ultimate stalking rifle HELP

[paulmoto]

Hey everybody I was hoping for alittle help I am in a priveledged postion of renewing my stocking set up and I was hoping for some advice from your experience to help me consider the various options I would prefer a .243 and was considering something like Remington Model 700 CDL SF Walnut/Stainless Fluted Centrefire Rifle the remington stainless fluted I would prefer a light rig but not unstable as I may be taking shots 100yds + I like the mcmillan range of stocks therefore im not against synthetic scope is not an issue as I have a swarovski habicht ready to go. My new set up must be equally at home woodland stalking or on the hill. I know its a big ask but your help and experience will be appreciated.

In addtion I would prefer a magazine as against a floor plate.

Many Thanks
Paul

PS It seems my calibre choice may be off I currently shoot 308 please add your calibre recommendations thanks

PPS Accuracy I would like my set up to shoot sub 1" groups at 100yds I dont know how feasible that is with the 308 variant ??

 

[SussexFallow]

sako 85 stainless synthetic in 308 20" barrel . nice and light thats my choice
Atb steve

 

[jamross65]

Before you get shot down about considering a Remington by all those who will tell you they are garbage, inaccurate, poor build quality and so on, I have actually owned and used them, about 6 in total and a mate probably the same. So 12 between us and not one had any problems and were all accurate straight from the off.

Some went on to be custom rifles only because we wanted to, not because we had to. I also used McMillan stocks.

What I would say though, is that the link you have popped on shows a rifle costing a fair bit and I would think you would get one cheaper than that by shopping around.

You are also into the area of a good secondhand Sako which, although I would not put you off a Remington for the above reasons, I cannot deny that the build quality of a Sako is far better. They are also more desirable should you decide to change. They are not in my experience (of 12 rifles) any more accurate than a Remington although you will shortly no doubt be told differently.

If you are open at all to the calibre it may provide you with more options regarding make or model of rifle.

However, depending on how far you can go with your budget, you could pick up an old rifle or bare Remington action, and get the rifle you really want built with a McMillan stock, custom barrel, Arnold Jewell trigger...

 

[caorach]

I saw somewhere that Open Season were doing 243 Blaser R93s with over £1000 off the retail price. I've no idea what sort of price that makes them but it might be worth considering as no reason for any after market modification then.

All I can say is that I like my Blaser and it makes a great stalking rifle but the downside is the cost.

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

The rifle you speak off already exists - it is in my gunsafe. Sako 75 action, Lother Walther barrel, McMillan stock, barrel cut at 20" with a Roedale Delta light weight mod.

There is only one problem with your thought processes - a 243? The ultimate stalking rifle cannot be in such a sad cartridge. You need to go 260 or 7/08.

Alternatively you could just buy a Blaser in a suitable calibre.

 

[DCG]

Tikka t3 Stainless synthetic is more than capable of doing the job, and you'll not cry when youv'e draged it through the heather. Then be prepared to spend the money saved on a good scope, I made the mistake of not, but Ive realised the error of my ways and that'll be the next purchase.


P.s. If its mainly for stalking you might want to rethink the caliber.

DG

 

[paulmoto]

HI Brian thanks for your help what about a .308 ????

 

[paulmoto]

Calibre choice

PS It seems my calibre choice may be off I currently shoot 308 please add your calibre recommendations thanks

 

[User00003]

There is only one problem with your thought processes - a 243? The ultimate stalking rifle cannot be in such a sad cartridge..

WOAH!!!! explain yourself Sir!

 

[scotch_egg]

There is nothing wrong with the .308

For a jack of all trades one rifle in the cabinet there are better calibre's than the .243 and the .308

Hence Brian's suggestion of the .260 and 7-08.

My stalking rifle is 7-08 which I reload for. It works well in a 20" barrel and is nice and handy in the woods. However works a charm out in the open.

Bit of a reloaders calibre in all honesty, as is the .260.

As for rifle choice, I have owned several different rifle's including a couple of custom remmington clones and a factory tikka T3. I am not that impressed with the remmington clones and would buy another T3 for my next stalking rifle.

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

WOAH!!!! explain yourself Sir!

The 243 is a fine Roe and fox round. If we had Roe or Muntjac here, I would have one. It just lacks bullet weight for the bigger deer. General purpose deer rounds need to handle bullets in the 120 to 140 gr range.

The 308 is a fine cartridge I would always recommend it to a new stalker or someone who does not handload. For the home loader I would prefer the 6.5 or 7mm options.

 

[Conor1]

Blaser. 308 Win or any other deer legal calibre......................

 

[caorach]

I shoot a 308 because it's common as muck - lots of ammo choice, lots of bullet choice, reasonable availability of components and so on. You'll not get ammo for some of the more oddball cartridges in the Outer Hebrides, a situation I found myself in some years back. For shooting deer at UK stalking ranges I can't think of one thing the 308 can't do that is required and in terms of ballistics it will be closer to the various "flat shooting" cartridges than I can hold from field positions at any range I might be shooting at.

On the other hand the 308 is a little bit boring and may even be a little off the trend and if you want something different or interesting then there is a lot of scope, some options have already been mentioned but for some reason I would really fancy a 300H&H if i was to go for something "different." I've no idea why but guess if you are going to enter a whole world of pain you might as well go the whole hog.

 

[Hunterjohnb]

Hello Paulmoto,such a happy place you occupy, why not consider a 7x64 or a 280 Remington, a little different from the "ordinary" but excellent calibers. Will deal with all game species in the UK and rest of Europe, if it is your wish to travel, no problems in France as not military cals. They are nice to shoot and kind to the shoulder. Would go with a 24" barrel & reloading for best results. Just my take on your post.

 

[paulmoto]

Thank you all so much for your help so far great advice

 

[ejg]

My take, I have and had a few remingtons that all shot very well only with a stock change.
T3 and recent Sako's would be quite ok out of the box for normal stalking distances. Maybe a good choice
for those that don't want to do anything to a rifle.
Howa ....would have a better action design than all of those put together...as they have a proper recoil lug.
...have horrid stocks out the box and a good trigger or at least it is easy to tune.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a 308, if you want to take deer over 400m then a 260 or 7-08 might
have a ballistic advantage. At up to 200m the 308 knocks deer over better.
edi

 

[paulmoto]

Thank Edi I think I have to stick with the 308

 

[devilishdave]

Mauser 03 in .30 cal or 7mm

Dave

 

[digger9523]

Rays of light from the heavens shine upon:

I'd challenge you to break it in a lifetimes stalking. Reports from the front say well over 5000 shots afore it loses the sub MOA accuracy standard we've come to expect from a rifle now. Chambered in a few tasty cartridges as well. Pricey yes, but you'll only buy it once. How many lads on here share stories of the different rifles they've owned and sold on? That's all well and good if you like a change now and then, but I'm of the sort that can't be bothered with all the shopping trips, and this yin is from good old Blighty as well! Keep your money in country, don't fund the yanks or those dashed Jerries!

 

[ejg]

Rays of light from the heavens shine upon:

I'd challenge you to break it in a lifetimes stalking. Reports from the front say well over 5000 shots afore it loses the sub MOA accuracy standard we've come to expect from a rifle now. Chambered in a few tasty cartridges as well. Pricey yes, but you'll only buy it once. How many lads on here share stories of the different rifles they've owned and sold on? That's all well and good if you like a change now and then, but I'm of the sort that can't be bothered with all the shopping trips, and this yin is from good old Blighty as well! Keep your money in country, don't fund the yanks or those dashed Jerries!

too heavy and too slow
edi