what gun to buy??

[Fowlweather25]

For flat shooting, 500 yds, and elk I'd suggest: .338 Lapua, .338 RUM, .338 Edge, .338-378 Wby or even go up to a .416 Barret or .408 CheyTac.

I guess. If ya wanna cut a deer in half.     Which is the main game he wants to pursue.

[FC]

I guess. If ya wanna cut a deer in half.     Which is the main game he wants to pursue.

I was thinking that maybe 105 shells would be in order for a few guys here 

If the .243 was getting it done for you before, why not get another one? 6mm, 25 06 and 270 are all good flat shooting cartridges too.

[JimmyHoffa]

Fowlweather25, those guns don't always do as much damage as people sometimes think.  I use the .338-378 Wby right now for deer/bear/elk and if you match the bullet to the animal, it works out fine.  I can load up 185 gr TSX across a large range of velocities (long range deer) or go to 250 gr softpoints with more velocity than smaller rifles get with half the bullet (good for elk) or any combination in between.  I think my largest exit wound so far was from a 150 gr swift scirocco from a .300 RUM.
The guys I've known that have used bigger, like the .50 BMG have lost a leg or vaccummed out the chest cavity but nothing too bad.  The only animal I remember getting cut in half was a rabbit from a .30-06 springfield.

[JackOfAllTrades]

HE ASKED WHAT GUN TO BUY!

Everyone answered with cartidge selections!  C'mon!  He's just starting to reload, and you're throwing wildcat cartridges at him? Get real.

SS Tikka T3 in 300 or 325wsm or 280RemAI.   (The AI is not a wildcat, but a rechambering that still fires factory ammo. Maybe something to do once you've got some reloading experience under your belt. The advantages are worth it.)

.. I don't know that if I had the extra coin sitting in my budget if that would be my next rifle, but that rifle and chamberings would fit your requirements nicely. I am also a 30-06 fan for your purposes.

-Steve

[jaymark6655]

For flat shooting, 500 yds, and elk I'd suggest: .338 Lapua, .338 RUM, .338 Edge, .338-378 Wby or even go up to a .416 Barret or .408 CheyTac.

Too weak, for deadly game like deer you need the 20mm. http://www.anzioironworks.com/MAG-FED-20MM-RIFLE.htm

[JimmyHoffa]

It's difficult to recommend a gun (brand/action/set-up) if you don't know what caliber.  Example, if someone narrowed it to say .308, I'd say HK 41/91 or springfield M1A.  For most standard and light mags I'd go with a browning BAR.

[silverdalesauer]

.270

[Fl0und3rz]

Something in 30-06 or .308.  Or if you want flatter shooting .270 Win or 7mm-08.  If your hunting on the wetside primarily, something in stainless, or if east side, maybe not so much. 

If you're adamant that you will be trying to kill something at 500 yards, you probably cannot go wrong with the .300 Win Mag, as far as popularity and flexibility.

Once you get to reloading, popularity in calibers (think 30 caliber) generally equates to increasing options and lower prices on components.

[deerhunter_98520]

im not adamant with killing something at 500...i just want a gun that will do it if thats the only shot i have...ive shot deer at 400-450yds and dropped them in one shot with my .243 and 100gr noslers....and the reloading im not going into it blind...my cuz is helping me and has been reloading for a long time...he has all the equipment....im leaning towards a .270 or a 30-06....308 did cross my mind too...this will be my first big gun purchase and want to do alot of research so i get the right gun...as for the .338 and bigger..i dont plan on hunting just elk size animals and bigger so im gonna stay away from bigger calibers and the oddball stuff....my wife told me the other day she wanted a cat and i dont...but i told her if you get a cat im buyin a new gun...fair trade on my end 

[deerhunter_98520]

also if i was to get a .270....would you guys get a 270 or wsm? and why

[JackOfAllTrades]

It's difficult to recommend a gun (brand/action/set-up) if you don't know what caliber.  Example, if someone narrowed it to say .308, I'd say HK 41/91 or springfield M1A.  For most standard and light mags I'd go with a browning BAR.

Oh c'mon... An M1A as a hunting arm? Close to ten pounds.  (Yes, I know people do it, but but.... )  Hunting rifles should be less than seven or eight pounds in my book. Yes, I'll agree that action selection is offten determined by cartridge selection if you're building a rifle. But not if you're buying off the shelf.

Sorry.. I'm in one of those moods.. Your preference is your preference, but if anyone was to go into a gun shop and give the needs for a hunting rifle as stated, I doubt very much that the first thing pulled down from the shelf will be a $2,700 assault rifle. Even if 308win, (7.52 Nato).

I do wish the OP would have made more specifics..

Bolt action?
Semi-Auto?
Under $800?
Composite or wood stock?
Stainless steel construction?


Questions as posted are like the Ford, Dodge Chevy battles that never end. (except with annual sales reports)

-Steve

[FC]

also if i was to get a .270....would you guys get a 270 or wsm? and why

I picked up a tikka t3 in 270 this last year, very light and very accurate, it lives up to the hype and more! I got it in 270 vs 270WSM due to ammo availability and cost of shooting it.

If you are looking for a suggestion as to what rifle to buy I would suggest a tikka, I don't think you can get anything better in anywhere near that price range. Savage also builds a good accurate rifle but be sure you get it in a wood stock, the synthetic can be pretty flexible. My Savage with it's aftermarket stock is heavy and ends up getting carried on my shoulder a lot (sling carried), my tikka is in my hands nearly 100% of the time.

[deerhunter_98520]

It's difficult to recommend a gun (brand/action/set-up) if you don't know what caliber.  Example, if someone narrowed it to say .308, I'd say HK 41/91 or springfield M1A.  For most standard and light mags I'd go with a browning BAR.

Oh c'mon... An M1A as a hunting arm? Close to ten pounds.  (Yes, I know people do it, but but.... )  Hunting rifles should be less than seven or eight pounds in my book. Yes, I'll agree that action selection is offten determined by cartridge selection if you're building a rifle. But not if you're buying off the shelf.

Sorry.. I'm in one of those moods.. Your preference is your preference, but if anyone was to go into a gun shop and give the needs for a hunting rifle as stated, I doubt very much that the first thing pulled down from the shelf will be a $2,700 assault rifle. Even if 308win, (7.52 Nato).

I do wish the OP would have made more specifics..

Bolt action?
Semi-Auto?
Under $800?
Composite or wood stock?
Stainless steel construction?


Questions as posted are like the Ford, Dodge Chevy battles that never end. (except with annual sales reports)

-Steve

good point lol...stainless steel...composite stock...lookin to spend around $1000 and bolt action...not a fan of semi autos...to many guys just start blastin with them cause they can..i want to be accurate with one shot one kill

[deerhunter_98520]

also if i was to get a .270....would you guys get a 270 or wsm? and why

I picked up a tikka t3 in 270 this last year, very light and very accurate, it lives up to the hype and more! I got it in 270 vs 270WSM due to ammo availability and cost of shooting it.

If you are looking for a suggestion as to what rifle to buy I would suggest a tikka, I don't think you can get anything better in anywhere near that price range. Savage also builds a good accurate rifle but be sure you get it in a wood stock, the synthetic can be pretty flexible. My Savage with it's aftermarket stock is heavy and ends up getting carried on my shoulder a lot (sling carried), my tikka is in my hands nearly 100% of the time.

ive been hearing tikka's alot lately...sounds like everyone likes them...what did yours set you back?

[FC]

I got mine pretty cheap, I walked out the door with a Nikon 3-9x on it for $650ish. Shop around a bit, I found mine for $420 at Big 5 of all places.