Hunting Rifle

[ryr8828]

I think I'm leaning in the direction of the .300wsm.

[ChileRelleno]

Originally Posted by thelongone13

If you want an AWESOME hunting rifle and not break the bank for the gun or to feed it, 7.62x54R is always fun...

Thats exactly what I was thinking.
I just acquired a M91/30, and besides it being a plinker for my local range's 450yrd line, it is fully capable of knocking any NA big game's tail into the dirt.
I plan on getting a Finnish M39, it's length will be easier to move around in a blind/stand.

[thelongone13]

Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

Thats exactly what I was thinking.
I just acquired a M91/30, and besides it being a plinker for my local range's 450yrd line, it is fully capable of knocking any NA big game's tail into the dirt.
I plan on getting a Finnish M39, it's length will be easier to move around in a blind/stand.

M39 would be awesome in a blind!

[alaskazimm]

Originally Posted by ryr8828

I think I'm leaning in the direction of the .300wsm.

I like mine!

[Frenchy]

Virtually any gun in the .30 caliber range will be effective for North American game.

[wombat13]

Originally Posted by frogger42

Thank you for bringing this up. This is something I should have put in the original post but neglected to do. I am not a hunter. I want to learn to hunt, but not really because I am looking for a new hobby (although I can't rule out that it could become that) but because I think it is a valuable skill to have in a SHTF situation and that isn't the time to be figuring out how to do it. I will probably go on 1 or 2 hunts per year to learn and then maintain the skill, but my primary reason for doing this is so that I could keep food on the table if things got bad. That is why I specified wanting a common, easy to find caliber.

Based on all my research, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with .30-06. Now, I just have to decide between the Ruger and the Tikka. Of course, then I get to discuss optics but we will save that for another thread. It will take me quite a while to save up the money for the rifle and I plan to spend at least as much or more on the scope. I have narrowed that down to Leopold, Zeiss or Trijicon and I'm pretty sure I'll go with the standard 3-9x40 but maybe 2.5-10x50.

I have never handled a Tikka. I have a Ruger Hawkeye stainless/laminate with a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40. You would be happy with the Ruger, and I predict you would be happy with the Tikka. You should definitely handle both and get a feel for how the stock fits you. Fit is going to be more important than any data you can gather on-line.

On the topic of scopes, a bigger objective is not always better. Do some reading. One downside of a larger objective is that you have to mount the scope higher and you may find it difficult to get a comfortable cheek weld to the stock while looking through the scope. Also, one source I read stated that while the larger objectives gather more light, the human eye can't necessarily make use of that light. The more important measure is the diameter of the exit pupil of the scope.

Finally, if you go with .30-06, join CMP and buy some of the surplus ammo. I've looked around. You can't buy .30-06 as cheaply anywhere else. It won't be good hunting ammo, but it will be just fine for SHTF. I've got 1,500 rounds stored for my M1 Garand (which is my SHTF rifle).

P.S. I know 1,500 isn't many compared to others here, but it's a good start for me.

[Samf]

Originally Posted by rayikeo2

I think you should consider the new "Short Magnums" for what you are describing to possibly hunt.

.30 or .270WSM would fit the bill nicely. My choice would be the .270

[Samf]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Virtually any gun in the .30 caliber range will be effective for North American game.

x39 Frenchy????

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Samf

x39 Frenchy????

Uhhhh....no!

More like bore diameter.

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Uhhhh....no!

More like bore diameter.

I dunno; many elephants are taken (poached) with 7.62x39...