Why Not...A Long Range Rifle?

[Robin]

I do envy his high country hunts, if indeed they are real, but in the end he is still an asshole and from the reactions on the other forum regarding his big born, he is that way where ever he goes. No envy there.
Robin

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Have to agree. Tried to keep an open mind. Made up my mind. Very disruptive, critical and condescending. Done with it. Arguing on some internet forum is a complete waste and unproductive use of time, and I value my time. Not like I don't have anything else to do. What I can't figure out, is if he KNOWS so much, and DONE so much, why doesn't he post his own thread for no one to read?

 

[dsdmmat]

I have a similar 'project' going, on the back burner because of my ongoing upgrades to the 30-06 for hunting this fall. It is a Rem 700 ADL Synthetic, .243 Win, the bargain basement version. Inexpensive way to gain a Rem 700 barreled short-action. Came with a junk Chinese scope and rings/bases. So far I have removed the (ugh) plastic trigger guard, and replaced it with the Remington ADL black matte STEEL trigger guard, also replaced the included rings, bases and scope with Warne Maxima rings/bases, and a Leupold VX-1 2-7×33 scope I had laying around. Also disassembled, thorough cleaning and lube, torqued large stock screws to 30 in lb Rem specs, and small front trigger guard screw to 10 in lbs. Someday- new aftermarket stock, likely a Boyd's AT-One. Right now, I got bigger fish to fry.

I run Bell and Carlson or HS precision stocks on my 700s. I have a Boyd’s stock on my Savage BMag 17 WSM beautiful stock but, I try to keep my bench rifles in synthetic stocks to avoid any interference by the weather.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

I run Bell and Carlson or HS precision stocks on my 700s. I have a Boyd’s stock on my Savage BMag 17 WSM beautiful stock but, I try to keep my bench rifles in synthetic stocks to avoid any interference by the weather.

Understood. No purchase yet. Considering all options. The included 'synthetic' stock is less than ideal plastic, far too flexible.

 

[dsdmmat]

Understood. No purchase yet. Considering all options. The included 'synthetic' stock is less than ideal plastic, far too flexible.

Yeah the Remington Factory synthetic stocks suck. The only good stocks that came with Remingtons were Wood or the HS Precision stocked PSS rifles.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Yeah the Remington Factory synthetic stocks suck. The only good stocks that came with Remington’s were Wood or the H&Sprecision stocked PSS rifles.

Truthfully, it will never be a 'bench' rifle, only a 'point blank range' deer/coyote 300 yard max rifle. Has a 24" barrel, which I favor for velocity and the extra 2" length is a touch muzzle heavy which I also favor, reduces wobble. I have to say the camo stock that came with my Rem 700 '06 is made of a far more rigid material. I'll see how she groups with chosen hunting ammo, as is, and take it from there.

 

[dsdmmat]

Yeah the Remington Factory synthetic stocks suck. The only good stocks that came with Remingtons were Wood or the HS Precision stocked PSS rifles.

Most of my rifles are intended to be used from a fixed position or at distances less than 100 yards (closer to 30 Feet). Never really got into hunting (unless you count the communist/fascist hunting club I belonged to for the past 35 years).

 

[Mk44]

Looks like a nice rifle for shooting targets. But it's bit heavy at 10+ lbs (before optic) for me to be toting it around the woods. I'm a hunter, and I prefer a carbine size rifle in the woods.
Where I hunt, I'll be lucky if I can find a 200yd clearing (and my local range is only 200yds max.)
So, for me I don't have much use for a long range rifle. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Big John]

Where are you taking deer at more than across a hay field in ny...going to hit up deer on 81 north?

Sorry Vapor I missed this question there are a few places I hunt Schuyler County, Steuben County and Tioga County that I CAN shoot that far if need be. One such place even off a balcony.

 

[Upstate43]

Target rifles really don't make for good hunting rifles and vice versa. The heavy-profile barrel, bipods, heavier stock is just too much weight to haul around in the field. I suppose it could work for a tree stand hunt, but that's about it.

As for .308, yep, any good hunting loads should be well capable of taking down deer-sized game at 400-500 yards and in. You just need to make sure you're shooting skills are up to snuff before you take such shots. .308 is such an underrated cartridge IMHO. It's a jack-of-all-trades cartridge; it's very decent in a variety of areas, even if it's not the best at any particular one.

 

[SteyrAug]

You like Remington wood stocks ? How about this one ?

 

[Big John]

Target rifles really don't make for good hunting rifles and vice versa. The heavy-profile barrel, bipods, heavier stock is just too much weight to haul around in the field. I suppose it could work for a tree stand hunt, but that's about it.

As for .308, yep, any good hunting loads should be well capable of taking down deer-sized game at 400-500 yards and in. You just need to make sure you're shooting skills are up to snuff before you take such shots. .308 is such an underrated cartridge IMHO. It's a jack-of-all-trades cartridge; it's very decent in a variety of areas, even if it's not the best at any particular one.

Interesting take on weight I prefer a heavy rifle for long range hunting I built this rifle just for that purpose it weighs 17 lbs I carried it to a hump on a hillside 2 miles from the road where I shot the deer @ 650yds to say heavy rifle don't make good hunting rifles is a bit miss spoken .......

 

[BDinPutnam]

Always liked that paint job since you first posted it up at the old place way back when. Nice work, John (on the paint as well as the buck).

 

[Big John]

Always liked that paint job since you first posted it up at the old place way back when. Nice work, John (on the paint as well as the buck).

Thank you sir.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Nice rifle John. Tell me, did the sunshade make an appreciable difference, in your opinion?

 

[Big John]

On the deer kill or just in general?

 

[SmallGameAddict]

On the deer kill or just in general?

In general. I am going to order the 4" Alumina for my new Leupold scope in a few minutes. Was curious about your opinion. Besides morning/afternoon glare, I like the idea of keeping rain/snow/sleet off the objective lens while hunting

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Ordered

 

[Big John]

It is great in the rain for sure!!

 

[SmallGameAddict]

It is great in the rain for sure!!

Snows a lot here

 

[Big John]

I generally hunt/ shoot with a wide brim military camo hat so the eye piece is covered anyway

 

[Big John]

Snows a lot here

it will work good for that inless it is coming in horizontal at you

 

[SmallGameAddict]

I generally hunt/ shoot with a wide brim military camo hat so the eye piece is covered anyway

Yeh I wear a wide brimmed hat as well

 

[SmallGameAddict]

it will work good for that inless it is coming in horizontal at you

I cover each end with arms/sleeves, rifle across my knees

 

[Big John]

I am kind of weird when I shoot when I hunt I always set on a spot over looking where I’m going to shoot with the bipod setup to lean the rifle against my shoulder so all I have to do is lean into the scope when I see a target and move my have to the trigger. I took that buck that way very little movement...

 

[SmallGameAddict]

I am kind of weird when I shoot when I hunt I always set on a spot over looking where I’m going to shoot with the bipod setup to lean the rifle against my shoulder so all I have to do is lean into the scope when I see a target and move my have to the trigger. I took that buck that way very little movement...

That's not weird, it's smart. Animals eyes are geared for movement. I know I am doing a very good job sitting still, if gray squirrels want to sit in my lap.

 

[Big John]

Lol for some reason I attract chidees land on me and sit there weeweet. One year I was bow hunting and a beautiful snow owl few in and sat on a branch to my right and sat for a spell until it got tired of looking for that other owl (me) that kept hooting and shutting up when it looked around

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Chickadees are friendly little birds.

 

[Upstate43]

Interesting take on weight I prefer a heavy rifle for long range hunting I built this rifle just for that purpose it weighs 17 lbs I carried it to a hump on a hillside 2 miles from the road where I shot the deer @ 650yds to say heavy rifle don't make good hunting rifles is a bit miss spoken .......

A) there isn't a whole lot of opportunity for long range hunting in NY, outside of some of the farm country. Most shots seem to be within the 200 yard range; most are even closer than that.
B) 17lbs is a lot of rifle to be carrying around for a hunt, some would say too much rifle. It worked for your short jaunt from the road. Would you be willing to carry that thing on a week-long hunt in the Adirondacks? I wouldn't.

Weight matters. If you can make that rifle work for your needs, that's great. A lot of hunters prefer to go with lighter rifles.

 

[Big John]

A) there isn't a whole lot of opportunity for long range hunting in NY, outside of some of the farm country. Most shots seem to be within the 200 yard range; most are even closer than that.
B) 17lbs is a lot of rifle to be carrying around for a hunt, some would say too much rifle. It worked for your short jaunt from the road. Would you be willing to carry that thing on a week-long hunt in the Adirondacks? I wouldn't.

Weight matters. If you can make that rifle work for your needs, that's great. A lot of hunters prefer to go with lighter rifles.

I have carried that rifle much greater distances than I mentioned in that post and I carry it not slung carry in the ready position everytime I move, as for a long shot not being available that must be do to the fact some can’t shoot that far. There are numerous areas both private and state lands where those long shot are available, all someone has to do is be willing to wait for the right shot to come along!