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Hunting
The Basics, Starting Out
Best LRH caliber to start with?
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<blockquote data-quote="MontanaRifleman" data-source="post: 737780" data-attributes="member: 11717"><p>JPaul, we have a few things in common. I'm originally from PA. Family from the East side of the state and I spent a lot of time on the Southwest side going to school in California PA, and working a little. Shot my first deer back there with a 243, and my Uncle who was my hunting mentor used a 308. He was the most skilled and successful PA deer hunter I knew.</p><p></p><p>toddc, Wildrose, D.ID and others have offered you some very good perspectives and advise. If you already have a 308 then keep it. A great gun for general shooting and getting the feel for windage and a great short to mid-range hunting such as back there in PA. You already have a great PA deer rifle, so don't build another one.</p><p></p><p>Here are some good perspectives I want to reiterate for Western LR hunting. Your game will consist primarily of antelope, deer, elk and bear. Elk are big critters and the bigger the bullet you use on them, the better. For bear, big is good too.... you don't need to be tracking wounded bears and they may re-open Grizzly hunting soon.</p><p></p><p>Don't do the LR gun curve. Get the right gun for the job right off the bat. It's a lot cheaper and less time consuming. For that, I recommend .30 or .338 cal. Also, get a gun 1 or 2 steps more than you "need". It gives you "forgiveness".</p><p></p><p>My recommended minimum would be a 300 RUM and you might consider a 338 Lapua or EDGE. Those rifles speak with AUTHORITY, especially the 338's, and that's what you want for an "all around" Western LR rifle. If you want a repeater, get a custom action. Going the 700 route is quite expensive and to do it right means replacing the trigger and bolt, using just the receiver chassis. I've been through this. I'm not too familiar with the Savage actions, if they will allow a repeater for the long high BC 30's and 338's? If they do, then OK.</p><p></p><p>The 7 mags are great rifles. I've hunted quite a bit with a 7mm RM, but definitely not my first choice for a LR Elk rifle. Elf's maybe, but not Elk <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> Like most of us, you will probably add more rifles to your collection. Start BIG and go from there.</p><p></p><p>Also, very important. Pick a good smith who knows and understands LRH, not just bench shooting. They are 2 different things. Your build will be a team effort and he will probably have a big influence in your project based on his vast experience.</p><p></p><p>Before you start spending $$$, spend a lot of time reading the many threads in here and maybe ask some more questions.</p><p></p><p>Welcome to LRH and good hunting.</p><p></p><p>Mark</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MontanaRifleman, post: 737780, member: 11717"] JPaul, we have a few things in common. I'm originally from PA. Family from the East side of the state and I spent a lot of time on the Southwest side going to school in California PA, and working a little. Shot my first deer back there with a 243, and my Uncle who was my hunting mentor used a 308. He was the most skilled and successful PA deer hunter I knew. toddc, Wildrose, D.ID and others have offered you some very good perspectives and advise. If you already have a 308 then keep it. A great gun for general shooting and getting the feel for windage and a great short to mid-range hunting such as back there in PA. You already have a great PA deer rifle, so don't build another one. Here are some good perspectives I want to reiterate for Western LR hunting. Your game will consist primarily of antelope, deer, elk and bear. Elk are big critters and the bigger the bullet you use on them, the better. For bear, big is good too.... you don't need to be tracking wounded bears and they may re-open Grizzly hunting soon. Don't do the LR gun curve. Get the right gun for the job right off the bat. It's a lot cheaper and less time consuming. For that, I recommend .30 or .338 cal. Also, get a gun 1 or 2 steps more than you "need". It gives you "forgiveness". My recommended minimum would be a 300 RUM and you might consider a 338 Lapua or EDGE. Those rifles speak with AUTHORITY, especially the 338's, and that's what you want for an "all around" Western LR rifle. If you want a repeater, get a custom action. Going the 700 route is quite expensive and to do it right means replacing the trigger and bolt, using just the receiver chassis. I've been through this. I'm not too familiar with the Savage actions, if they will allow a repeater for the long high BC 30's and 338's? If they do, then OK. The 7 mags are great rifles. I've hunted quite a bit with a 7mm RM, but definitely not my first choice for a LR Elk rifle. Elf's maybe, but not Elk :D Like most of us, you will probably add more rifles to your collection. Start BIG and go from there. Also, very important. Pick a good smith who knows and understands LRH, not just bench shooting. They are 2 different things. Your build will be a team effort and he will probably have a big influence in your project based on his vast experience. Before you start spending $$$, spend a lot of time reading the many threads in here and maybe ask some more questions. Welcome to LRH and good hunting. Mark [/QUOTE]
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