I have just completed my college education and want to start big game hunting. I have been shooting for the majority of my life, and have hunted a few times long ago. Since I now have the time and ability to hunt, I would like some recommendations for a rifle. I currently am looking at hunting deer and possibly antelope in Nevada. I would like a rifle of good quality and am not afraid of paying for it. I currently shoot a $2500 pistol in competion and know that you only pay for quality once. As for calibers, I am looking at something in the 25-06 to 30-06 range since I don't really see any need for a magnum yet. I already reload pistol and have reloaded rifle ammo before, so I can develop loads for the rifle or provide ammo for less common calibers. I have played with numerous rifles from most manufacurers and am really looking at a Sako 75. What about optics? I know that both are very personal choices, but I am interested in hearing input on what works.

Welcome to the forums, Austin. There are so many answers (and opinions) to this question. Being that you have a inkling to firearms, you seem to have put yourself on a good lead with your suggestion of a sako 75. You could not possiably go wrong with a 25-06 or a 270 WINCHESTER. You might go look at a Cooper firearms rifle. I got to shoot one last month and it is a VERY serious out of the box gun for the money.

If you like Sako's then get one. The big thing is practicing with it and knowing where the first shot hits. As a competative shooter I think you may already know this.

There are a lot of good cartridges. I will let the others have a go at this.

For a scope a Leupold VX1 3X9 is just fine. The Leupold VX111 3.5X10 is even better but pricy.

Austin,
I'm a fan of the SteyrMannlicher. My 30.06 is a 1980 Model"M"Professional with the plastic stock. The current model is called the ProHunter. I helped a friend look at all the possibilities last year and he settled on the ProHunter.
I have the older Zeiss Diavari 3-9x36 scope and he picked up the newer version- 3-9x40 Conquest.
He paid less than $700 for the rifle and $500 for the scope. They are incredibly well made and great shooters.
Another great thing about the SteyrMannlicher is the magazine.



The new Pro Hunter

http://www.sportingguns.com.au/Rifles/SteyrMannlicher/SteyrProHunter.html

Some follow up information:

A comment was made about the replacement of a SteyrMannlicher hammer-forged barrel being hard to replace. My model "M" is 23yrs old with many thousands of rounds and the bore is perfect and it still shoots sub-1MOA groups.

Another comment was made about the bolt lugs being on the back of the bolt. Well the lugs are on the back of the bolt on my model"M" but the lugs on the new 'SBS' bolt for the ProHunter are on the front.



[ 01-16-2003, 05:01: Message edited by: CaptJack ]

First what are you hunting or shooting sport you going into makes alot of what you want in a rifle you could be hunting and target shooting.I would go from there and ask yourself what game animals will I hunt and what calibur BEST FOR ALL GAME and you will find a all around rifle.THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE ON THIS SITE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THEY WILL TILL YOU.

I would opt for either a 9.3x62 or a 30/06 and in either calibre it would be in a cz 550 American. If this were my only rifle I would then top it with a 1.75-6 leupold in Talley or warne QD's I would have some sort of irons added to it. There is not much one could not hunt with these calibres personally I would opt for the 9.3x62 (I have not got one yet but will get one in the near future, and I like heavy calibre and the performance thye offer over smaller bores) This calibre in my eyes has the best attributes of both the .375 H&H & the 30/06 in one package. If wet weather is to be encountered add a McMillan AHR stock specifically made for this CZ length action, have it steel bedded and pillars added. You could also add a pme 3 position saftey, persoanlly I do not have an issue with the standard cz safety, but it just adds a little more function and class to an already brilliant all steel rifle. With this out fit you will come in well under $2000 and have IMHO a supurb CRF rifle that could tackle everything.

Do not be dazzled by the "shiny baby guns" which may look better on the outside but as far as function and ruggedness go are not. I used to be.

[ 01-12-2003, 10:09: Message edited by: PC ]

Austin,
Welcome to the site.
There are many fine cartridges in the range you mentioned. All of them have their supporters as well as detracters. I would eliminate the .25-06 though. Don't get me wrong, just about everything in the country has been laid low with the .25-06. But in my opinion the hunting bullet weights are just a little light. One factor you may consider is weither or not you are recoil sensitive. If you are, perhaps the .308 Win. or 7mm-08 Rem. would better serve you. If recoil doesn't bother you, the .270 Win or .30-06 would both be an excellent pick. Because of the wide selection of bullet weights, I believe the .30-06 comes closer than the .270 to being an all around cartridge. Another cartridge that is a very good one is the .280 Rem.. I have found it to be almost as flexible as the .30-06. Which ever cartridge you select, learn to use it to the best of your ability, pick the right bullet for the game and they will all serve you well. Good luck.

Take a look at the Blaser R93 series of rifles. Go to a good gun store and handle several different rifles, do a little research and buy the one you like.
Anything from a 270 up to a 30-06 will be a good choice. For a scope I like the 2.5X8 Leupold, fairly compact, click adjustments, and good optics, with a reasonable price.

WOW GUYS!
These have to be some of the best, informed, standard testosterone level based replies ever!
All good choices, capable of taking all game and varmints critters on this continent.
I have to agree about the .25-06, a little light bullet weights for some game. The .270 can be used as well with lighter bullets for varminting.
Some real good rifle suggestions as well.

Northern Nevada, I know what you have in front of you. I've hunted some of that country, and many other places like it.
I'd shy away from the heavier rifles if you plan to walk much. Any of the offerings from Remington, Winchester or Ruger will do. Sakos are excellent, but heavy.
I wouldn't go scope nutty. A basic 4X will will work. A 6X is even better. I prefer the Leupold brand, but the Bushnell Elite series and the Weaver Grand Slams are also excellent. Be sure you get good solid mounts. I like the Dual Dovetail system, Leupold bases and Burris Signiture Rings, or the Talley system. Ruger rifles come with rings and are set up to easily throw on a spare.
You will need to have the trigger on your rifle tweaked, or you should have it done. This is easily done on the Remington, Winchester and Sakos. Tougher, but doable on the Ruger.
As for chamberings, you will find that the .25-06, the .270, and the 7mm/.300 Magnums are very popular in your wide open country. Any will do. Most hunters, if they are honest with themselves, find they shoot the .25-06/.270 class stuff better than they shoot the magnums. The rifles chambered for the magnums are heavier to boot. Not worth it in my book.
The Steyr rifles listed above are first class. The only problem with them is I can build two first class custom rifles for the cost of one of those. I know of no barrel makers, in this country, that can rebarrel them.
And one more footnote. Get yourself a good binocular. That is the country for binoculars. Leica and Zeiss are my favorite brands. E

[ 01-12-2003, 18:10: Message edited by: Eremicus ]

Austin,

I can make a solid endorsement for the 25-06 which has been an outstanding open country deer/antelope/varmint rifle. 100gr NBT's only. I have a cousin who lives in Elko NV who shoots grandad's 7x57 mauser in a Ruger 77. He too has gone with lighter bullets, 120gr Speer I think, and has canned antelope at three hundred yards with a single pop. I'd shoot his rifle too!

Your scope choice is important too. I'm fond of Burris. Go with a straight 6x and don't look back!

As for rifle, let me make another suggestion. You understand the value of quality, I would urge you to find a rifle you like and have an aftermarket barrel, trigger, and or accurizing done. In my book this is money well spent... but it can take some of the fun out of finding a really sweet load-- you'll find many sweet loads!

Good luck!!

Strait 6X and a 25-06, you are a good man waldog

Since you shoot in competition you will probably not be happy with the standard fare of Rifle. I would think that for the price of a Sako you could have someone build you a rifle.25-06 is a great round and I'd go with Leupold Vari-x III or a M8 fixed in 6X. Check around in the Gunsmith section. Some good folks there could build you a real nice rifle.

Just about any mid-size cartridge you select will serve you well for your stated purposes. They all have their advocates and some people are downright dogmatic about what they shoot.
Of the two you mentioned I like the 25-06 (though I own, at present count 4 30-06 rifles). Here's why I like the 25-06 for you: There ain't a deer in North America that will survive a well placed 100 or 120 grain .25 bullet at 3000-3300 fps. Don't let anyone tell you different. With well made bullets like the Nosler Partition it will go through shoulder and break pelvis on medium game like deer and antelope...no problem.
I think the big advantage that you have with the quarter bore, especially out west, is that you have a real dual purpose varmint/deer caliber. You can buy or load 75 or 87 grain .257 varmint bullets and they will be a dandy western varmit rig where the wind never seems to stop.
Don't let em talk you into a .30 caliber rifle with the argument that there is a better bullet selection. Sure there is...an incredible spread of designs and weights. Something on the order of 110 grain all the way up to 220 grain. BUT, the rifle that will stabilize all those wonderful bullets to any degree of accuracy is a rare bird indeed. And when it gets down to brass tacks VERY few people who own a .30 anything typically limit their bullet selections to 150, 165 and 180 grain. With the .30 you WILL have a bigger bullet selection. But in practical terms there are factors that limit your ability to effectively utilize that spread. Which brings you back to the 25-06, which gives you all versatility you need and then some for your stated purposes. Oh, and the 25-06 has about half the calculated recoil of a 30-06!
The Sako 75 is a good rifle...but not worth $800 IMO. If you want to spend $1000 or more on a rifle there are way better choices. But I feel you would do as well with a Remington or Winchester in the $800 and under price range.

Austin,
I've hunted Nevada a couple times. I'd opt for a 25-06, 270, or consider one of the 7mm or 300 mags if you want to take the time to master the recoil. Some of the new short mags would do well I suspect also. I just put together a rifle which I will use for future Nevada hunts, a 7Rem Mag pushing 140gr bullets at 3300+fps. MtnHtr

If you are looking for a quality factory rig, then I would go Dakota. Caliber choice is always a hot topic. I am as much a shooter as hunter, so I like different calibers for different game. I don't own a hunting .30-06 but you would be hard pressed to find a std. caliber better suited for hunting antelope to moose w/. A Leupold VXIII 2.5x8 or 3.5x10x40 would be about the right glass (JMO).

[ 01-12-2003, 20:40: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Welcome,
I have been hunting Nevada (a native of Fallon) since I was 12 and guiding for about 10 years. What I have seen work as an all around rifle for Nevada is anything from 25-06 to 300 Winchester with 264 Win Mag as my favorite. As for rifles, I am a big fan of Remingtons as good value but if I were going to pick only one rifle I would go with a Dakota or possibly a custom built job. If you take out Nevada Elk hunting you can kill anything there with a 243.

Good Hunting

The way I approach such a decision is "managment by exception". This means that some off the shelf, low priced rifles will shoot as well as any other hunting rifle no matter how much you spend.

But if you like the Sako then get it as their price is not out of line.

As to cartridge selection. The small bores are great at medium range but when you get way out there they don't carry the energy. Hold over and compensation for wind drift can be done by the rifleman but once the bullet leaves the barrel you can't make it bigger or faster!

This is why the .270 Winchester is the smallest cartridge that will be entirely satisfactory for hunting in 49 of our states.

That Styer rifle above might have rear locking lugs. If it does it's not acceptable.

I would get a M70 SS Classic in 30/06 and scope it with a 3X9 Leu. VX-1. From there you build on that. Others like the .270 as I said.

Thanks for the responces guys. Its good to see that I was at least close in my initial thoughts. I guess I should have mentioned that I dont think of myself as recoil senstive, because the only sporting rifle I own now is a ruger #1 in 375. I have been able to bench this gun and shoot ~1" groups with my handloads at 100 yards. I just want a lighter and easier to carry and shoot gun. I do have another detail to add. I am 6'4" tall and have rather long arms. Are any factory rifles available with a a fairly long length of pull? I mentioned the Sako just because the guns I have handled in the shops seem to fit a little better, but I have not shot any of them. As for the custom route, what kind of price range is reasonable? I would like to keep the rifle and scope price around $1500-2000. Does this sound reasonable? Thanks again.

Now we know more.

Buy two new rifles. A back up is very good to have and the .375 is not perfect for that.

Get one in 30/06 and the other in 7MM WSM and send the one that does not shoot as well out to a smith or start working on it yourself. I would do the smith work myself, this is satisfying and not that hard to do. Things like bedding, triggers, crowns, scope mounting and determination if it's a bad barrel or not are within the ability of many.

If it's a bad barrel then I would send the barreled action to my favorite barrel maker and have them install a new barrel and check the action out.

If you want a turn key rifle then there are many good gunsmiths. Some in your price range are members here. The names of John Lewis, John Ricks and Jack Belk come to mind.

On stock length. I would not select a rifle based on that at all. Better to be short and the LOP anyway and a pad can be added.

Let me be the first one to suggest one of the new short magnums...specifically the 270WSM. Why the 270WSM? Better performance than the 270 Winchester yet not quite as much as the 27 Weaatherby. Can't think of a better deer/antelope cartridge under 30-caliber and there are a lot of good components if you decide to handload.

Given your size I would take a look at the Winchester Model 70 with the laminated stock and before I even shot it I would send it to someone who could "tune" it up for me.....recrown the barrel, properly bed the stock and do a decent trigger job. You're looking at about $600 for the rifle and maybe $350-$400 for the rest so for $1,000 you will be ready to go. Hill Country Rifles has a tune-up package and they will guarantee less than 1" with factory ammo.

Western Hunter, he has asked for peoples opinions, thats mine. I shoot with bigger calibres I do not give a damn wether others do or don't, but I answered the post honestly and honestly thats what I reccomend either the 30/06 or the 9.3 and I feel the 9.3 is better. We all have differing opinions and quite often we suggest equipment/calibres that we own or are interested in getting.

Take Care PC,

You can easily have a first class custom rifle built for $1500. I've got a custom 600 Remington, .25-284 that cost me $350 for the action, $410 for the McMillian stock, and $480 for a Pac-Nor Super Match SS barrel installed. Add a few bucks for a Rifle Basic trigger, Gentry SS mounts and a Leupold 3-9X33 Compact and you are well under $2000. If you do that, you get just what you want, barrel contour and weight, stock style and fit, etc. Mine weighs 7 lbs. 2 ozs. and shoots .5-1.0 MOA even with the Barnes X. It features all kinds of extras to boot.
The drawback is the wait time. It took about six months to do all this. But, for that kind of money, I personally, wouldn't do anything else. E

My personal choice for antelope is the 7MM mag.. I know you said you didn't see the need for a Mag, but hear me out. I've been antelope hunting a couple times, and in my limited experience, I have found that the "big ones" with a large heard of does, are REALLY hard to get close to and a flat shooting cartridge is a must.
Now IMHO the 30-06 is just fine, but requires you to be little more accurate with your range estimation. The 7MM can be more forgiving if your range estimat is off by 40 yars or so.
As far as which rifle to buy, I think that's a personal choice and you need to buy a rifle that feels like its a part of you when you pick it up.

As far as scopes go, MINIMALLY I would use a Nikon (I have them on my 7Mag and my 06) but recommend a Leupold. The european scopes such as Zeiss, Khales, etc, are fine scopes and built for low light conditions, which in my opinion can be a handicap in bright sunlight.
Her is a link with TONS of info about scopes I think you'll find helpful.

http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh/scope.html

If it were me, i'd look into a cooper M38 action (308 family) in 6.5/284. you could probably get it done @$1200.

I'll also back my friend PC up and say that for close range hunting, i too would opt for the 9.3x62 in a CZ550.

[ 01-13-2003, 06:35: Message edited by: Curtis_Lemay ]