Hey guys, thx for all the great advice. First, everyone says to ditch the muzzle brake, so consider the muzzle brake ditched
Originally Posted by
salukipv1
ditch the muzzle brake.
recoil pads are a good thing.
If you want a step up for an elk rifle, etc... my pick for you would be a .300wsm, anything less would be so close to what you already have so why bother.
A .300wsm could do all of NA well, minus some big brown bears I'd have to say.
I misread...thought you still had a .280, hmmm?
30-06 is the ultimate NA all around.
7mm Rem.Mag. is a good all around as well.
get a .270 WSM, 7mm Rem.Mag., or .30-06
You mentioned the 300WSM, which coincidently, my boss has a Remington R700 XCR 300WSM for sale(for ~$700) that has been Magna-Ported. Now, my 280 just had the stock hard plastic recoil pad on it, and this XCR has a 1 inch think recoil pad, as well as the Magna-Port modification, so I am thinkin that the XCR shouldn't kick much more than my 280. Would I be correct in assuming that? If so than the XCR would probably be the gun I would get(the price doesnt hurt either).
Originally Posted by
sconnyhunter
What happened that, the person who you trusted to store your guns no longer has them? Was it a family member, who might have thought they belonged to them?
It was a family member. They were on the verge of bankruptsy and sold all of the gun in their possesion(theirs and mine) together to try and get some money. The bad part is that I didnt even find out until a friend and I wanted to go target shooting, and the gun safe was empty.
Originally Posted by
sconnyhunter
The choice of the "perfect Caliber" is such a loaded question around here that bringing it up is sometimes frowned upon.
The "perfect caliber" is one that you are comfortable with and that you can shoot well
with.
Originally Posted by
nchawkeye
I've got one more observation...I live in North Carolina, I'm 55 and have hunted since I was a youngster...I know loads of hunters that bought a rifle larger than needed for our smaller southern deer with the intention of "going out west"...
1) Most never go...
2) If you can afford to go, you can afford another rifle for elk, or can borrow a buddy's...
3) Most have a flinching problem because they are using more gun than needed...
There is nothing wrong with owning larger caliber rifles...The first centerfire should be one that is adequate, but one that the owner can shoot comfortably so they gain experience and confidence in their ability...
The last 2 quotes I completely agree with, and I realize that I might be "shooting" a little high in what I want for a caliber size, but I'm doing it for 2 reasons. The first is that, god forbid, my gun slips or something nudges me as I shoot. If I miss where I am aiming but still hit the animal, I dont want it suffering or running. I want it to go down and stay down. Second is that I know I need to train myself and become used to higher calibers, and I'm hoping this is a good starting point.
EDIT: So I just talked to my family member, and they say they can get my rifles back within 2 weeks. So I'm like "YAY!" because I do love my 280, and will put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it as soon as I get it back. But, my questions about that XCR still stand, because I really want that gun!