentions 7mm 08 in a YouTube video and I just went there. And the wife said I could get a new gun and I wasn’t gonna turn that down. Maybe I should just get a deer gun and use what I already have for elk. I just want to ethically take down animals and I just never seem comfortable with the 300 even though I have killed animals with it. Sorry for the long rant and thanks for the help. My wife seems to want to start hunting antelope and I have a 3 yr old and I just jumped to light recoil thinking they may be able to use it.

the 7mm08 is a fun rifle to shoot. It helped me to stop flinching. If used for the wife or kid you may want to look at a light grain bullet.

 

[CForest]

7mm08 would make for a great choice in that regard. Maybe look at a rifle that has an adjustable stock so it has the capabilities to fit everyone

 

[JLS]

Regardless of what you get, a good trigger job, nice recoil pad, and some dry fire practice will do you well.

 

[tom338]

If that 300 mag makes you flinch trade it in on a smaller caliber. In doing that you will be able to afford a nicer rifle than just buying another one. Stepping down to a 7mm rem mag, lots less recoil. Still plenty for elk.