After shooting my deer with my Sako TRG 42 in .338 Lapua last year, I came to the conclusion that I needed a dedicated hunting rifle. Over the years, my thoughts have varied quite a bit as to what my ideal hunting rifle is, but now, I feel that I have come to a consensus, and this year I will purchase it. So, here is my criteria for my ideal hunting rifle, and my reasons for doing so.
Wood stock
For years I have been a fan of composite stocks on rifles. Fact is, they are stronger, can be lighter, and contribute to greater accuracy, due to less variation in the material, and greater rigidity.
That being said, after going back home and hunting with my dad, and his magical 22-250 and his Remington 700 ADL, I find myself wanting something with a wood stock. Wood just seems to have a soul. Each ding and scratch has a story, it adds character. There is just something to me, seeing a well used wood stocked hunting rifle. It seems to speak to me, and seems somewhat magical.
The rifle I choose will have to have a nice stick of wood on it. You just cannot copy the beauty of nice wood grain, and feathering. Some say that stocks like this are too pretty to beat up, but if you have seen the guns I have, you will see that they get use.
That being said, after going back home and hunting with my dad, and his magical 22-250 and his Remington 700 ADL, I find myself wanting something with a wood stock. Wood just seems to have a soul. Each ding and scratch has a story, it adds character. There is just something to me, seeing a well used wood stocked hunting rifle. It seems to speak to me, and seems somewhat magical.
The rifle I choose will have to have a nice stick of wood on it. You just cannot copy the beauty of nice wood grain, and feathering. Some say that stocks like this are too pretty to beat up, but if you have seen the guns I have, you will see that they get use.
Walmart ammo availability
On my trip this year, I had a revelation. If for some reason, I shot the 50 rounds of .338 Lapua I brought with me, or lost it, I would be up shit creek without a paddle. From where I was, I highly doubt there was a store within 200 miles that carries it.
With this in mind, I plan on choosing a caliber that you can buy at Walmart. Go to your local Walmart, and even during the latest panic, you could still find .270 Winchester, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, and 7mm Remington Magnum. Having a caliber that is common, and easy to get, even if you do forget your ammunition or lose it, you can go to a local store and pick some up without an issue. Sure, you may have to change your zero and dope, but it sure as shit beats having no ammunition.
With this in mind, I plan on choosing a caliber that you can buy at Walmart. Go to your local Walmart, and even during the latest panic, you could still find .270 Winchester, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, and 7mm Remington Magnum. Having a caliber that is common, and easy to get, even if you do forget your ammunition or lose it, you can go to a local store and pick some up without an issue. Sure, you may have to change your zero and dope, but it sure as shit beats having no ammunition.
Flat shooting and hard hitting
Hunting out in the West, and especially in Northeast Nevada, you have a lot of open country. Sure, I did smack my deer at less than 100 yards, but fact is most shots happen within 300-600 yards. With this in mind, I need something that shoots flat, and delivers enough energy to humanely drop a deer at a maximum of 800 yards.
Quality
One thing that comes to mind, is I have never regretted buying a quality firearm. I most definitely have regretted buying one of poor quality. One thing that appalls is the vast amount of what I consider to be "shit" firearms out there. Personally, I have severe disdain for rifles like the Savage Axis, Remington 770, and most of the Remington SPS line, along with the Mossberg, and other low end rifles.
Of course, not everyone can afford a higher end rifle, I completely understand that and deal with that on a daily basis. But for $400-$500 you can get a nice, used Remington 700 that was made when Remington actually cared about making good guns. I absolutely cannot get over the horrific trigger, clunky bolts, and copious amounts of plastic and overmolding on a lot of the newer rifles.
The rifle I choose will need to have a nice smooth action, fantastic trigger, short bolt lift, and a minimal amount of plastic on it. These are some things I just cannot go without.
Of course, not everyone can afford a higher end rifle, I completely understand that and deal with that on a daily basis. But for $400-$500 you can get a nice, used Remington 700 that was made when Remington actually cared about making good guns. I absolutely cannot get over the horrific trigger, clunky bolts, and copious amounts of plastic and overmolding on a lot of the newer rifles.
The rifle I choose will need to have a nice smooth action, fantastic trigger, short bolt lift, and a minimal amount of plastic on it. These are some things I just cannot go without.
Good Optics
Since I am on a tangent about quality, I will have superb glass on my ideal hunting rifle. I admit, in the past I have had more than my share of cheap, junky scopes on rifles, but those days are long gone.
For a hunting rifle I want clean, bright glass. This year hunting with Martin, there was a big disparity of deer he spotted vs deer I spotted with him having superior binoculars. The scope will be a variable optic, with magnification starting around 3 power and going up to 16 power or so. I plan on keeping the objective below 45mm, to keep the size and weight of the scope down. I want a scope with a BDC that I can match my hunting load up to, so that I do not have to mess with turret adjustments in the field.
For a hunting rifle I want clean, bright glass. This year hunting with Martin, there was a big disparity of deer he spotted vs deer I spotted with him having superior binoculars. The scope will be a variable optic, with magnification starting around 3 power and going up to 16 power or so. I plan on keeping the objective below 45mm, to keep the size and weight of the scope down. I want a scope with a BDC that I can match my hunting load up to, so that I do not have to mess with turret adjustments in the field.
Accurate
This goes without saying. The rifle I choose will need to shoot five shots sub minute at 100 yards, and maintain sub minute accuracy out to 800 yards, where I figure will be my maximum range. Most rifles can do this nowadays if you stick with quality, so this should go without saying.
Light weight
This is something that I decided after hunting with the TRG. Being damned near five feet long and seventeen pounds, it was not the easiest rifle to hump around out in the hills. At the end of the day every pound counts.
Closing thoughts
With that all being laid out, I have a pretty good idea in my mind as to what I am going to go with. Now, if you know me, don't spoil the fun and post what I am going to get here.
What do you think my choice should be with that all laid out? Let's hear from you on this!
EZ
What do you think my choice should be with that all laid out? Let's hear from you on this!
EZ
