Getting the Right Rifle

Qrachel

Active Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2014
Messages
44
Location
LA
I will be hunting near the Upper Ruby Drainage in MT for a week mid-November this year on 50,000 acres of private land. I've been on a 4 month search for a rifle I would be happy with. The matter boiled down to a 308, 30-06, 300 WSM, 7mm WSM, and a 280 AI - I really think I'd like to try a custom 280 AI; we'll see. But the more I looked and read the more I began to feel I wasn't ready to sink $3-5K into a custom rifle, because I just didn't know what it would be like hunting in MT in mid- to late-season.

Since I'm getting back into the hunting game and I'm a mature gal, I want to get a sense of what I'm capable of too. I'm in good health and fit. Sooo, I've talked to Len twice (Thank you Len; it helped) and several other folks in the biz of creating fine custom rifles. (It's worth noting that I started shooting pistols well over a year ago and I finally knew I wanted a great 45 ACP and now have a E.B. Kobra Carry plus a super tuned S&W 5" 629 Classic . . . but it took a year of shooting to get there). Anyway, I've also got to spend a bit on a sensible kit and boots plus other important 'stuff' a lady hunter just has gotta have :rolleyes:

Long story shorter, I went low cost with a 30-06 Tikka T3 (great trigger btw and an inexpensive way to get into the game) and plan to immediately revisit the custom rifle decision in December as a nice Xmas present for . . . well, me of course!!! That will give me a really great custom rifle and a nice -06 backup. I also got a great buy on a Nightforce 3.5-15 x 56 scope over the past holidays, and it's just mounted on the -06, which gets to the range for the 1st time sometime in the next few weeks depending upon my schedule. I'll probably re-scope the -06 with a Nightforce NXS 2.5-15 x 42 and that ought to be a pretty cool -06 to grab and go.

So, I continue to haunt these and other realms for the next 8-9 months. There's some really great stuff here, and the feedback is awesome - thanks to all the folks like you!!!! Keep on keepin on :D I just love reading all the great posts.

Rachel
 
I will be hunting near the Upper Ruby Drainage in MT for a week mid-November this year on 50,000 acres of private land. I've been on a 4 month search for a rifle I would be happy with. The matter boiled down to a 308, 30-06, 300 WSM, 7mm WSM, and a 280 AI - I really think I'd like to try a custom 280 AI; we'll see. But the more I looked and read the more I began to feel I wasn't ready to sink $3-5K into a custom rifle, because I just didn't know what it would be like hunting in MT in mid- to late-season.

Since I'm getting back into the hunting game and I'm a mature gal, I want to get a sense of what I'm capable of too. I'm in good health and fit. Sooo, I've talked to Len twice (Thank you Len; it helped) and several other folks in the biz of creating fine custom rifles. (It's worth noting that I started shooting pistols well over a year ago and I finally knew I wanted a great 45 ACP and now have a E.B. Kobra Carry plus a super tuned S&W 5" 629 Classic . . . but it took a year of shooting to get there). Anyway, I've also got to spend a bit on a sensible kit and boots plus other important 'stuff' a lady hunter just has gotta have :rolleyes:

Long story shorter, I went low cost with a 30-06 Tikka T3 (great trigger btw and an inexpensive way to get into the game) and plan to immediately revisit the custom rifle decision in December as a nice Xmas present for . . . well, me of course!!! That will give me a really great custom rifle and a nice -06 backup. I also got a great buy on a Nightforce 3.5-15 x 56 scope over the past holidays, and it's just mounted on the -06, which gets to the range for the 1st time sometime in the next few weeks depending upon my schedule. I'll probably re-scope the -06 with a Nightforce NXS 2.5-15 x 42 and that ought to be a pretty cool -06 to grab and go.

So, I continue to haunt these and other realms for the next 8-9 months. There's some really great stuff here, and the feedback is awesome - thanks to all the folks like you!!!! Keep on keepin on :D I just love reading all the great posts.

Rachel

Excellent choice with the Tikka T3 I have one in 308 and couldnt be any happier the gun shoots amazing. Getting into the custom rifles really depends on what you want to do with the rifle is it a gun you are going to shoot often or something you intend to use two months a year and after hunting season leave it in the gun safe until next season?
 
Excellent choice with the Tikka T3 I have one in 308 and couldnt be any happier the gun shoots amazing. Getting into the custom rifles really depends on what you want to do with the rifle is it a gun you are going to shoot often or something you intend to use two months a year and after hunting season leave it in the gun safe until next season?

Dear Joe: I shoot my guns and my favorites get shot regularly: 1-3 times a month, because plinking away is such a nice way to let my hair down and also to develop a little mastery. It's so relaxing.

The custom rifle will definitely be a range rover and a hinterland hunter. That's partly why the 280 AI appeals so, easy on barrels and pleasant to shoot - though I'm not particularly recoil shy, I find my 44mag is a bit tiring after 30 rounds and 50-75 rounds I'm definitely done for the day. The AR-15 I can shoot 'til I just poop out.

Thanks for the post and glad the Tikka worked out; hopefully, my T3 will work out too and everything I've read and heard says it will . . . . :)

Rachel
 
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