Won a Pistol, Considering Trading for a Rifle

[JeffDilla]

It's a been a while since I've posted, but I'm coming looking for some suggestions and opinions - let the flood gates open!

I recently won a stainless Kimber Pro Carry II in a local raffle. I haven't picked it up yet but I know it's a great gun and there's a good chance I'll end up hanging on to it. However, I'm considering looking into selling it or trading it for a rifle, as I already own .45s and I'm more of a rifle guy and deer hunter. My main hunting rifles are a Tikka 300 WSM and a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun. I'd be looking for something to "fill the gap", so-to-speak, and would consider something like a 7mm-08 or 270 in a compact bolt action like the Ruger Hawkeye or something similar.

Anyway, if I decide to sell or trade, what rifle or caliber recommendations do you have for another practical hunting gun? Again, I might just end up keeping the pistol anyway, but the right rifle might tempt me otherwise.

 

[JeffDilla]

Anyone? Bueller?

If it conjures any discussion, I think I may be leaning towards a 270. I like the Browning A-Bolt and X-Bolt line, and the Tikka Hunter is a consideration as well. I'd really prefer a wood-stock, blued rifle.

I've never had to beg for opinions and suggestions on here before!

 

[bearman49709]

You can never go wrong with a .270 Win for deer long or short range.
I've owned A-Bolts and a X-Bolt and prefer the X-Bolt, but the A-Bolt is no slouch.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I would go with the Tikka. I have a T3 Lite, and would love to have a wood stocked Tikka as well.

If I was doing it, I would get it in 6.5x55 Swede. I am really starting to love that round.

 

[JeffDilla]

The Tikka is high on my list, although finding a Hunter model with wood stock in my area isn't exactly easy. The 6.5x55 has intrigued me for a while now but part of the reason I'm leaning toward the 270 is that ammo is relatively abundant and reasonably priced. Between the 300wsm and 45/70, ammo costs add up quickly. I figure the 270 is pretty reasonably priced and easy to find.

 

[CZ223]

If you go for a rifle...

The Tikka is a good choice. Smoothest bolt action I've seen in a looong time. Other than that, keeping a the Kimber is not a bad idea either. I have several
and love them all.

 

[Paul7]

The 6.5x55 is also pretty available especially if you shop online, and not that expensive. My local Sportsman's Warehouse always has a bunch of 6.5x55 ammo selections to choose from. My main hunting rifle is a Sako Finnlight in 6.5x55. Some try to tell you you have to reload because factory loads are weak, that is bunk, I've killed about a dozen game animals with it, all DRT. Two were completely disembowled, something my last guide had never seen. It hits like a .308 but without the corresponding blast and recoil.

 

[JeffDilla]

Perhaps I'll give the 6.5x55 another look. Thanks for the input.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Since you already own a .300 WSM, maybe consider something that is better suited to the range of varmints through deer? Nothing wrong with .270 or 7mm-08, but in terms of application, they have a lot of overlap with the .300 WSM in the medium to big game category. Personally, I think .25-06 should be about the biggest to look at, with serious consideration for the .243 or 6mm Rem, possibly even .224" centerfires. Something that can be used for species that the .300, while it will kill them, produces excessive power, noise and recoil where it's not needed.

My hunting rifles cover varmints to dangerous game. They are:

.17 Rem .700 LVSF (varmints, pelt hunting)
.223 heavyweight AR (high volume varminting)
.220 Swift Ruger KM77VT (varmints & predators where pelt doesn't matter)
.25-06 700 BDL (long range for predators and medium game, elk at moderate range)
8mm Rem Mag 700 BDL (elk and moose at any "reasonable" range)
.350 Rem Mag 673 guide gun (brush hunting, especially hogs)
.375 Ultra mag 700 BDL SS(big things that can kill you back)
.45-70 1895 SS (mostly fun, but also short range & thick brush big and dangerous game)

 

[2ndtimer]

I have a 6.5x55 and a .270 Win. Anything the 6.5x55 can do the .270 Win can do better, and if recoil is a concern, the .270 Win can be loaded down to 6.5x55 levels by handloading. If you want to shoot varmints, my experience with light weight bullets in the .270 Win. was much better than my 6.5x55. (I even gave away my 6.5 mm 90 gr Speer TNT bullets. They were that bad in my rifle) Granted my 6.5x55 experience is used on my rifle, a Howa 1500, while my .270 win experience has been with several rifles, Ruger, Savage, Marlin and Remington. I wish I could have tried s Tikka in 6.5x55, might have a completely different outlook.

 

[MCgunner]

Caliber would depend on hunting style, ranges possible, etc. I LOVE my little stainless Remington M7 in .308, very accurate for long shots across canyons, light and handy in the brush or a box blind, topped with a 2x10x40 Weaver for versatility. I use it almost exclusively now except for my crossbow and black powder rifles. There are lots of light, handly little .308s now days, some quite a bit more affordable than my old Remington. .308 is a common caliber and appropriate for anything from yotes to elk. A little light for Kodiak bear, but I don't live in Alaska. On moose, I'd probably want more rifle, too.

If really heavy game is your passion, perhaps a belted magnum or short magnum in .30 caliber or up. I do like my 7 mag, though, but it's kind of a big, heavy cannon. I haven't hunted with it in years.

Were it ME that won that Kimber, I'd probably keep the pistol or trade it on a shotgun. I'd like to have a nice O/U, but they're pricey. In lieu of that, a semi auto 12 that shoots 3 and 3.5" would be nice. I'm a waterfowler...duck and goose hunter, got peculiar needs.

 

[outlawjw]

I have a 270wsm in a rem 700 & a ruger .
The rem shoots3/4 minute but has never bee loaded for . has a 1,200.00 zeiss on it .ruger has Bushnell a longer barrel & is a great shooter. Both shot under a hundred rounds.
Also have 22-250 rem varmiter with big scope shoots 1/4 to 1/2 min with factory fodder will trade for Kimberly pistol . have ccwp

 

[JeffDilla]

If really heavy game is your passion, perhaps a belted magnum or short magnum in .30 caliber or up. I do like my 7 mag, though, but it's kind of a big, heavy cannon. I haven't hunted with it in years.

Well, one of my primary hunting rifles is a 300wsm, so I have the magnum area covered. I've shot deer with and it killed them dead enough, but I'd like something tailored toward the "lighter end" for deer hunting. My 45-70 is a great deer gun for brush hunting, large of a caliber as it may be.

Were it ME that won that Kimber, I'd probably keep the pistol or trade it on a shotgun. I'd like to have a nice O/U, but they're pricey. In lieu of that, a semi auto 12 that shoots 3 and 3.5" would be nice. I'm a waterfowler...duck and goose hunter, got peculiar needs.

I did fail to mention that I already have a nice O/U 12 gauge that is my primary bird gun, so I have that base covered as well However, a nice 20 gauge O/U would always be a sound investment.

 

[JeffDilla]

I have a 270wsm in a rem 700 & a ruger .
The rem shoots3/4 minute but has never bee loaded for . has a 1,200.00 zeiss on it .ruger has Bushnell a longer barrel & is a great shooter. Both shot under a hundred rounds.
Also have 22-250 rem varmiter with big scope shoots 1/4 to 1/2 min with factory fodder will trade for Kimberly pistol . have ccwp

Thanks, but I'm not looking to sell or trade within this thread.

 

[JeffDilla]

For anyone interested, I ended making the trade for a NIB Browning X bolt hunter in 270 at my local gun shop. Really happy about it and anxious to get the rifle next week. Time to start saving pennies for some good glass for it.

 

[ontarget]

Good choice. Hope you enjoy it. A 270 is on my list also.

 

[AZ Desertrat]

I have a Ruger Mark II with I believe a 22 inch barrel in .270 with a brand new Redfield 3x9 scope on it. I MIGHT be interested in letting it go....only because I never use it except for a little target shooting....but it will depend on SWMBO
because she is hinting at a new pistol for herself...LOL.

 

[Gtscotty]

Sounds like you made a good call on caliber and rifle. The .270 should fit right into your lineup, and the X-Bolt is an excellent rifle with a lot of nice features.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Kimber for Browning X-bolt = fair trade. Nice work, I don't think you'll regret having an extraordinarily well made rifle. Hope it harvests some venison for you soon!

 

[JeffDilla]

Kimber for Browning X-bolt = fair trade. Nice work, I don't think you'll regret having an extraordinarily well made rifle. Hope it harvests some venison for you soon!

Thanks! I'm patiently awaiting its arrival. It should be here on Friday. The hardest part is that I won't be hunting with it this year, even though rifle season just began here in Maine, as I need to start saving for good optics for it.

 

[Gtscotty]

I couldn't live with a burden like that through hunting season. I'd pick up one of the Redfield Revolution 3-9x40's I saw for sale the other day for $159, and head to the woods. Then you could have plenty of time to save up for a really BA scope, while having the use of your rifle. But that's just me, and I can't stand the sight of a bald bolt gun.