Ok, so I am still in the search for a new gun, and I still have no idea what it is I want so Im looking for some direction. Now I know everyone will have a different opinion and thats great, just gives me more to research and look at. So here is where Im at so far...

I currently have a remmington 700 30-06 which I have had and used since I was 12, basically the only rifle I have. Im wanting something different and fun and that I can use for just about anything. I know that doesnt really say much but thats all I got right now. Budget is going to be around 1000 bucks for the rifle only, scope will be a different fund.

I was messing around with a howa axiom tactical 308 and was really impressed, and have kind of been leaning towards that, but it changes each day. My question on that is do you guys do much hunting with these tactical rifles other than varmint hunting? I understand its heavier in weight and makes it less than perfect for carrying around but I still want to do all my other hunting with it if I so desire.

Also is 308 a good caliber to be looking at, like I said I have a 30-06 but am looking to retire it to the gun closet for awhile, 308 just seems to be a popular all around caliber.

Will be using the gun for mostly deer hunting, but also some pigs, elk, varmints, and possible even bigger game up north,

thanks for any and all input, like I said its still early in the decision but wanting to get my hands on and look at everything I can!

Don't own a 308, but can't go wrong with it. If you want something different though, I'd look at 257 WBY. Get one in a Mark V Ultralight, or a SUB MOA Stainless, or a Remington CDLSF.

thanks, I will check out those models!

308 is close to the 30-06. both are good cartridges. if magnums don't bother you, i would lean towards the 7mag or 300wsm just for something different. the axiom is a very nice gun. i recently put my remington 700 sps varmint 7mm-08 into the axiom stock. sure makes it nice being able to change the LOP for my mife or kids. good luck with your decision.

another excellent caliber you may want to consider is the .270 Weatherby Magnum. I have used one for for just about everything in North America and plains game in Africa. Outstanding performance very flat trajectory:

.270 Wby. Mag. (150 Sp at 3245ft per sec.)BC:.481 (Ballistic Coefficient) 100yds:+2.4"(High) 200yds:+2.6"(High) 3"@160yds MPBR:320yds (Max. Point Blank Range)

You're right, the tactical/varmint style rifles are heavy and do not carry well for extended trips into the woods (spot/stalk hunting). I use my "heavies" for stand hunting hunting, and like them when there's a good rest to shoot from. But carrying them very far is not a pleasant thing.

The 308 is so close to the 30-06, I'm not so sure I'd personally go that route.

Your range of game is pretty wide for any one caliber. But if you assign the '06 you already have to the bigger game on your list, then my recommendation would be a smaller caliber for deer pigs and varmint. Something in the 6mm, 243, 260, 708, 25-06, 257, area. Any of them would be awesome rifles for anything in Tx, and even serve a purpose for some western game as well. Then the '06 could be brought out for spot/stalk hunting and for larger game.

Going with a larger caliber rifle, like a 7mag, 300, 338, or even larger definitely has it's pluses when chasing the larger game. But it's gonna put you right back where you are now when varmint hunting or wanting to shoot for fun.

So what you might need is TWO more rifles. One larger than the '06, and one smaller. Although I've yet to truly see the need for anything larger than my '06. On the smaller side, the 22-250 would be my choice, maybe a 223. On the larger side, I'd be looking at the 338-06. But again, that's me.


IMO, while there are plenty of great rifles out there now days, I like the old Rem700 action. It's a tried and true design, and more accessories can be had for it than any other platform.

Something else you might consider....The Encore! You can get just about any caliber you could ever think of. They are shorter than an equal length/contour barreled bolt action rifle. Lighter too (no action). The barrels can be swapped very easily. And they can be surprisingly accurate weapons. The single shot aspect is the rifle's primary drawback, if you consider it such. I'm just getting into my first Encore/barrel and loving the rifle. With many more calibers to come in the future. Just food for thought!


Jay

I'd say 7mm Rem. Mag. in either the Rem. 700 BDL,CDL or Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. Can't go wrong w/either. If buying new I'd go w/the Win. m70 Featherweight.

I have seen a stainless featherweight and it is very sweet too.

personnaly i really like the 30-06 expecially the rem. 700 that is a great gun, but the 25-06 is also great if your looking at varmit hunting that would be better than a 30-06 but still heavy enough for elk

The .308 is nice becuase you have a large range of rounds. The only reason I would go any smaller if you got into fur hunting where you don't want to do any damage to the hide. Otherise that .308 will serve you nice. If you do plan to use the Heavy barrel for all around hunting I'd highly recommend a 20" barrel. I've been hunting out of a pop-up blind and its alot easier to move the rifle inside and 6" of steel barrel removed saves a bunch of weight.

700 sps-t
Savage Model 10 tactical
or a custom would be my suggestions.

With you extra money you could modify stocks triggers and plenty of ammo to really set up the rifle nicely.

Yes the 30-06 is similar to the .308 but the .308 isn't as punishing on the shoulder.

Savage Model 10 with accutrigger in any caliber, The Savage is the best bang for your buck out there. They are just accurate and have the best trigger design of any production rifle. Just my .02

wow, thanks for all the replies, the list is getting longer not shorter, lol! I like the idea of maybe going to a smaller gun, since most of my hunting is here in texas.

I just really want something that is a little different, fun, super accurate, and I guess you could say something that can turn some heads. I guess that is why I was drawn to the howa, it just was so different than anything I have shot and it made me really want it!

I really dont mind it being too heavy, like most of you have said, the 30-06 is more than capable of doing everything I already need to do, so this gun is not filling a need, just a want!!!

257 wby or 25-06

Depends on what you want to use the gun for. I was recently in your exact situation and I ended up going with a .308 rem 700 vtr. Thought about going with a .22-250 for yotes and pigs but wanted to be able to use it for deer hunting, and I wanted a little more knockdown. I love this gun though. I did put a better scope on it than the simmions in the pic.

I would go with a .257 roberts. It is very accurate and flatshooting. Just my thought.

I definately think that a 308 is the right caliber for you,If you want something light and extremely accurate you might want to check out a TIKKA T3 LITE.

If 308 is what you are looking into go for it! The weatherby mags. Are awesome but expect to pay close to $50 per box! The 7mm mags. i would still stick to the 308. Way more accurate, just about any 308 you pick up will shoot great and you have tons of different factory loadings to choose from. If you want long range and think you need a 7 mag. You don't, there are a few factory loadings from federal and hornady that are alomost on par with it! My buddy shoots a 308, i shoot a 22-250 or my 257 weatherby and he has no problems keeping up with me! By the way you can buy 308 rounds at almost $12 per box! With those prices you can shoot it often and get alot of practice with it. Try the magnum calibers at $40 or $50 dollars and you won't ever want to shoot it often at those prices. If you have not decided between the 308 or 30-06, don't even choose the 30-06 great caliber but compare the ballistics with the excellent factory loads we have? They are almost indentical! Hope this helps??

If you are going after big a wsm is a better choice
The heavy barrels are a pain to carry but good for varmints.
Please ask you self these questions:
1 How far will I need to shoot
2 What sized game will I hunt
3 Will I be stand hunting or walking
You have to make an informed decision don't get in a hurry.

Thanks guys, definitely not in a hurry, just really want to do as much research as possible, Im getting great suggestions that I can go and look at. Think Im going to stick with a 308 just because I do more deer hunting than anything and want that extra knock down power.

And I just really like the look of the tactical rifle, thats what kind of drew me to that howa axiom with the pistol grip and floating barrel. Do you guys do a lot deer hunting with the tactical rifle. I really think I would enjoy something that I could shoot far away and have some fun with, I think I could live with the weight!

So as far as tactical 308, what do I need to be looking at? Anything other than what has been mentioned? thanks

Why is everyone thining of a tactical bolt action? How about a true tactical rifle like many of the AR based guns? It seems like it fits your criteria.

there was a whole thread not too long ago about all the caliber choices in the AR platform. Of course the 308 is there and the newer one that I have be covetting is one in a 243.

i have no experience in owning an ar,but i have shot a few that are pretty damn accurate.

the Howa tacticals aren't bad rifles at all but not as popular for whatever reason. If your going to get a bolt rifle then many would suggest stick to remington then savage.

However the .308 AR-10 is an interesting suggestion for your price range. These days the DPMS LR-308 are just barely over 1k. Most will shoot sub moa at 100 yards and you get a 19 round mag for the fun paper shooting/tactical factor.

Yeah, the more I research the more confused I get and the more lost I feel in getting one. I really want something with long accurate range for shooting mostly deer and pigs. The only reason I suggested howa is because thats the one I was looking at last night at the store. I really like the 700 but there are like 30 different models and then different custom options and etc... I just am feeling more and more out of my league, lol!

I want a fun, eye catching, deer killing, long and accurate, bolt rifle for around 1000 bucks, I can go a little more if needed or a little less if I can get what I need. Lol, and I have not even started doing my research for a scope!

ar10 in .243 or .308 , i know its not a bolt but don't think you will want to hunt with a bolt after hunting with an ar. see if you can find somebody in your neck of the woods and try a pig hunt with one. try it before you buy it

What about deer hunting with an ar?

As far as I know it is legal. i'll talk to a game warden tom or fri, for clarification

From my understanding, you can hunt with any rifle (semi, bolt, or single shot) that fires a sufficiently sized center fire cartridge. However, similar to shotgun hunting, you can NOT have the capability of holding more than a total of 4 rounds in (3 + 1 chambered) for game like deer. Hog and varminant have no such restrictions.

I heard this from a friend who had an AR 10 in a 308 with a really short clip.

Don't believe everything your "friends" tell you. There are no magazine restrictions for game animals or non game animals in Texas. Also no restrictions on the type of gun either i.e. AR 15/10.

For fun, eye catching, deer killing, long and accurate I would go 257 WBY hands down, any day over a 308. Plus everyone and their mom's have a 308. Downside though is that you prolly won't find a tactical rifle in 257 WBY and the shells are $54 a box and up.


Someone said the Howas are not very popular for whatever reason. The reason for me is that they are god awful looking. Especially the axium.

What you need is a CZ550 fullstock in either 6.5x55 or in the .308 if that is your choice. Guarantee it will turn heads, and they are known for being accurate. i have a regular stock model in 6.5x55 and it was sub MOA out of the box. Also comes with a single set trigger that you will love.

Yep CZs are awesome, too. I had a 550 varmint 22-250 and it was a tack driver. Best factory trigger on the market too, IMO.

that set trigger is bad azz on those CZs, but I dont like the backwards saftey

My 550 American has a regular sfety. i was thinking all the 550's got changed to "proper". I would like a 452 and a 527 except for the funky backward safety.

oh ok as I had a 527 American .223 and liked it aside from the safety

Something a little extra exciting looking.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_tactical_target.asp

http://www.remington.com/products/firear...ct_tactical.asp

http://www.snipercentral.com/rifles.htm
those are some great reviews of a bunch of tactical rifles that are still readily available.

Guess the CZ is one more to look at. I really think Im going to go tactical just so its different from my 30-06. Still debating between ar and bolt action. Might try to by something second hand that is already ready to go since Im not too keen on customizing.

i didn't say there was a restriction on a guntype. and granted you take all information with a grain of salt. However, if i don't know any better I am going to go the conservative route. if i were using his ar 10, then i am going to use the 3 round clip. 1. don't need that many shots and 2. better safe than sorry.

I don't believe there is a magazine capacity restriction. I sure hope there isn't bc I have carried my ar with a 30rd clip hunting for those pesky hogs

once again, not for pigs and varminants, but native texas game animals such as deer.

I always thought that big game magazine capacity was limited to 5 rounds. I just looked it up on the TP&W web page, there are no restrictions regarding magazine capacity except for shotguns used for migratory game birds.

"Magazine Capacity (number of shells/cartridges allowed): There are no restrictions on the number of shells or cartridges a legal firearm may hold when hunting game animals or game birds (except migratory game birds, see Legal Shotgun)."

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/

The AR will be as accurate as the bolt rifle but they will fetch about double depending on the model you purchase. They will weigh about the same. The only issue then gets to be if you can afford to feed a semi-auto .308. Since you will want to use quality ammo it will cost a bunch if you get trigger happy.

For 500-1000 you should have no problem finding a tactical .308 that will shoot far better than you can. I would just try to suggest staying with one of the more mainstream models even if 50% of this forum has a bull barrel rem 700 .308. There is a reason they are so popular.

Yeah, I agree, Im not a marksman by any means, but I want to really work at it and see what I can do. Thats why im willing to spend a little extra and Im going to spend a little extra on a scope as well.

Im just going to have to get my hands on as many as I can, I just still am not sure what is worth spending the money on and what is not. really appreciate all the input, this has been so helpful

Talked to game warden buddy earlier today. Ar is ok to use on deer, and there is not a clip capacity restriction.

bigharge, CZ makes a varmint gun with a kevlar stock that is pretty sweet. Kinda "tactical" like.

Im going to try to find one of those to look at, Im just not sure about the varmint style, what exactly does that designate? I dont do a lot of varmint hunting other than pigs. But I do want some thing that will be accurate up to a good long distance just for fun. I am going to head up to a gun shop this afternoon and try and see what they have to look at! thanks, again

Varmint to elk is a huge variation. Most of the game you have listed are on the larger side. My favorite rifle is my Browning A-bolt Medallion in 300 WSM. It a very comfortable gun to carry and the WSM allows for a shorter barrel. It is extremely accurate out of the box. I think the 308 would be a desirable caliber and it might be my next gun, perhaps a Remington R-25. I have the Remington R-15 and absolutely love that rifle but it is basically limited to the varmint side of things. If you go down the 308 path, I encourage you to take a look at the R-25.

Pretty much just a heavy barreled gun. You don't have to get a varmint caliber. This one comes in 308 also. Check out the one with the kevlar stock in the link. It is sweet.
http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-550-varmint/

What are the advantages of having a heavy barrel?

I really like the cz, I got to see one at the gun shop this afternoon. Although Im starting to rethink my game plan here. Instead of spending that much on the gun I might be looking into cutting back the budget and spending it more on the scope! But I still need something to turn some heads, lol!

So. it looks like the more research I do, the more I change my mind. Really wanting something with some knockdown power at a long distance, so kind of looking at the 7 mag or a 300 mag. Just dont want something so powerful that the recoil makes it uncomfortable to shoot. which is why im staying away from the 338 or ultra mag.

I just got a tikka t3 and couldn't be more impressed. I had been shooting 30-06 and went with 7mm rem mag for a faster, flatter round.

I read up quite a bit on rifles before deciding on tikka - couldn't be happier with it.

You can get the 700Police in 300 win mag. Should be good to 1000 with decent glass.

308, 7mm, or 300, still debating. Like the extra knockdown power of the 300, but not sure if I want to put my shoulder through the extra recoil on a regular basis. Whatever I do get I will be putting some very nice glass on it for long range shooting!

really appreciate all the input guys!

The .308 is a fine choice. I own one, and if you ever get into reloading, then they use the same bullets for your '06. Man you opened up a can of worms asking what to get other than a 30-06.LOLLOL!!!! there are a ton of different things out there. Personlly, I think your '06 is a fine gun. But If you are wanting just something else, and not wanting to pay $50 a box for ammo, then go with a .270win, 280rem., 7mm-o8rem(.308 necked down to 7mm), or .308. Some guys like the smaller calibers like .243, or .257 calibers. For all around use though, a .308 is an inherently accurate round, and ammo is easy to find, and they are almost as versatle as an '06. Virtually all makes and models have them. the Kimber 84m is a sweet one that comes in .308. So is the Remington model Seven. The new Winchester model 70's are FANTASTIC!! If you are willing to go to the $1000 range, go to a Cabela's and look at a bunch of different ones, and see what fits the best. Wth a short action round like the .308, you ought to find some nice, compact, sweet little rifles. The Cabelas Gun Library will have some really nice ones if you are into the classic stuff, and willing to pay around $1200.00. But, I am hearing alot of good things about the Tikka T3. Relatively cheap rifles, but tack drivers!! i dunno. Looking for one is half the fun.