I do a lot of pig and deer hunting, and I am looking to add a truck/stalk gun to my arsenal. I am looking at the Howa ranchland compact on either 7mm-08 or .243. I need some experienced opinions on two questions. I am new to this forum and I apologize if a similar thread has been posted already.

1. Is the ranchland a quality weapon for the price?
2. .243 or 7mm-08 for a pig/deer gun?

Either round will preform fine. The only thing you are gaining with the 7-08 is a heavier projectile.

Just comes down to which you want.

Either is sufficient for hogs no doubt, I'd get whatever floats your boat more and is cheaper if its just a truck gun.

7mm/08 and I have both

X2

X3

Aaaannd X4.

How bout the ruger gunsite in 308?

Can you really terminate a hogs life with ANYTHING less than a 458 Win Mag?

Don't know about the gun, But I would certainly go with a 7MM-08 over the .243 anyday. Not much difference in recoil, but a lot better punch with the 7MM-08.

If its going to be a cheap truck gun how about a mosin nagant m44. Dont get much cheaper than that and ammo is cheaper than dirt.

Howa's are very good shooters
same as a vanguard from weatherby

7-08

Definitly not!!! Has to be at least a .45 cal projectile! The pigs around montague county are notorious for shrugging off .30 cals and going right back to eating. I personally have had to go with the .50 beowulf from 28 yds out of my bow blind to stop even the small ones.

7-08 is a great round with plenty of punch. Only prob is finding factory ammo when you need it. Last deer season I ran out! Gander and Academy in Tyler were out for 2 mo. Paid $43 for a box of Win Supreme at Cabelas in Baton Rouge on my way back from NOLA

You can order all the 7MM-08 ammo you want anytime from Graf & Sons or Natchez Shooters Supply, etc. They always have a plentifull supply and usually cheaper than a local dealer. Local Wal-marts around here usually have it as well. It is not as plentifull as .30-06 or .270, but I beleive in keeping a good supply of ammo on hand at all times so I am never out of ammo. But, that's just me. If you are of the habit of waiting till you run out and figure on picking up a box on the way to the hunt, you might have a problem. It is getting to be a more popular caliber every season.