Rifles that Need to be Hunted (or loads developed for) in 2025

[Blkram]

Blkram, I keep eyeballing the 22 Hornet Low Wall when they pop up. I don’t have a 22 cal centerfire in the safe.

My brain kept coming back to this thread last night when I couldn’t sleep. I realised I have quite a few more unfired rifles in the safe including a beautiful #1 B in 6.5 Creed. I really need to finish my house remodel so I can go shoot some.

A friend has a Low Wall in 22 Hornet, with really pretty wood. Had my eye on it for a while now...if he should ever decide to sell it, it may become that 221 Fireball I have been thinking about for 30 years.

Best of luck on your remodel...then you can get to those rifles that are waiting for your attention.

 

[Blkram]

This is a hard one, but some that need attention are:

Winchester 70 in 7mm Rem Mag
Browning 1895 in 30-06
Ruger #1AB in 30-06
Ruger #1B in .280 Rem
Remington 81 in .300 Sav
Remington 141 in .35 Rem
Marlin 336 in 30-30
Springfield M1 in 30-06
Muzzleloaders (3) in .50
S&W in .41 Mag (has not been shot since scope was mounted 3 years ago)

I seem to always migrate to my favorites

Always a challenge, to take out another rifle when you have those favourites calling out to you when you open the safe to grab a rifle to take hunting...

But one of those neglected rifles just may become one of the new favourites if given the chance!

I shot my first deer with my grandfather's Marlin 336 in 30-30...will always have a place as a favourite rifle make and model.
I briefly owned a Rem 141 in 35 Rem with really pretty wood...shot nice...just didn't grab my fancy like the Marlin 336 CS I got for wife has.
I also have owned a S&W in 41 Rem Mag...just like my NMBH's better.

 

[Blkram]

Tikka T3x Stainless Hunter in 6.5x55
Weatherby Mark V Accumark in 257 Weatherby
Sig P220 Hunter in 10mm

Those three are up to deer hunt this year and none have gone hunting yet or a load developed. Also wouldn't mind working up a load in my Marlin 336 in 35 Rem with the RCBS 200gr FN bullets I cast a few years back. So many choices...

It has been written by a gun writer that the 6.5x55 may be the best whitetail cartridge out there...led me to get my first Swede back in 1994. I have spent more time handloading for it, and shooting it than any other centerfire cartridge since. A great cartridge; easy to load for, accurate, and fun to shoot with mild recoil. Also fun to hunt with!
I have taken whitetail with it, but also stones sheep, moose, caribou and elk.

As mentioned in my opening post, I am looking forward to shooting and hunting with my newest to me Swede...a bucket list factory LH mannlicher stocked rifle!

 

[GregoryB.]

Now I found a beautiful Ruger 77 RSI walnut/stainless in 275 Rigby in back of the safe. The guy sold it to me because he couldn’t bring himself to fire it. I need to work up a load for it with 140gr NBT’s.

 

[hunter24605]

I have really neglected a rifle I got from a buddy 4-5 years ago. It's a SC made M70-Fwt that started life as a 30-06 and he had it re-barreled to 6.5-06. I've never sent a bullet out the muzzle! I want to use the 6-ARC for coyote, I shot one with it a while back, but it disappeared into a bunch of felled tree tops following Helene. I'm working on an SBR Grendel (12"). Light and quick handling for opportunity shots from inside the UTV for nighttime hogs. I also have a Savage 110 30-06 collecting dust for several years that's only had a few shots to zero the scope and no more. My others work through the rotation pretty regularly.

 

[Joec7651]

I have 4 that haven’t been fired yet. A 308 win that just got a new McGowen barrel, Timney trigger, and a PT&G bolt head. This one has been hunted with and taken deer, but hasn’t been shot since the new barrel.

2 new AR’s, both are 16” nitrided barrels. One has a carbine length gas system and the other is mid length. I added Timney triggers to them as well.

Last is a new Vanguard Sporter in 270 Win that hasn’t been fired yet. As you all may have read it’s waiting on rings and base.

 

[Blkram]

I have really neglected a rifle I got from a buddy 4-5 years ago. It's a SC made M70-Fwt that started life as a 30-06 and he had it re-barreled to 6.5-06. I've never sent a bullet out the muzzle! I want to use the 6-ARC for coyote, I shot one with it a while back, but it disappeared into a bunch of felled tree tops following Helene. I'm working on an SBR Grendel (12"). Light and quick handling for opportunity shots from inside the UTV for nighttime hogs. I also have a Savage 110 30-06 collecting dust for several years that's only had a few shots to zero the scope and no more. My others work through the rotation pretty regularly.

Love to hear how you make out with that 6.5-06!

 

[Thebear_78]

I’ve got a couple new ones that need to get loads worked out and taken hunting. I’m pretty excited to get them working.

Seekins element in 7prc with 4-22 vortex LHT.

Another is a weatherby backcountry 2.0 in 338 RPM wearing a 2.5-10x32 NXS

I also have a 45cal suppressor in NFA timeout and a 1854 44 mag and a marlin magpul trapper waiting for the supressor.

I don’t have a picture of the marlin yet.

Last is a desert tech WLVRN in 308

I doubt this one will see any hunting but will be my truck/TEOTWAWKI RIFLE.