I don't have a traditional hunting rifle at this time. I've had traditional hunting rifles in the past, all bolt-actions which have been just ok. But there's just some things I don't like about bolt actions I'll discuss later.
I would like it in a large enough caliber to use on moose or elk and be effective enough on the big brownies of Alaska if ever necessary, but I do not want a magnum caliber or the other high recoiling non-magnums such as the .375 Ruger or 9.2x62. So I've been shopping the different actions and calibers and even the broad selection of bolt actions. I really like the .35 Whelen and .358 Winchester and even considered the .338-06 and .338 Federal calibers but most rifles in those calibers are relegated to the used or custom market. The .375 Ruger and 9.2x62 have too much recoil.
I've found the .338-06, .338 Fed, .35 Whelen and .358 Win ammo more difficult to find and almost as expensive as magnum ammo, they seem to be more of niche calibers these days, so I find myself being funneled back to the venerable .30-06. There doesn't seem to be a rifle that isn't chambered in .30-06 and the ammo is available virtually everywhere, many think it is sufficient for most large game animals.
I've shy'd away from commercial grade semi-auto's as I can't fully trust them in austere conditions where regular and articulate cleaning might not be possible, so I am sticking with a manual action.
For a lever action I decided the Browning BLR which is currently offered in .358 win would make a nice quick action in a heavy caliber, but again the .30-06 model would be easier to find ammo for.
Then there's the Remington 7600, used one's are available in .35 Whelen if one is persistent, and again new one's are available in .30-06. I own an 870 and the 7600 really appeals to me, but I have read so many pro's and con's of the design I'm not sure I can completely trust it and it appears to be more complex of a design and harder to give a thorough cleaning.
The single shot Ruger No. 1 is available in .35 Whelen but not in .30-06. The idea of a single-shot rifle appeals to me, it's simpler, uses a longer barrel yet same overall length as other rifles, it's more robust and it seems more of a hunter's rifle as you have only the one shot to count on, but not a quick shooter if necessary.
Then we come to my least favorite, the bolt-action. The greatest appeal to me is their inherent accuracy and simplicity, their greatest detractors are the slow and awkward cycling and the blind or hinged magazine floor plates. I have owned Remington 700's and a Ruger M77, both of which have long bolt throw's to work the action as they only have two locking lugs. A short throw bolt might alleviate some of the awkwardness of the bolt-action as you don't have to swing the bolt as far up to release it and a detachable magazine would make loading and unloading a non-issue. I know a big point of contention for many bolt gunners is the push-feed vs. the controlled feed bolts, I'm indifferent regarding that argument, as I've owned both styles, I never had an issue with either bolt design.
For bolt-actions I've pretty much settled on .30-06 caliber and a few models that have a short throw bolt and a detachable magazine. Browning bolt-actions are contenders as well as the Sako 85 and the Winchester XPR, Savage doesn't appear to have the short throw bolt, but I was looking hard at them too as well as the CZ line-up.
The simplicity, accuracy and reliability of bolt-actions are probably their biggest selling points and it's hard to argue with that, so for my uses, what would most of you recommend?
BTW, whatever it is will wear a fixed 4x scope
I would like it in a large enough caliber to use on moose or elk and be effective enough on the big brownies of Alaska if ever necessary, but I do not want a magnum caliber or the other high recoiling non-magnums such as the .375 Ruger or 9.2x62. So I've been shopping the different actions and calibers and even the broad selection of bolt actions. I really like the .35 Whelen and .358 Winchester and even considered the .338-06 and .338 Federal calibers but most rifles in those calibers are relegated to the used or custom market. The .375 Ruger and 9.2x62 have too much recoil.
I've found the .338-06, .338 Fed, .35 Whelen and .358 Win ammo more difficult to find and almost as expensive as magnum ammo, they seem to be more of niche calibers these days, so I find myself being funneled back to the venerable .30-06. There doesn't seem to be a rifle that isn't chambered in .30-06 and the ammo is available virtually everywhere, many think it is sufficient for most large game animals.
I've shy'd away from commercial grade semi-auto's as I can't fully trust them in austere conditions where regular and articulate cleaning might not be possible, so I am sticking with a manual action.
For a lever action I decided the Browning BLR which is currently offered in .358 win would make a nice quick action in a heavy caliber, but again the .30-06 model would be easier to find ammo for.
Then there's the Remington 7600, used one's are available in .35 Whelen if one is persistent, and again new one's are available in .30-06. I own an 870 and the 7600 really appeals to me, but I have read so many pro's and con's of the design I'm not sure I can completely trust it and it appears to be more complex of a design and harder to give a thorough cleaning.
The single shot Ruger No. 1 is available in .35 Whelen but not in .30-06. The idea of a single-shot rifle appeals to me, it's simpler, uses a longer barrel yet same overall length as other rifles, it's more robust and it seems more of a hunter's rifle as you have only the one shot to count on, but not a quick shooter if necessary.
Then we come to my least favorite, the bolt-action. The greatest appeal to me is their inherent accuracy and simplicity, their greatest detractors are the slow and awkward cycling and the blind or hinged magazine floor plates. I have owned Remington 700's and a Ruger M77, both of which have long bolt throw's to work the action as they only have two locking lugs. A short throw bolt might alleviate some of the awkwardness of the bolt-action as you don't have to swing the bolt as far up to release it and a detachable magazine would make loading and unloading a non-issue. I know a big point of contention for many bolt gunners is the push-feed vs. the controlled feed bolts, I'm indifferent regarding that argument, as I've owned both styles, I never had an issue with either bolt design.
For bolt-actions I've pretty much settled on .30-06 caliber and a few models that have a short throw bolt and a detachable magazine. Browning bolt-actions are contenders as well as the Sako 85 and the Winchester XPR, Savage doesn't appear to have the short throw bolt, but I was looking hard at them too as well as the CZ line-up.
The simplicity, accuracy and reliability of bolt-actions are probably their biggest selling points and it's hard to argue with that, so for my uses, what would most of you recommend?
BTW, whatever it is will wear a fixed 4x scope
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