caliber for larger game

[THE BIGPUNN]

well i have extra cash to buy a rifle now! one day i would like to go on an elk hunt, but i would also like something to use if i ever hunt deer in a rifle zone. what caliber is recommended? i have been leaning towards a 30-06, so i asked some freinds and now they are arguing. one thinks a 30-06, the other thinks something bigger.

[crosscountry2]

a .35 can nock down most game. The only problem is that its not a riflethat you want to shoot 200 yards. its more of a 100 yard rifle.

[THE BIGPUNN]

i decided on a weatherby vanguard 30-06. i want something this is versitile with common rounds. i think this will do.

[DocHolladay]

Good job in choosing. I would have suggested that or a .270 Win.

[crosscountry2]

It think my friend bought the smame one yesterday. Is it a synthetic or wood? My friends is a model 700

[THE BIGPUNN]

well, ok. im in trouble. i cant decide again. my options are a remington 710 or 770, a mossberg 100 or weatherby. im comparing all with synthetic stocks. i have a remington 870 and 11-87 and am now leaning toward the remington.

[DocHolladay]

The Rem 710 is a good rifle for the price, but I would rather have the model 700. The model 770 is just the newest version of the 710, again I would go with the model 700. I am a die hard Remington fan, but find myself looking at the Savage brand everyday. They are a great rifle, accurate out of the box and the accu-trigger is fantastic. I would look into this brand also.

My choices would be either a Remington model 700 or a Savage bolt action(any model) with the accu-trigger.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

Personally,I would take a Win. 300 Mag over the Weatherby. The only ammo you can shoot is Weatherby ammo if I am not mistaken.Doc,is that right?

[THE BIGPUNN]

interesting DOC, cause im am caught up between the 710 and 770. i can get a 770 for about $60.00 more, and its black and not the gray color. the 710 is in stock and i will have to order the 770. so i have spent the day debating between the 710 and 770. there may be some minor changes between the two. i think i may go ahead and get the 710 and look for a thumb hole, black or wooden stock for it. anyone know if the 700,710 and 770 have interchangeable stocks?

thank guys

[DocHolladay]

Personally,I would take a Win. 300 Mag over the Weatherby. The only ammo you can shoot is Weatherby ammo if I am not mistaken.Doc,is that right?

He can get "standard" cartridges in the Vanguard. There are 22 mag. calibers available for the Vanguard and 13 of them are Weatherby Mag. cartridges. The only thing that shooters have trouble with in Mag calibers, is the recoil. It can be a real pain. Something uncomfortable in shooting, like heavy recoil, will cause a flinch or a bad habit that will throw your aim off. Bad aim leads to wounded animals, cant have that.

interesting DOC, cause im am caught up between the 710 and 770. i can get a 770 for about $60.00 more, and its black and not the gray color. the 710 is in stock and i will have to order the 770. so i have spent the day debating between the 710 and 770. there may be some minor changes between the two.

I am sure that each set-up comes with a scope, right? My guess is, you are looking to save some money by getting a rifle/scope combination?

I havent looked at the 770, but I have looked at the 710. Everyone I talk to that has one likes it because of its price, and accuracy. What they and I dont like is that the action is kind of rough when operating it. The trigger is a little heavy and rough also. The model 700 is alot nicer and smoother to operate. The only drawback is that you will have to buy scope mounts, rings and a scope.

You can get a Savage combo and it has a smoother action than the 710(I'm guessing the 770 also), a better trigger and it is in the same price range. A Stevens rifle is a good choice too. You will need to buy a scope for this rifle, but its price is affordable enough to allow you to do it.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

Thanks Doc,I thought I was right atleast somewhat.

[THE BIGPUNN]

well i got the 710 with the bushnell scope. the action is rough. i rem oiled it a little. i bought some 180 grain remington rounds and plan on going to the range next week. i dont like the gray stock and am looking for a wooden thumbhole replacement one.

[DocHolladay]

Congrats on the pruchase and I hope you like it. Try several brands and weights of ammunition to see what the rifle likes. You may get 2" groups with 180gr. rounds, but the 165's may produce 1" groups or vise versa. A little time at the range can be beneficial in how well the rifle groups in the field.

A little oil goes a LOOONNNGGG way. If you put to much, the rifle can fail to shoot. It also allows powder to build up, which in turn, could cause the bolt to "lock up" on you. I put a drop or 2 on a rag and then wipe everything down with a thin coating.

[burhuntin.]

30.06 is perfect if your switching between bigger game liek elk and "smaller" big game liek deer or black bears. i think you made a good choice.