Here's the deal, I just sold one of my deer rifles last night and I need to replace it. Currently, my deer rifles include a .243, a .257 Roberts, and a .270. The 243 is my favorite, a Ruger No.1, but it's heavy and long and not ideal for woods hunting and still pretty. I don't like pulling it up in trees stands and whacking limbs and metal with it. The 257 is another No.1 RSI that is so stunningly beautiful I have never shot it, much less carried it hunting. It's the perfect compact size though. Maybe when I get some box blinds built in the future I'll start carrying it. The 270 is an older A-bolt that was a gift from my dad. I never really liked it though. The trigger is heavy and the recoil is more than I like. I have hunted with it in the past though, but for my woods hunting, it's really more caliber than necessary I feel.
My woods are typical midwest hardwoods. Thicker in some places and average in others. Maximum shot distances would be 125-150 yards. I do all of my hunting from ladder stands. Essentially I'm looking for a new rifle in a low recoiling caliber that is small, compact, and handy. I'm looking for either a bolt action or a single shot. I have a few ideas, but none of them scream perfect for me. I like a classic walnut stock look and not synthetic.
Option 1: Ruger Hawkeye Compact 243. I love the 243, I already reload for it, I have about 100 rounds already loaded, I have 300 Hornady 95gr SST bullets read to be loaded, plenty of brass, and plenty of 4350 powder. The 16.5" barrel loses a good bit of velocity, but for my woods gun, it would still be plenty. The compact size is definitely handy to carry through the woods and pull up by rope to my stand. I've never owned a Ruger Hawkeye or M77 though.
Option 2: Ruger American Ranch Rifle 300 Blackout with a Boyd's stock. I already reload for the 300BLK in my AR, so I have plenty of bullets, brass, powder, and dies already. The gun is short and handy and light recoiling. I'm not sure how practical buying a second stock would be, but I just don't like synthetic stocks.
Option 3: CZ 527 7.62x39. Everyone raves about this gun who owns one. I already own another 527 in 22 Hornet so I'm familiar with the platform. It's short and handy and would make a good woods gun. I've never really liked the looks of the extended magazine though. And I don't shoot 7.62x39, so that's another caliber to add to my list and I'm really trying not to get too spread out with calibers.
Option 4: T/C Contender G2 walnut stock 7-30 Waters. I used to shoot the Encore rifles son I'm familiar with them. Would be another short, handy rifle for woods use. Caliber is definitely interesting and unique, but another caliber to add to my list and pretty much exclusive to reloading, which I'm not against, but that's new dies I'll need, bullets, brass, and powder which I don't have. Also I hated the way the point of the trigger guard would dig into my back. I'd sling my Encore across my back diagnolly when I'd have to ride my atv and it would hurt like all get out. So I'm not crazy about that part.
But those are my current three options ranked accordingly. I'm open to all thoughts and opinions on those three or any other options. Main goals are short, handy, and light recoiling. Bonus points for calibers I already own. My budget is $800ish.
My woods are typical midwest hardwoods. Thicker in some places and average in others. Maximum shot distances would be 125-150 yards. I do all of my hunting from ladder stands. Essentially I'm looking for a new rifle in a low recoiling caliber that is small, compact, and handy. I'm looking for either a bolt action or a single shot. I have a few ideas, but none of them scream perfect for me. I like a classic walnut stock look and not synthetic.
Option 1: Ruger Hawkeye Compact 243. I love the 243, I already reload for it, I have about 100 rounds already loaded, I have 300 Hornady 95gr SST bullets read to be loaded, plenty of brass, and plenty of 4350 powder. The 16.5" barrel loses a good bit of velocity, but for my woods gun, it would still be plenty. The compact size is definitely handy to carry through the woods and pull up by rope to my stand. I've never owned a Ruger Hawkeye or M77 though.
Option 2: Ruger American Ranch Rifle 300 Blackout with a Boyd's stock. I already reload for the 300BLK in my AR, so I have plenty of bullets, brass, powder, and dies already. The gun is short and handy and light recoiling. I'm not sure how practical buying a second stock would be, but I just don't like synthetic stocks.
Option 3: CZ 527 7.62x39. Everyone raves about this gun who owns one. I already own another 527 in 22 Hornet so I'm familiar with the platform. It's short and handy and would make a good woods gun. I've never really liked the looks of the extended magazine though. And I don't shoot 7.62x39, so that's another caliber to add to my list and I'm really trying not to get too spread out with calibers.
Option 4: T/C Contender G2 walnut stock 7-30 Waters. I used to shoot the Encore rifles son I'm familiar with them. Would be another short, handy rifle for woods use. Caliber is definitely interesting and unique, but another caliber to add to my list and pretty much exclusive to reloading, which I'm not against, but that's new dies I'll need, bullets, brass, and powder which I don't have. Also I hated the way the point of the trigger guard would dig into my back. I'd sling my Encore across my back diagnolly when I'd have to ride my atv and it would hurt like all get out. So I'm not crazy about that part.
But those are my current three options ranked accordingly. I'm open to all thoughts and opinions on those three or any other options. Main goals are short, handy, and light recoiling. Bonus points for calibers I already own. My budget is $800ish.
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