favorite all-purpose rifle/caliber? - Page 3

Clark · May 15, 2012, 10:31 PM

1) 7mm Rem Mag [ Hunted 2011 and 2010]
2) 270 [Hunted 2008, 2009, and 2010]

This year [2012], if I have time, I will build and hunt with a 257Roberts Ackley Improved Rimmed on a falling block action.
I think I will be able get more pressure out of the rimmed brass without loose primer pockets.

Major Dave (retired) · May 16, 2012, 11:22 AM

rifles don't exist, IMHO.

For instance:

My .243 is a Win M70 "Short Action Carbine" . It fits a specific niche, in that it weighs only about 6 lbs (with Leupold 1.75-6X scope), has a very short barrel, and lends itself to being carried all day with minimum fatigue. Good for thick cover areas. Can shoot (small or large) varmints up to medium size deer. Not good for long range (short barrel loses about 200 fps velocity). I use this one for "sneaking and peeking" in the National Forests of the East Texas Piney Woods.

My .270 WSM is a Win M70 Classic Featherweight. It also fits a specific niche. It is not so portable as the .243, being about 2 pounds heavier, and 4 or 5 inches longer barrel. Still, not bad for general walking around on a hunt. Not for thick cover areas, but really in its niche for long range vistas and heavier game. Scope is a Pentax Lightseeker, 3-11x, AO - a long range specific glass, for sure. A good rifle for Colorado elk hunts.

My 7X57 Mauser is a DuBiel Arms Company custom bolt action, which overlaps the .243 on the short end, and the .270 WSM on the long end. Low recoil, heavy to carry (about 10 pounds - laminated wood stock, medium weight barrel), accurate. This is my intermediate range go to rifle for sitting on stand. Fitted with a Leupold VX-3, 2.5-8X scope, it's ideal for sitting in a box blind within 100 yards of a corn feeder on a Texas ranch, or in a tree stand in the East Texas Piney Woods.

If I ever decided to go for moose and/or brown bear,. I would need a .338 Win Mag.

But until then, I'm set for what I do.

tkglazie · May 16, 2012, 11:32 PM

Another vote for the 7mm-08. My buddy has a Remington Model 7, stainless with a synthetic stock and a good red dot and I swear it is the most natural feeling gun I have ever picked up. If you can find a better all around gun, buy it. immediately.

fext · May 23, 2012, 10:06 AM

Tikka Varmint in 6.5x55SE

Backwoodsboy · May 25, 2012, 08:12 AM

As far as an all purpose caliber, I would give my vote to the .243 win. As far as a rifle I would say H&R HANDI RIFLE. THERE CHEAP, THERE LIGHT, THERE RELIABLE, and ysou dony mind dinging them up. Dont get me wrong I have two weatherby vangaurds, and a rem 700 and like them all, but when I know I have hard hunting ahead of me my .243 handi is what I grab.

Just my .02

GeauxTide · May 25, 2012, 12:42 PM

Was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I got a Ruger Compact in 260. Fell in love and got a Savage 16 WW in 260. .640" out the box. The 260 will do everything a 243 will, but you can load 120-140gr bullets (pencils).

willmc33 · May 25, 2012, 01:17 PM

.308 Winchester

mike7.62 · May 25, 2012, 02:25 PM

To cover your rifle gap from varmint, to your 7mm mag. I'd go with a good bolt action in one of these cal. There's the .257 roberts, but finding ammo could be tuff. there's the 7x57, It would be a good pick. but I think the best choice is a 7mm08. If your talking short range thick woods, You can't beat a 7.62x39 in a bolt action, or the tried and true 30-30 in a lever action. good Luck.

Clearwater82 · May 30, 2012, 03:54 AM

Quote:

I have several rifles but what I don't have is something all-purpose. I have varminters, "police" heavy barrels, "evil rifles", and a 7mm magnum.

I mostly have "precision" rifles set up to be shot either from the prone or from a rest. I'm now looking for a rifle that can be slung over a shoulder and carried out on a hunt... what and where are still to be determined. So, not knowing the target, what do you recommend?

How about something different for a change: a lever action Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 .30-30. Even more fun is a Marlin 1895 .45-70.

All are great knock around bush rifles.

sc928porsche · May 30, 2012, 04:23 AM

Actually you are a good candidate for the 26-06. You have varmit rifles, You have the 7mm Mag. The 25-06 will provide you with the flat trajectory that you are used to with little recoil. Ammo is readily available at a reasonable price. If you reload, brass will never be a problem. Very few people I know who own one have ever parted with it, and those that have, regretted it.

checkmyswag · May 31, 2012, 10:38 AM

I've been considering the same question.

How about the Ruger Gunsite Scoute Rifle (308 cal)?

I can definitely see where a 30 30 lever action would be handy all around.

603Country · May 31, 2012, 02:43 PM

I'm with GeauxTide, in that the Ruger Compact in 260 is just about perfect as an all around rifle. I had some reservations about it, and considered it my 'short range' hunting rifle, but when the 400 yard shots on pigs and coyotes presented themselves, the 260 knocked em flat. Ruger really got it right with that little rifle.

tahunua001 · May 31, 2012, 03:43 PM

the closest thing i have to an all purpose rifle is my remington 700 in 243 that I inherited from my father. it's more than enough for coyotes and skunks has proven time and again that it is greater than the 200-250 pound deer that I usually go for. it's also a good choice if I'm planning a mountain black bear hunt too. it is a little on the anemic side for elk but a 105 gr hot load will do the trick since my gun seems to favor the heavier hotter loads anyway. however if I ever do win a moose draw then I will have to reach for one of my 30 cal milsurp rifles or my 300 weatherby to do the trick however I would never waste good deer meat by blowing the poor beast in half with the wby. next to the 243 I would say that 303 brit, 7.62x54R or 30-06 would all be about equals in second place: a little light for moose or bison and a little overkill for varmints but decently suited to larger deer, elk and black bear.

doceaux · May 31, 2012, 03:47 PM

Glad to see the .260 fans out. This has been my go to round for over ten years and has produced excellent results on whitetail, axis, hogs here in Texas. I have a Model 7 stainless and an A-Bolt Matte hunter.

Jhart00 · May 31, 2012, 05:37 PM

Marlin 336 in .35rem. 150 or 200gr bullets and with hornady ammo, it becomes a 200yd gun. You could also look at the Remington 760/7600 in 270, 308, or 30-06.

May 15, 2012, 10:31 PM	#51
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	1) 7mm Rem Mag [ Hunted 2011 and 2010] 2) 270 [Hunted 2008, 2009, and 2010] This year [2012], if I have time, I will build and hunt with a 257Roberts Ackley Improved Rimmed on a falling block action. I think I will be able get more pressure out of the rimmed brass without loose primer pockets. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

May 16, 2012, 11:22 AM	#52
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	"All purpose"... rifles don't exist, IMHO. For instance: My .243 is a Win M70 "Short Action Carbine" . It fits a specific niche, in that it weighs only about 6 lbs (with Leupold 1.75-6X scope), has a very short barrel, and lends itself to being carried all day with minimum fatigue. Good for thick cover areas. Can shoot (small or large) varmints up to medium size deer. Not good for long range (short barrel loses about 200 fps velocity). I use this one for "sneaking and peeking" in the National Forests of the East Texas Piney Woods. My .270 WSM is a Win M70 Classic Featherweight. It also fits a specific niche. It is not so portable as the .243, being about 2 pounds heavier, and 4 or 5 inches longer barrel. Still, not bad for general walking around on a hunt. Not for thick cover areas, but really in its niche for long range vistas and heavier game. Scope is a Pentax Lightseeker, 3-11x, AO - a long range specific glass, for sure. A good rifle for Colorado elk hunts. My 7X57 Mauser is a DuBiel Arms Company custom bolt action, which overlaps the .243 on the short end, and the .270 WSM on the long end. Low recoil, heavy to carry (about 10 pounds - laminated wood stock, medium weight barrel), accurate. This is my intermediate range go to rifle for sitting on stand. Fitted with a Leupold VX-3, 2.5-8X scope, it's ideal for sitting in a box blind within 100 yards of a corn feeder on a Texas ranch, or in a tree stand in the East Texas Piney Woods. If I ever decided to go for moose and/or brown bear,. I would need a .338 Win Mag. But until then, I'm set for what I do. __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl. Last edited by Major Dave (retired); May 16, 2012 at 11:32 AM.

May 25, 2012, 01:17 PM	#57
willmc33 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Location: Mobile,Al Posts: 473	.308 Winchester __________________ "Perfection is the enemy of good enough"

May 25, 2012, 02:25 PM	#58
mike7.62 Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Location: Down South Posts: 95	To cover your rifle gap from varmint, to your 7mm mag. I'd go with a good bolt action in one of these cal. There's the .257 roberts, but finding ammo could be tuff. there's the 7x57, It would be a good pick. but I think the best choice is a 7mm08. If your talking short range thick woods, You can't beat a 7.62x39 in a bolt action, or the tried and true 30-30 in a lever action. good Luck. Last edited by mike7.62; May 25, 2012 at 02:37 PM.

May 30, 2012, 04:23 AM	#60
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Actually you are a good candidate for the 26-06. You have varmit rifles, You have the 7mm Mag. The 25-06 will provide you with the flat trajectory that you are used to with little recoil. Ammo is readily available at a reasonable price. If you reload, brass will never be a problem. Very few people I know who own one have ever parted with it, and those that have, regretted it. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

May 16, 2012, 11:32 PM	#53
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	Another vote for the 7mm-08. My buddy has a Remington Model 7, stainless with a synthetic stock and a good red dot and I swear it is the most natural feeling gun I have ever picked up. If you can find a better all around gun, buy it. immediately.

May 23, 2012, 10:06 AM	#54
fext Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Posts: 64	Tikka Varmint in 6.5x55SE

May 25, 2012, 08:12 AM	#55
Backwoodsboy Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2012 Location: Western, Ny Posts: 190	As far as an all purpose caliber, I would give my vote to the .243 win. As far as a rifle I would say H&R HANDI RIFLE. THERE CHEAP, THERE LIGHT, THERE RELIABLE, and ysou dony mind dinging them up. Dont get me wrong I have two weatherby vangaurds, and a rem 700 and like them all, but when I know I have hard hunting ahead of me my .243 handi is what I grab. Just my .02

May 25, 2012, 12:42 PM	#56
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I got a Ruger Compact in 260. Fell in love and got a Savage 16 WW in 260. .640" out the box. The 260 will do everything a 243 will, but you can load 120-140gr bullets (pencils).

May 31, 2012, 10:38 AM	#61
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	I've been considering the same question. How about the Ruger Gunsite Scoute Rifle (308 cal)? I can definitely see where a 30 30 lever action would be handy all around. __________________ No brass. No ammo.

May 31, 2012, 02:43 PM	#62
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,996	I'm with GeauxTide, in that the Ruger Compact in 260 is just about perfect as an all around rifle. I had some reservations about it, and considered it my 'short range' hunting rifle, but when the 400 yard shots on pigs and coyotes presented themselves, the 260 knocked em flat. Ruger really got it right with that little rifle.

May 31, 2012, 03:43 PM	#63
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	the closest thing i have to an all purpose rifle is my remington 700 in 243 that I inherited from my father. it's more than enough for coyotes and skunks has proven time and again that it is greater than the 200-250 pound deer that I usually go for. it's also a good choice if I'm planning a mountain black bear hunt too. it is a little on the anemic side for elk but a 105 gr hot load will do the trick since my gun seems to favor the heavier hotter loads anyway. however if I ever do win a moose draw then I will have to reach for one of my 30 cal milsurp rifles or my 300 weatherby to do the trick however I would never waste good deer meat by blowing the poor beast in half with the wby. next to the 243 I would say that 303 brit, 7.62x54R or 30-06 would all be about equals in second place: a little light for moose or bison and a little overkill for varmints but decently suited to larger deer, elk and black bear. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

May 31, 2012, 03:47 PM	#64
doceaux Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 124	Another .260 nut Glad to see the .260 fans out. This has been my go to round for over ten years and has produced excellent results on whitetail, axis, hogs here in Texas. I have a Model 7 stainless and an A-Bolt Matte hunter.

May 31, 2012, 05:37 PM	#65
Jhart00 Junior Member Join Date: May 31, 2012 Location: Davison, mi Posts: 5	Marlin 336 in .35rem. 150 or 200gr bullets and with hornady ammo, it becomes a 200yd gun. You could also look at the Remington 760/7600 in 270, 308, or 30-06.

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