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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles

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EDELWEISS
.375 member


Reged: 22/11/05
Posts: 592
Loc: Gettysburg
Whats your "go to" rifle
      #353877 - 30/05/21 10:39 PM

We all have rifles for this and rifles for that; but Im guessing most of us have THAT rifle, that we grab most of the time. Sure we have light rifles for varmints and heavier rifles for medium game and even true heavies, and maybe even a THAT rifle for each category.

For ME it used to be my Tikka T3 in 30-06. It was a true one hole gun (at least once). It was my perfect gun for any kind of N American game I was likely to hunt. Yeah I might want something else for Brownies but that's another THAT rifle, my 375 H&H.

My point is that I have other guns that would fill those roles, I even bought many of the "others" after I was sure the THAT rifle was perfect--but thats another story. My current THAT rifle, isnt a rifle at all. Its a SxS thats shoots slugs from both barrels into a 3" group at 50 yards. Ive used it for Wild Boar with head shots and as youd expect one shot kills. I wouldnt hesitate to use it for Whitetail or Black Bear. Im not much of a wing shooter but Id certainly give it a try for Dove and Im betting its the Easy Button for little furries. Its THAT for me because it works for my kind of hunting.

Im not ready to give up my other guns and I still want others but they just dont get used as much as I was sure they were when I bought'em

Whats yours?

--------------------
If it's not custom, it's just borrowed


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PatagonHunter
.300 member


Reged: 20/01/06
Posts: 249
Loc: Bariloche, Patagonia Argentina
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: EDELWEISS]
      #353878 - 30/05/21 11:24 PM

Hello EDELWEISS,

Good post. More than other things, the "fit" of the rifle to the user is, to me, the main atribute.
Now, MY rifle is the BRNO ZKK 600 9,3x62. Fit like a globe and have a perfect balance and instinctive pointing qualities to me. And I like the cartridge for an all around use down here.
Nothing else to ask for!

PH


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tinker
.416 member


Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: PatagonHunter]
      #353879 - 31/05/21 12:19 AM

I live out away from town, on average where I can shoot whatever I want whenever I want and at extended range if I want.

I end up shooting a lot of guns and rifles that aren't mine for function and sight regulation, some weeks that's a daily event.

Although I've heard the old saying to be aware of the dude with only one rifle etc, and I've parroted the same message myself for eons, I don't have any problem getting close and comfortable with a new or different rifle or cartridge.
From 22 Short to 500 Jeffery, I tend to do just fine with whatever the day brings.

I have a policy here on my hills that whatever needs getting shot gets shot. I don't need to get out there and burn a couple hundred rounds of ammunition to call it a day on the range. I do however often spend time fiddling with a new load or a new-to-me rifle. I need to be entertained after all.

This time of year is a great time to put downward pressure on the ground squirrels. I hate those little bastards. They're high on the list of things that need to get shot. Fortunately the Good Lord gave us the 17 Remington, for it's a very effective force multiplier in the conversation of destructive pest control.

My current go-to rifle is a detachable magazine fed bolt rifle in a tough HS Precision stock. A load that I've been working with this week goes out at 4800 FPS and from 30 to 220 yards is plus/minus no more than an inch of point of aim.
At 220 it's still going over 2900fps
Trigger is set at a pound, bolt is set up with a lightweight striker assembly, the rifle is accurate and the scope is clear. There's essentially no recoil and the rifle isn't very noisy. This thing is a laughter generator.

If I'd been awarded any big game tags for this year, my current go-to rifle would possibly be something else. The Krag sporter is literally beside me right now, with accurate ammunition within reach. So is the Hornet, and a 6mm rifle.

There's a rack of muzzle loaders and stocked possibles bags from the little caplock squirrel rifle to the 20bore flintlock British sporting rifle.

Plenty of choices for any occasion, but for today the best bet is the 17 Remington bolt rifle. There are ground squirrels lining up to get their shots...

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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Rule303
.416 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4896
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: tinker]
      #353897 - 31/05/21 09:29 AM

I would like to comply with your request but I don't have a go to rifle. The rifles I use the most, about equal proportions are: Steyr Pro Hunter in .270Win: Rem 700 35Whelen, Rem M17 in 358-338RUM. The RUM has replaced my Ruger 77 Mk2 in 35 Sambar (358WSM).

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93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3954
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: Rule303]
      #353899 - 31/05/21 10:39 AM

That actually is a difficult one to answer for me!
When I was a much younger bloke the old .243 Win was it, as time progressed I added rifles of different calibres so it was like picking the right 'tool' for the job, or matching the calibre to the game. Never tried full loads on anything 9.3mm & up yet for obvious reasons on anything big enough in my sights yet.
Reduced loads in these calibres are great fun on porkers & deer
Especially shooting a .500 3" NFB 440gn Woodie load at pigs, they really go SPLAT!
Very hard to go past my old P14 in .303 British, completely dependable & never fails to bring home the bacon......pun intended!


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: 93x64mm]
      #353902 - 31/05/21 11:43 AM

If I was to head out hunting tomorrow for say deer, if in season, my 1936 Winchester Model 70 in '06 would be the rifle I'd grab.
Of course, just remembered, the Varberger is sighted in for 139gr. SST'S.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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3DogMike
.400 member


Reged: 29/01/15
Posts: 1404
Loc: Western Slope, Colorado USA
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #353904 - 31/05/21 12:25 PM

No dicking around here .......Ruger No.1 S .338 Win Mag. 225grain Accubond.
Primarily Elk, but just fine for our Mule Deer and Bears. (or occasional surly attitude Marmot or Coyote)
- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: 3DogMike]
      #353907 - 31/05/21 01:14 PM

That auta kill all of them, if needed.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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grandveneur
.400 member


Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1278
Loc: France / Germany
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #353916 - 31/05/21 04:54 PM

I don't really have an "go to" rifle either, but since I have hunted mostly in Africa in the last years, it has more or less become my old Brevex rifle caliber 460 WBY-Magnum. In second position comes an FN Mauser rifle caliber 340 WBY-Magnum which I also used very often for shooting plain game, bigger deers or high mountain game.

Otherwise I still have a few things in the gun safe that have also to be used alternately.


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39055
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #353917 - 31/05/21 05:04 PM

Go to rifle is the tool kit question.

Depends on the circumstances.

But I will attempt it.

In practice and personal history, if I need a medium hunting rifle, my first and original medium calubre rifle is picked up. My customised Parker Hel M98 in .30-06. Have hunted the NT with it for pigs, donkeys and buffalo. No buffalo sighted that trip. Africa on my first safari for plains game. Both of my trophy red stags in NZ and Australia. Fallow deer numerous. Pigs. Many many donkeys. My one and only sambar. Hundreds of feral goats. Hoppers. My old reliable. Capable of one-third MOA accuracy. Easy to get ammo around the world if necessary. Adequate power for all medium game and even capable of dangerous game.

My dangerous game go to, is obviously my .450 No.2 Nitro Express WJ Jeffery double rifle. With the gaur engraved on its boxlocks, it is my specialist bovine rifle. Well pwoerful enough for bovines in thick jess or jungle, and also for elephant. Accurate enough. I do have to do more load development and also test shooting at longer ranges ie 100, 150, 200 metres. To see how it goes. I settled on an early load which worked. And try lighter 350 gr bullets.
Have used it on water buffalo, banteng, scrub bull, horses, donkeys, pigs, deer, elephants, warthog and ?

Next would be my .222 in Mauser M03. Small game at home. Similarly my CZ .22 Magnum bolt action.

My .375 Whitworth M98 for when a "big bore" bolt action is desired. Now works very well.

We can't have self defence rifles here or semi autos like an AR. But my Browning BLR in .308 provides a good rapid fire, very accurate, powerful medium calibre rifle of short length perfect for scrub hunting and rapid fire on game animals. Used on pigs, deer, a chital stag, I do want to use it on sambar. Need some 180 gr Woodleighs first. I don't think any arrived in the latest bacth. The rifle is handy short enough and light enough with sub MOA accuracy to use even as a mountain rifle.

If the zombie/covid strain apocalypse started tomorrow, this rifle, BLR is what I would have on my shoulder. Magazines are too small, five cartridges, and can not be longer as the lever gets in the way, but I have three of them. They were needed on one donkey hunt.

A go to rifle depends on the circumstances.

I do have some others which need to be used more, and more hunting opportunities. Som may become go to rifles of choice.

My fantasy go to hunting rifle around the world would be my desired .375 double rifle with a scope. One day.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3475
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #353928 - 31/05/21 11:36 PM

Jeffery .400 3-inch double rifle, hands down.
Box-lock ejector, chopper-lump barrels, doll's head with third bite.
Prowling tigers engraving, 24-inch barrels, 10 lbs even.
Fits me like a glove.
Makes me a better shot than I deserve.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au


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rigbymauser
.400 member


Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1970
Loc: Denmark
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: Marrakai]
      #355988 - 12/08/21 09:20 PM

.333 Jeffery

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crshelton
.333 member


Reged: 10/11/15
Posts: 379
Loc: Republic of Texas
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: rigbymauser]
      #355998 - 13/08/21 02:00 AM

Pre 64 Winchester M70 Fwt in .308 Winchester. Been shooting it nearly 50 years and it almost aims and shoots itself.


--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/


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Louis
.375 member


Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: crshelton]
      #356001 - 13/08/21 02:44 AM

My 7x64 bolt action rifles and 7x65R kipplauf; perfectly suited to any hunting situation on "usual" Western European game.
For any larger European game such as elk (none in my area) and brown bear (fully protected in my area) I would go for 8x68S or 9,3x74R, depending on hunting situation.
Louis

--------------------
"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"


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TexasJohn
.300 member


Reged: 06/04/10
Posts: 166
Loc: Texas
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: Louis]
      #356005 - 13/08/21 06:06 AM

For hunting in Texas: Brno Zkk 600 in .270 with the pop-up peep sight in the rear bridge. Deadly accurate, dependable......everything I need and nothing I don't.

TexasJohn

--------------------
John

"In the Texas Oilfield, everything that does not kill me today, gets another chance tomorrow."


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93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3954
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: TexasJohn]
      #356006 - 13/08/21 07:27 AM

Quote:

For hunting in Texas: Brno Zkk 600 in .270 with the pop-up peep sight in the rear bridge. Deadly accurate, dependable......everything I need and nothing I don't.

TexasJohn




They are a very nice rig indeed aren't they TexasJohn!
It would have been a very expensive to do the additional work for it initially, but on an open sighted rifle it has no peers - especially if you bump your scope, just take it off & you're ready to go! I agree with Louis, only mine is in 7x64, but then again I'm a bit partial to the metric side of things!


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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: 93x64mm]
      #356008 - 13/08/21 08:32 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Of late, it has been a Brno, ZG47 in .30-06.
But then, I only recently purchased a Kimber, Hunter in .270 Win ....... ain't that a conflict in tradition.
So once I have that set up and some .270 loads worked out, it may be the one for a while.

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: 3DogMike]
      #356022 - 13/08/21 11:43 PM

Quote:

No dicking around here .......Ruger No.1 S .338 Win Mag. 225grain Accubond.
Primarily Elk, but just fine for our Mule Deer and Bears. (or occasional surly attitude Marmot or Coyote)
- Mike




IF the gloves need to come off and I need to go kill shit..ie, deer, elk, bears, etc.. My go to for the past 20+ years is my HS Precision in 300RUM.. loaded with 200gr A-Frames. Especially for elk.. Also the same combo I have taken on most of my trips to Africa as a PG rifle..

For Ibex, sheep, Tur, etc.. I have a Lex Webernick lightweight in 280AI.. have also used that for the past 20+ years..

Other than that.. I also like to use my 338RUM on elk.. very lethal..close or long range..

Antelope.. use lighter calibers.. as of late been using 6.5/284... switched to a 6.5PRC this year..

My ranch truck always has a 22 rimfire in it, AR in .223, a shotgun for birds or skunks.. and a handgun for 2 legged skunks..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39055
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #356027 - 14/08/21 01:48 AM

Quote:

My ranch truck always has a 22 rimfire in it, AR in .223, a shotgun for birds or skunks.. and a handgun for 2 legged skunks..




In the days before the clown John Howard my Dad always had a .22 single shot bolt action and perhaps a shotgun behind the seats in the farm ute.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (17/08/21 03:08 AM)


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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #356090 - 16/08/21 12:35 AM

My 2 rifles that some would call "go-to rifles' I seldom use anymore. They are a Mauser in 270 Winchester and a Mauser in 375H&H. I don't use them much these days because they are just too easy to make kills with. The 270 is the caliber I started out with when I was 12 and the Mauser I mentioned above is on it's 3rd barrel.
The 375 is one I got at 22 years old and it's on it's 2nd barrel. I shot out the throats using those rifles and I was not shooting fast. I just shot them that much.

I know where those 2 guns shoot and I can shoot them very well.

But I like to really hunt, and so for the last 15 years in most of my hunts I've grabed an iron-sighted rifles of one sort or another, and many times I take only a revolver.

Sure, I can't make all the kills I would with one of the two Mausers above, but I get to hunt a lot longer.

if the season is going to close in 2 days or so, I still have it in mind to "stop playing fair" and grab the 270 or the 375, but so far I have not needed to, since I started using mostly iron-sighted guns.
That's not 100% but probably about 80%. I have made some kills with a scoped 9.3X57 and a scoped Ruger #1 in 9.3X74R, but thinking back over the last 10-15 years I think about 80% of my kills have been made using only irons and all of them at under 225 yards. Many under 75 yards.

I go-to the gun that seems like the most fun one to take these days. Not the best "killing tool", but the one I'll have the most fun with.


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puddle
.224 member


Reged: 06/07/21
Posts: 16
Loc: United States
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: szihn]
      #356093 - 16/08/21 01:48 AM

My custom .30-06 built around a M70 action and my 180 gr. Partition handload @ ~2750 fps MV. It wears a 2.5 x 8 x 36 Leupold in Talleys.

It was built 22 years ago, I've taken it everywhere, and I'm using that combo again on elk in 2.5 months.


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Jim_C
.300 member


Reged: 09/08/14
Posts: 169
Loc: USA
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: puddle]
      #356095 - 16/08/21 09:00 AM

Most of the time, I reach for a Mauser 9.3x62. That may be bumped in the future: back in '83 I spent some time recovering from injuries and daydreaming my way through the catalog in the back of Gun Digest. I decided "someday" I wanted to have a Mannlicher-stocked Interarms Mark X Mauser in 30-06. Managed to find one this year,it seems to be all I dreamed of as a kid. It will take a while to make up my mind for certain.

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: puddle]
      #356100 - 17/08/21 02:07 AM

Quote:

My custom .30-06 built around a M70 action and my 180 gr. Partition handload @ ~2750 fps MV. It wears a 2.5 x 8 x 36 Leupold in Talleys.

It was built 22 years ago, I've taken it everywhere, and I'm using that combo again on elk in 2.5 months.




The old '06 is and will continue to be one hell of a hunting cartridge.. elk or otherwise..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #356102 - 17/08/21 02:13 AM

Quote:

Quote:

My ranch truck always has a 22 rimfire in it, AR in .223, a shotgun for birds or skunks.. and a handgun for 2 legged skunks..




In the days before the clown John Howard my Dad alwars had a .22 singel shot bolt action and perhaps a shotgun behind the seats in the farm ute.




Growing up on the farm as a kid, we always had guns in the farm vehicles.. usually had a handgun of one sort or another on the tractors.. used to shoots skunks, etc you see while out working in the fields..It was just a way of life back then.. and really wasn't that long ago.. Can not believe how so many have turned into panty waste in such a short period of time..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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Rod4861
.300 member


Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 243
Loc: Queensland, Australia
Re: Whats your "go to" rifle [Re: puddle]
      #356125 - 17/08/21 11:49 AM

Quote:

My custom .30-06 built around a M70 action and my 180 gr. Partition handload @ ~2750 fps MV. It wears a 2.5 x 8 x 36 Leupold in Talleys.

It was built 22 years ago, I've taken it everywhere, and I'm using that combo again on elk in 2.5 months.




That would have to be close to the perfect general purpose hunting outfit for North America and just about anywhere 👍


Rod


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