One Rifle for All around Use
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location:
Posts: 26
One Rifle for All around Use
I prefer archery, but occasionally I might want a rifle to tag along with friends to hunt coyotes, deer, hogs and maybe antelope or Elk.
Which caliber would you suggest?
We have limited rifle use for deer in Iowa, they just started allowing them in southern two counties forantlerless only.
I hunt hogs one weekend a year.
I've never pursued antelope or elk with gun but might sometime.
270 or 300WSM others?
This would probably be a basic bolt action with medium quality scope.
Thanks
Which caliber would you suggest?
We have limited rifle use for deer in Iowa, they just started allowing them in southern two counties forantlerless only.
I hunt hogs one weekend a year.
I've never pursued antelope or elk with gun but might sometime.
270 or 300WSM others?
This would probably be a basic bolt action with medium quality scope.
Thanks
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
Now, this subject has been beat to death on this forum, several times. But, you werent here for those so I will tell you from experience that you might just get a 30-06. You can kill just about anything with it. An early American presindent once killed a bunch of animals in africa with it, lions as well if I recall. Dont purposely go after lions with it but, it is capable and ammo is readily available and cheap. But, do whatever trips yer trigger. Good luck, EJ
#3
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
A .270 Win., a .280 Rem., a 7mm Rem. Mag., or a .30/'06 will all answer your needs very well. Find a rifle you like in one of these chamberings, and you will be all set.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blissfield MI USA
Posts: 5,293
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
Until you said Elk I would have suggested a .243, but I like the ones listed above. The .270 shoots pretty flat I might lean towards that. However you really can't beat the 30-06 for availability.
Paul
Paul
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: KUNKLETOWN PA United States
Posts: 872
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
well if your going after elk , as well as hogs and deer , why don't you get a remington m 700 cdl in .35 whelen , or one of the limited run of remington pump actionm 7600's in the .35 whelen. ( i know , you prefer a bolt )they're fast for woods hunting and accurate as well , and the whelen is great for elk sized game all the way down to deer. ammo's also more affordable ,
you could also try a remington m 673 in .350 rem. mag. , the ammo's also cheap for it as well .
both calibers come with bullet weights acceptable for deer to elk , and leave a good wound channel , without much recoil ( in my own opinion , i've got both calibers myself ).
you could also try a remington m 673 in .350 rem. mag. , the ammo's also cheap for it as well .
both calibers come with bullet weights acceptable for deer to elk , and leave a good wound channel , without much recoil ( in my own opinion , i've got both calibers myself ).
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 702
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
I would say you can't go wrong with the .30-06... I would also consider a .270 and/or a .25-06...
If you delete Elk from the list go with a .243...
No need for a one rifle man like yourself to go with the WSM's... Yeah their nifty, but you will pay more and be able to find the ammo at fewer places... Plus everyone should have at least one .30-06... Don't let everyone convince you the remingtons are the only options out there...
As for the mentioned pump... I have had a couple including a .35 Whelen... I think it is really only necessary for Elk and I could never get better than two inches at 100 yards with mine... To me you are better off with a bolt or look at the handi-rifles single shots... Since you are a bow hunter you will appreciate the one shot/one kill mentality.
If you decide to go with bolts and don't want to spend a fortune look at a Savage, Ruger M77, Remington 700, CZ, or a used Browning A-bolt... Good luck...
If you delete Elk from the list go with a .243...
No need for a one rifle man like yourself to go with the WSM's... Yeah their nifty, but you will pay more and be able to find the ammo at fewer places... Plus everyone should have at least one .30-06... Don't let everyone convince you the remingtons are the only options out there...
As for the mentioned pump... I have had a couple including a .35 Whelen... I think it is really only necessary for Elk and I could never get better than two inches at 100 yards with mine... To me you are better off with a bolt or look at the handi-rifles single shots... Since you are a bow hunter you will appreciate the one shot/one kill mentality.
If you decide to go with bolts and don't want to spend a fortune look at a Savage, Ruger M77, Remington 700, CZ, or a used Browning A-bolt... Good luck...
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,600
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
The old, venerable 30/06 will fill the bill just fine for the do-it-all gun. A little big for varmints, but with all the various bullet weights available, it can be loaded for almost anything. If you don't handload, you can find factory ammo almost anywhere.
After 100 yrs. of service, it is still one of the best choices available.
After 100 yrs. of service, it is still one of the best choices available.
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: One Rifle for All around Use
I'd say get a 30/06. If you handload you can really maximize your versatility. If you don't handload you can still buy amo for 90% of your hunting at Wal-mart or Meijer's. You can buy, over the counter, some very quality high end stuff at more specialized sportings goods stores or gun shops.
If you don't already have a rifle or two it would be hard to find a better selection that gives you ammo avalability like the 30/06.
If you don't already have a rifle or two it would be hard to find a better selection that gives you ammo avalability like the 30/06.