Hunting Rifle Advice

I've still got Sako rings which may fit if I need them. No biggie.

No offense but I had one set of Talley's on an Encore and they weren't really all that and a bag of chips. Actually more of a pita to set up.

Meh- I've managed to take a lot of game for almost 40 years with Weaver or Burris rings around my optics. Sort of a kiss mentality, I guess

 

If recoil is even a question, then the op should go .270

I'd say it's safe to say they more people miss due to having too much fun than anything else.

Anyone recommending that the op gets an ar-10 probably hasn't done much hunting with them outside of a tree stand. I hunt a twice a year with mine and it's a love/hate relationship


Pros
- incredibly accurate (paid a lot to get it that way)
- ammo capacity (not important for deer hunting)
-reliable


Cons
-heavy (8.5lbs with optic which is very light for an ar-10 that shoots sub 1/2 Moa)
-much more awkward to carry than a bolt action
-recoil impulse is different than bolt action making it a tougher gun to consistantly shoot well at long ranges.



I can't believe no ones mentioned the Browning bar. I've owned a bar and a Remington 7400 bar was better in every way. Only got away from it because I've moved on to a mountain rifle in 300 wsm. That carry for everything except Texas pig hunting

 

Lots of good advice given so far. I have 3 hunting rifles: a Savage 260 with the accu-trigger, a Weatherby vanguard sub-MOA model .30-06, and a Weatherby Mark 5 Accumark in .300 Weatherby.

I reload so the 260 and big 300 are a lot more practical than if I didn't, especially the 300. I have only taken an antelope one year with the 260. Love the cartridge but not so high on the rifle. Low recoil, although it gets kinda sporty with 140s loaded hot, but not an 06 by any means. It has a 22" barrel which is too short for a 260 IMO. It is definitely louder than my 24" barreled .30-06. The rifle is also a little too light to be best for shooting from field positions.

My .30-06 is the one I hunt with the most. Not too heavy to hike in the mountains all day with it, but not too light to hold steady when I've been hiking my butt off to get a shot. I use the 168 grain Barnes TSX loaded to 2880 fps for elk with this. I think light rifles are overrated these days and you need some weight to shoot under less than ideal conditions and positions. It's about 8.5# with the scope.

I'm getting to really like the capabilities of the .300 Weatherby but haven't killed anything but my wallet yet. Not recommended for the OP but a great rig for those with more experience.

 

Decided to stick with my 30-06 and add a recoil pad. Not sure what pad to go with though, I limbsaver is a good option.

 

$37 Caldwell Super Mag Plus Recoil Shield with Adjustable Fit, Padding for Shotgun, Rifle Recoil Reduction, Shooting and Hunting, Tan

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C5XOJQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That way you can use it with any gun.

 

Never thought about using one of these. Might be a good option.

 

It makes my 45-70 reloads (that are quite hot) shootable all day. Without the pad it only takes 10 rounds to be incredibly painful. I've shot over 100 in a range session in a day with the pad and wasn't even sore after that.

 

270Win Tikka T3x Lite perfect hunting rifle muzzle break reduced felt recoiled and dead on within 200-400 yards
Edit: tons of modifications you can do to the gun it's your choice

 

What @Firebird said about the BAR, which I had in .338 WinMag. The finest quality hunting semi-auto I've owned.
For some reason, I do lust after one of the Remington semi-autos like the R25.