Thinking about getting a gun, which one to get

R

Rifter

Joined
Dec 15, 2001
Messages
774
Hello, Im going to be getting a gun within the next year or so and was wondering what you guys think is a good place to start. I know im going to get a million replies saying to get a .22 but i need something that packs more punch. I would like to start off saying I have fired guns before, pistols, rifles and shotguns. That said im by no means a expert thats why im asking questions. The gun will be used mostly for target shooting and hunting. I do live in bear country so I want something that will stop a bear if the need arises. I will list what i want it to do and maybe you can reccoemend a gun:

Price limit: $1000 USD W/Scope included
Range needed: 600+ Yards(I love long range target shooting)
Stopping power high enough to stop a grizzly
As light weight as possible
As cheap as possible on ammo
Semi-auto or single shot doesnt matter, Would prefer a simple Bolt Action like a remington 700.

The gun will not have to be anyhting special stock as i plan to spend money on it over time and upgrade it as i can afford. I do want a good reliable reciever though.
Thats said what size ammo would you say i need? Im thinking 7.62(.308) for a few reasons. One its cheap because of its widespread use in firearms worldwide. two, its big enough to fire at long ranges. And three it should have enough bear stopping power for me. So what do you guys think? I've been eyeing one of the lower priced remington 700's beacuse i hear the remington 700 action is pretty much bulletproof and with a little tweaking and a match grade barrel is super accurate. Thanks guys!
 
Originally posted by Rifter
Semi-auto or single shot doesnt matter [/B]
Click to expand...


Single shot............in bear country? I think you might want to rethink that one. :)

Larry S.
 
Since you have a year to work your way upto it. Sounds like you need a .338 win mag. Cost saving rife that is often forgoten is Savage.
Course this is coming from a guy who thinks a lever action is the greatest thing in the world:D
 
Well, it sounds like you already want the 700, and thats a good choice. I have heard stories of .308 rounds being deflected by a bear's sloped forehead, i recall a thread on Rec.Guns years ago where it was felt that you need at least 300 Win. Mag to reliably stop a big bear. Though its more $, you might consider a 300 Weatherby Mag, but, remember, if youre shooting very high powered calibers, you dont want a light gun, it will be punishing.
 
IF you are worried about LARGE bear, get yourself a LARGE gun; A Winchester model 70 or a Ruger model 77 in .458 magnum.
 
A .308 is not enough for grizzly bear, unless you get lucky, but the rounds that are effective are much more expensive to shoot and are a lot less fun due to heavy recoil. I would say that if a bear attack is a real possibility, you should get a Marlin lever-action in .45-70. If you're not in real danger of being mauled (and what have you been doing up till now?) go for the .308 and don't worry about the bears. A Remington 700 would do you just fine. The 20" barrel LTR is relatively light and will shoot out to 600 yards without a problem.
 
If you are looking to hunt bear, as has been mentioned before get a large bore rifle. My pet love and my suggestion would be either the Marlin guide gun in 45-70, or the same gun in the newer 450 Marlin caliber. I am more in love with the 45-70 personally. Loads can be had for it that border on the 450,s performance. I think that the guide gun is a great choice in bear country. It is short, moderately light and the Magna-Ported barrel combined with a thick butt pad really tame the beast and make it a joy to shoot.
If you are more seriouse about target shooting with a rifle that could also take out a bear, then the .300 Win Mag or 7MM Rem Mag are as small as you would want to go. In a Remington 700 ar a Winchester 70 ar I really like the Ruger 77 bolt action. There are even nicer choices, but those can come with a heafty price tag. Listen to a lot of opinions, take notes and then go looking and checking out what on the list of notes most suits your end desire. Good Luck!!
 
None of the calibers mentioned are suitable target rounds unless you are shooting at steel. If you want a target gun buy one. If you want one for hunting grizzly then buy that - do not plan on taking a grizzly out at 600 yds - if you do there are going to be a lot of wounded grizzly which is poor hunting and I do not think if you are just buying that you will make many neck shots on your first times out at that range it is impractical. Remington, Ruger or Weatherby in
bolt action in 30-06 is a caliber that will never go away, the rounds you use are the key - the success to that is load your own not "cheap" ammo. That is like cheap food. There is great satisfaction to loading your own and rifle calibers are not a big deal. In the long run you save money and have reproducible results.
Do not skimp on your scope either - this is not an M-16 you are going to be using where on 3 burst or full auto you can spray - this is a one shot two at most deal. Sighting your scope in at different ranges is also crucial. Well I have take enough space - just some thoughts. Talk this out with experienced hunters in your area you will get good feedback.
 
a bud lives in parmer alaska and he carries a remington model 700 in 375H&H mag w/a low magnification scope (like 2X or 3X) and has told me a lot of guides he knows use the same combo, he also carries a 454 casull for a 'backup' gun lol

greg
 
For the scope im thinking aabout a bushnell(maybe a 4-12X), they seem to be reliable and fairly cheap. What do you guys think of them, i have been using a 4X bushnell banner on my pellet gun and its never failed me, even stayed dead accurate after dropping the gun on the scope. I have considered a .338 win mag but the cost is much greater than .308 both for the gun and the ammo, however it would give me much greater range as well. Like i said im really into long range target shooting and you need a heavy bullet to shoot 600+ yards. And i know about sighting the scope and drop charts, windage etc. I have considered semi-auto but they seem less accurate and more problem prone. I like to keep things simple. Besides i can fire my friends remington 700 pretty quick once you get the reloding procedure down :D You guys really thinkg a .308 wont stop a bear? And i know the recoil on a big .308 can be bad, but i can live with it, will probably get a muzzle break for it that will help a little. Also im 200lbs so i can absorb it :D And also i have looked at savage arms and they seem like a good company, there .308 lever actions seems reliable and i have never herd a bad thing about them. However i have also never fired one. Keep the input comeing guys.
 
Muzzle devices (flash suppressors, brakes) affect accuracy. Not a big deal, in most cases, but at longer ranges, the effect might be noticeable.

--JB
 
I have a Tikka 695, the Whitetail Hunter model in stainless/synthetic. Tikka is merely a budget line from Sako. I love it. The action is smooth as glass right from the box, and I am unable to shoot up to the rifle's potential as far as accuracy. I got mine in .270, but would not recommend that caliber to you. I like the box magazine aspect as well.

Decked out with Leupold VariX II scope, rings, sling, flip up scope covers and hard rifle case, I am sitting right at around $800. I coulda got away alot cheaper, but I wanted stainless rings and scope and got hosed on 'em. What the hell.

I am only recommending the rifle. As to what caliber you need for long range shooting in "bear country", that is best left to long range shooters and bear hunters. Hopefully some will chime in.
 
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