need help choosing a rifle!!

jimbob_walker

jimbob_walker

Sergeant
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Apr 2, 2011
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Conneaut lake pa
#1
i got invited to go mule deer hunting next fall. i want either a 300wm, wsm, 7mm mag,wsm. but i cant decide for sure. i am almost set on the rifle being a GAP with a NF. can some one please make up my mind. i am going to use it for target and hunting. if i could just get some info on barrel life, accurate ranges, and performance. i am thinking i like the 7mm more than the 30 cal but im open ears to opinions. i also want to take a elk trip in the future.
 
#2
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

Where are you hunting? What kind of terrain? Private land or public? Hiking, horses, pickups? What range? What do you currently own? A .243 is more than enough for muleys with a well placed bullet.

Assuming a wilderness hunt in Colorado, I would go with a "mountain rifle" in a proven caliber like 270win. It won't win any matches with long strings of fire, but for a single cold bore shot my remmy mountain rifle is good medicine- especially where weight is premium.
 
#3
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

The questions that hlee asked are key. No need to haggle on the caliber or configuration debates without first knowing your specific needs/wants in the rifle aside from a muley hunt next fall (although needing the rifle in ~1yr may eliminate some custom shops...not GAP necessarily).
wink.gif
 
#4
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

Im going to Washington state and most likely be 500 yrds +. I want To be able to shoot 1000 + uf i have to.Ive seen a lot of nice gaps for sale here on the forumn. Im hoping in a years time i will find everything I need here on the forumn.
 
#5
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

How much practice do you have at that range? How much can you get between now and then? For your hunting trip I STRONGLY suggest getting a range finder that does not range past 200 yards. Don't shoot at anything the range finder will not range. Get a mild kicking, flat shooting round like a .243 (I wouldn't go bigger than .270 for mulies- no need). Guys (and ladies) that can shoot those distances make it look easy. It is not. Great shooters can hit targets from far away. Good hunters can get close enough that they don't have to...
 
#6
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

A mid weight 7mm is hard to beat as a caliber in an all around hunting rifle that you can accurately shoulder fire as well as make long range supported shots.
 
#8
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

You don't say if you reload or not.

I'm a big 7mm fan, I think for Mulies the .280, especially when reloaded is the bee's knees. High BC bullets, easier on barrels than the magnums and less punishing to shoot.
 
#9
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

+1 to fdkay I prefer the 280 on larger game animals and longer barrel life than your other high fps cartridges. But then again what kind of experience do you have jimbob at those ranges and with what caliper cuz wind can piss you off if you can't read it.
 
#10
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

It all comes down to bullet placement. Nothing else matters. A gut shot deer will go just as far if hit with a 300 WSM as it will from a misplaced 30-30 bullet.

GAP does not sell shot placement. That comes from trigger time. They do sell wonderfully accurate rifles that are well worth the price. But it is up to you to be able to use them.


OFG
 
#11
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

Did I understand that correctly: You want to hunt mule deer at over 1000 yards in Washington State, and you want our advice on a rifle and caliber?
 
#13
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did I understand that correctly: You want to hunt mule deer at over 1000 yards in Washington State, and you want our advice on a rifle and caliber? </div></div>

well partially, i do want to shoot a mule deer up to 1000 yrds in washington state and i do want advice on the caliber, but im set on a gap rifle.

i understand completely that 1000 yrds is a long ways out. i would never take a rifle out and range any animal without knowing i can make the shot. i am fairly new to long range shooting, but not to hunting, reloading and shooting. i am not saying im amazing and that i am better than any of you. in fact i am probably far behind in the 1000 yrd knowlege. this is the reason i ask questions such as the one i asked to get advice from those of you who have done it. i have never taken any type of game at 1000 yrds but i bet everyone of you that have was where i am before you did.

thank you for the advice from most of you and those who dont, get back to that playstation game and KICK SOME ASS.
 
#14
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

280 AI...flat shooting, fast moving, easy on your shoulder, barrel life is better than most, Just got mine in from APA.. took it to the range yesterday...unreal how accurate this gun is....rang the steel at 800 with ease...you won't be disappointed...remember, shot placement is on you, not whatever caliber gun you decide to go with
 
#15
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

Where in Washington are you going to be hunting, I've been hunting in this state all my life, longest shot to date was 352yds on a whitetail.... As for mule deer I have never had to shoot over 150yds they are dumb compared to elk or whitetail just sneak up closer.

As for a rifle well that's easy GAP non-typical in 300wsm should get the job done for anything in north america, and you better get on it I just talked to GAP and its a 10 month wait.
 
#16
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

I'm not sure where in Washington. I haven't got any info on it yet. I'm not familiar with Washington terrain at all. I just wanted to be prepaired before going to the other side of the country just to see them and not be able to shoot them. This rifle is going to be my go to rifle for everything so I want to be happy with my choice. A non typical is what I'm wanting.
 
#17
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jimbob_walker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im going to Washington state and most likely be 500 yrds +. I want To be able to shoot 1000 + uf i have to.Ive seen a lot of nice gaps for sale here on the forumn. Im hoping in a years time i will find everything I need here on the forumn. </div></div>

So your going to some unknown country that you have never been and plan on taking a 500-1000+ yard shot on a live animal correct?

I don't mean to be a asshole BUT.......................

You have been a member for over a year now and most of your questions have been about which cal. of rifle to use for LR work. Every single question you have ever asked has been covered on here before (along with this one). I mean you have yet to ask any questions on reading the wind??? So are we to assume you have mastered reading the wind but have yet to see what caliber rifles people are using to shoot LR or ELR?

This leads me to think your not even to the point of hit steel let alone game at 500 yards!!! But yet your wanting to take 1000+ yard shots!


Just my thoughts! But enjoy your trip.

PS I can't get back on the PS as my son is playing Xbox at the time. But he is kicking ass!
grin.gif
 
#18
Re: need help choosing a rifle!!

Things to think about first and foremost:
1. How far are you going to be carrying this rifle on hunting trips? Weight would be a major factor. If truck hunting, not so much.
2. How much target shooting do you plan on doing? A light weight hunting rifle firing 100rds of 300WM would not be fun.
 
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