What rifle, which caliber?

Dooga · Post by **Dooga** » Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:30:55

I eventually want a bolt-action long rifle. There are so many choices, with the Remington 700 and Winchester 70 being the most obvious choices. Also, so many calibers. So, I am a Virginia resident. So, what rifle in which caliber? Let's assume mid-Atlantic hunting. And advice? Any special high-value rifles? If would also be my first, so affordable-but-good. Durable, a sure-shooter. .223? 30-06? .308? Something else? Thanks in advance.

Diomed · Post by **Diomed** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:59:13

.223 is out if you expect to do any hunting of any game animals bigger than groundhogs.

You have so many options, go try a few out and see which one speaks to you.

M1A4ME · Post by **M1A4ME** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:50:47

for anything you'll hunt around here (VA or the states around VA) the .308 would do just fine. The .223 isn't legal for deer hunting in VA. The .308, at least in a M700 Remington, would be in a short action (vs the long action for a 30.06) and would be slighly lighter, slightly shorter, slightly easier to handle. With the usual deer weight bullets (150 grain is plenty for the size of the deer in the states above) the .308 and the 30.06 are nearly identical in perormance using factory ammunition.

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:01:38

Dooga wrote: the Remington 700 and Winchester 70 being the most obvious choices.

Can't say anthing bad about either platform. Nice rifles, well made, hard to go wrong with either.

Also, so many calibers. So, I am a Virginia resident. So, what rifle in which caliber? Let's assume mid-Atlantic hunting

.

More caliber choices than you can shake a stick at, and new ones added every year. I'll generally align with what everyone else has said. .308, or if you want a bit more power 30-06. The .308 is on the light side for longer range/larger animals if you go out west, but for mid atlantic work my choice would be .308 from those two.

Personally I'm a big fan of the 7mm Remington mag. Have more than a few rifles in this chamber, and they have done all I've asked.

If would also be my first, so affordable-but-good. Durable, a sure-shooter. .223? 30-06? .308?

All of the above are affordable, and durable. .223 is a no-go for big game (white tail deer) in VA and a few of the other states, and frankly its a bit light on the power/diameter for good clean kills unless you get very precise shot placement.

Also take a look at CZ-USA. The make some very nice rifles and IMO are great deal at their selling price. A touch more than the Rem/Win offering but I'm a sucker for the old mauser actions.

Ruger also makes a M77 Hawkeye that I see in the sub $500 range quite a bit. Again hard to go wrong here. Also if you like high-tech weather resistant, you can get them in synthetic stock/stainless for similar price.

czub · Post by **czub** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:44:43

I vote cz 550 in .308. Sweet set triggers.

OleMan · Post by **OleMan** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:53:07

There is a good reason that .30-06, .308 and .270 are generally considered the most common - they will readily take any game in North America, excepting the very largest - i.e. brown bear. The 6mm and 7mm class of calibers are very popular for similar reasons.

Remington, Ruger and Savage all make excellent bolt rifles at prices that suprise me considering the overall cost of firearms these days. The Savage Accu-Trigger has a great reputation. The Weatherby Vanguard 2, with two stage adjustable trigger and sub-MOA guarantee starts at $599 MSRP. Another poster mentioned CZ which I hear from a very good shooting instructor and rifle competitor are quite good.

Have fun and enjoy the new rifle! And remember there is almost no such thing as a "bad rifle" or a "bad caliber" as long as it runs well, you shoot safe and enjoy it.

Oleman

CCFan · Post by **CCFan** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:24:50

I'll throw another hat in the ring for a CZ, if you're just looking for something to compare it to. I have a CZ 550 in 6.5x55 Swede, and it's simply a joy to shoot and the wood was great looking to boot. One feature that I love on the CZ is that it has a single set trigger that's just sweet - pretty rare for bolt actions in that price range. That being said, I also have a 700 in .30-06 (Mountain in laminate/stainless steel) just because, well, it's a Remington 700 and it's in .30-06.

I personally think everyone should have a 700 in .30-06, but that's just me...a model 70 wouldn't be cause for any consternation.

Dooga · Post by **Dooga** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:28:43

Well, now that you mention CZ, I do want a CZ 452 in .17 hm2 or .17 HMR (before they're gone) and if they're that amazing "out of the box" in rimfire, why not in .308. I think the .308 is the way, then. Are M1A semi-auto ranch rifles legal for hunting? Just curious.

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:31:23

depends on the state.. in VA yes.

jrswanson1 · Post by **jrswanson1** » Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:49:25

If all you're doing it going hunting with that rifle, you don't need to spend a lot of money on it. A Stevens bolt gun in .308 would be fine for hunting and is under $400. I believe the new Ruger American will be under $400 as well. If you haven't shot a lot of centerfire rifles, I'd suggest try some out first. If you really want to go low ball, get a Mosin Nagant and get some S&B soft point ammo.

bryanrheem · Post by **bryanrheem** » Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:03:41

I have an excellent condition Remmington 700 in 308 that I was considering selling.

Ordnance · Post by **Ordnance** » Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:35:05

I've used .30-06 the most. My "go-to" hunting caliber.

Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF