What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

This is a what if question. What brand, model & caliber of rifle would you buy if your wife just gave you the "green light" to buy a new one??? The only catch is it has to be a "off the shelf" rifle, no custom shop rifles allowed.

I am having a had time picking a ultra light rifle. I would like something like a Weatherby Ultra Light 338-06 or 280. If I bought the 280 I would take it to a gunsmith and have him ream it to 280-A.I. That should not cost too much should it?
I just want a nice light carry rifle. I want something that I can carry all day hunting deer, elk & bear. I want a rifle that is going to be a pleasure to own.
I am open to all suggestions on makes, models & calibers.:D

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

How long of shots do you want to take? If it were me, I would probably be buying a .444 Marlin in 1895 Guide Gun, and I would scope it real nice too. Otherwise, a Ruger #1 in probably the caliber you mentioned. If you are looking at a bolt, try that caliber in the Remington Titanium for a light gun, I think it is a hair under five pounds unloaded, then add a compact scope and you are set. Sounds like you have a nice wife!

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

The 280 would be a fine choice as would a 7mmremmag.I would personally look at remington,tikka and howa bolt actions.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Remington Model Seven. In 300 Remington Short Mag. Its a light weight powerful rifle. Put a Compact 1.5 X 6 power scope on it and it should be a joy to carry. Add Bullet wieghts from 100-250 grains and you have a lot of options as well.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

CZ 550 in either 7x57 or 6.5x55.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Dakota 76 African Grade Bolt-Action Rifle in 416 Dakota. Good luck.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Briman. Do you have a 6.5X55? I love that caliber. I have a couple of them Both Military. One is all sporerized with a Timney trigger. The other is still stock. I have a 757 Mauser as well. I have not started working on it yet. I quess because I have a 280 and a 7MM08 as well. I love the middle calibers and have an abundance of them. I usually have to draw a caliber form a hat when I am ready to head out the door hunting. I shot three deer this last season with three different guns. Am planning a moose hunt back to Canada again this fall. This will be a job for the 30-06.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

:D:D:D

CZ550 in 458 Lott --- trying to avoid magnums

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Yup, I have two of them also. They are so darn pretty and nicely made that I'll never chop either of them up for a hunting rifle, but would like to get a hunting rifle in that cartridge someday.

Here's a picture I made up awhile back that I post on boards to anger liberals who want all guns banned. Usually when I post it they scream like vampires splashed with holy water. LOL Its the only one Ihave available online with a swedish rifle in it.

The bottom rifle is a 1899 Oberndorf. You can see the tigerstriping in the photo, but the picture doesn't do it justice- doesn't capture 1/10th of its beauty.:)
http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpub...sp?id_=5132728

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Nice looking guns. The one I said that I had sporterized still has its old military Stock. I had about six of them and I cut the barrel back to 24 inches on one and turned down the bolt and changed the trigger. I also put a scope on it. Its amazing what the bores on those swedish Mausers looked like compared to most other countries military rifles. I went through about eight 303 British before I found one with a decent bore. A friend of mine and I were both dealers and he was a Gunsmith. He had all the equipment to build a gun from scrath. If we ran into a part we couldn't find and if he had a picture of it, he could make a new one. He was a whiz at heat treating and did some great blueing and parkeizing on old 1911's. He tuned several 1911's for me when we were both combat shooting. He got into building comps for all sorts of guns. He had a comp on his Ruger Mini 14 and had that thing shooting quarter inch groups at 100 yards. The muzzle would hardly even wiggle when it went off.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I'd be down sizing myself! My next gun would be a Winchester M70 Super Shadow, in .260 if they make it in that caliber, if not I'd take a 25-06, or .243!

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

WOW, I can't believe I had 10-people reply to this post already.

The main thing I am looking for is a light rifle to carry. I have all of my bases covered for antelope, deer, elk & black bear. This rifle would mainly be used for Whitetail & Mule Deer. I would also use it for Big Horn Sheep & Mountain Goat, when I draw a tag.
I am thinking real hard about a Weatherby Ultra Lite in 338-06 or 280-A.I.? What does everyone think about the Weatherby ultra lite rifles? I have only owned one Weatherby before, it was a Accumark 257-Weatherby mag. That Accumark was the worst shooting rifle I have ever owned. That makes me skiddish about buying another Weatherby?

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

take a good hard look at the Winchester M-70 featherweight in any caliber you like.......it's a very fine and easy to carry rifle.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Remington classic deluxe in 243 or Winchester model 70 in 243 if I found one with a 24'' tube.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I think JamesB has the right idea. Them rem model 7 is carbine size and is a great rifle. The 300 wsm could be one of the best cartridges to come out of this new cartridge craze.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Probably a Ruger 77 Mk II Featherweight in 7mm-08Rem.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I'm lucky enough not to have to ask my "better half" for permission to buy a new firearm, it's the "banker" that usually stops me!!! :>)

Anyway, i'd buy one "something like" the one in the picture, and YES it's an off the shelf gun!!! Without all the engraveing they are more affordable than you think! I've also seen some very good used models!!

I've taken a LOT of big game, small game, and about everything else with my drilling!!! I always have the right gun for what ever gives me a shot, from moose, to bear to rabbits and grouse!!

A drilling pretty much does it all!!

Drilling Man

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

If it were me, I'd buy a Marlin 1895GS, stainless guide gun in .45-70 (+P or "Marlin" capable if you reload). Tips in at 7# empty (catalog, mine's 6# 9oz. empty without the glass), which isn't incredibly light, but the ease of handle that the 37" overall length gives more than makes up for the extra pound over other "lightweights"...I'd much rather carry a heavier gun that's easy to manuover than a light rifle that gets caught on brush/limbs, etc. . The levergun also lends itself to easier carriage than a bolt gun, wrap your hand around a marlin levergun's action sometime and you'll understand.

If you're set on a bolt gun, I'd buy a WSM in a compact, I don't know who offers one, but the WSM's are an awesome combination with compacts...I'd either go .300WSM or 7mmWSM.

I don't feel that most lightweights, like I said, really offer that much advantage over standards, they weigh a little less, but they're really no easier to handle (only usually 2" shorter and 4-8oz lighter, occasionally a full pound), compacts offer usually a pound at least lighter and 5-6" shorter).

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

WolfKiller,
I asked my self this same question last year,except I wanted a light cary rifle for elk and moose,mid to long range 400 yds.And I went with the .300 WSM in the model 70 Super shadow,this a great pack all day rifle just under 7 lbs w/scope.I realy do like this little gun.I have several guns for just elk and what ever,I dearly love my .300 RUM don't get me wrong.If I was looking into get just a strictly deer/sheep rifle I would consider the same gun in .270 WSM.If I had my choice I think I would like Browning BLR in 7mm-08 Rem,these little guns are wonders of the world and fast handling.But I already have my sheep gun for my Big Horn tag I will draw this year(I hope);).It's a Ruger No1 25-06 rem loaded with 100 gr Barnes Triple-Shoks.
Good luck trying to pick one,it almost nerve racking:D
BBJ

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Me too! .338/'06, that is! This should be very close to the ultimate North American game cartridge.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Hey guys thats for all of your answers so far.
I will look at Winchester, Ruger, Kimber, Browning & Remington. I like the Weatherby ultra-lite rifles because they make a light rifle with a 24" barrel. The Weatherby magnum ultra-lite's have 26" barrels.
I might just buy the Weatherby ultra light in 338-06??? I found a place that has one left.
I might take my Remington Model-7 7mm-08 & have it rebarreled & rechambered to 300-RSAUM???
I just have not decided yet. I found a place that has great prices on Weatherby ultra-lite rifles, in the non-weatherby calibers. I can buy two Weatherby ultra-lite 338-06's or 280's for the price of one 270-Weatherby magnum ultra-lite.
BareBackJack I will make sure I look at a 270-WSM in the super shadow model.
I think this choice has been so hard because this is a extra rifle I want but don't really need?
Thanks again,
Wolf Killer

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

This might be a bit odd........but I'd take a Remington "Classic" in 7mm-.08.
That's an off the shelf rifle right?

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I'd have to go with Browning A-Bolt II Stainless Stalker 30-06. Tough, accurate, low recoil (with the BOSS) and you have the spectrum covered with such a range of bullet weights available.
Just my opinion!

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I'd go with a Cooper Arms Model 22 Varmint Extreme in 22-250 Ackley Improved. They have several Coopers on the shelf at Scheel's that call my name every time I'm in that store. All the Cooper CF rifles except the .22Hornet are guaranteed to shoot 1/2MOA. If I only had $1700 to spend...:)!



Mike

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

My next factory rifle will be a Steyr SBS in a 25-06 !

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I would buy a Browning A Bolt II in 280 Remington. I love the A bolt rifles and the 280 is as good of an all around caliber as the 30-06. I say this because you can drive a 175 gr. Nosler Partition out of the 280 as fast as the 06 can drive a 180 gr. Partition. The 7MM bullet will have a higher ballistic coefficient and a higher sectional density i.e. more penetration.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I want a Red Ridder BB gun, with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

A BAR in .308!:D

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

kimber 8400 in 300wsm

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

If I was to buy just one rifle these days with the little bit of info that you provided, namely carry, deer, elk, black bear, I would opt for a Browning Micro Hunter in 300 WSM.
Its short, light, flat shooting and potent enough for all 3 critters you mentioned for ranges point blank to "way out there". The only problem I could see is availability of ammo. And I'm not sure how the recoil is with this cal. in this little rifle. You will probably know you shot it for sure.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

if i had to get another one that was not custom amo is readily available and the gun is light. i would probaly go with maybe a sako finnlight chambered in 270win. i woud hate to have one in 30-06sprg she might bite to much for me

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I looked at Browning, Remington, Tikka, Kimber, Winchester, Ruger & Weatherby.
I am leaning real hard towards a Weatherby Ultra-Lite chambered in 280. I just need to talk to my gunsmith & see what it will cost me to ream it to 280-A.I. & tweak the trigger to 3-pounds?

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

WOlfkiller, before you make any plans on converting it to a AI make sure the thing works right. I had a lightweight in 270 that went to the service center the first time came back supposedly fixed and then back to Weatherby who finally replaced itwith a 280 since it was sitting around with nowhere to go. The whole time span on this was one month so I would say their customer service is outstanding. All your modifications would be minimal in cost..if going the 280 route use Norma brass it is tremendous.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

If you already haven't made up your mind with the weatherby, you might want to at least check out the sako finnlight. This is a very comfortable gun and light. I beleive it also comes in a 280.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Look into a Ruger M-77 Compact.Small and easy to carry on long hauls.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Ruger M77 .204

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Hmmm tough, Is Christansen Arms and off the shelf gun? If it is then I would take one of theirs in 300WSM.
If not I guess I would opt for a Browning micro hunter in same cal.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

I don't know if saying what I would buy is going to help you in your decision, but..

I would buy something I don't already have. I don't have a Browning A-bolt yet. Also, I don't have a quarter bore yet, but I think I may fill that hole with a custom shop rifle.

Maybe a 257 Roberts, to be Ackley Improved. Actually the 250-3000 Savage would be a little more efficient improved, but not as easy to find "off the shelf"

For a light rifle, off the shelf, the Remington Model 7, or the Ruger Featherweight. I really like the looks and feel of the Ruger Featherweight. The black ebony on the stock looks sweet. Too bad the bolt is on the wrong side for me!

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

If my wife gave me the green light to buy a new gun, after the next 2 I kinda have aprroval on...( I hope!!) I would by a Browning BLR in 358 win.

RE: What make, model & caliber would you buy?
 

Remington Model 7 in the 300 SAUM. I think maybe even in the Alaska grade gun. I don't remember the name of it.