Hunting rifle

[HKShooter65]

A second vote for the lovely, lowly, immensely accomplished .308.

Plentiful ammo everywhere. What can it not kill?

Recoil not kind, but on game never felt.

6.5 Creedmoor is my latest darling round but out to any sane game distance (1000 feet) they are scarcely distinguishable.

 

[Big Green]

A buddy recently bought a Weatherby Vanguard in 6.5CM, he's been pretty pleased with it. He's taken quite a few hogs and coyotes with it.

Still hard to be a 308 though.

 

[deemus]

A second vote for the lovely, lowly, immensely accomplished .308.

Plentiful ammo everywhere. What can it not kill?

Recoil not kind, but on game never felt.

6.5 Creedmoor is my latest darling round but out to any sane game distance (1000 feet) they are scarcely distinguishable.

Good to know. With the 6.5 having significantly less recoil, it should be a good round for my wife.

 

[Sam7sf]

Only one person mentioned a 7mm08. Shame. It’s a forgotten gem.

I’m gonna suggest something way different. Bolt action 7.62x39 or an ar15 in 25-45 sharps. IMO perfect for deer and a sensitive shooter.

Edit: bolt action in 6.5 Grendel would be fun too

 

[AZ Refugee]

6mm with Hornaday Light Magnum close to what a low end .270 does

 

[stickbowcoop]

Did you guys decide on a rifle?

 

[claymore504]

I would highly suggest the Winchester XPR. I have had one for a while now in 270 and it is outstanding for the price range!

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/sub-moa-winchester-550-xpr-bolt-action-full-review/

 

[Kingarthur777]

Only one person mentioned a 7mm08. Shame. It’s a forgotten gem.

I’m gonna suggest something way different. Bolt action 7.62x39 or an ar15 in 25-45 sharps. IMO perfect for deer and a sensitive shooter.

Edit: bolt action in 6.5 Grendel would be fun too

I am the only guy with the 6.5 Creed. I gave my Vanguard1 to my father because he wanted a 7mm mag. Everyone else in the house has a Savage 7mm08. It will do the job. I helped my son sight his in last year. The recoil didn't bother him at 14. Now it wouldn't at 15 for sure.

 

[Quig]

A 30-06 will wear you out and leave you bruised. Once you are zeroed, taking down large game will be one shot so this may be irrelevant. Not sure if a .243 has enough power for large game but in my opinion the best varment caliber there is. I love the .270, it reaches far out there and holds a level line. 7mm is another great long ranger. You can shoot a .270 or 7mm for long periods of time and not feel like you have been in a fight.

If budget is of little or no importance some AR15 variants some of these people mentioned are great ideas. The 6.5 Grendel is my favorite but the 6.5 creed and 6.8 grendel are nice as well.

If you want a gun you can plink around with and target practice and enjoy rather than the few big game hunts per year the 30-06 is too much gun.

I mentioned many calibers but here is how I rate them personally.

1. 270
2. 7mm
3. 6.5 grendel
4. 308
5. 6.5 creed

 

[LOCKHART]

The OP'S wife sounds like a lady who already knows what she wants. If she's used the .30-06 before then she knows what to expect in the recoil department. And ammo for that caliber can be found in any little podunk town you might pass through. Not everyone is wanting the latest black rifle round to come down the pike, like the 6.5 Creedmoor. Hell, the .260 Remington is just about the same damn thing, caliber, case capacity, etc. There is nothing really new in the world of firearms, fellows.

 

[benenglish]

She's hunted with a 30-06 before, up in Idaho, and as she puts it she's "built like a lead shit house". She's comfortable with the round, but open to others. Was hoping for some insights into the brands I mentioned, Savage, Tikka, etc, as well as information on other brands we should look into. Sorry I was unclear in my original post.

Let's assume the chambering is settled. Is she dead set on a bolt action? Is there any chance she might like a pump?

 

[deemus]

Let's assume the chambering is settled. Is she dead set on a bolt action? Is there any chance she might like a pump?

Sounds kinky.....

 

[Coastal76]

.270 is a great round and the Tika is a solid gun. They tend to be light which she might like but it can also result in a heavier recoil. Good luck and happy hunting

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[TheProphet]

Let's assume the chambering is settled. Is she dead set on a bolt action? Is there any chance she might like a pump?

She's dead set on Bolt Action. I think I have her talked into Tika but she really like the Savage trigger.

 

[FireInTheWire]

She's dead set on Bolt Action. I think I have her talked into Tika but she really like the Savage trigger.

Savage it is then....

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

Savage makes fine, economy rifles.

You don't have to buy some custom job to get the job done with aplomb, grace and great accuracy.

 

[topduarte]

Ruger m77 in 35 remington or marlin lever action 336rc in 356 winchester

 

[bigwheel]

Hear Savage is hard to beat. For skinny little old Texas white tails a .22-250 works great and dont kick at all.

 

[W5LF]

I am giving serious thought to my purchasing a 6.5 Creedmoor upper for my AR. It obviously can turn out to be very accurate and from my estimation, livable recoil. I have hunted with the AR but it reminded me at times what I learned in 'Nam, high velocity and small caliber hitting a twig, current trajectory will or can be greatly altered. Higher mass works best for this. I am wondering if anyone has converted their AR from .223 and what 6.5 Creedmoor they purchased (details please) to use on the AR lower. I like a 1-shot quick kill (I am a meat hunter, not trophy).

 

[robertc1024]

A 6.5 Creedmoor upper is AR-10 sized, not AR-15. A 6.5 Grendel upper will fit and it's a legitimate hunting round.