Opinion: best overall rifle for hunting?

[HawkCreek]

.30-06 with a 22" barrel.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

.30-06 with a 22" barrel.

That’s one of the many features of my m70 ewss I really like.

 

[zeroforhire]

Tikka 7mm mag

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[Ndbowhunter]

300 win mag is too large as a do all cartridge. Mine shot everything from grizz to turkeys.

Tikka superlite 7mm-08 can be loaded with a massive variety of bullet and powders.. 30gr imr 4198 under a 110tnt recoils like a 223

162gr eld-x with reloder 17 will absolutely plant large game at longer distances most should ever kill animals.

120gr nosler for deer and lopes.

Top it with an swfa mil quad scope and kill things.. the weight is neither too light nor too heavy.

That's said dropping half a millimeter wouldn't run a guy off.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

It's really hard to improve beyond the plain jane 308. And if you do, you have to give up something.

 

[Dunndm]

It's really hard to improve beyond the plain jane 308. And if you do, you have to give up something.

Could you expand on that a little?


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[Boarmaster]

7mm08, 308 , 270 ,280 or 3006 take your pick. 22-24 inch barrel. Under 8 lbs
Preferably around 7-7.5 scoped. My advice , when asked is always buy a rifle that works great with no excuses for the 90 percent of the hunting You will do. Let it work Ok to good for the other 10 percent.

 

[NDGuy]

30-06. Good at everything!

 

[Reburn]

I'm very surprised no one had mentioned the 270. If I had to be a one-gun hunter I would go with a custom 700 in a 270. It is sufficient for almost all NA game except maybe a coastal Grizzly. Works well for most African game as well.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Buyer beware of the custom chamberings. My 257 Weatherby mag has been my favorite game getter for the better part on a decade. So much so I have a 300 Weatherby to match it. They are almost identical twins in bullet drop and appearance. But they are painfully expensive to practice with. It’s like burning $20 bills to light cuban cigars and pouring bottles of jamieson on the ground. For that reason, I’ll never own a 26,28,20 nosler or any other chambering that there isn’t many commerical round options readily avaliable. I can practice with 80 rounds with my 6.5 creedmoor for what it costs to shoot my 300 Weatherby 20 times.

 

[HomerMan30]

Sako 85 Finnlight in .30-06

 

[wind gypsy]

Best "overall" rifle is probably something I'd never use

If i'm shooting a long ways at elk but not walking far, I want a heavy magnum that i can spot shots with.
If i'm walking all over hell in thick and steep stuff for elk, i want a short, light, and handy 30 cal.
Badlands Muleys? mid weight and fast 6.5
Tree stand whitetails? Short barreled mid weight 6 or 6.5 with a can.
And on and on.

 

[jjchad]

I bought my first rifle 25+ years ago, and I had the same thought then. What caliber can I use for all North American game. My choice was the 300 Win. Even though I have bought and sold many rifles /calibers, that 300 Win is still my go to gun/ caliber. Plus it's easy to get 30 caliber bullets to reload.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Split the difference and get a .300 WSM if you’re looking to go new. If I was in your shoes, I’d get it in X-Bolt Speed


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[deerkiller]

I still cannot figure out why some people are so fearful of a good 300 Win Mag ? Recoil ? Hardly any more than a 7mm Rem Mag but a whole lot more versatility … 24" barrel is plenty … no need for one of them "ear drum busters" .. premium 180 or 200 grain bullet, a good scope and a bunch of practice and any shooter should be good-to-go for life …. (but that's kind of a boring thought)
IF one is set on a "7mm mag" the 7mm Weatherby Mag is much more suited to reloading and without the pressure spikes - Nosler, STW and the likes are tempting but with a range finder, good scope and practice WHY ?? Gravity gets EVERYTHING when it leaves the muzzle

 

[howl]

Are you going to hunt anything that fights back?

 

[TREE ‘EM]

If your primary species is hoofed game with distance being a factor, it’s hard to beat a .270 or .280 with a 24” tube.

If you’re not as worried about long range and want a shorter barrel with more versatility, I’m solidly in the 30/06 22” camp.

I'm having Morris at Alaska Arms true up my Ruger 77 MK II action and install a 8 twist 24” Krieger barrel. It will get a black nitride finish from H&M in Akron, OH and a MPI Ultralight stock with a blind magazine.
This will be my primary rifle for the rest of my days. That said, I’m not letting go of my ‘06 or my 6.5 CM.

Rifle’s don’t require monogamy. .. I’m toying with putting a 280AI tube on my loaner ‘06

 

[Dunndm]

Are you going to hunt anything that fights back?

Maybe my fiancé if I Spend to much


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[Dunndm]

Are you going to hunt anything that fights back?

Serious note, bears


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[deerkiller]

If your primary species is hoofed game with distance being a factor, it’s hard to beat a .270 or .280 with a 24” tube.

If you’re not as worried about long range and want a shorter barrel with more versatility, I’m solidly in the 30/06 22” camp.

I'm having Morris at Alaska Arms true up my Ruger 77 MK II action and install a 8 twist 24” Krieger barrel. It will get a black nitride finish from H&M in Akron, OH and a MPI Ultralight stock with a blind magazine.
This will be my primary rifle for the rest of my days. That said, I’m not letting go of my ‘06 or my 6.5 CM.

Rifle’s don’t require monogamy. .. I’m toying with putting a 280AI tube on my loaner ‘06

you will LOVE the .280 AI

 

[deerkiller]

Serious note, bears


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200's or even 220's if it's the correct bullet BUT I personally would feel a WHOLE LOT BETTER holding a 338 of some flavor