First hunting rifle

Are you SURE you like detachable mags? Why have something else to potentially lose in the field, that serves no purpose whatsoever? That's my beef with the X-Bolt (and many many others today).

So, yes, Winchester 70 or CZ 550. Or, find a T/C Icon Classic or a used A-Bolt II or a used Sako 85 or used Weatherby Mark V - at least, those would be the suggestions in the general budget range you suggested. But there are many other good choices in higher and lower general budget ranges.. you willing to buy used, or new only?

As for chambering, 7 rem mag is not a good choice, in my opinion. Very expensive, overbore, inefficient; therefore unnecessary recoil. Get a .280 Rem or .280 AI instead. Even a 7mm WSM or 7mm RSAUM would be better than 7 RM, due to lack of a belt. 7mm RM is not terrible choice, mind you, but certainly wouldn't be in my top 10 choices of chamberings for an all-purpose large game hunter. I'd even pick 7mm-08 before 7mm RM.

And I will give contrary advice to above - don't get a 26" bbl in a hunting rifle ... get a 22" or maaaybe 24"...long bbls are surefire recipes to plug the bore with mud crossing creeks, get hung up in more brush, etc.

If this helps you.... I don't have a Browning, and I've never had a Sako, Mauser M12 or other really high end, but I have had Savages and several Rem 700s (and still have one) -- and I can tell you, that among turnbolts, the pride of ownership stemming from fit, finish, function (performance), and features is the greatest with these of mine, in order:

-T/C Icon Classic (not the Icon "Original Medium Action")
-Winchester 70 (recent FNH /South Carolina manufacture)
-(tie) Weatherby Mark V (Ultra lightweight)
-(tie) CZ 550
-Ruger 77
-Rem 700 (customized)

So got that? Even a highly customized Rem 700 is less pleasing overall than a Winchester 70 etc., straight out of the box. Nothing wrong with the Rem 700 - it just lacks a little bit of the refinement (smoothness of action, great trigger. 3-position safety, "controlled-round-push-feed", etc.). The new Win 70s are the real deal in "mid-high-end" value, IMO, now that the Icon Classic is no more (and the A-Bolt II is no more).

Another thing to consider, if you haven't already, is that the Medallions and White Gold Medallions, though very beautiful - you have to ask yourself - "Will I be cringing every time the stock scrapes a tree or briar?" or will you be ok with that? I would be cringing, so I like more "workaday" plain wood or fiberglass stocks, that you almost WANT to put scratches on, to give them character. :)
 
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I agree^^^^ a remington 700 cdl or browning X bolt would fit the need nicely. Im not familiar with Winchester but im sure they have a model that is more than adequate. However a 24 inch barrel is not a hindrance in most hunting situations. A lot of people hunt from a nice stand not 3 miles from the truck. Dont let that sway you.
 
I personally have had great success with Ruger so I would recommend a Ruger Hawkeye. Otherwise a Winchester model 70 is always a good standby.
 
Fall hunting ammo on sale.....

Around here, when Fall hunting season approaches there are 3 classes of hunting ammo that goes on sale. Lowest price: 30-30 Winchester. Next lowest price: 243 Win, 270 Win, 308,Win, and 30-'06 Springfield. Third lowest price: 7mm Remington magnum, and 300 Winchester magnum. For price and availability, the 7mm Remington magnum beats all the other 7mm's. Again, I would rather have a regular 270 or 30-'06, but the 7mm Remington magnum is arguably the best of the magnums.
 
Or just reload and quit paying those obscene prices. :)

And good summary, but not that .243 is STILL a smidge less than .308, .270, and .30-06, no? It is here. And I'm glad for that.
 
There is a lot of variability in prices as their are so many options on the popular calibers. But, when BiMart, for example, puts together their fall hunting ammo sale, it will be those calibers in the most popular bullet weights, non- premium, regular stuff. In that sale, all the calibers in the second class I mentioned, will be exactly the same price. It wouldn't surprise me much if 243 were slightly lower on regular shelf prices, just not on the fall hunting sale. And yeah, I reload almost all of my centerfire ammo. Couldn't afford to shoot much otherwise. A buck per round?!? What has the world come to?
 
In that case, either a 7RM or a 300WM will serve you well, both are readily available over the counter and if you reload, either can be extremely versatile.
 
I disagree that it's too much noise and recoil. I've never had a 7mm Mag that was bothersome in the recoil department.

Now, if you're 5' tall and weigh 90 lbs, maybe you should get a .243. But a 7mm RM isn't an elephant gun.

To me the most versatile calibers are .270, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, and .300 Win Mag.

The Magnums can be downloaded if you so choose; the factories even make downloaded ammo off the shelf. But then if you go elk hunting or moose hunting or the like, you can step up to a faster, flatter and harder hitting round.

While I wouldn't tell someone with a .270 or -06 to go get a new gun, if you're buying new, why not get the more versatile round to begin with?
 
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Realistically, for 99% of Texas hunting, you'd be fine with a .243, but if you pick any standard factory caliber between a .223 and a .300 magnum, you'll be fine.

I'm extremely biased toward .308's and .30-06's, so my recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt. Both are way more than enough gun for anything I'll encounter in my normal ramblings. A .270 would fall right in there with my favorites.

Mostly, I'll just reiterate my first suggestion. Buy a nice, used rifle that doesn't break the budget. Spend the savings on good glass. After a few months of shooting it, you'll have a much better idea of what you want, based on first hand experience. If you buy it right, you won't have much trouble recouping your investment, and you can sell it to buy your dream rifle. You'll already have the scope.

Also, if you buy one do all rifle at the outset, what excuse will you have to buy more down the road. :):)
 
.270 or 7mm
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When you can't decide between .270 win or 7mm rem mag, you compromise and get a .280 rem :D I would only recommend the .280 if you reload. If not I'd definitely go with .270. Nothing wrong with 7mm mag, I just prefer the .270 for the lower recoil, less throat erosion and better cartridge efficiency; all in exchange for a very slight loss in ballistic performance.

But if the added recoil doesn't bother you and you aren't going to put a whole lot of extra rounds through the rifle at the range, then the 7 mag might be a better choice for you. Neither is a bad decision.
 
In truth, and I think a lot of folks might secretly agree, a 7mm Rem Mag is barely a real magnum round. It's not that far above a .270 in performance, but is more efficient than the .270 with heavier bullets, which is what you might choose if you do go for anything bigger than deer, boar or black bear.

I like all the popular calibers. I reload, so I can get things out of rounds that factories usually don't (like all reloaders).

I am partial to 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag in all-purpose rifles.

They are not as punishing as people make them out to be (especially the 7mm), and they have a large variety of factory ammo at levels from light to hot. And if you reload, the 7mm and .300 can be lots of things - a 7mm-08, .280 and magnum, or a .308, a .30-06 and a magnum respectively. That's versatility. One gun for many animals/uses. Just like with 4WD on a vehicle - you may not always need it, but dang it feels good to have the option.

Do you need a magnum? Maybe not. But why not get one? I see no real negative in doing so. But as I said above, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the long-action calibers that are popular. Ammo and reloading components are usually available (except .300 cases lately!) and any of them will do the job. Do your research, look at ballistics, articles, etc. and get what you feel best suits your needs.

Just my .02. I'm not an expert, I have just had the chance to shoot a lot of calibers.
 
In truth, and I think a lot of folks might secretly agree, a 7mm Rem Mag is barely a real magnum round
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Or, to put it another way, what I'D say is that the 7mm RM is a hardcore magnum round (and too overbore), and the .30-'06 based cartridges (.280, .270, etc.), should have been called magnums, as they are "light magnums". :)
 
Or, to put it another way, what I'D say is that the 7mm RM is a hardcore magnum round (and too overbore), and the .30-'06 based cartridges (.280, .270, etc.), should have been called magnums, as they are "light magnums".
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Touché. :)
 
the 7mm RM is a hardcore magnum round
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Nah... Now the 7mm RUM, that's a hardcore magnum round ;)

I agree necked down '06 family cartridges like .25-06 should be considered beltless magnums.

Here's a "hardcore magnum" for ya... .17 incinerator;)

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