New Guy has some questions

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I'll add to the remington 700 in 30-06 and a decent 3-9 power scope. I hunt in the exact are you are talking about and this is what I use with great sucess. It is a great set up for the close shots you may get but will reach out there when you do find an occasional 250+ yards shot.
 
Remington 700 - 3006

Hi,
I live in South Africa, and hunt in various terrains that vary form flat open areas to thick vegetation.
I find the 3006 a suitable caliber for game ranging from Springbuk to large Kudus, which are quite equal to the range of white-tail and Elk.

My preference is for a 180Gr BTSP (I prefer the Hornady Interlocks) at approximately 2550 Fps. one can argue that this is way too much bullet for a small buck, but my reason is that I prefer to load all my ammo the same, and I know the trajectory.

I bought the rifle in 1996 ( my first hunting rifle) based on advise from a friend and have not been dissapointed.

With the above mentioned load, it groups regularly below 1 MOA.

the rifle is good locking yet rugged.

My choice os scope is a Leupold 4-12 x 40.

Good luck!

Danny
 
A rifle that fits. One that feels comfortable in your hands and that fits your shoulder and you have a good cheek weld with.

Any standard caliber will do just fine.

I should mention your shotgun will also do fine as a deer gun. Slugs and buckshot have taken lots of deer.
 
I'd suggest a 30-06, just b/c i like that cartridge. but there are many that will work for what you are doing. You can look into common bolt action rifles from remington, savage, CZ (i'm really starting to love these CZ's) ect ect you can't go wrong.

for a very cheap setup, you can look at the H&R handi rifles. they are a single shot break open rifle. Don't see it as a disadvantage b/c 99% of the time hunting deer/elk one shot is all you will need/get. the rifle is very cheap and has the nice feature of being able to swap to other barrels of different calibers, and it has many different calibers to choose from. also you can even mount shotgun barrels and muzzle loader barrels on it.....all you have to do is send the reciever to the factory and have them fit the new barrel. only thing is , is that they are light. so they are going to kick harder than a bolt action in the same cartridge. But thats also nice to walk around with, they are very tough/simple/durable and cheap. You wont win any beauty awards but i love their plain jane, no nonsense rugged looks and function.

.270/.308/30-06 are all very common cartridges that will fill your need well.
 
There are lots of great rifles. To name a few Ruger, Remington. Browning, Savage, Sako, and the list goes on. You need to fine what you really feel comfortable with, then chose a caliber. There again there are many real good ones. 30-06, .270win, 300mag, 7mm mag, and the list goes on. I think all said it comes down to what you like and feel good with. Good luck!
 
Hmmmm well best to start with, what type of hunting are you doing? Are you planning to stalk or sit on a stand? Is it heavy brush where the average shot is under 100yds, or are there often shots that test distance? These are really important questions to ask yourself before purchasing a rifle.

If you're stalking in an area where the average shot is under a 100yds, often in brush, you may want a lever action with iron sights. The iron sights are faster at lining up for a target and the lever action gives you a very fast followup. Since you're also considering elk, I'd think more towards a slightly heavier load. Marlin makes lever actions in 45/70 as well as a 308Win. Brownings BLR stores the ammunition differently, and thus allows use of more standard ammunition, such as the 30-06. A good slug gun can be used here as well [if you use buckshot, check state regulations. Some states are banning its use now.]

If you're stand hunting, I'd tend to lean towards a bolt action rifle. The choices of calibers vary quite a bit, and once again, since you're thinking elk I'd refer to the many debate threads over the caliber of choice. There are also many, many different rifles made. Best suggestion is do your homework, check fitting of the various rifles, research out the ones you like the best, and make your choice. The Remmy 700 is very popular, but by no means is it the perfect rifle for everyone.
As a side note, in situations on a stand where you still expect under 100yds, a rifled barrel shotgun, with scope, and sabot slugs is very effective as well.

Good luck in making your choice.
 
if you want a lever gun in thick cover?? i would say go with the new .338 marlin express. gr8 for elk gr8 for deer...

bolt action...either 700 remington or winchester model 70.

270 on up for deer and elk.

280 rem

.308

30 06 spring

300 win short mag

2-10 power x 40mm for all around scope...brand depends on $$$ you have
 
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Went with the Marlin 30-30. Using irons for now, but plan on putting a Leuopold on eventually. Also looking at a 45/70 Stainless Marlin for Elk. I have recently been invited on hog hunt in the fall down in TN. Planning on using my AR and penetrator rounds.
 
You've mentiond some interesting facts. Using what you have already mentioned, I'd recommend a couple of rifles and calibers as near perfect. If you want to hunt elk and deer at ranges up to 300 yds, than no better calibers exist than the 30/06, .308, .338 Fed, and .338 Marlin Ex. They are found in a lever rifle format and also bolt. The lever rifle, now found, in many cases, to be just as accurate as most bolt guns, is as good as it gets for eastern whitetail hunting (I hunt whitetails in Tn and Ky every year). So, my FIRM reccommondation is the BLR in .308, the Marlin in both .308 and .338 and the Ruger Hawkeye in .338 Fed.:D
 
I would go with the 30-06, and a Leupold scope. Lots of great rifle, I guess it would come down to what you like. Just my thoughts. Good luck, have fun, and keep it safe!
 
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