My First Rifle Purchase
12-01-2009 | 07:07 AM
#11
Thread Starter
Spike
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Fair enough, just wanted to ask about the 06 because it fits in the range of calibers you mentioned.
Re the issue of recoil, I'm not sure you should place too much stock in how hard a gun may or may not kick. Granted you are of--errrrm--slight stature, but there are a couple of reasons why I'm not sure you can make recoil too much of an issue.
First, all of the guns you're looking at are within 1 pound of each other and all are bolt actions so the action isn't going to give you any recoil reduction as an autoloader would. The 16 ounces between the lightest and the heaviest will only change the felt recoil the slightest amount if at all. And for that price, you get to carry extra ounces around the woods.
IMO, to really reduce recoil, you have to have a gun that's dramatically heavier than the ones you're looking at.
I suppose it depends on how much recoil really bothers you keeping in mind that if you shoot this rifle 20 times each year, you'll be shooting it about twice as much as most deer hunters do. If recoil really bothers you, using a good recoil pad (at the range) and possibly a muzzle brake are better options than buying a heavier gun, IMO.
Personally, I think you're on the right track with the .270, but again I wouldn't get the wsm, just the regular .270. The .270 is a really good caliber, it's not a shiny new thing, but some things are popular because they just plain work. It's a real workhorse that can dispatch deer and bear with plenty of authority.
Other options would be the .280 Rem and 7mm-08. Ammo will be more limited for these options, but that may or may not matter to you all that much depending on if you have access to stores with a good selection. Obviously if you got into rural areas, the hardware store selection of .280 ammo could be a real issue, but most Walmarts will stock it.
Good luck and let us know what you pick out.
Grouse
Re the issue of recoil, I'm not sure you should place too much stock in how hard a gun may or may not kick. Granted you are of--errrrm--slight stature, but there are a couple of reasons why I'm not sure you can make recoil too much of an issue.
First, all of the guns you're looking at are within 1 pound of each other and all are bolt actions so the action isn't going to give you any recoil reduction as an autoloader would. The 16 ounces between the lightest and the heaviest will only change the felt recoil the slightest amount if at all. And for that price, you get to carry extra ounces around the woods.
IMO, to really reduce recoil, you have to have a gun that's dramatically heavier than the ones you're looking at.
I suppose it depends on how much recoil really bothers you keeping in mind that if you shoot this rifle 20 times each year, you'll be shooting it about twice as much as most deer hunters do. If recoil really bothers you, using a good recoil pad (at the range) and possibly a muzzle brake are better options than buying a heavier gun, IMO.
Personally, I think you're on the right track with the .270, but again I wouldn't get the wsm, just the regular .270. The .270 is a really good caliber, it's not a shiny new thing, but some things are popular because they just plain work. It's a real workhorse that can dispatch deer and bear with plenty of authority.
Other options would be the .280 Rem and 7mm-08. Ammo will be more limited for these options, but that may or may not matter to you all that much depending on if you have access to stores with a good selection. Obviously if you got into rural areas, the hardware store selection of .280 ammo could be a real issue, but most Walmarts will stock it.
Good luck and let us know what you pick out.
Grouse
Well, at least it's not an industry with limited options!
Actually recoil isnt really a problem, I just remember the gun being very light. The only thing I've done that ever really makes my shoulder sore is a day of duck hunting and honestly the adrenaline makes most of that go away!
Last edited by DrHouse; 12-01-2009 at 07:16 AM.
12-01-2009 | 09:50 AM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, OK
There's no way I would go with a 270wsm. The ammo is more expensive and less available.
I think you're on the right path with the 308. The 308 is plentiful, cheap and maybe the best all around hunting cartridge. It can take bear, hogs, deer, coyotes etc. depending upon the load. Plus, it can do it all without hammering your shoulder with crazy recoil.
If you're set on the 270 get it and steer clear of the WSM. I have a buddy who bought a 300 WSM and I own a 300 Win mag. The recoil difference is really small, but his ammo costs almost double what mine does. He also has a harder time finding it, because it's a niche cartridge.
I think you're on the right path with the 308. The 308 is plentiful, cheap and maybe the best all around hunting cartridge. It can take bear, hogs, deer, coyotes etc. depending upon the load. Plus, it can do it all without hammering your shoulder with crazy recoil.
If you're set on the 270 get it and steer clear of the WSM. I have a buddy who bought a 300 WSM and I own a 300 Win mag. The recoil difference is really small, but his ammo costs almost double what mine does. He also has a harder time finding it, because it's a niche cartridge.
12-01-2009 | 11:24 AM
#15
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: Coralville, IA. USA
I have considered a 30-06 and there is one major reason I'm staying away from it. I have 3 of them coming down the pipline once the generations start knocking off, Grandpa has 2 dad has 1. I know its a fantastic and incredibly universal round but thats the primary reason I'm not getting one. My grandpa's primary deer rifle his whole life has been a Winchester 100 .308, he swears by it has shot countless bucks and wouldn't bring anything else in the woods so naturally he thinks I shouldn't be shooting anything but one of those.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Mike
12-01-2009 | 11:53 AM
#16
Thread Starter
Spike
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
I'm pretty much set on the Savage 14/114 American Classic but I still havent felt the Weatherby so I'm making the trip this weekend to look at it. My biggest concern at this point is finding the rifle that I like the most.
12-01-2009 | 12:02 PM
#17
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 809
Likes: 0
From:
If you really like the Rem700 CDL, then look at the 7mm-08 Remington version. It's merely a 308 Win case necked down to 7mm (0.284"). It'll give you just about the same energy of the 308 Win but will shoot flatter and kick a little less. And it's a short action. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the 7mm-08.
Mike
Mike
12-01-2009 | 04:40 PM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: Coralville, IA. USA
Black bear... no problem at all. Brown bear... yes. But then again, if I were going looking to pick a fight with a Grizzly bear, I'd want to be packing at LEAST a 338 Win Mag, but probably more like a 375 RUM. But that's just me.
Mike
Mike
12-02-2009 | 09:31 AM
#20
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, OK
With that said, I see no problem with the 270, 7mm-08 or the plain jane 308. I just really dislike the WSM cartridges, because they cost a lot more, are harder to find and don't knock enough recoil off to be worth it. IMHO, if you want to reduce recoil get a limbsaver pad and buy reduced recoil rounds and you'll come out ahead if that's the goal.
As mentioned by the above poster black bear no problem, but I wouldn't hunt a grizzly with it. Grizzly is a different beast all together.
Last edited by robbcayman; 12-02-2009 at 09:35 AM.