Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: yorketransport on August 22, 2010, 08:23:36 PM

Title: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: yorketransport on August 22, 2010, 08:23:36 PM: I went out today to do a little shooting and tweak loads on a few guns. While I was out there I got to wondering if anyone else has one gun that's always ready to go. The one that you can always grab and know that it's sighted in and ready to go at any time. Most of my rifles are a work in progress. I'm always working on a different load, changing scopes or stocks, or adjusting the zero. I actually write myself notes so I know the status of any given gun. I have found myself heading out the door, only to remember that the gun I grabbed isn't sighted in with the particular load that I have on hand.

My go to gun is a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Alaskan in 375 Ruger with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x scope in Warne QR rings. With the scope it's sighted in 1" high at 100yds and with the iron sights it's dead on at 75yds. The load is a 260gr Nosler Accubond at 2675fps. That's the one rifle I can grab that I know will hit exactly where I want year after year. I hunt hard with this gun and it's definitely not a safe queen. For deer, bear, or elk this rifle will get it done. Of course the only things I've actually shot with this rifle are a couple of rabbits and a porcupine. :chuckle:

So what's your setup, and what do you use it for?

Andrew
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: jackelope on August 22, 2010, 08:40:20 PM: My current go-to rifle is a T/C Encore with a 300 winchester magnum barrel on it. I'm shooting 180 grain Nosler Accubonds and would feel comfy using it for anything in North America. I archery hunt for elk and don't do too much bear hunting myself, so currently it is my deer rifle. I also have a .22-250 barrel for it for coyotes and whatever else. Next for it is a 24" 12 gauge smooth bore turkey barrel for it. It's a great versatile rifle.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: rasbo on August 22, 2010, 08:47:53 PM: 721 odd 6,its a shooting sonagunna...factory ammo
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: rb2506 on August 22, 2010, 08:48:13 PM: i have many different guns for for different hunts but for some reason my 270win does alot of the killing
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: callonetta on August 22, 2010, 08:48:43 PM: I have two, a Ruger M77 MarkII in 25-06AI with a 4x14-50 Burris and shoots 100gr. Barnes TSX with Reloader-22 for powder, killed antelope and deer with it, the other one is a Steyr Pro-Hunter in 300wsm with a Leupold European 3x12-40 ans shoots 165gr. Nosler Accubonds with H-380 powder, killed antelope and a bear with it.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Moose Eyes on August 22, 2010, 08:52:01 PM: Remington 700 BDL Custom Deluxe in .270 Win. I have been hunting with it since my dad bought it for me new 36 years ago.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 280ackley on August 22, 2010, 09:01:04 PM: Remington 700 Mountian Rifle in .280 Ackley.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on August 22, 2010, 09:02:41 PM: Similar. Remington 700 ADL 30-06. I got it in 1971 used. I floated the barrel in the late 70's and it now has a Leupold VXII 3 x 9 40mm scope that still shoots 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I love 165 gr boat tail bullets. It's killed 3 Alaskan moose, elk, deer, coyotes and everything else I've ever aimed it at. Looks used, is used, and my grand kids will still have it.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: ecnclan on August 22, 2010, 09:13:02 PM: A Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 topped with an old Simmons Aetec Scope. Not the most glamorous setup but that rifle will put every shot one ragged hole if i do my part everytime. My father made the stock, cut and crowned the barrel.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Atroxus on August 22, 2010, 09:13:34 PM: Wish I could afford to own enough guns to have to choose a "go to gun". I only own 2 rifles atm, a Marlin 60 .22LR for small game, and a Stevens .30-06 for medium-large game. So I spose each would be my go to gun for their respective purposes.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on August 22, 2010, 09:13:59 PM: Now there's a tough one. Actually, for big game, I don't have all that many choices.

Ruger 77 in 30-338. Each load is within an inch of elevation at 100yds. 180gn Speer SpSP, BTSP @3100fps out the muzzle. Zeroed at 300yds. 190gn Hornady BTSP @3150fps out the muzzle. Zeroed at 300yds. I don't use a range finder, and I know I'm a very poor judge of distance with my eyes. Any way I look at it, I'm in the kill zone from muzzle out to 400yds without hold over.

Remington barreled 03-A3 with sporterized military stock and Timney trigger. Sierra 180gn BTSP @2700fps out the muzzle. Speer 180gn Spitzer at 2750fps out the muzzle. Both shoot to a zero at 200yds, which puts them in kill zone from muzzle to 300yds without hold over.

I always have these loads on hand and the scopes are dialed to them.

Mr. Lucky! Marlin 30AS. 30-30win. Pepsi can accuracy with iron sights off-hand at 100yds with Winchester 170gn Silvertips. I don't shoot anything else through it. (OK, I have some Remington box stuff, but it pretty much hits the same place.

Now, my hand guns are a different story. But the 44mags always have some 300gn SP Sierra's on hand that are good for 1250fps and 6" plates off hand at 75yds -also with iron sights. The 250gn Sierra FPJ's run 1400fps and hit about the same place but just a little flatter shootin. Both my Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley and SS Redhawk have taken several Blacktails. My problem is chosing one. I like them both but I think the Redhawk gets more holster/woods time.

For Grouse, I took all but one with rimfire handgun and scoped Ruger 10-22 last year. The Rem870 shottie did get a couple trips in the field but late season birds were too skiddish to get close enough too. The Rugers are dialed in at 50yds.

-Steve
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Whitelightning on August 22, 2010, 09:32:07 PM: My go to is my first inline M/L, A .504 White Rifles Whitelightning. Never lets me down and has put everything in its way to the ground. Gotta love it!!!
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: FC on August 22, 2010, 09:42:47 PM: The only rifle of mine not ready currently is a Mosin Nagant 91/30 that I just got, it's getting a stock refinish and accurized, I have high hopes for this one having already gotten several 1-1.5moa groups at 100m with it the first time out.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: turkey buster on August 22, 2010, 09:52:24 PM: my goto is a thompson encore chambered in 7mm mag topped with a bushnell elite 4200 3x9, I am curently shooting 140grn nosler BT 67.5 grns reloader 19
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Bulldozer on August 22, 2010, 09:58:18 PM: Mine are all good to go. But if I am grabbing just one it is either my old model Ruger 77 ultra light 30-06 or my 257 weatherby.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Wazukie on August 22, 2010, 09:59:52 PM: mine is a Winchester m94 30-30 thats older than I am. It has taken deer, elk, bear and grouse! It always gets the job done
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: PacificNWhunter on August 22, 2010, 10:03:30 PM: .300 win mag.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: RustneckNW on August 22, 2010, 10:07:32 PM: Savage 99E in good ol' .308 win.
That ugly gun is a joy to carry and shoot things with. Lite, fast & accurate.
However, just 'cause I use it most doesn't mean I don't need more! Whenever I bring home a new gun or fishing pole or whatever, and my wife asks "how many more do you need?", my response is always "just one more, honey. Just one more"!
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 22, 2010, 10:13:51 PM: sako 300 win mag
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: uplandhunter870 on August 22, 2010, 10:23:49 PM: ruger m77 hawkeye in 243 topped with a nikon monarch 4-16x42 sighted 0.5" high at 100yds, federal factory loads with 95gr nosler ballistic tips, with a harris bipod.

the ruger wins by default as im still waiting for funds to get a scope for my 270, had to dip into the toy acct to pay fall tuition
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: AWS on August 22, 2010, 10:37:17 PM: Rem 721 35 Whelen with Nikon Monarch 1.5x4.5 Only shoot 250gr RNs out of it and it will take on anything from coyotes to moose, don't care for bear meat.

AWS
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: high country on August 22, 2010, 10:46:40 PM: rem 700ti in 270win. it is beat to death and looks like hell, but it always does its job. kinda fun to have a bunch of fancy guns and hunt with one you love and trust......which happens to look like you hate it....l.lol
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: PolarBear on August 22, 2010, 11:29:49 PM: Yorketransport, were you shooting towards the Rainier end of Vail today? Someone was across the road sighting in rifles today, just curious.

My go to is my bow but if I had to choose riles.....250 Savage for predators on up to deer and my BAR .300 Win Mag for bigger game.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 400out on August 22, 2010, 11:37:06 PM: I call on a rem 700 action behind a bull barrel in a 300 wsm, resting on a mcmillan stock shooting 165gr. nosler accubonds :drool: it's a heavy set up to pack around but your only young and dumb once and I feel good behind it I think I have killed everything I've pointed it at! :hello:
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: bowhunterforever on August 23, 2010, 01:00:10 AM: Good old 270 win, ruger m77 with bushnell banner 4x12
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: yorketransport on August 23, 2010, 05:45:01 AM: Quote from: PolarBear on August 22, 2010, 11:29:49 PM
Yorketransport, were you shooting towards the Rainier end of Vail today? Someone was across the road sighting in rifles today, just curious.

Nope. I was down in Capital Forest. And so were a lot of other people from the sound of all the shooting. :chuckle:

Andrew
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 700xcr on August 23, 2010, 07:21:06 AM: Remington 700xcr in 270wsm for deer. For elk Remington model 721 in a 300 H&H. Remington 700 SPS Varmint in 223rem. for targets and varmints.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: demontang on August 23, 2010, 07:24:17 AM: Weatherby vanguard in .338 win shooting .225gr accubonds. Its a little heavy at 9lb 12oz but Im not scared to shoot anything in this country with it.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Woodchuck on August 23, 2010, 07:28:12 AM: Ruger m77 .338 mag 225 sst's
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: chevysquid on August 23, 2010, 07:46:12 AM: Savage 111 30-06
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: superdown on August 23, 2010, 07:48:14 AM: My go to gun would have to be my Browning A-bolt II in 325wsm with 220grn Winchester power points topped off with a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36. It's only killed two mule-deer and one whitetail so far still haven't had to track one yet.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: BigD on August 23, 2010, 07:56:22 AM: 300RUM for anything bigger than deer
243 for deer
sig swat 556 with a light mounted on it for any prowlers around the house at night
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: ing on August 23, 2010, 11:51:36 AM: Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 35 Whelen, Ruger M77 Target in 25/06 and a Weatherby Mark V Accumark in 300 Wby. All three are sighted in and ready to go. It's nice to see that Ruger has been mentioned alot on this post, they are great shooting guns.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: yorketransport on August 23, 2010, 02:09:39 PM: There does seem to be a lot of Rugers so far. My 375 is the only Ruger rifle that I own, but it has the smoothest action of any of my factory rifles.

Andrew
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: huntinhick on August 23, 2010, 02:28:07 PM: thompson center G2 carbine 23" bull barrel 30/30 with the 160 grain hornaday leverloution rounds it is under an inch at 100 yards and just over 2 at 200yard all of that and it weighs about 6 1/4 lbs with a 3x9 leupold on it!! I have the 23" bull in 204Ruger for varmits and it is way under 2 inches at 200. I am planing on getting a 375 JDJ in the 23" bull also then I am good for elk.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: D-Rock425 on August 23, 2010, 02:33:11 PM: I only have 1 rifle so it would have to be my Sako chambered in 7mm08. I have killed 4 bears with it and none have left my sight after being shot.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 7mag. on August 23, 2010, 03:14:41 PM: My go to would have to be my Win. mod. 70 in 7mag. I have had it since I was 15, and it has killed everything I shot at with it. I am very comfortable and confident with it. I have, and have had other rifles that I like, but nothing compares to my 7mag.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 23, 2010, 03:25:33 PM: M77 7mm RM - the tang safety version.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: hoyt2002 on August 23, 2010, 03:35:11 PM: Mine is a Winchester model 70 classic chambered in 300 RUM topped with a 6to18 power leupold. If i can see it I can kill it.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 23, 2010, 03:40:59 PM: My Rem 700 in .270 Win topped with the 4x12 Leupy is always 2 1/2 inches high at 100 and ready to go.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on August 23, 2010, 04:29:56 PM: I'm proud to carry my Ruger M77 Mark II in 300 win mag.....that thing has killed everything from grouse to elk. My dad gave it to me twenty years ago......Thanks Dad!
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: skier2480 on August 23, 2010, 04:33:38 PM: Savage Arms 7mm Rem Mag.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: bobcat on August 23, 2010, 04:40:54 PM: Browning A Bolt in 270 Win. with a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40 scope.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Buckmark on August 23, 2010, 04:49:31 PM: I have 2 rifles i consider go to/best friends and can or do go on every hunt.
My first is my Browning A-bolt in 7mm rem mag, topped with a lupey 3x9, composite stock, stainless and always reliable.
The second is a model 70 in 30-06 with a lupey 2x7, shoots straight and goes on every hunt as my backup if needed or for someone else if needed.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Lightning_Rider on August 23, 2010, 05:11:11 PM: I would also have to say my go to rifle would be my Browning A-bolt 7mm w/nikon 3x9, but the tikka 300wsm w/zeiss conquest 3x9 is also becoming a favorite! Each year before season, i go out shooting and they are dead on as they were the previous year!
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Bofire on August 23, 2010, 05:16:24 PM: :)I find this a weird question, again, but, "it all depends". Thats is why I own several.
Carl
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Jamieb on August 23, 2010, 05:54:36 PM: All the rifles in my safe are sited in and ready to go year round. I don't plan ahead much, most of the hunting trips I do are spur of the moment.
Most of the time I decide on what rifle to take while standing in front of the open safe.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Rdnkgirl88 on August 23, 2010, 07:48:23 PM: Deer season is always and will always be my 30-30 Marlin lever action with iron sights. It belonged to my grandpa, is over 50 years old, and never misses a deer.

For elk I have a .243, never have gotten a chance to take anything down with it but am hoping to give it a hell of try this November in Trout Lake...10 weeks and counting!
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: yorketransport on August 23, 2010, 09:15:46 PM: Quote from: Bofire on August 23, 2010, 05:16:24 PM
:)I find this a weird question, again, but, "it all depends". That's is why I own several.
Carl

I agree for the most part. I have specialized my gun collection to the point of having a rifle and handgun for every situation I could possibly encounter. Long range elk? Sounds like a job for the heavy 300WSM with 180 Accubonds and the Savage Striker in 338/375 Ruger (if Benchmark ever finishes my barrel :'(). Deer up close in the brush? The iron sighted Savage 99 in 300 Savage and a 4" Redhawk in 45 Colt. How about bear in the berry fields? A Savage 110 with the 19" 338/284 Winchester barrel screwed on and the 10" 45-70 BFR. And my favorite combo, the porcupine setup. A Savage Model 16 with a 204 Ruger barrel screwed on backed up by a Dan Wesson CCBT in 10mm.

This doesn't even get into long range deer, bicycle hunts, coyote rigs, casual walk about equipment, etc. I just think its interesting that no matter what the situation is, I feel well equipped with the 20" barreled 375 Ruger and a Ruger MkIII Hunter pistol. And it has certainly been interesting to see what others use as well.

Andrew
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: PA BEN on August 24, 2010, 06:11:53 AM: I use my m77 ruger in 7mm rem mag. But the rifle I can go to any time is my Mod. 94 win. 30-30 my Dad gave me when I was 13. ;)
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 44 Flattop on August 24, 2010, 02:15:43 PM: ANYTIME I walk out the door I have a .44 Ruger flattop with me. So....

For me it depends on the time of year. 7 months of the year it is a 20" Marlin Cowboy in .44. I use a 250gr plainbase cast bullet @1200fps. Its my summer/hiking rifle. 1 1/2" @ 50 yards.

During deer/bear season it is another Marlin Cowboy in .44, this one with a 24" barrel. As with the 20" a Williams receiver sight is mounted and this one uses the same 250gr cast bullet, this time at about 1450fps. Kills deer like a bolt of lightning. Nips the heads from grouse in the blink of an eye ;) 1 1/2" groups @ 75 yards. Inside 3" @100 yards.

Bear/elk season will usually find yet ANOTHER Marlin Cowboy in .44, this one with a 2-7X Leupold in place. A gaschecked 260gr cast @1850fps slices through elk like butter and this load stays around 2" or a hair less at 100 yards. Most of my elk shootin' is within 80 yards with the occasional 125 yard shot. This rifle is the perfect elk/bear 'go-to gun'. :)

Umm..... I like Marlin's Cowboys..... ;) :IBCOOL:

44

p
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: WaTiger on August 27, 2010, 06:51:47 AM: well, i guess my "go to" gun is my ar15 carbine... it sets next to my bug out bag in the safe and also a 12 ga singleshot takedown. if/when the sheet hits the fan and i need to react, that is my "go to" set-up. now i still stick with my earlier answer of my 454 for hunting :)
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: GoldTip on August 27, 2010, 07:04:27 AM: Mine is a 300win mag in Ruger SS with the original boat paddle stock. Got it the first year they came out and it kicks like a mule with that crappy old stock, but it points well for me and kills what it's pointed at since I bought it. It's topped with a Leupy Vari-XII in 3x9-40. Just picked up a 7-08 in a Stevens that I hope will become another go to gun when the animals ain't too big.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: grundy53 on August 27, 2010, 12:42:20 PM: .300 win mag it's my favorite all around caliber. usually 180 gr
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: addicted on August 27, 2010, 04:34:41 PM: I would never admit such a thing to my wife as that would infringe on further rifle purchaces but i've got one in mind.

My CZ 550 Stutzen in 8x57IS with a Meopta Meostar R1 3-12x56 illuminated #4 reticle mounted with a prototype steel one piece meopta mount/rings. That sucker is bullet proof. 8mm factory loads are big enough for the Boar and red stag but slow enough not to splatter the roe deer. When I get it back to the states and start handloading for it, it will be a beast. It will be a whole nother animal with handloads as it has a modern forged steel reciever unlike the older 8mm's.(hence the soft factory loads)

It has already clamed 20+ animals in the year i've been hunting with it. :mgun:
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Axle on August 27, 2010, 04:39:16 PM: 22LR, bow, 25-06
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: WildfireArcher on August 27, 2010, 05:41:51 PM: my go to rifle is definitely my ruger m77 chambered in .243 win. That gun has been serving me well for almost 10 years

Wildfire
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: alecvg on August 27, 2010, 05:44:50 PM: My .22 is always ready to go, and my Browning Abolt in .30/06 is always good to go as well.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: spikehunter on August 27, 2010, 07:38:54 PM: BAR .300 win mag killed last 2 bucks @ 356 &346 yrds. respecfully 1 shot each 165 gr. winchester fail safes. all the confidence in the world w/ them :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: bod on August 27, 2010, 09:03:48 PM: yorktransport that 338-06 I bought off you, 225 accubond at 2670 1 inch at 200 yards.
Scott
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: woodswalker on August 27, 2010, 09:15:53 PM: Winchester classic Stainless All Terrain Featherweight in .30-06 topped with Leupold 3-9. Pack it all day...if i can SEE the target I can hit it. Shooting the last of my Nosler 165 grain Solid Bases (the OLD flat base ones) and need to develop a new load for it...no luck so far and I'm into it about $400 in bullets and powder... :yike:
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: rh4usmc on August 28, 2010, 01:54:30 PM: I gotta say my pre-64 Winchester model 70 in 30-06....
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: yorketransport on August 29, 2010, 09:17:59 AM: Quote from: bod on August 27, 2010, 09:03:48 PM
yorktransport that 338-06 I bought off you, 225 accubond at 2670 1 inch at 200 yards.
Scott

That's great Scott! That rifle was my "go to gun" until I bought the 375 Ruger. I missed that 338-06, so I picked up a 338-284 Winchester barrel to replace it. Same ballistics, just in a slightly less common package. :chuckle:

Andrew
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: andreas2755 on August 29, 2010, 08:52:52 PM: mine is my trusty remington model 721 bushnell 4/12/40 scope and either 165 grain or 180 grain core lokts in 30.06
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on August 29, 2010, 08:57:20 PM: Tikka T3 Lite in .30-06 with 165 Gr. Loads. Recoil is manageable and it is my most accurate shooter. Light weight makes it easy to hike with in the mountains.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: 1bugman on August 29, 2010, 08:58:05 PM: ruger m77 in 270 win. Killed a lot a deer and couple of coyotes, one grouse not much left :rolleyes:
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on September 02, 2010, 08:42:09 PM: Right now, its a Remington M700 XCR in 7mm-08 Remington. It has a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 on it right now, but its way too much scope. I'm thinking something in the FX-II 4x or 6x, VX-II 2-7x33 or VX3 2.5-8x36.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Emptyhanded on September 02, 2010, 11:37:19 PM: Tikka T3 Lite in 300 WSM with a Nikon 3x9 is my got to.
Title: Re: what's your "go to" rifle?
Post by: Kent Hunter on September 03, 2010, 06:44:10 AM: I grab my Sako TRGS chambered in Lazzeroni 7.82 Warbird. Bison, moose, mule deer and whitetails, it's whacked em all. I have been known to grab the wifes .270 WBY mag on occasion when she wasn't tagging along for a day hunt up on the pass though. :chuckle: