Choice pic of (1) best "all around" rifle!

[it-hops-it-drops]

Hey guys, new member here and trying to get input on "one" really nice all around rifle that can get it all done. I'll be using it mainly for white-tail and big game. I'm kind of torn between the 270wsm, 7mag, 7rum, or 300mag. I'm really interested in the Sako 85 Finnlight rifles or the Remington 700 XCR or Sendero. Any advice or input is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[matt_3479]

Well it kind of depends on what you will be hunting the majority of the time. See i hunt game bigger then whitetail more often then something around the size of whitetail. The 270. wsm is a fantastic round but if you will be doing hunting like me where moose, black bear are more the main target then a round bigger like the 300 is always nice, not saying the 270. wsm wont do the job. My dad has hunted moose for 30 years and has never owned a gun larger then a 270. win. I myself hunt with a 300. wsm and i have never regretted my decision. I also shoot a 7mm rem mag which is a very nice round but i prefer the 300. wsm a little more.

my Vote would be to get a 300. wsm.

If deer is the main target then maybe my vote may change. The 300. wsm will do just fine but some say its an over kill, so thats where the 270. wsm and the 7mm rem mag are a little better. I love my 7mm rem mag and loaded with 140 grain accubond, this thing is a deer slayer. The 270. wsm loaded with 130 grain bullet would just shred too. My suggestion towards caliber if you hunt deer more would be to get a caliber you are more comfortable with. I love the 7mm but the 270. wsm has really caught my eye. Take a look at it.

Dont forget about bullet selections, prices, availabilities, the distance you will be shooting, recoil and stuff like that.

 

[topbrass]

30-06

 

[winmag]

Of the three you listed Id go 1.Sendero 2.Sako 3.XCR and like Matt said 300wsm.
I own a 270wsm and absolutely love it. I also own a 300wby, but the perfect cross for all round, any game, near or far do all rifle caliber would be the 300wsm in my eye anyway. Longer bbl life than most of the other 300 mags. Biggest bullet selection of any caliber, wich is super handy if your huntin deer one day, and griz the next, with some varmints here and there, 55gr accellerators to 220gr bone smashers theres a bullet for any type of game at any range you can shoot with a 300wsm. Plus its very efficient for powder used to attain the velocities it gets.
Just my thoughts on it, good luck, and post pics of what you get.

 

[it-hops-it-drops]

I appreciate the input fellas. I'm moving to Colorado within the next month or so and the gun will be used primarily for mule deer and elk. Every once in a while I'll use it for whitetail out of state but mostly a mountian gun. After reading more reviews I really have considered the 300wsm;although it's still hard for me not to consider the 7MM.

My next step is the best gun for the money and I have definitely looked at the Sendero and like it, but the Sako Finnlight is hard to turna away from. I just don't want to be disappointed after the investment if that makes sense. My main concern would be weight and weather for carrying around a weapon all day long. Any more input on the brands would be helpful guys.

I bought the optics this past week and found a great deal on the Leupold VX3L 4x14x56 - Boone&Crockett. Now I'm waiting to get the perfect rifle.

I'll be sure to post some pics when I finish making my mind up.
Thanks for all of the feedback.

 

[Derek M.]

30-06

+1

Show me a deer or elk that can withstand a well placed shot with the most popular caliber in history.

That said, of the choices mentioned, the 7mm Rem Mag, hands down, will serve you well. If I had to choose between your selection, that would be it. I have 2 7mags. For long range work, choose a 180 or 168 VLD. For punch power on close range stuff you have so many choices in bullets that will flat out work: partition, Aframe, TSX/TTSX, Trophy Bond, Accubond, Scirocco...the list goes on.

 

[Chase723]

338 rum

 

[saskhunter]

300wsm in the sako. dont get much better

 

[Johnboy]

what no love for the 300wm.well then you just go ahead and get a 7mm mag.that two is a great choice.

 

[FEENIX]

Of your caliber choices, I'd go with .300WM (I have 2), esp. for elk. The 7 MM Mag will be a close second. However, if barrel life is a big consideration, stay with the .300 WM.

IMHO, I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices. Good luck and happy safe hunting.

Ed

 

[trebark]

Of the three you listed Id go 1.Sendero 2.Sako 3.XCR and like Matt said 300wsm.
I own a 270wsm and absolutely love it. I also own a 300wby, but the perfect cross for all round, any game, near or far do all rifle caliber would be the 300wsm in my eye anyway. Longer bbl life than most of the other 300 mags. Biggest bullet selection of any caliber, wich is super handy if your huntin deer one day, and griz the next, with some varmints here and there, 55gr accellerators to 220gr bone smashers theres a bullet for any type of game at any range you can shoot with a 300wsm. Plus its very efficient for powder used to attain the velocities it gets.
Just my thoughts on it, good luck, and post pics of what you get.

As usual, winmag hit the nail on the head. 300wsm in Sendero....great choice.

Now I'm waiting to get the perfect rifle.

Such a beast does not exist. We spend our lives in pursuit of it. We come close, but never really attain it.

In your initial question you actually ask two questions....caliber AND rifle. With the 300wsm, I think the caliber discussion is well covered.

In terms of the rifle, that's a whole other subject. Do you want the rifle to carry? dedicated long-range rig? As examples.....

My 280 carry rifle....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-280-updated-32771/

My 260 dedicated long-range rig.....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-260-mcr-59628/

Forget my caliber choices for now. Look at how the rifle are different and how they match their intended use.

As far as I'm concerned, both of these rifles are 'perfect'

Make sure you get the right caliber in a rifle with the right configuration.

 

[rtv900]

30-06

+1 for a all around hunting gun.

I have gone to a 300 RUM for the long range hunting but I killed a lot of stuff with my 30-06 and it will be the gun my son uses when he starts. Heck I might dust it off and kill some more stuff with it this year.

 

[Booney]

270 wsm and try to get some 169 wildcats. Great all around combo.

 

[greener280]

If I may make a suggestion. If you do decide to go with a WSM you may want to consider this option. I would suggest getting a Winchester model 70, the new ones have great potential for accuracy without a lot of weight. The biggest advantage for me though would be the size of the short action and the magazine box of the Winchester. Remington short actions are very small and you may have trouble with seating out your bullets in them, that is a big reason why I would go with the Winchester over the Remington chambered in a WSM.