well hey yall im new to the forum here and am wanting a new rifle for this deer season ive narrowed it down to a bolt action rifle. ( all i have right now is lever action and semi auto besides my bolt action .17 ) so anyways i did a lot of research and im pretty set on the browning x bolt.

now my question to yall is what caliber to get. im pretty set on the 7 rem mag myself but if yall think something would be a better choice then let me know. recoil dont bother me when im in the woods so thats not to big of a factor.

next is the scope. ive been having my eye on the nikon buckmaster with the BDC radicals. would this scope be a good choice? also what size should i get it in? im thinking a 3x9x40 may not zoom in enough for 200-400 yard shots...i would just like advice on this setup. im wanting a big game do everything gun that wont have a problem dropping a deer at 200 yards or at 400 yards..


thanks guys!

The X-Bolt is a great choice if that is what you want and like. I had one in 270 Winchester but decided to sell it. It was accurate and was not real picky with bullet weights either.

The 7mm Rem Mag is a great choice but the standard 270, 280, 308, 30-06, etc will do just as well for many hunters.

I used a Nikon Monarch UCC(a line above the Buckmaster) and it worked well. Very clear and bright view. I prefer Leupold and Zeiss scopes on my hunting rifles.

thanks va huntr one of the main reasons i wanted to go with the 7mag is because its not a standard round..i like using something that not many others use.. like my 45-70 marlin haha.. and i think the .270 is just about the same size as the 7 mag.

and the nikon was a good scope for you? i was going to go with a leupold but i really like the BDC that nikon has. im not use to far shots and i think it could help a lot.. ive never had an expensive scope so i kinda wanna buy the best for the money. thanks..

also what finsh would you recommend on the x bolt? which did you have and did it hold up good to normal use?

Good gun choice. I would get stainless with a composite stock.
7mm is a very popular round I don't know where you got your info from about it not being common. Me I prefer a 280 which is just a necked down 7mm. Without all the recoil and has way better trajectory than a 270. But the 280 does not have many options in factory ammo.
I like your 7 mag idea maybe a 7mmwsm.

I also prefer Leopold optics they have the BBC ethical like Nikon. Either optic is good it's just a ford vs Chevy deal. Just do not cheap out if you are planning on 200+yds shots. Every scope I have is 3x9x40 and I am good to 350. I have never tried past that.

is the stainless model worth the extra cash? its about a 250$ difference. and when i say uncommon just not many of my friends have one around here which i like. and what 7mag should i go with ?

the 7mm rem mag or the 7mm WSM

i notice the the barrel for the 7mm rem mag is 26' and the WSM is 22'

and good to know that the 3x9 is fine at those distances. thanks!

I had the "Hunter" model, which consisted of a matte blue finish and a satin wood stock. I personally do not like the feel of the X-Bolt's with the synthetic stock. The Nikon was a very good scope, its just I prefer the Leupold and Zeiss scopes I have.

If you want a 7mm, I'd go with the 7mm Rem Mag as the ammunition will be as easy to locate as a 30-06 or 270 Winchester.

Proud owner of a X-bolt stainless stalker in .338 WM.

Not only do I think the stainless barrel is worth the extra money, but I also feel a scope of equal "value" to the gun is worth the additional money.


BTW - I also own a Sako A7 stainless in 7MM RM................great caliber !

i can fork out the extra cash for the stainless but i just cant spend it on the scope. i really have to keep it around 300

Yes stainless and composite stock is a weapon for life. No worry of weather condition.
For long range go with the longer barrel. I do not believe there is a trajectory difference between 7mm mag. And 7mm wsm .

thanks yall i will for sure keep yalls advice in mind if i end up going the route of a new rifle..im really debating on either a rifle or a bow and start bow hunting..it will be a tough choice!