Best all around hunting rifle?

alabama · February 9, 2011, 05:48 PM

If you could only have one rifle to hunt anything from florida deer to alaskan moose in sun or rain what would it be?And which scope or sights would u pick?

TheGoldenState · February 9, 2011, 05:59 PM

Deer to Moose is a jump. When I think of best all around hunting rifle, I think the BAR Safari .308

Bamashooter · February 9, 2011, 06:04 PM

I think 30-06 would be perfect. Scope choice is up to the shooter, but I like my 06 and burris scope combo. I also think .308 would be almost as good a choice.

Buzzcook · February 9, 2011, 06:14 PM

Winchester Model 70 in .30-06

Or maybe a Marlin 336 in .30-30

one of those or something in between

HunterGuy · February 9, 2011, 06:18 PM

30-06 no doubt. There are so many different bullet weights for a 30-06 it's almost mind boggling. The only problem you would run into is having to re-zero your scope when switching from a 150grain to a 220grain.

It's a big jump in bullet weight and ballistics.

As far as a scope, i'm really loving my Nikon Monarch 3x12x42 with BDC reticle

Abel · February 9, 2011, 06:31 PM

30-06

jackpine · February 9, 2011, 06:34 PM

1903 springfield with a whelen style stock, rebored to 35 whelen improved, fit with a redfield "peep" sight, and warne rings and bases holding a 6X scope. 158 FMJ pistol bullets for camp meat, 200 or 225 spire points for general use and 250 or 300 grain bullets for the big uns.

precision_shooter · February 9, 2011, 06:44 PM

My Tikka T3 or Savage in .308...They are both blued. Not worried about getting them wet as I know how to completely strip and clean them to keep from rusting.

twins · February 9, 2011, 06:52 PM

Marlin XS-7 7mm-08 (~$300) with Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope (~$100). Synthetic stock, excellent caliber, good-cheap scope. Total package around $400 for hunting on the cheap with good/dependable gear.

Doyle · February 9, 2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Marlin XS-7 7mm-08 (~$300) with Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope (~$100). Synthetic stock, excellent caliber, good-cheap scope. Total package around $400 for hunting on the cheap with good/dependable gear.

A little on the marginal side for the Alaskan game - especially if you want to get into Kodiak bear.

pbrktrt · February 9, 2011, 06:59 PM

Actually, that might be a good way to get into a Kodiak.

pabuckslayer08 · February 9, 2011, 07:08 PM

A Bolt 30-06 with 150s for deer and 220s for moose then top it with a Nikon Monarch

BIGR · February 9, 2011, 07:45 PM

A bolt action 30.06 in stainless or with a tough weather resistant finish. Top it with a Nikon Monarch or Bushnell Elite scope.

DiscoRacing · February 9, 2011, 07:46 PM

Howa 1500 in 30-06

Load em heavy or light....

daytime or night

HOWA..yeah thats right.

GeauxTide · February 9, 2011, 08:54 PM

Including moose, I'd pick my Shilen barreled 700 in 338-06. 200 Hornady for deer and 210 Noslers for moose.

joegator · February 9, 2011, 08:57 PM

Model 70 30-06.

wncchester · February 9, 2011, 09:00 PM

Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.

grubbylabs · February 9, 2011, 09:29 PM

Where are you primarily hunting?

If in Florida and mostly close shots I would go with a 30-30 leaver and go with either regular Irons, peep or a low powered fixed scope.

The 30-30 is plenty capable of hunting any thing in N. America and you only have to get within a 100 yards or so.

If mostly someplace more open than Florida and only occasionally in Florida I would go with a 30-06, 308 or 7mm-08 what ever you choose but the 06 and 308 are going to have ammo available any where you go. I personally like a 4-12 scope for my hunting rifle. Mostly so that I can use the 12x at the range. I pack it out in the field on 4x.

I shoot a Marlin XS-7 in 308 with a really nice Vortex scope. I was about 510.00 into mine. And I really like it, it shoots well, and consistently

Good luck

Brian Pfleuger · February 9, 2011, 09:35 PM

One rifle.... or one cartridge?

My Encore Pro Hunter would be my choice, since I can get a couple hundred different barrels for it.

Since I doubt that the spirit of the question, I pick my Encore in 7mm-08, as long as you stop at "moose". Kodiak bear would need something bigger but a 7mm-08 would be fine with large, tough bullets on moose.

For optics, I guess I'd pick a Sightron Big Sky, something like 4.5-14, if I have to pay for it. If I'm spending your money, a US Optics or Nightforce something.

PawPaw · February 9, 2011, 09:38 PM

It's hard to beat a .30-06 for North America.

My go-to hunting rifle is a .30-06 with a 6X fixed scope. If I don't know what I'll be hunting, or the ranges that I might have to take a shot, then the -06 gets the nod. I load it with 168 grain bullets and feel like I can take anything short of the big bears.

Mosinnagant · February 9, 2011, 09:43 PM

270 is able to drop just about every thin in North America.

TGDKY · February 9, 2011, 09:49 PM

Weatherby Vanguard in .257 magnum- Vortex 6x24x50 crossfire scope

TXAZ · February 9, 2011, 10:38 PM

According to Joe Herring, former chief of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, and one heck of a hunter, the 30 06 is the ideal weapon in North America, as it can drop any indigenous animal on the continent.

Takeum · February 9, 2011, 10:44 PM

270 WSM is my round of choice... That or a good 280 rifle will kill about any North American game out there...

RaySendero · February 9, 2011, 10:45 PM

I'd pick a Super Grade M70 Winchester in 270. Since its blued and wood stocked I'd figure out how to take care of it in bad weather.

Something like this:

February 9, 2011, 05:48 PM	#1
alabama Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Posts: 96	Best all around hunting rifle? If you could only have one rifle to hunt anything from florida deer to alaskan moose in sun or rain what would it be?And which scope or sights would u pick?

February 9, 2011, 05:59 PM	#2
TheGoldenState Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2010 Posts: 1,191	Deer to Moose is a jump. When I think of best all around hunting rifle, I think the BAR Safari .308 __________________ The Day You Get Comfortable Is The Day You Get Careless...

February 9, 2011, 06:44 PM	#8
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	My Tikka T3 or Savage in .308...They are both blued. Not worried about getting them wet as I know how to completely strip and clean them to keep from rusting. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

February 9, 2011, 07:46 PM	#14
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	Howa 1500 in 30-06 Load em heavy or light.... daytime or night HOWA..yeah thats right. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

February 9, 2011, 09:29 PM	#18
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	Where are you primarily hunting? If in Florida and mostly close shots I would go with a 30-30 leaver and go with either regular Irons, peep or a low powered fixed scope. The 30-30 is plenty capable of hunting any thing in N. America and you only have to get within a 100 yards or so. If mostly someplace more open than Florida and only occasionally in Florida I would go with a 30-06, 308 or 7mm-08 what ever you choose but the 06 and 308 are going to have ammo available any where you go. I personally like a 4-12 scope for my hunting rifle. Mostly so that I can use the 12x at the range. I pack it out in the field on 4x. I shoot a Marlin XS-7 in 308 with a really nice Vortex scope. I was about 510.00 into mine. And I really like it, it shoots well, and consistently Good luck __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

February 9, 2011, 06:04 PM	#3
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	I think 30-06 would be perfect. Scope choice is up to the shooter, but I like my 06 and burris scope combo. I also think .308 would be almost as good a choice.

February 9, 2011, 06:14 PM	#4
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 Or maybe a Marlin 336 in .30-30 one of those or something in between

February 9, 2011, 06:18 PM	#5
HunterGuy Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2010 Location: South Jersey Posts: 263	30-06 no doubt. There are so many different bullet weights for a 30-06 it's almost mind boggling. The only problem you would run into is having to re-zero your scope when switching from a 150grain to a 220grain. It's a big jump in bullet weight and ballistics. As far as a scope, i'm really loving my Nikon Monarch 3x12x42 with BDC reticle

February 9, 2011, 06:31 PM	#6
Abel Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,161	30-06

February 9, 2011, 06:34 PM	#7
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	1903 springfield with a whelen style stock, rebored to 35 whelen improved, fit with a redfield "peep" sight, and warne rings and bases holding a 6X scope. 158 FMJ pistol bullets for camp meat, 200 or 225 spire points for general use and 250 or 300 grain bullets for the big uns.

February 9, 2011, 06:52 PM	#9
twins Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2010 Posts: 393	Marlin XS-7 7mm-08 (~$300) with Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope (~$100). Synthetic stock, excellent caliber, good-cheap scope. Total package around $400 for hunting on the cheap with good/dependable gear.

February 9, 2011, 06:59 PM	#11
pbrktrt Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 313	Actually, that might be a good way to get into a Kodiak.

February 9, 2011, 07:08 PM	#12
pabuckslayer08 Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2010 Location: South Central Pa Posts: 692	A Bolt 30-06 with 150s for deer and 220s for moose then top it with a Nikon Monarch

February 9, 2011, 07:45 PM	#13
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	A bolt action 30.06 in stainless or with a tough weather resistant finish. Top it with a Nikon Monarch or Bushnell Elite scope.

February 9, 2011, 08:54 PM	#15
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Including moose, I'd pick my Shilen barreled 700 in 338-06. 200 Hornady for deer and 210 Noslers for moose.

February 9, 2011, 08:57 PM	#16
joegator Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 537	Model 70 30-06.

February 9, 2011, 09:00 PM	#17
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.

February 9, 2011, 09:35 PM	#19
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	One rifle.... or one cartridge? My Encore Pro Hunter would be my choice, since I can get a couple hundred different barrels for it. Since I doubt that the spirit of the question, I pick my Encore in 7mm-08, as long as you stop at "moose". Kodiak bear would need something bigger but a 7mm-08 would be fine with large, tough bullets on moose. For optics, I guess I'd pick a Sightron Big Sky, something like 4.5-14, if I have to pay for it. If I'm spending your money, a US Optics or Nightforce something. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 9, 2011, 09:38 PM	#20
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	It's hard to beat a .30-06 for North America. My go-to hunting rifle is a .30-06 with a 6X fixed scope. If I don't know what I'll be hunting, or the ranges that I might have to take a shot, then the -06 gets the nod. I load it with 168 grain bullets and feel like I can take anything short of the big bears. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

February 9, 2011, 09:43 PM	#21
Mosinnagant Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 75	270 is able to drop just about every thin in North America.

February 9, 2011, 09:49 PM	#22
TGDKY Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Posts: 135	Weatherby Vanguard in .257 magnum- Vortex 6x24x50 crossfire scope __________________ ‘‘To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them...’’ “An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.”

February 9, 2011, 10:38 PM	#23
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	According to Joe Herring, former chief of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, and one heck of a hunter, the 30 06 is the ideal weapon in North America, as it can drop any indigenous animal on the continent. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

February 9, 2011, 10:44 PM	#24
Takeum Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Memphis, Tn. Posts: 26	270 WSM is my round of choice... That or a good 280 rifle will kill about any North American game out there...

February 9, 2011, 10:45 PM	#25
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	I'd pick a Super Grade M70 Winchester in 270. Since its blued and wood stocked I'd figure out how to take care of it in bad weather. Something like this:

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