So, we get this question several times a week from either current customers, or customers considering a rifle. Unfortunately, it's not an easily answered question without some specific details.
Generally speaking our recommendations are:
- General plinking and shooting flat ranges without high volume, but you may take it hunting for whitetail and such to blinds and other such things that don't require a ton of walking: 6.5cm or 6cm if using factory ammo. 6gt if loading. Fairly heavy rifle. More of a comp type stock like a foundation, some of the manners offerings, mdt, map, etc.
- General hunting whitetail and occasionally plinking. Might need to hike a bit: 6.5cm in a light or medium weight hunting rifle.
- General hunting that might include larger game. 7prc or 300prc. 6.5prc works too. Kinda just take your pic. I personally like 300prc because it covers most all bases. Good brass and bullets for loading and decent factory ammo. IMO the recoil is pleasant compared to a lot of other magnums. Rifle weight dependent on the type of hunting you will do.
- Lots of range shooting out to 1k, not so much hunting: 6br, 6gt, 6cm, 6.5cm. Depending on loading or using factory ammo. Heavier rifle with a comp type chassis.
It's pretty hard to build a "do all rifle" unless you'll be doing one thing significantly more than others. If you're going to do a decent amount of multiple things, two rifles is almost always the best option.
If you shoot a decent amount at the range, magnums are going to get fairly uncomfortable after a while. We highly discourage bringing them to classes as the main rifle for the course. Bring something like a .308 or 6.5cm to shoot mostly, and your magnum to shoot a few rounds here and there with what you've learned. The recoil from magnums is that big of a difference that it hinders learning and enjoyment with high volume shooting.
