What is your ideal hunting rifle!

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This has been my go-to rifle for the last 8-10 years. I picked it up used, found the McMillan Edge stock used and bought the scope on clearance at Cabelas so I don't all that much invested in it. The scope is the old Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 with Cabelas badges on it. When they discontinued them at $200 I bought 2. Cartridge is 308, but I'm convinced any of about a dozen other cartridges would do as well. Weight as pictured is 7 3/8 lbs, recoil is mild even with hotter 180 gr loads. It consistently shoots well under 1 MOA with just about anything I put in the chamber.

I primarily hunt whitetails or black bear here the north GA mountains, but have hunted elk with it in Colorado. I'm confident in its ability from 40-400 yards on anything I'll ever hunt.

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Beauty.
 
So, different rifles for different game and conditions:

Big Game (deer, elk, black bear) (100 - 150 yards): Ruger No.3 in 30-40, short compact and 175 grs at 2650 is potent. Follow up shot is easy, Mauser custom shorty 18" 8x57 - 195 grs and 2450 also plenty potent; Marlin 336 in 30-30 - 160 grs at 2400 still good, H&R carbine in 454 Casull - 300 grs at 1900 fps is big medicine.

Big Game in open spaces (200 yards plus): Bolt gun in 30-06 - enough said. Swede sporter - 140 grs getting iffy for elk at distance; Still like the the Mauser out to 250. And bolt gun in 270 Win

Light Game in the open (antelope, deer): Bolt gun in 270 Win; or, The Swede.

Coyote and such: The Swede and 123s; 270 Win bolt gun
Edit: How could I forget? Love my Savage Walking Varminter in 222 Rem. Great on p-dogs and coyote!

Hogs: Anything that makes a big hole. I hate tracking piggies. I find the 444 Marlin loaded with 325 grs at 1750 very very effective. Another place where the 30-30 in a lever gun excels. Any rifle that will kill deer will kill hogs. Night hunting from a stand, I like a s/a in .308. I don't use one, but this is another place where the AR excels, especially with the heavier calibers.
 
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Piney woods- Marlin 336 30-30 w Vortex Viper 2-7x
Open country- Mossberg 4x4 30-06 w Meopro 3.5-10x 44mm if I'm walking
Sako L691 300 Wby w Leopold Vari X 3 4.5-14x if I'm not walking much
 
Lol!! Well there’s the first “F” of the day. If this were a game of Marco Polo, I couldn’t even hear you to reply.
don't you usually shoot an X39? or am I just remembering a conversation in a thread.....

then again, I could also be remembering @someguy2800s posts, cause that ar looks familiar.
 
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You post about .450 Bushmaster often.
When I reply to threads involving AR’s you’re correct. It’s a fantastic big bore cartridge in that platform. Even in a bolt gun.

But alas, my heart lies with big bore leverguns. In particular, older JM Marlins. For a day of trekking through eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas woods, there’s no better companion (for me) than my 1960’s model 1894 in 44 Magnum and a 70’s model in 357. Should big hogs be on the menu, I will trade my 44 for my 444S or 1895 in 45-70.
 
When I reply to threads involving AR’s you’re correct. It’s a fantastic big bore cartridge in that platform. Even in a bolt gun.

But alas, my heart lies with big bore leverguns. In particular, older JM Marlins. For a day of trekking through eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas woods, there’s no better companion (for me) than my 1960’s model 1894 in 44 Magnum and a 70’s model in 357. Should big hogs be on the menu, I will trade my 44 for my 444S or 1895 in 45-70.
An r92 carbine in .357 is often considered ideal for porkers here. Im not a huge straight grip stock or I'd have probably kept the one I had.
 
But alas, my heart lies with big bore leverguns. In particular, older JM Marlins. For a day of trekking through eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas woods, there’s no better companion (for me) than my 1960’s model 1894 in 44 Magnum and a 70’s model in 357. Should big hogs be on the menu, I will trade my 44 for my 444S or 1895 in 45-70.

Speaking my language brother. I also like .450 Bushmaster for MI hunting primarily but it will work all over NA. Favorite rifle is my 1894SS. Just got a 444 that is gaining some steam.

And I will always have a Marlin 45-70.
 
After going through a bunch, I've finally gotten my two main hunting rigs pretty much exactly how I want them.

Kimber Montana, 20" 6.5CM, 2.5-8x36 VX-3i B&C reticle
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Browning X-Bolt, 18.5". 30-06, 2-10x42 Monarch 5 BDC
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I guess the Kimber is probably my favorite due to the nice balance of weight and power, but I really like the X-Bolt as well.

I'd still like to pick up another Tikka, and maybe another Kimber or a Barrett Fieldcraft, but I'm pretty satisfied at the moment.

My criteria for hunting rifles now are :
- Lightweight
- Short and threaded
- Stainless steel
- Composite or synthetic stock
- Safety that locks the bolt
- Midrange chambering
 
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Whats my dream rig ideally, or what I'm actually legally able to use?

I live in a straightwall state for deer, and am perfectly happy with my Rossi 92. I think I would very marginally be better served with a slightly different Rossi 92.

Currently, mine is a 16" SS small loop 44mag with a Bushnell TRS25 red dot.
I'd like a 16" SS small loop 454 Casull with a nice illuminated IER 1-3x upfront. Still a nice handy action, with just a little more range.
Might build an AR upper in one of the straight wall thumpers just because.


If I could hunt with anything? I'd have a 260Rem/6.5CM Manlicher stocked Model 7 with a Trijicon 3-9x Accupoint on it.
 
In my semi-repressive state where rifles are forbidden for big game, deer, I have three ideal rifles. My Savage-Anschutz 141 sporter in 22lr for squirrel, pests, and barn rats. A TC Contender carbine 223 for chucks, called in coyotes and the occasional crow. Lastly, I have a neat little Savage 220 in 20 gauge which, though classified as a shotgun, looks, shoots, handles and performs like the rifle it is. I can hunt all furred and some feathered game I want legally and ethically with these.
When Illinois grows up and joins the straight walled pistol caliber world my ideal will change dramatically.
 
Lol!! Well there’s the first “F” of the day. If this were a game of Marco Polo, I couldn’t even hear you to reply.
I got you and Gotboostvr mixed up. I can't remember what you posted besides that you don't like rifle hunting anymore.
 
My ideal hunting rifle is my Sako A7 30-06, basically a refined tikka with a Bell and Carlson stock and slightly better action. So far it’s taken a 4X4 mulie, an antelope, and this mule deer doe.

Load is a 180g AccuBond over a case full of Reloder 22. Gives me 2875fps (.300 WSM performance) and good accuracy. Now that I bought some factory second bullets, I’m loading them for under ten bucks a box.

Scope is a VX2 CDS 3-9X40 with Talley one piece mounts. My ideal scope would be a 2-12X42 CDS Leupold but they are spendy.

As a bonus to the great accuracy, awesome stock, and easy hauling all over the mountains, the bolt locks in the closed position which is a HUGE plus in the oak brush AND I can still cycle the rifle with the safety on.

It’s just right at 7.7#. Soft shooting but comfortable to carry for those frequent 1,500+ feet of elevation gain chasing deer.

Freezer is empty, I hope to down a buck and cow elk with her in the coming months.

Typical exit wound from an AccuBond lung shot, this one was at 175 yards:

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For whitetails which is about 95% of my rifle hunting I'm kinda stuck between 2, both bolt guns, have synthetic stocks, Leupold glass and Talley LW rings:

A REM MOD7 in .260Rem with Leupold VX3 2.5-8X in an HS stock with Timney trigger answers the mail here on the east side for stand/still hunting. Ranges vary from 50-300 yards depending on terrain & row crop VS woods. It's my 2nd M7 (other's a .350) and is fast becoming my preferred "all around" whitetail gun, little over 7lbs out the door loaded:

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When we head out to the western part of the state I use a Nosler M48 in .270 with Leupold VX6HD 2-12X with BDC reticle and CDS dials. The terrain dictates and the last 3 bucks I've taken (two 10s and a 5x4) were just under or over 300 yards. The M48 for what is is is actually a bargain; bedded B&C stock, good trigger and sub MOA guarantee in a 7lb package.

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Both are using handloads with Nosler Accubond bullets.

Your way over scoped for 3-400y shots with that Leupold 2-12. PM me and we can trade my 3-9cds for your 2-12... please, I’ll sweeten up the deal with some elk jerky.

In all seriousness, that Nosler setup you have looks great.
 
My old Ruger M77 in my favorite caliber .257 Roberts. bought it brand new from Gibsons in 1972 for $110. at 65 I no longer shoot anything more than a .308. The Lord lends me these guns, as I don't own any.

I bought my first rifle in 1972 at a Gibson’s too. 700 ADL .270
 
I only have one hunting rifle set up the way I like it and it's a Kimber Talkeetna chambered in .375 H&H. As far as I'm concerned, the only limitations of that rifle are the effective range and to a lesser extent the lack of an adjustable cheek piece. I do have a couple of other hunting rifles that are works in progress.

My list of what I want in the "ideal" hunting rifle includes the following:
  • No heavier than 9lb but ideally under 8lb with scope, rings, sling and loaded to capacity
  • Stainless steel barrel & action - push feed or CRF is fine
  • 22" to 24" barrel
  • Some form of coating on the metal i.e. paint or dip
  • Locking bolt handle (this is a big one for me)
  • Synthetic stock with a durable finish
  • Adjustable cheek piece or properly fitted stock
  • Detachable magazine or blind box magazine
  • Good adjustable trigger with zero creep set at 3lb
  • Close to 1/2 moa precision and accuracy for a 5-shot group off the bench under ideal conditions and from a cold/clean bore
  • Effective range to 800 yards
  • Variable power quality optic with reticle capable of providing accurate holdovers out to 800 yards
  • 1" scope tube and 40mm to 44mm objective
  • No bulky turrets
  • Good scope covers
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Yes, the locking bolt. I will never return to another hunting rifle without it. How is not having your bolt stay closed acceptable?

Perhaps those of us pushing through Rocky Mountain brush are a minor consideration compared to tree stand hunters.
 
54 cal American Jager. Flintlock. Cherry stock. Wood patch box. Swamped barrel. Round bottom gain twist rifling. Germanic iron furniture. Siler lock if possible. Ivory front blade. 3 leaf rear. Tasteful engraving and carving.
IronHand
 
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