Rifle Recommendation Wanted: Off the beaten path

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Hey guys,

I've been itching for a new rifle lately and would like your opinions, since I kinda don't know what I want except I want something "different."

I’m looking for a rifle that isn’t super common, but then again, not a complete oddity that I won’t be able to find loading dies for. This “not-too-common” requirement mostly applies to the CARTRIDGE, not the manufacturer. In other words a .308 made by Toluvenderovski (made up name) isn’t what I’m after, but a 9.4x46mm (made up ”uncommon” cartridge) by Remington IS the kind of thing I’m looking for. Like I said, I’m just looking for something "different". I’m pretty sure that I want a bolt action (though, I guess I could be swayed on other actions). I don’t need to stay under a certain price, but I don’t really want to spend a fortune either. ($600-$2K is a good range).

Just for some backstory—I’ve shot all sorts of .223, .308, 30-06, 30-30, etc. Also, I shoot a Rem 700 .270 that I really love to shoot and therefore shoot this one the most. It’s really accurate and gives me just enough kick to know I’m shooting a “real” rifle, etc. So, I’d probably want something not TOO similar to the .270. The key is to try something NEW and exciting.

I just thought it’d be fun to let someone else decide my next rifle purchase—just for the heck of it. Thanks for your help!
 
You could get a Lever Action or single shot in .45-70

A CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62

CMP M1 Carbine in .30 Carbine

I'd say 6.5x55, but that is similar to the .270.
 
How about a savage in 5.7x28 looks like it would be cool but i dont know if there out yet.
 
I'm with HOOfan for the .45-70 and then you can let me shoot it. :) I've always wanted to try one ever since seeing Quigly Down Under as a kid. I'm afraid that an 1874 Sharps Buffalo rifle is out of my price range but would be in the high end of yours.
 
Idea: buy the savage long/short action of your choice & a barrel wrench & gauges.
(anything from a $300 stevens 200 to a $800 american classic)

Go to Shilen, Shaw, or McGowen and have them chamber it in any thing you want (so long as the bolt head's right...and that can be swapped out as well). (Look at around 200 on the low end)

.25-06 (availible factory),.35 whelen,.338-06 , 9.3 x 62 mm, 7 x 57 Mauser, .257 roberts, 8 x 57, etc. on a long action

.338 Federal or .358 Win. on a short action

anything from 7mm to .458 win. mag on a magnum action.

Whatever floats your boat. It's truly the cheapest/easiest way to get into an obscure caliber.

That's what I'm doing at the moment...

Old Savage flat-back action (free...had it laying around, but new stevens are around $300)
Factory overrun walnut stock (~$50)
ER Shaw .35 Whelen bbl.
SSS Trigger: (~$100)
Talley Ultralight scope bases
Scope TBD
 
Someday I want to do what Hoth206 is doing, but the chambering for my build will be .338-06. I think it would be a good choice for you as well. You've already got an extremely flat shooting option with your .270. The .338-06 gives you about the same trajectory as the .30-06 with the energy of a .300WM (up to about 300 yards) with less recoil and a bigger bullet than the .300WM.

The other great things about .338-06 are that the cases can easily be formed from .30-06 (or .35 whelen) cases, there are loads of choices for bullets, and it is very uncommon, but no longer a true wildcat as A-squared standardized it a few years back. I believe Weatherby chambered rifles in .338-06, but they may have been discontinued.

It looks like Weatherby used to chamber for .338-06 and Cooper still does. Gunbroker has four rifles in your price range in .338-06:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=221000032

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=221640252

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=221557671

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=220103802
 
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I agree with the 45-70, if you don't have a boomer. A nice 1895 in 45-70 is the ticket for a fun gun that is very inexpensive, easy to load for and find factory ammo, it will also leave enough in the gun fund to start thinking about the next fun toy.
 
I scratched that itch with a 338-06. I found a used custom built on an Interarms action and love it. I studied the rounds potential for a while before making the purchase and believe it is the best of the less common rounds.

With a 338-06 and your 270 there is nothing in North America you cannot hunt. With the right loads the 338-06 is not overkill for even the smallest whitetail, and it is plenty for even the biggest bears. A 338-06 at 100 yards or less is every bit as effective on the big stuff as a 338 mag.

With good bullets it is flatter shooting than you'd think. It is a better 400 yard elk gun than a 30-06 with about the same recoil.
 
Thanks fellas. Some really great suggestions here. I'm seeing a consensus of .45-70 and 338-06. I'm kinda drawn to the idea of the custom build as well.

By all means, I'm open to any more suggestions. But, I like what I'm seeing so far. Thanks again.
 
I'd like a Martini-Henry single shot, either in the original .577 calibre, or rebarreled to .45-70. Wanted one ever since I saw the movie, Zulu.
 
There are a large number of wildcats available that loading dies are available for. I currently shoot a .22 CHeetah built on a Remington 700 action, a 375/338 built on a Browning Bar Safari action, a 450 Alaskan on a Browning/Winchester 71, and a 300 Whisper on an Ar platform.

The Mauser 98 action bolt face will take basic brass both in the 8X57 wildcats as well as those based on the .308/30-06 family, and there are dozens of them. For example if you want to go large the .375 and .411 Hawk will easily work.

The 98 Mauser is a great action to work with as well with every barrel maker threading for it and tons of stock options.
 
.358 winchester built on a short action of your choice with an 18 inch barrel and a nice 4x scope. Very light very quick handling good power inside of 200 yards or if you really want unusual build a .350 remington mag and again on a short action. Both would be great backcountry rifles that would pound just about any critter walking!
 
Not real odd but different enough that you don't see them every day, hard to beat something like my .375 H&H chambered Winchester Super Express.
Truly a cartridge you can do anything with. ( a 220 gr.bullet at 3000 fps is fun if you don't want to eat what ever you hit with it):evil:
TGR
 
6.5 x 54 Mannlicher Schoenaur carbine, something from the mid '50s back. Or go to the other extreme, Sharps 45-70 (or 90 or 100) buffalo rifle and shoot black powder cartridges.
 
Still technically a wildcat but a semi-popular round is the .223 Rem Ackley Improved or .223 AI. More power and more speed than a standard .223 Rem so you get more long range accuracy. The chamber is longer too which also helps with long range shooting.

It would help to know what your intentions are for this rifle you want.
 
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