Gun help

RevSmoke · 10-15-2016, 08:46 PM

Someone broke into the cabin up north, and I had been foolish enough to leave firearms up there in the closet. Someone broke into the cabin and stole the TV, Play Station III, Huscvarna chain saw, and 5 firearms.

Replacing the 22, 22mag, and 12 gauge & 410 shotguns are easy decisions. However, my .303 hunting rifle is another matter. I never looked for another. The action was butter smooth and would allow me to get off 2 shots very quickly. I was one shot - one kill with that weapon for the last 37 years.

I never really looked at other hunting rifles because I watched me budget, and hey, you can only shoot one at a time, and why mess with success. So, I now find myself sort of unprepared. I have not really investigated long guns much, and while I did some internet searching, I found reviews and suggestions all over the map.

I will predominantly use this for whitetail deer, coyotes, and maybe in the future black bear, elk, or antelope.

So, I am thinking another bolt action chambered for 270...? (gives me possible distance in the future and decent knock-down power) Thoughts?

Which manufacturer?

Remember, I am functioning on a pastor's salary, so I do watch my budget.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Weelok · 10-15-2016, 09:17 PM

.270 sounds good to me. The Elk and Black Bear force you to that as a minimum is my guess. For the rest, a simple .243 served me well. You may want to consider a .308 as my father likes his and the Ammo is relatively easy to find.

I liked the small size and low weight of the .243 but we hunt in Nevada and you end up doing quite a bit of hiking.

Ripplingh2o · 10-15-2016, 10:01 PM

That's a pretty far spread (coyotes to black bear & elk) Pastor. But ask a dozen people get a dozen answers. I'd suggest looking at the Tikka T3 hunter for about $600.00 and have it chambered in 300 wsm (Winchester Short Mag). Most versatile cartridge out there and it will do absolutely everything you ask of it.

WhiteMamba · 10-16-2016, 03:34 PM

I'm pretty faithful to Ruger. I have a 243 for deer and whatnot and over under 20 gauge for birds and clays.

RevSmoke · 11-12-2016, 08:10 PM

Found another .303 British Enfield. So, I am a happy camper.

The Poet · 11-12-2016, 09:35 PM

Good for you, Todd, and damn lucky you are. There were only about 17 million of them made.

dijit · 11-13-2016, 06:25 AM

303 Enfield is a great weapon and in my usually not so humble opinion a slightly better choice than a .270 considering the larger game you may be encountering. The only downfall is weight but even that is not unbearable. Congratulations on the great find.

RevSmoke · 11-17-2016, 09:56 PM

An update:

I found a 303 for $300 online at a gun broker, had it sent to a local shop with an FFL who did the background check on me. Got a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40 BDC scope and am happy as a clam. Sighted it in today and it is dead nuts on at 100 yards. It has basically the same composite stock I had on my old one, so it is nearly identical.

I am stoked.

SmokeyJoe · 11-17-2016, 10:31 PM

Great! Enjoy your new rifle.
Posted via Mobile Device

Dave128 · 11-18-2016, 03:22 PM

Enjoy it, Rev.

10-15-2016, 08:46 PM	#1
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,849 Trading: (51)	Gun help Someone broke into the cabin up north, and I had been foolish enough to leave firearms up there in the closet. Someone broke into the cabin and stole the TV, Play Station III, Huscvarna chain saw, and 5 firearms. Replacing the 22, 22mag, and 12 gauge & 410 shotguns are easy decisions. However, my .303 hunting rifle is another matter. I never looked for another. The action was butter smooth and would allow me to get off 2 shots very quickly. I was one shot - one kill with that weapon for the last 37 years. I never really looked at other hunting rifles because I watched me budget, and hey, you can only shoot one at a time, and why mess with success. So, I now find myself sort of unprepared. I have not really investigated long guns much, and while I did some internet searching, I found reviews and suggestions all over the map. I will predominantly use this for whitetail deer, coyotes, and maybe in the future black bear, elk, or antelope. So, I am thinking another bolt action chambered for 270...? (gives me possible distance in the future and decent knock-down power) Thoughts? Which manufacturer? Remember, I am functioning on a pastor's salary, so I do watch my budget. Peace of the Lord be with you. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

10-15-2016, 09:17 PM	#2
Weelok I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,088 Trading: (21)	Re: Gun help .270 sounds good to me. The Elk and Black Bear force you to that as a minimum is my guess. For the rest, a simple .243 served me well. You may want to consider a .308 as my father likes his and the Ammo is relatively easy to find. I liked the small size and low weight of the .243 but we hunt in Nevada and you end up doing quite a bit of hiking. __________________ Drink, pray, smoke, and work out.

10-15-2016, 10:01 PM	#3
Ripplingh2o MSG, U.S. Army Retired Join Date: Sep 2016 First Name: Robb Location: Northern Minnesota Posts: 42 Trading: (0)	Re: Gun help That's a pretty far spread (coyotes to black bear & elk) Pastor. But ask a dozen people get a dozen answers. I'd suggest looking at the Tikka T3 hunter for about $600.00 and have it chambered in 300 wsm (Winchester Short Mag). Most versatile cartridge out there and it will do absolutely everything you ask of it.

10-16-2016, 03:34 PM	#4
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Gun help I'm pretty faithful to Ruger. I have a 243 for deer and whatnot and over under 20 gauge for birds and clays. __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

11-12-2016, 08:10 PM	#5
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,849 Trading: (51)	Re: Gun help Found another .303 British Enfield. So, I am a happy camper. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

11-12-2016, 09:35 PM	#6
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Gun help Good for you, Todd, and damn lucky you are. There were only about 17 million of them made. __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

11-13-2016, 06:25 AM	#7
dijit Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Mike Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 2,186 Trading: (48)	Re: Gun help 303 Enfield is a great weapon and in my usually not so humble opinion a slightly better choice than a .270 considering the larger game you may be encountering. The only downfall is weight but even that is not unbearable. Congratulations on the great find. __________________ Sporting goods raffle for a great cause. PM me for tickets.

11-17-2016, 09:56 PM	#8
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,849 Trading: (51)	Re: Gun help An update: I found a 303 for $300 online at a gun broker, had it sent to a local shop with an FFL who did the background check on me. Got a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40 BDC scope and am happy as a clam. Sighted it in today and it is dead nuts on at 100 yards. It has basically the same composite stock I had on my old one, so it is nearly identical. I am stoked. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

11-17-2016, 10:31 PM	#9
SmokeyJoe Chief Wannastogie Lounge Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joe Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 3,163 Trading: (28)	Re: Gun help Great! Enjoy your new rifle. Posted via Mobile Device

11-18-2016, 03:22 PM	#10
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,922 Trading: (4)	Re: Gun help Enjoy it, Rev. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!