Found the right rifle in the wrong caliber. Help :(
- Thread starter Beltway
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^^^^^
You are a perfect example of why the one size fits all is never a good choice. You have large animal needs but also wish for something that is lighter, easier to shoot and potentially able to carry and stock larger quantities of ammo in case of some type of emergency.
The 223 and 300 fill both needs but one doesn't do a good job of both. I would add a 22 RF rifle as well, you can get them all in the bolt action Ruger.
You are a perfect example of why the one size fits all is never a good choice. You have large animal needs but also wish for something that is lighter, easier to shoot and potentially able to carry and stock larger quantities of ammo in case of some type of emergency.
The 223 and 300 fill both needs but one doesn't do a good job of both. I would add a 22 RF rifle as well, you can get them all in the bolt action Ruger.
Hi again.
Thanks for a lot of posts.
As the last reply said. Finding one rifle for "everything" is hard. At least when you fall in love with one rifle that has limited options when it comes to calibers.
Some recommend the 300 Win mag. Maybe I should go for that. How is the 300 win mag to reload? I have reloaded 30-06, and that goes fine.
At the gunshop I also had a look at the Ruger Gunsite scout. They say this is the one rifle to own if you could only have one. Hmm. But I was not completely sold on that idea.
The Ruger Compact Magnum in 308 could be an option of course. It has iron sights too. That rifle was not in the shop at the time I was there, so was not able to look at it. A bit shorter lenght of pull and shorter and lighter rifle.
Anybody tried that one? Is the lenght of pull a bit too short for a man close to 190cm?
One option could be to have two rifles. One African model and one Standard or Compact Magnum in 308 or something. Then I would have a smaller caliber rifle for smaller animals and practice (maybe I would use my African that much if I did, and that would be a bit sad though)
Or as one suggested, One African in 300 and one in 223
Oh well. I guess this is just a luxury problem. If this was 50 years ago I would probably just buy a rifle and be happy that I could afford one.
Sako 85 Grizzly: I have looked at a Sako 85 Hunter. Looked like a quality gun for sure. And the Grizzly model looked quite nice
More views on this topic is much wanted.
Thank you to all the people that have replied.
Have a nice day.
Thanks for a lot of posts.
As the last reply said. Finding one rifle for "everything" is hard. At least when you fall in love with one rifle that has limited options when it comes to calibers.
Some recommend the 300 Win mag. Maybe I should go for that. How is the 300 win mag to reload? I have reloaded 30-06, and that goes fine.
At the gunshop I also had a look at the Ruger Gunsite scout. They say this is the one rifle to own if you could only have one. Hmm. But I was not completely sold on that idea.
The Ruger Compact Magnum in 308 could be an option of course. It has iron sights too. That rifle was not in the shop at the time I was there, so was not able to look at it. A bit shorter lenght of pull and shorter and lighter rifle.
Anybody tried that one? Is the lenght of pull a bit too short for a man close to 190cm?
One option could be to have two rifles. One African model and one Standard or Compact Magnum in 308 or something. Then I would have a smaller caliber rifle for smaller animals and practice (maybe I would use my African that much if I did, and that would be a bit sad though)
Or as one suggested, One African in 300 and one in 223
Oh well. I guess this is just a luxury problem. If this was 50 years ago I would probably just buy a rifle and be happy that I could afford one.
Sako 85 Grizzly: I have looked at a Sako 85 Hunter. Looked like a quality gun for sure. And the Grizzly model looked quite nice
More views on this topic is much wanted.
Thank you to all the people that have replied.
Have a nice day.
dprice3844444
member
pick a standard caliber in case you do something dumb like forget to pack your ammo for the trip,or lose it in transport.
Sako 85 Hunter 2700$
Sako 85 Grizzly 3200$
Ruger M77 Hawkeye Standard 1450$
Ruger M77 Hawkeye African 1800$
All prices in US dollars with todays value of the dollars compared to our currency.
Give or take a little of course, depending on where you buy.
How are those prices compared to in America?
Almost double.
sixgunner455
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Yeah, like, wow, I couldn't justify buying two of them at those prices!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Damn! I think a lot of folks don't realize how good we have it here.
ugaarguy
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Beltway, thanks for posting the prices. I figured the Sako rifles would still be more expensive than the Ruger rifles. I was really curious as to how much more expensive the Sako would be relative to the Ruger where you are. Since you're in Scandinavia, and Sako is nearby in Finland while Ruger is across the Atlantic, I was hoping for you that the Sako wouldn't be that expensive (relative to the Ruger) since transportation cost should be much lower on the Sako.
I'm guessing that import tariffs and excise taxes are what makes the rifles so expensive there compared the US?
I'm guessing that import tariffs and excise taxes are what makes the rifles so expensive there compared the US?
a-sheepdog
Member
I have a Hawkeye African in 9.3x62, I really enjoy the rifle and the caliber is under rated. I carry it for Elk and feel okay with it for bear if the need arises. The recoil is no more than a 30-06.
Then we have one vote for 9,3x62 That is good. If I look at charts it seems that this heavy bullet drops quite fast. What are your thoughts on that?
Transport doesn't seem to cost anything today. Cheaper to get something from China than from your neighbour town. One reason for the high prices here (in US dollars) is that the US dollar is quite week now compared to your currency.
So it is probably not as expensive (but still too expensive) as it might seem to you at first.
That is good. If I look at charts it seems that this heavy bullet drops quite fast. What are your thoughts on that?Transport doesn't seem to cost anything today. Cheaper to get something from China than from your neighbour town. One reason for the high prices here (in US dollars) is that the US dollar is quite week now compared to your currency.
So it is probably not as expensive (but still too expensive) as it might seem to you at first.
ugaarguy
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Beltway, the weak dollar is why I'm surprised that various Sako 85 models cost so much less here than they do there.
Back to the topic, the 9,3x62 drops more quickly compared to newer, faster cartridges. The .30-30 Winchester also drops quickly compared to .308 and .30-06. That doesn't mean the .30-30 is any less capable of taking deer, pigs, and smaller bear like it has been for over a century.
If you're not trying to take long shots, and / or plan to use the iron sights instead of a scope, the potential longer range of flatter shooting cartridges wouldn't be utilized.
I would also guess that 9,3x62 is more common in Europe and Scandinavia than in North America. If 9,3x62 has good availability and is close to the price of 30-06 in your country then the 9,3x62 could be an excellent choice.
Back to the topic, the 9,3x62 drops more quickly compared to newer, faster cartridges. The .30-30 Winchester also drops quickly compared to .308 and .30-06. That doesn't mean the .30-30 is any less capable of taking deer, pigs, and smaller bear like it has been for over a century.
If you're not trying to take long shots, and / or plan to use the iron sights instead of a scope, the potential longer range of flatter shooting cartridges wouldn't be utilized.
I would also guess that 9,3x62 is more common in Europe and Scandinavia than in North America. If 9,3x62 has good availability and is close to the price of 30-06 in your country then the 9,3x62 could be an excellent choice.
The 9,3x62 if quite a popular elk caliber around here.
Looking online, it seems that the 9,3x62 ammo cost 50% more than the 30-06.
300 Win mag cost around 120% more than the 30-06. Give or take.
I have been looking a bit more on the Sako website. They also have some nice rifles.
And they are available in 30-06 and 308, plus a lot other caliber options.
But they don't have the Mauser action like the Ruger does. And I really like that action.
Looking online, it seems that the 9,3x62 ammo cost 50% more than the 30-06.
300 Win mag cost around 120% more than the 30-06. Give or take.
I have been looking a bit more on the Sako website. They also have some nice rifles.
And they are available in 30-06 and 308, plus a lot other caliber options.
But they don't have the Mauser action like the Ruger does. And I really like that action.
wlewisiii
Member
9.3 is far and away the best all around cartridge in that mix. Good power, not too much recoil or wear.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
If availability is not an issue, you would be well served with the 9.3x62. If you handloaded, and components were also available, you would do just as well with the .375Ruger.
Sorry that I nag like an old lady, hehe.
What about shots out to 300 yards. Would the bullet drop a lot at that distance compared with 30-06?
ugaarguy
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Out of curiosity I looked at CZ's European website, www.czub.cz, and they offer far more caliber choices in Europe than they do in the Americas. I also really like the Mauser type action, and CZ uses the Mauser 98 action.
On the other hand someone mentioned the Ruger Compact Magnum in .308 Win, which has very similar features . There's quite a bit of overlap in performance of .308 and .30-06, so I wouldn't rule out the Compact Magnum.
At those prices I would stick with a M96 or M38 in 6.5x55. I hear that is quite a popular moose cartridge in Scandinavia. But then I bought a few years ago when they were surplused. They are quality craftsmanship and I like the cartridge too.
RPRNY
Member
Beltway - I answered 9.3x62 from among the options that you listed but if you are willing to consider other cartridges/rifles, I wwould urge you to stick with that great old Nordic chestnut, the 6.5x55. With some of the absolutely gorgeous sporterized Swedish Mauser's available or a Sako 85 Bavarian carbine,
You have the option of beautiful, high performance rifles in a caliber/cartridge whose sectional densities and ballistic coefficients deliver 30-06 performance with near .30-30 recoil. There is no game that a 30-06 can take that the 6.5x55 can't. The 140 SP give you equivalent distance performance and the 160 gr RN will do anything that 180 gr 30-06 will do.
But, if you are sold on 30-06, the Sako 85 Bavarian is also available in it
You have the option of beautiful, high performance rifles in a caliber/cartridge whose sectional densities and ballistic coefficients deliver 30-06 performance with near .30-30 recoil. There is no game that a 30-06 can take that the 6.5x55 can't. The 140 SP give you equivalent distance performance and the 160 gr RN will do anything that 180 gr 30-06 will do.
But, if you are sold on 30-06, the Sako 85 Bavarian is also available in it
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