Perfect Out west rifle

[Fadetoblack188]

What’s up guys I’m looking into purchasing a rifle for out west hunts. Elk, mule deer, moose etc.

I watch all these hunting shows and YouTube’s and see these guys with these awesome rifles. Some have muzzle breaks and what not.
What do you guys recommend without completely going bankrupt.

I was thinking 300 win mag?

Remington 700 platform?

 

[N2TRKYS]

My perfect out West rifle is a Remington Model Seven SS.

 

[FLAK]

Yep, that .300 WM will do it all. That's what I use.

 

[Lvthntitall]

I’m using a 300 rem ultra mag, Remington mod 700 with a break

 

[jdmaxwell]

Also 300 RUM, Remington mod 700 with brake.

 

[howl]

Muzzle brakes are a horrible idea unless you have an unusual degree of self discipline allowing you to watch a B&C bull trot off because you forget your ear plugs. If you are considering a rig which will recoil higher than your personal preference, add a suppressor to the budget and consider restrictions.

It really helps to set a hard, realistic budget before figuring out what to get. Include how much you like to pay for a box of ammo. These things narrow the field of rifles and cartridges quickly. I don't consider the scope that big a deal for out west. It just has to be decent and reliable.

 

[Dave0317]

Any quality bolt action in 30-06, maybe 300 WM if you need the extra range and don’t mind the recoil.

Remington 700, Winchester 70, Tikka, Bergera maybe, Savage, Browning, so many more.. Lots of really great options on the market right now.

Barrel length and weight will just be a matter of what you want to carry or how you hunt. If you put more miles on your truck or ATV than you do your feet, you might as well get a heavier and easier to shoot rifle. If you camp way into the backcountry or do a lot of still hunting, a lighter rifle may be an advantage.

 

[clockworkgator]

A vote for the old school: M70 FWT in 708 or Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .280.

Get ready for tons of Tikka recs.

 

[RG_Hunt]

I’ve ran a weatherby vanguard backcountry with Sig optics chambered in 30.06 for years. It’s a perfect set up for deer/elk, bear and antelope.

 

[clockworkgator]

Muzzle brakes are a horrible idea unless you have an unusual degree of self discipline allowing you to watch a B&C bull trot off because you forget your ear plugs. If you are considering a rig which will recoil higher than your personal preference, add a suppressor to the budget and consider restrictions.

It really helps to set a hard, realistic budget before figuring out what to get. Include how much you like to pay for a box of ammo. These things narrow the field of rifles and cartridges quickly. I don't consider the scope that big a deal for out west. It just has to be decent and reliable.

What you already shoot might help, too. I'd always encourage someone to shoot a 300+ magnum before investing in one. My first ever rifle was a 300wm (because it was there and it was a good deal and I didn't mind a big cartridge) but they're not for everyone, especially if you want to shoot long, long distances.

 

[elkguide]

.300 Win Mag fanboy here. Recoil isn't something that I like but I shoot enough that I'm just fine with a .300 Win Mag. When I carry a .300RUM it does wear a brake and that does change the dynamics of hearing protection.

 

[roosiebull]

I think the 300wm is a hard to beat "do all" cartridge. I like my 7mm rm, it will do anything I ever ask, but I certainly wouldn't argue it's as good or better than the 300.

I don't hunt elk with a rifle, if I did I would have likely chose the 300 instead (not that a 7 mag isn't plenty adequate)

what I like about the 300 is an excuse down the road to "need" another rifle for smaller stuff

i'm in the market for a lighter rifle in a smaller cartridge.... wish there were more 257wby platforms with stock rifles, but will end up with either a 25-06, or more likely the boring 6.5creed.

I have never owned a Remington 700, they are obviously time tested... don't think you can go wrong. my primary rifle now is a Sako, and it shoots crazy good, my next will likely be the new Savage with the proof barrel, or a Kimber mountain ascent.

my only issue with my sako is it's weight is middle of the road (6 3/4lb bare) and want something light to pack some days, but still be enough gun for bear, which aren't very hard to kill with a well placed shot.

I think you are on the right track, sounds like you have some practical logic in your idea

 

[clockworkgator]

.300 Win Mag fanboy here. Recoil isn't something that I like but I shoot enough that I'm just fine with a .300 Win Mag. When I carry a .300RUM it does wear a brake and that does change the dynamics of hearing protection.

Yup. I wasn't trying to say it's not doable without a brake. Just that if you've only fired very light cartridges and then someone hands you a 6# 300wm mountain setup without warning, you might need some superglue to close that cut over your eye

 

[theoutdoorsman]

Kimber montana 280ai bedded and tuned with a 40mm leupold and talley rings will keep you light on your feet and get the job done without refinancing your mortgage.

 

[JeffRaines]

300 and a Rem 700 platform isn’t the worst thing you could buy... but at the same time, if your idea of a “long” shot is 300 yards you could get away with 30-06 or even 308 for that matter and save money on ammo and your shoulder some.

I’m also a big fan of brakes. I haven’t gotten a chance to shoot with a suppressor, however I don’t think I’ll ever go that route due to the tax stamp issue and the cost of the suppressor itself. In any case, every thread that comes up with brakes always has a guy or two who is worried about their hearing and it never makes sense because shooting any rifle without hearing protection causes irreversible hearing damage and it’s cumulative - so just shooting it once or twice on the mountain every year may seem like “not much” it’s still doing damage these guys will be seeing in their old age. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy having my hearing.

As far as forgetting your earplugs - do you often leave the truck without a knife? Do you forget your rifle? Binoculars? Remembering to bring earplugs becomes like remembering your knife, rifle or binoculars.

 

[howl]

I literally forgot the bolt for a rifle once. Didn't remember to put it in when I took it out of the safe. I have had to let animals go because my ear pro was on me but not accessible.

The damage from one shot of a high pressure cartridge through a brake is worse than standard rifles. You can Google up data. Or not.

 

[JeffRaines]

I literally forgot the bolt for a rifle once. Didn't remember to put it in when I took it out of the safe. I have had to let animals go because my ear pro was on me but not accessible.

The damage from one shot of a high pressure cartridge through a brake is worse than standard rifles. You can Google up data. Or not.

I’m not arguing that a brake doesn’t damage your hearing because it does - the hearing protection part wasn’t really aimed at you but just peoples justification for not using a brake in general because “my hearing!” when really any shot from a rifle damages it, and the damage doesn’t heal or go away.

 

[CApighunter]

I’ve got a LAW professional in 300 win with a 3-10 SHV on top. Love this combo. Not the lightest, but pleasant to shoot and bomb proof.

 

[6mm Remington]

280 Remington or 280 AI
30-06
300 WSM

Winchester Model 70 Classic spotter or EWII or featherweight
Ruger Hawkeye
Tikka

 

[deerhunter628]

I use a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 308 with a Leupold vx3. Its been a great mountain rifle.