Lately I can’t seem to stop browsing for a bolt gun. I have been looking at Savage, Remington, etc. as well as optics and mounts and all that jazz. I live in Utah and should be here for about another year unless Uncle Sam wants me to move earlier than that. Right now it looks as if I am heading to Florida next but that is subject to change too. I have hunted in the past (with older .270) and would love to get back into it. I think I would also enjoy having a bolt gun to take to the range some days. I also just noticed that I can get 0% interest and no payments for 12 months on a Leupold Mark 4 from Cabelas. All these signs…
I use my marlin bolt .308 for deer hunting. I COULD use my AR to shoot a deer, but to me it doesn’t make sense to shoot a deer with a smaller bullet on the lower end of what is acceptable when I can bust him with a big one that leaves a bigger hole and a bigger blood trail. Edit - the concept of the quicker, more humane kill plays in here as well.
If I was going to buy a bolt gun over again, I might get something slightly smaller like a .243 that kicks a bit less than the .308.
Need? I doubt it. Want? That is up to you, but it sounds like you do.
.223 is legal in my state for deer, but not the best choice. If you have the oppertunity to buy a bolt rifle I would say go for it.
As far as cartridge, You can’t go wrong with a 30-06, with all the modern loads you can take down anything in North America. They make reduced factory loads if you don’t want to deal with recoil. Versatile and abundant.
Need is based on your personal situation. If you want to hunt, a bolt gun is probably the way to go.
My thoughts, take 'em as you will.
I don’t want to start a whole .223 and deer hunting debate here but…
If you’re looking for a hunting rifle, it all depends on where you’ll be hunting, and on what type of terrain/vegetation. Where I live, the North Georgia area, the terrain and vegetation do not offer you clear shots at distance. On top of that the deer in my region are smaller than say those in Wisconsin or Iowa. I am 100% confident in shooting a deer with a .223 in this area where most shots will be 60 yds and in.
If you have the chance to hunt area’s with longer field’s of view I definitely see the case for a larger bullet.
I get the bolt gun fever from time to time now too:D it’s just down on my list of priorities right now so it’ll have to wait. Good luck with your decision!
I was in the same boat as you when trying to decide if I wanted a bolt gun or not.
Then I shot a Fclass match and then a “Sniper challenge” type match… week later bought my Rem700 SPS Varmint and a 6.5-20x50 Fullfield II on a Badger 20MOA base and Badger rings… and now am lookin into stocks and DBM’s
Look at the .260, a legitimate 1000 yard caliber with less recoil and flatter trajectory then the .308. Plenty poop for deer.
I’ve looked at that, .243, 7mm-08, and possibly .308
Just have to decide on one and then convince my wife I need it. :sarcastic:
Definitely consider the 260 Remington.
Seriously
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/
And don’t skimp on the glass.
The 260 Remington has a long history of winning NRA Highpower Rifle championships long before the tactical rifle crowd discovered it.
G. David Tubb showed the way back in the early 90s.
You don’t need a bolt gun, but you want one
Need? probably not…
“DO WANT”… ? Absolutely.
A/S Im amused by the " Way back in the 90’s". Thing. Perhaps im getting old but the early 90’s seem like just last week to me. Time fly’s.
Why the 260 Vs 308?. Which has more practical application in the big picture.
Ive never shot a 260, but I hear about that caliber often, just wondering why?.
Thanks
D Williams
Who makes a good .260? I have looked and can’t really find them.
I think alot of folks do a re barrel.
6.5 mm bullets have incredible ballistic coefficients and sectional densities for their weight.
A 6.5 mm 139 grain Lapua Scenar has BC approaching .6. It can be driven at 2700 - 2800 fps from any bolt gun with a 26" + barrel. And it does so with very mild recoil.
IMO, the 260 Remington is an infinitely more practical cartridge than the 308 Wnchester. But since the .mil and cool guys don’t use it, it languishes.
Some pretty saavy long range tactical competitors have been using the 260 as of late.
This is quote from the above link:
“Tactical shooters can be a dogmatic bunch, with some good reason. They have trained on a specific weapons system, shooting one kind of ammunition with one set of data, and they are comfortable with it. This can make arguing for a new bullet or cartridge a hard sell when the answer isn’t 175-grain M118LR, the long-range accuracy loading of 7.62x51 NATO for sniper rifles.” -Zak Smith
I could not agree more with Alpha Sierra and I hope the .260 catches on more because it is an unfortunate fact the many great cartridges have died on the vine so to speak.
Yes indeed. This is just one more reason I love Savage with their ability to easily replace barrels/calibers. On the high end side AI is the same deal.
A/S Thank you, Like I said I know nothing about the .260 as I don’t shoot one. I hear alot of folks talk about them and wonder if I would be money ahead building a .260 Vs the 7mag Im starting to spool up.
I guess the only question is, is the .260 a man stopper or more for comp related stuff. Id like to shoot one just to see what its all about.
Thanks for the heads up.
D Williams