Perfect Out west rifle

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

28 Nosler, 7mm Rem Mag, or 300 Win Mag will cover all animals that you can legally hunt "out west".

Go fondle some rifles and see which make/models fit you the best. Then look at their reviews. Repeat for the scope. When it doubt spend more on the scope than the rifle.

 

[brsnow]

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.

A non-brakes rifle has the same rules for me. Ear protection first. Both are hurting you, what is worse for your liver for example 18 beers or 24, neither is good.

 

[jfs82]

A non-brakes rifle has the same rules for me. Ear protection first. Both are hurting you, what is worse for your liver for example 18 beers or 24, neither is good.

My ear protection stays around my neck while Im out, with a second pair in the day pack at all times just in case. And as to the actual point of the thread... I bit the bullet on a Seekins Havak Element in 6.5 PRC for a "do it all" 280 ai was my other consideration but I don't handload and there's only one non lead offering on the market.

 

[menhaden_man]

Are talking ear protection or caliber selection?

30-06 is tough to beat but there are plenty of solid options.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

Check out Fierce fury rifles. Great rifles. I like 30-06 or 300 win mag if yout elk hunting. Caliber is really a personal preference. I would also consider a 270. Great round with plenty of factory ammo.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

My “do it all” or “all arounder” is a Winchester 70 extreme weather 30-06, it has a Zeiss conquest v4 on it. It’s not the lightest rifle I have, but it’s killed plenty of stuff and I’ve been able to load several loads that it shoots very well. It’s been my moose rifle, it’s taken caribou in several areas here in Alaska, it’s taken elk and mule deer as well. If for some reason I could only keep one of my rifles I can’t think of a better choice for me.

I wouldnt want my all around rifle to be a mountain rifle or a big magnum, I’d pick a 30-06, 270 etc in a Winchester 70, browning x bolt, tikka t3x etc, is go
Stainless and choose a scope that wasn’t over powered, a 3-9, 3-12, 3-18 etc and call it good.

 

[WCB]

As some else has posted, it may help to know your limitations. 400yds and in you have a lot more option IMO than wanting to go out farther.

The vast majority of elk (without doing any research and being part of a bunch of elk kills) are killed under 300yds and most of those under 250yds. .270, .308, 7mm08, 30-06, would be great options. move out a bit longer and then I would go with a 300wm, 7mm rem, etc.

As far as brand unless you really like the Remingtons I would keep an open mind and go handle a bunch of different rifles and look at the options. I have older 700s from the 70s and 80s love those guns. I now mostly have Savages which all shoot lights out.

Muzzle Brakes are a huge fad right now...not that they weren't around before and some people do benefit from shooting them, but they seem to be standard and they are just obnoxious and in my opinion unnecessary. I know a few people that have them on 20" heavy barrel AR .223s because that's the cool thing to do now.

Of course you know your ability to take recoil so that is a personal option.

 

[6mm Remington]

Sold - Model 70 Extreme Weather 30-06 + Maven RS2 + Timney

The Rifle FN-made Model 70 Extreme Weather Stainless Steel in 30-06. ~100 rounds down the tube. The trigger guard shows wear, but the rest of the rifle is in great shape. Functions flawlessly, and is very accurate. Trigger has been upgraded to Timney LINK TO FULL ALBUM Load Data 180 Nosler...

www.rokslide.com

Here you go!

 

[Farmerlentz]

Whatever you already have. I think the whole custom rifle thing is a retarded waste of money

 

[etapia]

Another vote for 7mm mag or 300 win mag. Both will cover just about everything.

 

[CCooper]

Once you have had a smith sort out a new 700 to group respectively you could have bought a CA Mesa. A lot of guys really like the tikka’s. Nothing wrong with a savage 110 and some Smith work either. out west most .28 -.30 calibers will handle anything we have with authority. Bullet choice is king for successful results.

 

[16Bore]

I’m rather amazed at the rifles that don’t work past the Mississippi.

 

[Teaman1]

I know 4 people with tikka 300 wsm’s. All are good shooters and pretty light. Good mountain rifle for the price

 

[prm]

“Best” can only be determined by the individual, but for me an 84M in anything from 7-08 through 338 Fed would get the job done. Could make it a Fieldcraft and I’d by equally happy. Hunting antelope on the prairie is vastly different than elk in the steep, deep timber. I tend to hunt steep mountains so my bias is towards lighter.
My personal do-it all Rifle is an 84M shooting 160gn .338 bullets at a little over 3k FPS. Rifle, including sling weighs 6lbs. It‘s worked on everything from hogs, deer, Impalas to Kudu and elk.

 

[FLS]

Realize that most of them are trying to sell you something. Podcasts, YouTube, etc all have sponsors. Now it seems that everyone needs a custom built rifle to hunt with. If you want one just because, great, but don’t think they are necessary.

 

[16Bore]

30-06
When you absolutely, positively, run out of give a shit.

 

[Kimber7man]

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?

Buy once, cry once, and never look back....

Xtreme Hunter

Flatter Trajectory; Light Weight; Minimal Wind Correction; Light recoil; Great Barrel life (2500+ rds); Exceptional cartridge component life 8+ reloads per case.

www.gaprecision.net

 

[jfs82]

Fierce, Cooper, Seekins, Weatherby, Sako, Proof, Nosler
28 nos
6.5 prc
7 rem mag
whatever else...

It seems like with how well bullets are made at this point, you really can pick anything 257 wby mag/6.5 and up and good to go for any species without being undergunned.

It also seems like basically any rifle from Tikka t3/ browning x bolt/bergara on up will leave you with a great quality rifle that'll last and do all you need it to. All the rest is masturbation (not an insult as I just ordered a fancy rifle myself).

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Tikka T3x lite .270 Win and fill tags

 

[Ballbearing]

My “do it all” or “all arounder” is a Winchester 70 extreme weather 30-06, it has a Zeiss conquest v4 on it. It’s not the lightest rifle I have, but it’s killed plenty of stuff and I’ve been able to load several loads that it shoots very well. It’s been my moose rifle, it’s taken caribou in several areas here in Alaska, it’s taken elk and mule deer as well. If for some reason I could only keep one of my rifles I can’t think of a better choice for me.

I wouldn't want my all around rifle to be a mountain rifle or a big magnum, I’d pick a 30-06, 270 etc in a Winchester 70, browning x bolt, tikka t3x etc, is go
Stainless and choose a scope that wasn’t over powered, a 3-9, 3-12, 3-18 etc and call it good.

I'm not trying to derail this topic for the OP, but didn't think my question worthy of a new thread.

As far as a one rifle solution: Do you, thinhorn AK, (or anyone else for that matter) feel that a one pound lighter Tikka is preferable to the heavier Winchester for a do it all, under all circumstances rifle. One pound isn't huge, but over the long haul it could be.

My personal experience with a Kimber Montana in .308 is that I'm not as stable and consistent in all shooting positions. I would rather have a heavier rifle that "settles in", but then it becomes a matter of too heavy. My Father's 10 or 11 pound Browning shoots great, but I definitely don't like taking that far into the field.

I guess the question is: ideal weight for all around? I thought there was a thread on here stating 8 to 8.5 pounds all up was ideal, but I can't seem to find that.

Also, my next rifle will most likely be 30-06.

Sorry for the derail, and thanks.