Need help choosing a rifle - Page 2

2wheelwander · December 30, 2018, 11:33 AM

Why not a .444? Longer range than the .45-70, nearly the power and more than sufficient for NA big game. Still a brush gun when needed and still deadly at 250-300 yards.

Plus you get to keep it a pretty lever gun.
https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever...ore/444-marlin

Pathfinder45 · December 30, 2018, 05:59 PM

You already have a lever-action 30-30, right? Maybe it's time to appreciate the advantages of a decent bolt-action rifle. There are bargains to be had in the used gun racks at many gun-stores and virtually all pawn-shops. The most common calibers will be 30-'06 and 270 Winchester; both are excellent calibers. Avoid magnums because they offer little to be gained while sacrificing magazine capacity. Older post-64 Winchester model 70 rifles are under-rated bargains that are better than a Remington 700, in my view, though that is also a decent choice. I concur with the previous advice to put a Leupold scope on it. The 45-70 can wait for another time; I like the idea of one too, but I can live without it. If you were me, you'd forget about the AR-10, or any other semi-auto as well.
Having a good 30-30 and a 30-'06 or 270 will make you all set for anything....

thallub · January 1, 2019, 08:39 PM

IMO: Don't get a .45/70 or a lever action or AR-10. Buy a nice bolt action rifle and install a quality scope on same.

Don't skimp on the scope. Decades of using cheap scopes cost me several trophy bucks. Stopped buying cheap scopes about 20 years ago.

Early last fall i scoped and sighted in a brand new Howa Hogue rifle for first time hunter. The rifle is .308 caliber. The scope is the excellent Leupold VX3i 3.5x10x40. Total cost of rifle, matte scope, rings and bases was around $800.

That rifle and scope combination made 1" five shot groups at 125 yards. Made my day when the owner called to say he killed a 6X6 bull elk.

This the rifle. You can probably find it cheaper:

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/prod...ategory=485354

std7mag · January 2, 2019, 04:33 PM

Well, since i've put my jod application in at Weatherby, i'm gonna have to change my answer..

Weatherby Mark V Outfitter in 6.5-300 Weatherby...
Or same rifle in 7mm Weatherby..

Both excellent options..

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 2, 2019, 07:56 PM

Eastern Big Game & yotes along with Western {Mountainous} Big Game?
Gee that's: Opposites ends of the lower 48 North American big game shooting Spectrum?

My 5-cent opinion:
280 Remington. (Only because of its superb bullet selection for both locals. And the cartridges >near< 270-win accuracy.)

Roadkill2228 · January 2, 2019, 10:50 PM

The 45-70 originally suggested has got to be one of the most impractical and overrated cartridges out there if we’re honestly looking for an all purpose all around hunting cartridge.

For hunting “big stuff” a number of guides recommend/require the 270 win as a minimum, so I’d suggest the same as minimum. The .30 cal magnums are at the top end of practicality but are certainly not innaporopriate. They are louder, harder kicking, and more costly to shoot with regularly, and for most hunting they don’t do anything the standard 30s can’t. A bolt gun (my votes going to savage or weatherby, no question) chambered in something not smaller/weaker than 270 and not larger/more powerful than .300 win mag (or weatherby mag if you opt for a vanguard in that chambering) is a guaranteed winner.

Arizona Fusilier · January 2, 2019, 10:55 PM

Turn-bolt in .270 Win.

School solution for 90% of all problems, but particularly for Western States hunting.

Pathfinder45 · January 3, 2019, 12:53 AM

The 280 is only a good choice for those that are avid reloaders. Still, as a reloader, I would prefer it over the 7mm Magnum for the sake of greater magazine capacity. Lying between the 270 and the 30-'06, it's in the same class, performance wise. I would take the 270 Winchester as first choice; the 30-'06 as a close second; third choice would be a distant something else, maybe a 280, more likely a 6.5 Swede.....

Topaeg · January 5, 2019, 07:51 AM

If it has to be ambidextrous, you are restricted (?) to guns like the Ruger #1, Browning B78, Winchester 1885, Stevens Favorite, CPA 44-1/2, Sharps, Encore, Browning BPS shotgun, Baikal single shots, over/unders or double barrels, Merkels, H&H's, Westley-Richards,Jeffery's.
Unfortunately, with bolt actions and semiautos and other than a few pumps, you would have to buy a LH and a RH version, if they are avail in both.
Biggest restriction will be your pocketbook.

January 2, 2019, 04:33 PM	#29
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Well, since i've put my jod application in at Weatherby, i'm gonna have to change my answer.. Weatherby Mark V Outfitter in 6.5-300 Weatherby... Or same rifle in 7mm Weatherby.. Both excellent options.. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

December 30, 2018, 11:33 AM	#26
2wheelwander Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2018 Posts: 539	Why not a .444? Longer range than the .45-70, nearly the power and more than sufficient for NA big game. Still a brush gun when needed and still deadly at 250-300 yards. Plus you get to keep it a pretty lever gun. https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever...ore/444-marlin

December 30, 2018, 05:59 PM	#27
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	You already have a lever-action 30-30, right? Maybe it's time to appreciate the advantages of a decent bolt-action rifle. There are bargains to be had in the used gun racks at many gun-stores and virtually all pawn-shops. The most common calibers will be 30-'06 and 270 Winchester; both are excellent calibers. Avoid magnums because they offer little to be gained while sacrificing magazine capacity. Older post-64 Winchester model 70 rifles are under-rated bargains that are better than a Remington 700, in my view, though that is also a decent choice. I concur with the previous advice to put a Leupold scope on it. The 45-70 can wait for another time; I like the idea of one too, but I can live without it. If you were me, you'd forget about the AR-10, or any other semi-auto as well. Having a good 30-30 and a 30-'06 or 270 will make you all set for anything....

January 1, 2019, 08:39 PM	#28
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	IMO: Don't get a .45/70 or a lever action or AR-10. Buy a nice bolt action rifle and install a quality scope on same. Don't skimp on the scope. Decades of using cheap scopes cost me several trophy bucks. Stopped buying cheap scopes about 20 years ago. Early last fall i scoped and sighted in a brand new Howa Hogue rifle for first time hunter. The rifle is .308 caliber. The scope is the excellent Leupold VX3i 3.5x10x40. Total cost of rifle, matte scope, rings and bases was around $800. That rifle and scope combination made 1" five shot groups at 125 yards. Made my day when the owner called to say he killed a 6X6 bull elk. This the rifle. You can probably find it cheaper: https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/prod...ategory=485354

January 2, 2019, 07:56 PM	#30
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Eastern Big Game & yotes along with Western {Mountainous} Big Game? Gee that's: Opposites ends of the lower 48 North American big game shooting Spectrum? My 5-cent opinion: 280 Remington. (Only because of its superb bullet selection for both locals. And the cartridges >near< 270-win accuracy.)

January 2, 2019, 10:50 PM	#31
Roadkill2228 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2014 Location: Nipawin, Saskatchewan Posts: 311	The 45-70 originally suggested has got to be one of the most impractical and overrated cartridges out there if we’re honestly looking for an all purpose all around hunting cartridge. For hunting “big stuff” a number of guides recommend/require the 270 win as a minimum, so I’d suggest the same as minimum. The .30 cal magnums are at the top end of practicality but are certainly not innaporopriate. They are louder, harder kicking, and more costly to shoot with regularly, and for most hunting they don’t do anything the standard 30s can’t. A bolt gun (my votes going to savage or weatherby, no question) chambered in something not smaller/weaker than 270 and not larger/more powerful than .300 win mag (or weatherby mag if you opt for a vanguard in that chambering) is a guaranteed winner.

January 2, 2019, 10:55 PM	#32
Arizona Fusilier Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2000 Posts: 1,082	Turn-bolt in .270 Win. School solution for 90% of all problems, but particularly for Western States hunting.

January 3, 2019, 12:53 AM	#33
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	The 280 is only a good choice for those that are avid reloaders. Still, as a reloader, I would prefer it over the 7mm Magnum for the sake of greater magazine capacity. Lying between the 270 and the 30-'06, it's in the same class, performance wise. I would take the 270 Winchester as first choice; the 30-'06 as a close second; third choice would be a distant something else, maybe a 280, more likely a 6.5 Swede.....

January 5, 2019, 07:51 AM	#34
Topaeg Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2018 Posts: 1	If it has to be ambidextrous, you are restricted (?) to guns like the Ruger #1, Browning B78, Winchester 1885, Stevens Favorite, CPA 44-1/2, Sharps, Encore, Browning BPS shotgun, Baikal single shots, over/unders or double barrels, Merkels, H&H's, Westley-Richards,Jeffery's. Unfortunately, with bolt actions and semiautos and other than a few pumps, you would have to buy a LH and a RH version, if they are avail in both. Biggest restriction will be your pocketbook.