Fieldcraft

[Jmort1754]

30-06 or 280ai

Or go with a Mesa in 300 win or 28 nosler

Lower 48 only.

 

[pchrisla]

For a do-it-all rifle I would go with the 30-06 Fieldcraft personally. I'm a 2 rifle guy though. 6.5 PRC and 300 win mag.

 

[MuleyFever]

Just got off the phone with Barrett. They have no info on the 280 so who knows how far along they are with it.

 

[hwy1strat]

Fieldcraft in 6.5 creedmoor. I wouldn't want that light of a rifle with that big of a caliber. I have a 30-06 in a 7.5lbs rifle and I find myself wishing it was a 6.5 every time I go to use it.

 

[deerkiller]

recoil is a VERY subjective thing - one person cannot choose another's rifle based on weight or recoil - case in point: I've been shooting a Tikka T3 SL in '06 AI for several years, I shoot it a lot, with 180's and a full load of RL22 it kicks but not bad at all - this past August, on an impulse, I purchased a Kimber HUNTER in 280 AL (I LOVE it BTW) 160 gr and 2 less grains of RL22, the recoil is NOTICEABLY softer and the Kimber is close to a lb lighter (GO FIGURE) both have Limbsaver aircell pads - the only other difference is the Kimber has a 24" pipe, the Tikka a 22" - ONLY point I make is that with "recoil" one never knows until you shoot it ...

 

[fightthenoise]

recoil is a VERY subjective thing - one person cannot choose another's rifle based on weight or recoil - case in point: I've been shooting a Tikka T3 SL in '06 AI for several years, I shoot it a lot, with 180's and a full load of RL22 it kicks but not bad at all - this past August, on an impulse, I purchased a Kimber HUNTER in 280 AL (I LOVE it BTW) 160 gr and 2 less grains of RL22, the recoil is NOTICEABLY softer and the Kimber is close to a lb lighter (GO FIGURE) both have Limbsaver aircell pads - the only other difference is the Kimber has a 24" pipe, the Tikka a 22" - ONLY point I make is that with "recoil" one never knows until you shoot it ...

This is all super valid and I agree but I want to point out how crazy different recoil can be between two stocks. I have a .280 Model 70 lightweight that kicks like a MULE and a 30-06 model 70 Extreme Weather that is totally manageable and the only difference all up is the stocks and a few ounces. Pretty similar loads and charges of RL26. I hate shooting that 280 from the bench (love hunting with it) but the 30-06 is downright fun. So yeah, changing the shooter and/or the stock changes angles in a way you can’t predict and therefore perceived recoil as well. Sorry to jump on that tangent. As you were...

 

[MuleyFever]

Dang it deerkiller your going to make me save a bunch of money and just go buy a Kimber Hunter if you keep mentioning how much you like that rifle.

 

[204guy]

Do you reload? I wouldn't want a 28 nos or a 280AI unless I reloaded.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

I considered the 3006 fieldcraft. When I held it I decided it wasn't for me. I'm a two rifle guy. 260 rem and a 300 win mag.

 

[deerkiller]

This is all super valid and I agree but I want to point out how crazy different recoil can be between two stocks. I have a .280 Model 70 lightweight that kicks like a MULE and a 30-06 model 70 Extreme Weather that is totally manageable and the only difference all up is the stocks and a few ounces. Pretty similar loads and charges of RL26. I hate shooting that 280 from the bench (love hunting with it) but the 30-06 is downright fun. So yeah, changing the shooter and/or the stock changes angles in a way you can’t predict and therefore perceived recoil as well. Sorry to jump on that tangent. As you were...

ABSOLUTELY relevant response to my comment - IF I were a better "writer" I would have realized I left THAT part out, it's a BIG factor - the HUNTER is a straight classic style stock (many will say "plastic" but it is quite rigid and very ergonomic, for me at least -

 

[deerkiller]

I considered the 3006 fieldcraft. When I held it I decided it wasn't for me. I'm a two rifle guy. 260 rem and a 300 win mag.

My son and another guy in our regular hunting group have Fieldcrafts - They are very well done indeed BUT for me, I can't get my head around that 2 position safety that does NOT lock the bolt, that just ain't right …..

I've had Browning Abolts, Tikka's (I even bought a German "model 70" safety conversion that kinda sorta is a model 70 safety for my Tikka '06 AI) (which is about to be reborn as a 338/06 AI) because my mind keeps telling me that a model 70 safety is the RIGHT DESIGN - HECK, I'd be one of those "old guys" who says "give me the rifleman's rifle, THAT THERE model 70" … IF they would make one as light at the Kimber HUNTER (and don't get me wrong, I really like Tikka's but a model 70 they are not)