Spot on

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:

quote:

Originally posted by 4WD:
What scope(s) do you like for a all around rifle that has long range capabilities that fits most actions without custom scope mounting? I am leaning towards a SB 1.5-6X42mm, but again would like a little more magnification on the top end.

A 2.5x8 Leupold is tough to beat. It doesn't weigh much, gathers decent light and is usable at all the ranges you've mentioned.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:


A 2.5x8 Leupold is tough to beat. It doesn't weigh much, gathers decent light and is usable at all the ranges you've mentioned.

I am fairly sure that is what Saeed uses on his two 375/404s Improved.

Christiansen Arms Mesa 300WM and Vortex Razor HD 1.5x8. If it still recoils too much, leave the supplied muzzle brake on. I shoot it w/o the brake and it recoil no more than a 30-06. Heaviest I shot so far is stout loads behind the 150 TTSX. Something similar would work. If you really want easy recoil, and lightweight, a muzzlebrake can help with a more efficient round , from 308 up. I had a LWT 308 that slapped me awful hard and strawberried my shoulder! ha Good luck to you pard!

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cougarz:


A 2.5x8 Leupold is tough to beat. It doesn't weigh much, gathers decent light and is usable at all the ranges you've mentioned.

+1

4WD,

I think a couple of my most recent acquisitions might fit your needs. Both rifles come in at about 8.5# scoped. Neither is lightweight but even wood stocked are notably more portable than the 10.5# rifle you mentioned in your initial post.

The first rifle is chambered in 338-06. It will drive a 210 TTSX at 2750 fps and a 185 TTSX at 2900+. Those two bullets will pretty much cover anything you mentioned and are close on the heels of the 338 WM but with 30-06 recoil. The 2nd rifle is a cannon in a small package. It's the 9.3x66 or 370 Sako which like the 338-06 uses the '06 as its parent case. This round will give you 2750 fps with a 250 ACB which makes it adequate for anything other than Cape buffalo and elephant. If you really want something for big bears or even Cape buffalo where legal you can move up to the 286 NP at about 2600. Even with the heavier bullet recoil to me feels somewhat less than 338 WM.

I think in the case of these two rifles if I had discovered them earlier I might never have bothered with all the bigger calibers and heavier rifles I've used.

As for scopes I agree with the others that the 2.5x8 Leupold is tough to beat or the 3.5x10 for a bit more magnification. A S&B or similiar is going to make it more difficult to keep the weight down.

I'm right here in Vegas if you'd like to come over and look at either rifle.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
.30-06.

another for this.

and another for this.

30-06 and right there with it .308.

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Originally posted by sep:

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Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
.30-06.

another for this.

and another for this.

+3.

I don't use the 30-06 very much in my hunting, but I own maybe (6) rifles in this caliber. I like 25-06 to 280 Rem. for deer/pronghorn. I like 338 to .366 for elk/moose.

But with your requested parameters, in particular:

1) Light weight rifle
2) power to take large NA & large African PG
3) range for shots as far as 400-500 yards

I think the 30-06 fits the bill. There are better cartridges for each of the above (3) categories, but if you want it for ALL three, I'd pick the 30-06.

IMO the "lightest" caliber that I would shoot any animal on the earth with is the 7x57 with good handloads...but the 30-06 is always in the running in such imagined instances as this, and is my all time favorite caliber. but your question was specific, so the 7x57 is the hands down winner.

Ray

Have you never been is a debate with anyone about the 6.5 cal bullet, 160 gr RN at 2300 fps to 2500 fps on big game including elephants?

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
IMO the "lightest" caliber that I would shoot any animal on the earth with is the 7x57 with good handloads...but the 30-06 is always in the running in such imagined instances as this, and is my all time favorite caliber. but your question was specific, so the 7x57 is the hands down winner.