Time for a new rifle

scalerman · #1 10-05-2010, 12:17 AM

I currently carry a Ruger #1 in 270 Win. It has killed everything I have asked it to kill. I truly love this rifle, I waited a long time to buy it. I have recently discovered that the old gray mare just aint what she used to be. I found packing that thing all day was alot of work. I have always liked how heavy it was in the past as when I threw it up to my shoulder ever when I was breathing hard from getting to the top of the hill it settled down very nicely. I am thinking it is time for something different. I am a big fan of the single shot rifle but would look at any rifle that can shoot as reliably as my #1. I was wondering if any of you guys had any suggestions for me. I have been looking at the Thompson Center single shot rifles and I kind of like how ugly they look. Anyway enough rambling here and time to let you guys give your two bits worth. Thanks for the advice.

jplonghunter · #2 10-05-2010, 05:57 AM

scalerman

Didn't say what you would be hunting or where. Do you want to stay with 270? Is weight only factor? If we are to provide good suggestions,we need to know.

jplonghunter

wrenchman · #3 10-05-2010, 05:58 AM

It is a nice rifel and you can get it in any caliber besides that i would have to say you would have to start looking at cheeper brands likee nef or rossi.
Then you would have to start looking at a bolt gun to get the reliable factor and ruger and rem are first that comes to mind

scalerman · #4 10-05-2010, 06:47 AM

Good point JP. I hunt everything from deer to moose. Don't need something to hunt big bears with don't plan to hunt them although I could very well be hunted by one or more of them I suppose. I live in Alberta- there is a much hunting here as pretty much any other place. As far as a caliber goes, I do like the 270, it seems to kill them just as dead as any other caliber but it doesn't have to be 270 either. I guess what I am saying though is that I see no reason to go for the magnums that burn a pepsi can worth of powder with no more effect than my 270.

buckhunter · #5 10-05-2010, 09:09 AM

If your looking for lighter take a look at a lot of the bolt actions on the marker. Ruger makes a carbine in the Model 77 that is short and very light and comes in 270. It has a very thin barrel so the barrel heat up rather fast when at the range. Remington makes a model 7 which is light. Not sure if it comes in a 270 however. Browning makes a micro medialion but not in 270. Others have lightweight rifles..

I know cause that where Iam now. Lighter is better.

MOOSE 4 GOD · #6 10-05-2010, 01:31 PM

Scalerman

I have a TC Pro Hunter and 3 barrels. 7mm Mag 28" ss, 209x50 Muzzle loader, & 7mm-08 encore. Very nice and a blast to shoot especially with Pro Hunter stock. Kinda pricey but have collected over the years.

I'm going to try to add web sites in this thread for barrel selections and calibers Pro Hunter and Encore barrels will interchange. Also Marlin has a line of rifles camo-ed and look very good and feel awesome. I was gooing to get one in 243 but I'm a lefty and they don't make one. Very reasonably priced @ 359.00 Adj. trigger and scale base. Cals for these short actions 243, 7mm-08 and 308.

I wish you luck in your search as this is usually as fun as getting the gun.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...ction/XS7S.asp
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/proHunterAccessories.php

Hope these links come through and are some help

Adam Helmer · #7 10-05-2010, 04:10 PM

scalerman,

If long treks make you want to replace a formerly reliable rifle, I suggest you cut back on your treks and go with what worked for you in the past. LIGHTER guns are NOT necessarily BETTER! Just my humble opinion.

Adam

jplonghunter · #8 10-05-2010, 06:04 PM

scalerman

Adam makes a valid point;lighter usually infers short barrel,(22-in. vs 26-in.) which will definitely effect 270 performance. Also,ultimate lightweight will increase recoil unless stock is set up correctly and/or muzzle brake is added.

jplonghunter

scalerman · #9 10-06-2010, 12:28 AM

Adam I hear you there however, one must go to where the game is, not where it isn't. If it isn't here then it must be someplace else. This is the dilemma of an elk hunter. I am not in a position to dictate to the elk where they should be, the opposite is true. The T/C interests me because they have a 28" barrel and are considerably lighter than old faithful. Feel free to correct me if you think I am wrong but I thought that recoil (felt recoil anyway) not only depends on the caliber but also how the stock fits you. A properly fitted stock can allow one to shoot a gun with much heavier recoil that one with a poorly fitted stock.

MOOSE 4 GOD · #10 10-06-2010, 10:37 AM

scalerman

Felt recoil as i have got older does count IMO. I hunted for years with a 7MM Savage 110GL. Shooting at the range become a pain instead of fun. Shot a friends 280 T/C a few years ago and got mine in the 7MM mag. With T/C FLEX-tech stock they say it reduces recoil 43% and I believe it,

Youth pastor at our church has a Remington 300 wsm & wouldn't think there were any other type gun. At 31 yrs. old I was the same but this summer we were shooting and I had worked the trigger on mine and asked him to try it. He now has a new Pro Hunter Thumb hole stock and real tree camo in the 30TC caliber. Thats one shooting cartridge.

Anyway on the tc link they have a chart that shows recoil reduction with flex tech stock. Its no lie they are easier on the shoulder.

If you know someone that has one see if they will let you try it.

Benny

MOOSE 4 GOD · #11 10-07-2010, 08:32 AM

scalerman

I hope you don't mind if I throw in just one more post, but I have been a fan on T/C single shots for 35 years now. My most fun caliber has been the 7x30 Waters which I started with in a 16" Contender. Rocky helped so much and is the reason I am a member of HuntChat.

I just wanted to show you a pic of the best 10 shot group I have EVER SHOT. Sand bags at 100yds. with an Encore 26" barrel from Fox Ridge thats on my Pro Hunter frame.

I hope this pic will come through and help in your endevour. I know this looks unreal and had me wondering! After 1st 3 shots and I adjusted scope & put a piece of 24"x24" brown paper I use for shotgun patterning behind it. Shot number 4 hit dead center so I knew I was on target but still had no idea this thing was punching the same hole.

Well its a true 10 shot string and I feel very blessed to be able to pull something like this off before I leave this world.

Benny

scalerman · #12 10-07-2010, 11:09 AM

Wow!!! That might just have made my mind up for me.

Jack · #13 10-07-2010, 05:30 PM

That's a heckuva group!

scalerman · #14 10-07-2010, 06:04 PM

Moose. Do you use the thumb hole stock or the "regular" one?

MOOSE 4 GOD · #15 10-07-2010, 10:30 PM

scalerman

It's just the regular stock, black no less. I'm a lefty and I got it when they first came out.
This 7x30 has been shooting .5 moa all summer but this day was the coolest day I have ever shot it and got that group.

The pro hunter our youth pastor got I mentioned in an earlier post is a thumb-hole and camouflaged 30tc caliber and shoots right with this gun.

Single shots only have to neck size if you reload and helps a great deal with accuracy. Again good luck with your choice as now you are going to have a lot of options to choose from

I do got a favor

I have a post in rifles Remington 700 sps varmint stock so scalerman if you know anyone that has one I would like to know how they like it. I got word today its in and I hope it will be ok.

Thanks so much
Benny