Too many choices?

[Baylian]

I was in Gunnies yesterday trying on some rifles. I tried the Weatherby Vanguard (Sporter & Synthetic), T/C Encore, CZ 550, Browning Hunter, Remington 700, Ruger 77 MII, and Tikka T3 Hunter. They all feel short. My LOP is 14 3/4 from my inside elbow to the pad on my index finger. The guys there were pushing the Brownign and the T/C. I want a rifle I can shoot deer and Elk with. I'm thinking .270 Win. as my all around caliber. Maybe later I could get a deer only or elk only rifle. Any suggestions on which rifle would be best? Which caliber? I live in Utah where we have lots of open spaces and open forest. Mountains too which means cross canyon shots.

Thnaks in advance, TJ

[Jack]

The 270 is a classic caliber that has killed literally tons of deer and elk. I could say the same about the 30-06 and the 280, also- all good choices.
To get a longer length of pull, you can have a recoil pad added to the stock, which can add up to 1 inch, if you don't cut the stock down in the process. If that doesn't give you a long enough length of pull, you can add a slip on recoil pad over that, which will add another 1 inch.
As to which rifle, everyone has an opinion. If one feels best to you, or you like the looks of it, maybe that's the one to get.
And finally, Welcome to HuntChat !

[Tater]

Can't go wrong with a 30-06. There's a reason it's been around so long.

[M.T. Pockets]

Tater's right. Unless you want something different, the .30-06 sounds like the ticket for what you're looking for. Look at the used gun racks and spend what you save on a better scope.

[muskrat30]

A 30-06 would do fine. If you want to go cutting edge & elk factor in for a large portion a 300WSM is an idea. If it was me I would lean towards a 30 cal if elk was a major player. You have to consider recoil. In some rounds there are factory 'managed recoil' rounds available. You may not want to use them for elk but for other uses & target thet may be O.K. The reloading option opens up more doors in any caliber.

I have a few A-Bolts. I like the detachable mag, easily adjusted trigger(combo screw adjust & Timney replacement spring) & overall quality. There are reasons why most any could be the 'right' choice. A quality scope would be next.

[Rocky Raab]

Baylian, on behalf of another Utahn, welcome to HuntChat.

There's nothing wrong with any of the guns you mention. Nor the .270, if it rings your bell. Thank goodness we HAVE the choice - considering that with Winchester gone, we have one fewer.

All guns today are of excellent quality. Pick the one that feels best, add a thick recoil pad and you'll be happy. Your hunting clothes will bulk up a bit, also.

Don't forget to get the best scope you can afford. Good optics can help a mediocre rifle shoot well, but no rifle can help if the scope is junk.

[jmarriott]

I like the t/C encore out of your list. Lenght of pull issues are answered with aftermarket stocks available over the internet.

You can get a number of barrels one for elk one for deer, one for the special blackpower season.

If you are in the mountians then the limited weight of the single shot might be a bonus on long trek's.

[8X56MS]

I was fondling an Encore in 7mm Rem Mag today. The custom stainless bull barrel sure look nice. The stock was a custom job also, Turkish Walnut with beautiful figure. the Swavorski scope looked like it just plain belonged there. The price was a nice figure also. :(

[Brithunter]

Errr excuse me but a slight correction is called for :rolleyes: measuring you fore-arm the way you did is at best a very rough guide to the required LOP :( . To get a really correct measurement is far more involved as it takes into account you stature, build and a few other things. The only real way to find of have a gun fitted is by gettign together with someone who realy understands it. Good stockmakers should but not all do though:confused: :( Gun fit or ptoper gun fit is more understood it seems in Clay shooting or driven game shooting elsewhere.