Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: starbailey on April 05, 2012, 09:21:35 AM

Title: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: starbailey on April 05, 2012, 09:21:35 AM: About 5 years ago my wife told me when I was lucky enough to complete my grand slam she would by me a new rifle. As luck would have it, I drew a Nevada desert sheep tag last year and completed my slam. Ever since I've been debating what I'm going to buy. She gave me a $2500.00 budget. I thought that was pretty good but it took away the full custom gun option unless I wanted to add some of my own "hunting fund" money. I'm not really willing to add more money so I'm stuck with an off the rack rifle or something close.
I do have to add that I have quite a few rifles in the safe already and I've been kicking around the 257 Wetherby caliber.
What would you pick?

Bryan
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: high country on April 05, 2012, 09:31:33 AM: for the money, a 700 in an edge, a vanguard in an edge or build on one of your actions. keep an eye on 24hr campfire as they tend to show up often for a good price. I am going to put a vanguard on a diet soon to see how light I can go before accuracy falls apart. my gunea pig is a .257roy.

your choice in caliber is perfect for that hunt.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: bearpaw on April 05, 2012, 09:42:30 AM: If you already have a bunch of other calibers and don't have a 257, I think you are making a wise decision, an excellent caliber.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: buckfvr on April 05, 2012, 09:58:17 AM: A friend of mine won a Remington I think special run CDL 26" stainless model .257 Weatherby, an absolute beauty.....reviews are much better on the Rem model than the Weatherby.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 10:03:02 AM: If I were spending the money I would go with a cartridge a bit more versatile, like a 7mm Ultra Mag. (or Short Mag if you don't want the recoil)
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: buckfvr on April 05, 2012, 10:20:27 AM: Pileated Woodpecker.....
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: high country on April 05, 2012, 10:27:34 AM: Quote from: buckfvr on April 05, 2012, 09:58:17 AM
A friend of mine won a Remington I think special run CDL 26" stainless model .257 Weatherby, an absolute beauty.....reviews are much better on the Rem model than the Weatherby.

I would buy the 700 over the 9 lug, but a vanguard will walk on both of them for accuracy 99 out of 100 times.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: GreyWolf on April 05, 2012, 10:53:08 AM: I have no advise for you on a gun, but while I'm here reading I wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on the grand slam!
:brew:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: starbailey on April 05, 2012, 12:12:53 PM: I am a Rem 700 fan and been looking hard at the CDL SF. I just wish it had the brown laminated stock that the model 7 stainless wears! Maybe I could have a fancy walnut stock made. Hummm. It could be an option but I'd rather not mess with that right now.
My go to rifle is a 700 TI in 7mm sau and have other rifles from 22hornet to 416wby so caliber is a want not necessarily a need. I do like different calibers to choose from when I go to the safe. :chuckle:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Austrian Hunter on April 05, 2012, 12:25:20 PM: A nice problem to have!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Curly on April 05, 2012, 12:33:56 PM: You could get a Blaser (http://www.blaser-usa.com/R-93-Characteristics.119.0.html) R93 in .257 Wby Link (http://www.blaser-usa.com/Calibers-R93.367.0.html)

I'm not sure if it would be in your budget though. :dunno:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 05, 2012, 12:45:15 PM: Quote from: Curly on April 05, 2012, 12:33:56 PM
You could get a Blaser (http://www.blaser-usa.com/R-93-Characteristics.119.0.html) R93 in .257 Wby Link (http://www.blaser-usa.com/Calibers-R93.367.0.html)

I'm not sure if it would be in your budget though. :dunno:

:yeah:

I'm sure you could find one around 3k brand new and there are switch barrels available for it for about 500 bones. You could probably find a used one for about 2k$ . They are super modular and you can change calibers from 22lr to safari sized magnums with an allen key. The scope mounts are universal and return to zero.

Not to mention world class accuracy. Here is a 3 shot group from my blaser 7x64 at 100 meters.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 05, 2012, 12:48:36 PM: I got an R8 which has a few differences.

I suggest you look at getting an R8 pro packages. It comes with a blaser, mount, zess scope, knife, sling, and probably some other goodies all packed into a foam cutout waterproof pelican case for about 3300 last time i checked. sweet deal.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 05, 2012, 12:51:03 PM: Despite being so easily dissasembled it returns to zero every time.

feature=related
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM: cooper for the money
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 05, 2012, 12:54:40 PM: feature=related
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Curly on April 05, 2012, 01:22:17 PM: Another one worth looking into would be the Nosler Custom. Here (http://www.gunsinternational.com/Nosler-Custom-M48-270W-S-M-.cfm?gun_id=100220596) is one in 270WSM for $2,500.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Curly on April 05, 2012, 01:25:36 PM: Or the Nosler M48 Legacy in .257 Roberts Link (http://www.nosler.com/Rifles/Legacy.aspx)

or .280 Ackley Imp
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Curly on April 05, 2012, 01:44:07 PM: This is what I'd get if I had your "problem". I'd get a Rbros custom in .264 Win Mag. Link (http://rbrosrifles.com/lwlrh.php)

It is a little over your budget, but would be well worth the little bit extra $...... :twocents:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: demontang on April 05, 2012, 03:04:58 PM: Quote from: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM
cooper for the money
:yeah:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Austrian Hunter on April 05, 2012, 03:44:13 PM: OMG, that is some riffle porn right there!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Bigshooter on April 05, 2012, 03:54:51 PM: I'd go pick up an 86 or a 71 or 92 or something like that, and I would try to get two of them. I have every bolt gun that I want.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Bofire on April 05, 2012, 03:57:55 PM: :) Since you have loads of rifles, go hunting instead. :dunno:
Carl
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: BullMagnet76 on April 05, 2012, 04:32:24 PM: Quote from: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM
cooper for the money

:yeah:

Cooper makes an outstanding rifle. Or you can do what I am doing and build your own, I am taking the action out of my Rem 700 XCR 7mm Ultra mag and rebarreling it with a 300 Ultra mag Kreiger barrel, a Mcmillian A4 Stock and a Jewell trigger, all you have to do is find a good gunsmith to put it all together, blue print the action then top it off with the scope of your choice, mine is a Nightforce 5-32x56. But if you aren't up for all that I would go with the Cooper.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: cem3434 on April 05, 2012, 04:43:04 PM: Quote from: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM
cooper for the money

I got 2 and they are great rifles. I just wish they offered an Excalibur in a magnum and I would be all over it.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Ingwe on April 05, 2012, 09:07:55 PM: Since you are a mountain hunter I assume you like lite weight rifles. If you need a new rifle I would get a Tikka or a Weatherby ultra lightweight in .270 win. I have both and both are extremely accurate. I know Tikka is not a great looking rifle, but nothing shoots better right out of the box.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: huntnphool on April 05, 2012, 09:29:56 PM: Quote from: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM
cooper for the money

Cooper Model 54 in .257 Roberts :tup:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: MuleySniper on April 05, 2012, 09:45:36 PM: The Coopers seem nice although the ones I see have very plain wood for the money. A high dollar rifle with a wood stock should have a grade A stock. :twocents: Get yourself something in .257 wby like you mentioned.... Nothing disappointing from any wby caliber.
S
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: TeacherMan on April 05, 2012, 10:08:42 PM: Quote from: demontang on April 05, 2012, 03:04:58 PM
Quote from: coachcw on April 05, 2012, 12:51:35 PM
cooper for the money
:yeah:

:yeah: Ask her what its going to take for her to buy the scope :chuckle:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: high country on April 05, 2012, 10:20:52 PM: Dang, some of the rifles mentioned need to come with a porter....its a sheep hunt.

Find a 700ti la and stuff a tube on it.....you have time.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 10:32:03 PM: Quote from: high country on April 05, 2012, 10:20:52 PM
Dang, some of the rifles mentioned need to come with a porter....its a sheep hunt.

Find a 700ti la and stuff a tube on it.....you have time.

Did he say this rifle was for a sheep hunt? If so, I misunderstood. I thought he said he was all done with the sheep grand slam. I didn't see where he said what the purpose of this rifle would be. The only criteria I saw is he wants to spend $2500.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: starbailey on April 06, 2012, 06:19:49 AM: Quote from: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 10:32:03 PM
Quote from: high country on April 05, 2012, 10:20:52 PM
Dang, some of the rifles mentioned need to come with a porter....its a sheep hunt.

Find a 700ti la and stuff a tube on it.....you have time.

Did he say this rifle was for a sheep hunt? If so, I misunderstood. I thought he said he was all done with the sheep grand slam. I didn't see where he said what the purpose of this rifle would be. The only criteria I saw is he wants to spend $2500.

I did have a desert bighorn tag last year so this isn't necessarily a "sheep" rifle, but there is always this years draws. :)
I have a couple of Tikas already(22-250 & 270win) but I'm looking for something a little more up scale in this rifle.
I wanted on of the Noslers but no go in 257wby.
I haven't looked at a Cooper and it sounds like maybe I should.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: MADMAX on April 06, 2012, 06:22:02 AM: Weatherby MK 5 composite and stainless in .257 Weatherby mag, leupold glass
:twocents:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: jjhunter on April 06, 2012, 06:53:36 AM: Cooper. They chamber the Weatherby cartridges now as well.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 06, 2012, 07:42:15 AM: HOw about a sauer 202. you can swap barrels and it is about as "upscale" as they come. It has a unique safety and is truly a fine rifle.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 06, 2012, 07:46:55 AM: feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: norsepeak on April 06, 2012, 07:48:19 AM: I'd call Kirby Allen at Allen precision. Talk to him about his 257 Allen. He can build it anyway you want it for any price and the caliber itself is AMAZING ballistically. I have two rifles by Kirby and both are incredibly accurate.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 06, 2012, 07:50:48 AM: The fastest bolt action in the world.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: norsepeak on April 06, 2012, 07:55:43 AM: that's a cool rifle! Smart SOB to come up with that design. :tup:
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: addicted on April 06, 2012, 07:58:23 AM: I got to handle/shoot one at the range. Shot pretty good and the finish and ergonomics are what you would expect from a company like merkel....out of this world.

wouldnt suggest a rifle I havent shot before.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: starbailey on April 06, 2012, 08:15:34 AM: Wow! Looking at Coopers web site, some of the wood they have on those rifles are Beautiful! I would think they would be out of my price range.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: high country on April 06, 2012, 09:09:59 AM: Quote from: starbailey on April 06, 2012, 08:15:34 AM
Wow! Looking at Coopers web site, some of the wood they have on those rifles are Beautiful! I would think they would be out of my price range.

Repeaters start about $1500ish. They give their wood away.
Title: Re: What rifle would you pick?
Post by: Snopczynski on April 06, 2012, 11:30:11 AM: Quote from: starbailey on April 05, 2012, 09:21:35 AM
About 5 years ago my wife told me when I was lucky enough to complete my grand slam she would by me a new rifle. As luck would have it, I drew a Nevada desert sheep tag last year and completed my slam. Ever since I've been debating what I'm going to buy. She gave me a $2500.00 budget. I thought that was pretty good but it took away the full custom gun option unless I wanted to add some of my own "hunting fund" money. I'm not really willing to add more money so I'm stuck with an off the rack rifle or something close.
I do have to add that I have quite a few rifles in the safe already and I've been kicking around the 257 Wetherby caliber.
What would you pick?

Bryan
Brett Evans at NW Armswerkes built me up a bad ass Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 with an optic for $2,550.00 (including the base price of the gun)

Not sure why you think you cant build a custom gun for that money.