Hunting Rifle

[XD FANATIC]

Well when you figure every possible factor you can possibly figure in, portability, power, versatility, availability and price of ammo, accuracy and trajectory, rifle cost, rifle weight, options, the 30-06 still looks pretty damn good. In my not so humble opinion it is the most versatile cartridge ever made on all fronts, period. If you reload, you expand your options even more and have three rifles in one, 308, 30-06, 300mag. I own a 7mm and 300 short mag which I love both very much, but if I had to choose one rifle to do it all I would pick 30-06, hands down every flippin' time. 7mm Rem. Mag would be second.

[XD FANATIC]

Originally Posted by XD FANATIC

Well when you figure every possible factor you can possibly figure in, portability, power, versatility, availability and price of ammo, accuracy and trajectory, rifle cost, rifle weight, options, the 30-06 still looks pretty damn good. In my not so humble opinion it is the most versatile cartrigge ever made on all fronts, period. If you reload, you expand your options even more and have three rifles in one, 308, 30-06, 300mag. I own a 7mm and 300 short mag which I love both very much, but if I had to choose one rifle to do it all I would pick 30-06, hands down every flippin' time. 7mm Rem. Mag would be second.

Just remember, this is just my opinion, granted I'm very passionate about it, but there are other choices that are great as well, be it 7mm-08,308,270,280,7mm Rem. Mag, or 300 Win. Mag. I just personally believe the 30-06 is the best combination of what all these different calibers have to offer.

[XD FANATIC]

Originally Posted by frogger42

Thank you all for all the feedback. I think I have decided on a Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather in .30-06 with a Zeiss MC Conquest 3-9x40 scope and using the Ruger factory rings. I really like the Tikka and think it is probably a bit more accurate and a better trigger, but I like the strength of the Ruger as well as the Mauser action with the claw extractor. Also, I'm not one of those "Never buy anything if it isn't Made in America" guys, but if I am seriously debating between two items and they are basically even, that is my tie breaker. Now, I just have to get my contract renewed at work so I can save up the money to buy it.

A Ruger is one of the best rifles you can get for the money, it has controlled-round feed which means the bolt face is clamped on and has control of the round from the time you chamber it, 'til you eject it, a very mauser-like, reliable design. The scope you chose is also an excellent choice, you would not regret buying this hunting rig. One thing I should bring to your attention about Ruger stock scope rings that come with the rifle is that they sit very low on the rifle, which means if you get a scope that's 40mm or bigger in diameter, you won't be able to put scope caps on it because there won't be enough space between the scope and barrel to get them on. I think you can call Ruger if you keep the original rings in the package and trade them for the the next higher set. I think the set that comes with the rifle is one medium and one high, and what you might want is one high and one extra high. That is the only negative I can think of about that rifle/scope combination. Here's Ruger's number, might wanna save it to your phone: 203-259-7843

[DevJames]

Originally Posted by Cuda66

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

a lot of them got it from a 7x57mm Mauser too....doesn't make it a good idea for most shooters though

[wombat13]

Originally Posted by XD FANATIC

A Ruger is one of the best rifles you can get for the money, it has controlled-round feed which means the bolt face is clamped on and has control of the round from the time you chamber it, 'til you eject it, a very mauser-like, reliable design. The scope you chose is also an excellent choice, you would not regret buying this hunting rig. One thing I should bring to your attention about Ruger stock scope rings that come with the rifle is that they sit very low on the rifle, which means if you get a scope that's 40mm or bigger in diameter, you won't be able to put scope caps on it because there won't be enough space between the scope and barrel to get them on. I think you can call Ruger if you keep the original rings in the package and trade them for the the next higher set. I think the set that comes with the rifle is one medium and one high, and what you might want is one high and one extra high. That is the only negative I can think of about that rifle/scope combination. Here's Ruger's number, might wanna save it to your phone: 203-259-7843

Not true. I have a M77 Hawkeye and used the stock rings to mount a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40mm scope. When my Butler Creek scope caps broke, I bought the Leupold Alumina screw in scope caps and put them on. The alumina caps have a tightening ring that rotates on the cap allowing them to be installed without removing the scope.

[ROCKINrafterM]

Im a huge fan of 300 mag and .270, never really been big on the 30-06 (but i do take one in the truck while feeding the cows or checking hay fields, mostly for coyotes). For big game hunts my .270 is my favorite by far, with the 300 in a close 2nd..