OT: Best bolt action rifle

My problem with the encore is break action. I don't want a break action single shot, even though both New England and Blaser have low and hi end ones that shoot very well.

munk
 
One last note: CZ not only makes that gorgeous mini-mauser in 223, they used to make it in 7.62x39 but took it off the market due to problems with 308 diameter comercial and 312 diameter steel jacket military. It is now back in 7.62x39 this spring.

PS: I should have also grabbed that CZ83 380 at about $210. Now they are up to near the $350+ level. Oh well, one of these days I'll bite the bullet and buy it. Shame, though, but the other two seem so lonely for that third one's company.
 
Rusty, if there's a weapon you haven't owned or don't know about I sure would like to know what it is. You remind me of a friend of mine who if we had all the weapons that have gone through his hands ( and he knows the NRA condition of each one) we could open an arms museum ala Cody Wyoming...



munk
 
A couple years before my dad died (maybe 27 years ago), we took a vacation together - maybe a couple weeks driving across Utah, into Yellowstone, Colorado, into Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, back into Nevada. We went into the Cody Museum. Today I remember the Russells and the Remingtons - and the other artwork - over the firearms. The Custer Battlefield. The Greasy Grass and the Little Rosebud. Only time we ever did anything like that.

I also remember the Flat Latch Model 36 that we kept in the hat on the seat between us in the pickup. And how just two cylinders of hollowbase wadcutters I'd reloaded upside down turned it into loose as a goose. Instead of having it retimed, I traded it. That and a perfect 19 6" barrel that I didn't trust and sold off ( later found the problem could have been fixed by putting a factory trigger return spring in it - it'd been bobbed - ) and never saw another like it again.

But I think my dad would have envied the stuff I learned and continue to learn off of the forums. I remember him sending away and ending up with a poorly made junk tourist khuk. On the other hand my great grandfather was a blacksmith, and I can imagine my dad arguing with Bura about smithing. No need for a translator, just a couple referees to keep them separated when the discussion got too hot. Would have been fun to watch though.
 
The Model 70 or Remington 700 are both very good.

The .308 is the more accurate round, and great for all the lighter game. However, if going after moose, get the 30-06 as it can handle the 220 to 250 (Barnes) bullets well. The .308 just does not have the powder capacity to propel heavy weight bullets at an acceptable velocity, but does fine with 180 grain or less.

The .308 has the advantage of very cheap ammo, especially military surplus for fun shooting.

Screw those standard buckhorn sights. They suck. If you insist on going scopeless have a gunsmith put on a peep sight, like a Williams Foolproof. You will be amazed at your accurate shooting with a peep.
 
Except for singular loadings, like Hornadys light mag, if you do not reload and have a 3006, you are accepting .308 velocities or lower in a standard action without the accuracy of a .308

If you handload the '06 is more versatile as Chris stated. Can't beat that cheap .308 ammo though. If you want a 20" barrel you might consider sticking to the .308 also.


munk
 
Munk wrote:

My problem with the encore is break action. I don't want a break action single shot, even though both New England and Blaser have low and hi end ones that shoot very well.
Click to expand...

Is this just because a break action reminds you of a cheap .410 or what? I agree there are some inexpensive rifles out there that use that action. (And actually I've even seen some good results with an NEF break action heavy barrel in .223. Good basic rifle for $85 dealer pricing!)

If the barrel moved and somehow the sights didn't, it would be a problem. But the sights are mounted on the barrel. The Contender has shown over the years that this basic type of action can be made very, very accurate. I prefer the looks of a Ruger Number One myself but a factory Number One in 22-250 versus an Encore in the same caliber would almost certainly favor the Encore. The Ruger has issues with the forearm pressure. You can gunsmith those problems but they are there. The Encore shoots right out of the box. And I love being able to switch calibers. Many times I want a new gun but a careful questioner could probably discover I really just want a new caliber to start reloading. Instead of spending $500+, I can just spend $200 on a new barrel. I can hunt during black powder season with it. I can switch it over to pistol configuration and hunt deer that way. Or buy the pistol .410 barrel (I love those!). Massive flexibility. I can have one gun that shoots tiny groups with .17 Mach 4 and then swap the barrel and have a .375 H&H to take to Africa. Or put on a 20 gauge barrel to shoot upland birds with.

I haven't tried one of the new Contendter G2 pistols yet but it looks nice.
 
Naw- you drop the barrel and take it away from the sight picture. A rolling block you could hold on target while reloading. If you were lying prone with a break open it is awkward. Not sure about the Browning and Ruger, but the Remmington you don't have to side swivel with.

I wouldn't worry at all about getting a NEF break open, and I've always hunkered a little after the Contenders- had some great opportunities to pick some up cheap too, but never did.

munk
 
Old editions of Cartridges of the World list this data.

The old Barnes bullets could be had in heavy weights. 180 grain .270, 200 grain 7mm and 600 grain .458 bullets were once available. I do not know if they still are.
 
Both really good rounds,'06 and .308. I've shot both a lot over the years both on the job and hunting. The .308 is more pleasant to shoot and good for deer sized game on down, but I would for sure be using the '06 for heavier or dangerous game! And the '06 is a really great all around game getter.
 
I have a Remington model 7 short short action in .308. It weighs 7 pounds with a Leupold M8 compact 4x scope and Leupold mounts.

Light, handy and flat-shooting. What good is lugging 10 or 12 pounds around all day if you only have to fire it once? After gopher heads at 100 yards, it seems to me that the 8" vital area on a deer wouldn't be that tough. I have always thought that a heavy rifle was overkill for deer under 300 yards.

I used to have a Winchester 70 in .270 cal. It was easily minute of angle. It was a good rifle and I miss it, though I don't do much hunting any more...

Just my 1 cent: Half-price for my lack of experience.
 
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