Whats Your "GO TO" Rifle ?

[thermaler]

Get back on topic guys!Good idea--could you cut these posts and put them over in the medium game arena?

[1.618]

For down-and-dirty general field work for short- to medium range, my FN M98 in 30-06 (sporterized Colombian military rifle) which I fitted with a Lyman 57 peep sight.

It's more accurate than I am, and when I mounted the peep sight, I lowered/shaped the Monte Carlo cheekpiece so that it points like a shotgun and comes to my eye perfectly .

Very light, handy and perfect for still-hunting deer in the woods.

If I need to reach out there a little further, I go with my M70 in 270 Win with a 3-9X.

ETA: That's a beautiful piece of wood on your rifle, Fyimo!

[emtrescue6]

I hate to say it...but my goto (never-let-me-down) rifle is a Remington 700 BDL LH in 270 WIN...while it's no longer my primary deer gun (it was replaced a few years back my a Tikka T3 Stainless lite in 270WSM 4 or 5 years back and then a 257 Bob AI custom rifle on a Rem 700 BDL action last year)...it's still the most accurate and deadly rifle in my very crowded safe...in the 20 plus years it's been with me it's taken deer in WA, OR, ID, MT, NC, MI and WY...elk in OR, WA and MT moose and caribou in Alaska and Pronghorn in WY and OR...plus a pile of yotes and 3 bob cats...all told the rifle has taken well over 150 big game for me and a friend who uses it every year when he comes to MI to deer hunt with us. It's like a best friend, doesn't matter how long it's been since you've handed it it always performs.

[Savage6x284]

LH Kimber of Oregon M84 in 6x47. A sweeter, better pointing, and easier carrying rifle simply does not exist. 6# 1.7 oz scoped!

Next is my fully custom Savage 116 with a 24" nutless 8 twist 5R rifled #2 contour SS Rock Creek chambered with a brand new custom ordered PT&G 6-284 reamer throated specifically for the 105-115 grain VLD's. 100% titanium speedlock FP, custom BAS, 5/8" Stockade BH, tuned three screw, and all set into a McMillan Hunter's EDGE inlet for the aluminum 700 TG. Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 in S&K ringmounts. 7# 3.3 oz. scoped.
I may switch out the scope and mounts to get this rifle to come in at or under my goal of 7# scoped. The present scope is really a great scope and there are no better mounts anywhere than the S&K's.
Folks told me you couldn't get a LA Savage with a 24" barrel to come in at 7# scoped but with a swap to the superb 3-9x33 VX-2 Ultralight and Talley LW's I'll do it and with only a 6mm hole in the barrel to boot.

Here are some pictures of the Savage.

http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab255/nsaqam/SAM_1304_zps047e4c24.jpg (http://s869.photobucket.com/user/nsaqam/media/SAM_1304_zps047e4c24.jpg.html)


http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab255/nsaqam/SAM_1306-1_zps095edf71.jpg (http://s869.photobucket.com/user/nsaqam/media/SAM_1306-1_zps095edf71.jpg.html)

And one of the Kimber and the Savage with two other lightweights.

http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab255/nsaqam/SAM_1301_zps751e20f3.jpg (http://s869.photobucket.com/user/nsaqam/media/SAM_1301_zps751e20f3.jpg.html)

The one above the Savage is an early 700KS (wearing a ridiculously heavy Vortex in this picture) and the top rifle is a very early ULA.


Might could say I'm a fan of lightweight full sized rifles.

[Artpro]

Bullet placement is where its at. Everything from rockchucks to elk have fallen to my Rem M7KS in 260 Rem, topped with a 2x7 Leupold that I got form Herters in 1969. Lightweight, accurate and hard hitting--it has all I need. However, anything over 450 yards, I let go.

[Onotajoe]

114 Euro Classic 30-06 (pre accutrigger). Extremely accurate. It is exactly what I want in an all around big game rifle. Oil finished walnut stock, monte carlo cheekpiece, iron sights, deep blued steel, and schnabel forearm. I stopped searching for my dream rifle the day I brought this one home 5 years ago. My go to deerslayer.