Looking at rifles

[Drache]

I do allot of hunting and used to do long range shooting competitions (nothing major just local people) and Im sort of looking for a rifle that can do both. I've currently got a Parker & Hale .308 Norma Mag, Remington 700 in 7mm Mag, old WWII .303, single shot Cooey .22, couple shotguns, Winchester Model 94 in 30-30, etc.

I was looking into an H&K SL8 which seems to only be available in .223 mainly just for the coolness factor lol. Personally .223 is too small for the general hunting I do for moose and bear. Not to mention the $2300 price tag 

The other gun I was looking at is a Remington 700 XCR Tactical Long Range in .300 Win Mag. This rifle/bullet combo is on of the most accurate I've found. Price is about $1400.

Remington tactical rifles offer the perfect solution for long-range precision shooters. A long-time favorite of both the military and tactical police units, the Model 700 offers the legendary accuracy and unfailing performance you've come to expect. Our Model 700 XCR Long Range Tactical Rifle, features a  40-X externally adjustable trigger and 416 stainless steel barreled action with Black TriNyte® PVD coating, providing a diamond-hard layer of defense against the elements.

ts new tactical Bell & Carlson stock comes in OD green with black webbing and features a full-length aluminum bedding block, tactical beaver-tail fore-end and a recessed thumb-hook feature for optimum "off the bench" shooting performance. The barrel features wide tactical-style barrel fluting for rapid cooling.

Model 700™ XCR™ Features

-New Tactical Bell & Carlson stock in OD Green w/black webbing

-Full-length aluminum bedding block, tactical beavertail fore-end and recessed "thumbhook" behind pistol grip for off-the-bench shooting performance

-Black TriNyte® Corrosion Control System over 416 stainless steel for uncompromised strength and corrosion/abrasion resistance

-26" varmint-contour 416 stainless steel barreled action with dish-style target crown, drilled and tapped for scope mounts

-40-X externally adjustable trigger

-Hinged floorplate magazine, Dual front swivel studs and rear stud

-Barrel is free-floating with LTR-style fluting

Any other suggestions? 

[hemihead]

Springfield M1A 

[mally69]

I would buy the new Ruger 375.  Great looking gun and also an awesome new cartridge with a shorter action, than compared to the 375 HH mag, also the 375 ruger has better ballistics than the older 375 HH. Should have more than engouh for a moose  ..

[Drache]

I would buy the new Ruger 375.  Great looking gun and also an awesome new cartridge with a shorter action, than compared to the 375 HH mag, also the 375 ruger has better ballistics than the older 375 HH. Should have more than engouh for a moose  ..

A friend of mine owns one and although it is a good rifle, it only matches the hunting I want, not the competition shooting as well. At 500 yards, Guns & Ammo magazine states that the average shot is -53 inches where the .375 H&G is -100 inches. The .300 Win Mag average is -35 inches so Id be looking for something around that.

[bull]

I'd recommend a .17 HMR for a cheap, long-range target rifle/small game gun but if a .223 is too small a .17 would be way too small. But heck, they're so cheap you could afford to buy a 2nd gun.

[Finn]

are you sticking to bolt or is semi a possibility?

Personal choices for bolt: HS Precision Pro Series 2000 HTR
Link: http://www.snipercentral.com/pro2000.htm

Auto: M1A as mentioned before, and this one: http://shop.lwrifles.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=208

[FJMG]

500 yds for a moose shot, wow! I guess there is way too much bush around here for those longer ranges, most moose shots that I have made are less than 300 yds. Many years ago I used to use the 458 win. mag. in a Ruger 77  and loved it for moose (the gun had a 2-shot mag. but was pointless since even if you miss, the energy wave knocks them over), but this gun is useless at 500 yds.  The 300 win. mag is an excellent choice, probably the best compromise for a deer/moose rifle. A friend went with the 416 rem. mag. in a custom,(with his handloads he had similar energy at 500 yds to a 30/06 at the muzzle)  beautiful gun and cartridge combo but a bit too much $$ for my hunting budget. One cartridge that comes to mind is the 338-378 KT, not sure if it is readily available in your neck of the woods though. It is basically a 378 Weatherby necked down to 338(VERY flat traj.).

[BlaineKaiser450]

Springfield M1A 

[Drache]

Springfield M1A 

Competition only allowed bolt action....

[Chargerguy74]

...Personally .223 is too small for the general hunting I do for moose and bear.

Not to mention illegal.

If you want to play out past 1000 yards I'd recommend the Sako TRG-42 in .338 Lapua. If you just want to blast gophers and targets past 400-500 yards I'd recommend a varmint rifle in .204 Ruger. The 7mm Rem Mag is a better 1000 yard calibre than the 300 WM, too bad the XCR long range isn't chambered in it. The TRG is  chambered in .300WM and might be your best multipurpose hunting and competition rifle. But for $3K+ I'd go for the .338 Lapua and play around 1500 yards.

Your cheapest bet would be to accurize your 700 with a heavy barrel.

[Chargerguy74]

BTW, if you want to talk competition, you MUST reload your ammunition.....or dont waste your time. I've been reloading since I was 13 and can probably answer any questions youd have.

Another option might be a Tikka T3 Super Varmint in 7mm Rem Mag. Tikka T3s are amazing rifles

[Drache]

...Personally .223 is too small for the general hunting I do for moose and bear.

Not to mention illegal.

If you want to play out past 1000 yards I'd recommend the Sako TRG-42 in .338 Lapua. If you just want to blast gophers and targets past 400-500 yards I'd recommend a varmint rifle in .204 Ruger. The 7mm Rem Mag is a better 1000 yard calibre than the 300 WM, too bad the XCR long range isn't chambered in it. The TRG is  chambered in .300WM and might be your best multipurpose hunting and competition rifle. But for $3K+ I'd go for the .338 Lapua and play around 1500 yards.

Your cheapest bet would be to accurize your 700 with a heavy barrel.

I would love a .338 Lapua but yeah Im not going to put out $3K, infact my limit is about $1000. The biggest thing that caught my eye on the XCR Long Range is the free floating barrel. If I could find one in 7mm Rem Mag Id jump on it.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Springfield M1A 

I second that -  can't be beat!   

If you're looking for an accurate bolt action rifle with a larger than .223 chamber...    there is a company out there doing civilian M40 series rifles....    (M40 series used as the USMC STA marksman rifle....)

[Drache]

Springfield M1A 

I second that -  can't be beat!   

If you're looking for an accurate bolt action rifle with a larger than .223 chamber...    there is a company out there doing civilian M40 series rifles....    (M40 series used as the USMC STA marksman rifle....)

The M40 is infact just a Remington 700 basically. Thus my first choice in my original post 

[Lowprofile]

Hey Drache,

I've never been much of a hunter, but my Uncle [who taught me] and my Brother both recomend the Weatherby Vanguard in 300 Weatherby Mag. Here's the link...

  http://www.weatherby.com/products/guns.asp?prd=Rifles&prd_sub_type=3&prod_code=VGX300NR4O

My Uncle has taken down Moose, Bighorn Sheep & wild Boar.  Good luck with your choice bro.

[440charger68]

krag 30-40 or an Enfeild .303 good rifles.

[Chargerguy74]

krag 30-40 or an Enfeild .303 good rifles.

Lee enfields are my favorite all time rifle. Still the most durable bolt action rifle ever produced, and the fastest, sinking 38 aimed rounds into a 12inch target at 300 yards in 1 minute....time including reloading.

I use a No.1 MkIII for all my hunting needs.......and I refuse to change. My family gives me a hard time about having so many rifles but always using my Lee for hunting  (my first Lee...they are addictive).

[Drache]

krag 30-40 or an Enfeild .303 good rifles.

Lee enfields are my favorite all time rifle. Still the most durable bolt action rifle ever produced, and the fastest, sinking 38 aimed rounds into a 12inch target at 300 yards in 1 minute....time including reloading.

I use a No.1 MkIII for all my hunting needs.......and I refuse to change. My family gives me a hard time about having so many rifles but always using my Lee for hunting  (my first Lee...they are addictive).

already own one, still has all its original WWII furniture. My step mother owns one although the stock was changed many years ago to something newer and lighter.

[700jfm]

Hey Drache,

I've never been much of a hunter, but my Uncle [who taught me] and my Brother both recomend the Weatherby Vanguard in 300 Weatherby Mag. Here's the link...

  http://www.weatherby.com/products/guns.asp?prd=Rifles&prd_sub_type=3&prod_code=VGX300NR4O

My Uncle has taken down Moose, Bighorn Sheep & wild Boar.  Good luck with your choice bro.

Been using there 7 mag for 20 years 

[bern]

Hi
I have a Remington 700 bdl in the 35 whelen cal and am willing to give you a fair deal,why because I have just retired and have many many guns
and I am looking to get rid of them without a hassle.If this rifle is something you might want to see let me know it is in great cond accept the trap on
the floor plate lost a piece of the coating other than that it is beautiful,I would get the floor plate redone for you.

If this calibre is not what you are looking for I have a T/C stainless steel professional hunter with trigger job beautiful thumbhole stock bedded and has been shot about 30 times taking a large Hog and corsican Ram it is the 300 win mag also I have a 338 win mag barrel for it,if you want a rifle that will
do anything you want.I have several of t/c single and I know how to make them shoot,they dont come out of box shooting better that 1 minute of angle
and when i get done with them they shoot 1/4 to 1/2 minute if you use a lead sled.

                                                                Sincerely
                                                              Bern H Ilenstine

[68blue]

Second the Weatherby, the 300 magnum has a wide range of uses. 

[draftingmonkey]

Nice selection listed but those are all to rich for my blood right now.  Have been thinking about a Mauser K98k 8mm @ $299 as a possibility for me.
Good luck and have fun with whatever you choose.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Springfield M1A  

Ooh-Rah...        


If you're looking for a bolt action rifle - go with a Remington 700 with a bedded stock and some custom smithing to your liking on trigger pull - The M40 is a great rifle - heavy barrel, fitted stock, and some work done in VA for STA scout snipers

The Remington 700 is based off the Mauser 98 action...          I have a couple K98s in 8mm and damn they are fun