Looking for a rifle...

[splojo]

Im new to the rifle game. Looking for one that has the best overall usage towrads different game; bear, deer, coyote, etc. Any input in welcomed.

 

[pinshooter45]

I wanna be the first to suggest it Before some one else does. Mosin Nagant Milsurplus 7.62x54r you can get ammo as cheap as 440 rnds for $85.00.

 

[sgreen3]

Mosin would be a good choice, Or maybe a nice Savage model 10 in .308 would be a nice do all gun at a reasonable price

 

[42769vette]

id go with the 308 aswell. the main reason is you can get such a wide variaty of ammo for it, and if your a reloader the posibilities are limitless.

the 308 has been said to be the best at nothing but good at everything. by your post it sounds like thats what your looking for

but imo the mosin should be close to the last choice.

 

[xring62]

44mag lever rifle ,unless your going out west to hunt ,then a 308 Rem 700/Savage bolt .308 or any like it that fits your buget

 

[Yeah]

You've specified an enormously wide field. What kind of bear? Do you have a budget in mind, all up?

If you intend to pursue all these animals on foot, and the bear are in the lower 48, my opening move would be a Kimber Montana in 243 Win. If you mean costal brown bear, you'll be best served by a second rifle.

 

[illini40]

Whats the budget? Any other specs?

 

[scott delaney]

having black rifle fever myself i vote ar in .308....i droped a pig in its tracks....plus its a lot of fun and looks tac-kool

 

[Titanium Man]

I'd choose the .3006. It is the most useful of the highpowered cartridges with more choices in loads than anyone. You can go heavy (220 gr) for BIG game or even down to accelerators (55gr) for coyotes. You can usually find this caliber in most places ammo is sold. Sizes range from 55, 110, 125, 147, 150, 165, 168, 170, 180, and 220---I think that's about it.

 

[Twentyfootdaredevil]

My vote is for. 257 Roberts or a .25-06. Either rifle will take care of your needs. As will ALOT of other rifles.

You need to decide if you want a rifle that already has all of the homework done for you like the cookie cutter. 308 or the .30-06 or get into something little more uncommon.

I go uncommon almost everytime.

 

[slipnotz]

I agree with the 308, your choice of bolt or AR.

 

[splojo]

i think that itll be between the .30-06 and the .308...price really not to important but like anything else id like to save haha....

 

[hooky]

Unless it's a pistol caliber you won't be able to hunt deer with it in Indiana. You'd almost need 2 to do everything you want to do, if you're adamant about hunting deer with it in this state.

 

[splojo]

My brother owns land in Tennessee, so thats where i plan on hunting Black Bear and Deer...

 

[Fordtough25]

Unless it's a pistol caliber you won't be able to hunt deer with it in Indiana. You'd almost need 2 to do everything you want to do, if you're adamant about hunting deer with it in this state.

I was just thinking the same thing. But, if it's all legal where you're hunting I prefer .30-06 myself. Stops pretty much everything.

 

[halfmileharry]

The '06 will take down about anything on the N.A. Continent. It's overkill for Coyote, Fox, etc, but will handle a good size bear.
I'm from Tennessee and I prefer the .270 though I seldom see a black where I'm from in upper central Tennessee around Dale Hollow Lake area.
My 'druthers would be two rifles for your needs. The .243 and '06. '06 for the bears only.

 

[sloughfoot]

I read one time that the 7mm Mauser has been used to take game all over the world up to, and, including elephant. Or was it the British 303?

Because I read about it, and it is true, because it was published in a book, that would be my choice.

One of them, or maybe the 30.06, or maybe a .308. But I hear that the .260 and the .243 is good too.

But then again, the .270 was developed in the 1920's and was touted as the best all around cartridge by writers and hunters of the day.

So many choices.

My Grandfather only had a 94 Winchester in 30-30. He killed lots of critters with that rifle. Including bear and deer.

 

[tradertator]

308 is cheap and plentiful. You can find it in a variety of loads, and different configured rifles for it. I'm fond of the Remington 700 as far as a bolt gun go's, and an M1A for semi auto.

 

[joeman3285]

I'd go for the 30-06. Put 125s in it and nail yote's (you MIGHT save the pelt) or put 220s in it and go for brown bear. Do 180s for elk, moose and black bear, and 150s for deer and caribou. Of course you can do all this with the 308 as well, except maybe brown bear. An old guide I talked to in AK seemed to think 30-06 was the minimum for brownies. Then again another guy I talked to said he shot 2 black bears and a young griz with a 30-30. I dunno. I like the 30-06 because of it's history, versatility and ammo availability.

 

[ViperJock]

Anyone for 300WM? I was drooling over some Alaska trips (planning to win powerball so I can afford one) and several of the guide services listed 300winmag as the lowest caliber to bring. Of course, the bears are a little bigger there... Thoughts?