- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,475
- 3,612
We all have a favorite or one we reach for, for many different reasons.
Which one is yours and why? :wink:
Which one is yours and why? :wink:
What big game rifle has the most notches?
- Thread starter FOTIS
- Start date
I have an M70 XTR 7mm Rem Mag with the black synthetic stock on it. Started out with a 4x Redifield. It was my first centerfire rifle. Shot deer, woodchucks, crows, a bull moose, caribou and bear with the rifle. Just really learned to love it. Thought it was a laser beam with 140gr PTs. Took the moose, caribou and some deer with the 160gr X bullet. Still have about 20 of them floating around. It is now in the care of one of my best friends. I figure when I get it back it will get a B&C Medalist as well. It shot just about everything well with my early handloads and is still a very capable rifle. I'm sure if it was sitting here in Va with me I probably would not have ordered that little 7WSM! Scotty
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 2,015
- 1,543
Well I have to say that its my Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless matte in 30-06. It has a walnut stock and a 24" tube and puts Nosler, Sierra, and Hornady bullets into neat groups at 100 and 200 yards all day long. I have a Leupy 3x9x40 VX-I on top with the Boone and Crockett Reticle though I have had other scopes on it in the past. I like the 165's as a well rounded load but have been known to shoot 150's, 180's, and even a few 200's through it. It likes them all acceptably. I have shot everything from crows and buzzards to coyotes and bobcats. Mule deer bucks and does and a wild hog or two. I got one antelope and several head of elk with it as well. Now I just need to get a cougar, mouflon sheep, bison, black bear, and maybe a Shiras Moose and I will have it all covered. I love this rifle. Bought it used in 2003 at Ace Hardware in John Day, Oregon. The instant I put it to my shoulder, I knew that it was leaving with me that day. It fits me like a custom gun and I have never lost an animal with it.
Now I have others I love just as dearly but if I could only have one rifle for everything this would be the one. And it has the most notches...
Now I have others I love just as dearly but if I could only have one rifle for everything this would be the one. And it has the most notches...
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,554
- 6,665
What I reach for now is not what I once reached for, and it likely won't be what I reach for at some future point. One of my Model 94s in .356 are as likely to accompany me as any other rifle. The cartridge is not a long-range proposition, but it reaches sufficiently far to tag most game in this area. It hits hard and puts game down cleanly. Previously, I would have said my 7 RM (Stainless Featherweight) was my "go to" rifle. It had taken everything I asked it to take and did so with authority. I still have it, but there is such competition in my safe that it doesn't accompany me quite as much as it once did. Actually, it has been supplanted by my 7mm WSM (Stainless Featherweight). Loaded with 160 grain ABs or 160 grain Sierra HPBTs, this is a hammer on game. I have recently found myself reaching for either my 325 WSM (Stainless Featherweight) or my 350 RM (Remington 673). The 325 is loaded with 200 grain PTs and the 350 is loaded with 200 grain TSXs. Either drops game with real authority. Nevertheless, and likely for sentimental reasons, one of the .356 Model 94s is as likely to accompany me as any of my other rifles.
bbearhntr
Handloader
- Apr 10, 2011
- 553
- 0
The rifle of mine that has the most notches would be my Browning Abolt 30-06. My dad helped me pay for half of it when I was still in highschool so I thas that sentimental factor to it. I shot my first deer, bear, and pretty much any other critter with it so it has a lot of fond memories too. I did recently upgrade the scope from the original Bushnell 3-9x40 to a Leupold VX3 4.5-14X40 WOW what a diference in glass :shock: :lol: It may take a back seat now to my new Xbolt 270WSM.....then again maybe not
Ridge_Runner
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2006
- 1,394
- 760
That would be my 7mm AM, its first season was the season of '06, its taken 29 deer in those 5 seasons by a bunch of different shooters, from 307 to 1350 yards, the most accurate least temperamental rifle I ever had in my hands
RR
RR
My stainless classic 338 WM Winchester M70. Bought it my Jr. year of high school (2002), and have taken three elk, one bear, two deer, a Kudu, warthaog, impala, and I can't even begin to guess on yotes. I have shot 185 XLC, 210 PT, 180 BT, 200 BT, 225 TSX &TTSX, and moslty 225 ABs out of it. Only the 200 BT hasn't taken game, and I was darn impressed with all the others!
If I could only have one big game rifle in my safe, that would be it.
If I could only have one big game rifle in my safe, that would be it.
Ridge_Runner
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2006
- 1,394
- 760
jmad_81":1z1dcnz4 said:
I have the same one Jake. Just put the B&C Medalist on it and man, it has really came into itself now that it is rid of that plastic stock. Love that 338WM. The Whelen and 338WM fight for my attention when the heavy lifting needs to get done.
RR- that is one awesome rifle buddy. Hoping to see it in person soon. Scotty
Bruce Mc
Handloader
- Oct 26, 2005
- 1,330
- 733
My Rem 700 Classic .257 Roberts has more field time than any I have. I use it for coyotes and javelinas and for hunts when I'm specifically shooting does. By chance my largest whitetail buck was taken with the Bob. That day I wasn't intent on killing a buck but it just happened that way. Well over 100 critters have fallen to Bob. But when I go for serious big game I have always chosen a 7mm Rem Mag. First it was Kleingunther, then a Rem 700 BDL, and now its a Mod 70 Win Sporter. My Model 70 has taken eight critters with only seven shots. Thats one antelope, three whitetail bucks, two does (one shot), and two coyotes. I missed a muley buck last year with my Model 700 .25-06 so it needs some rehap to get over the bad juju.
HeathSexton
Handloader
- May 12, 2006
- 1,209
- 41
.260 Remington 700 Mountain Rifle, I have packed it a ton and smoked a lot of critters with it.
I guess probably an M70 Classic Stainless, mainly because it was my first SS rifle, so I wan't really worried about it getting beat up, like I do with my 700 Classics. Whether it will remain top dog is somewhat up in the air, as I have picked up a bunch more SS rifles, but I also bought a McMillan stock for it. And I've been thinking about picking up an M70 Sporter in .338 WinMag. But then I'm back to the blued steel/wood problem.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,623
- 9,857
The big game rifle with the most notches is my M700 Classic 35 Whelen topped off with a Vari X III 2.5-8x36mm scope. It has taken 17 WT and a bear.
The favorite rifle that I have looked to as my do all rifle is a M700 LSS 338 RUM topped off with a Mark 4 4.5-14x40mm scope. It has taken elk, mule deer, wt and a bear.
JD338
The favorite rifle that I have looked to as my do all rifle is a M700 LSS 338 RUM topped off with a Mark 4 4.5-14x40mm scope. It has taken elk, mule deer, wt and a bear.
JD338
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
Mine would be a custom built 7mm08 on a Sako action with a Shilen #1 contour barrel. It has taken 3 elk (1 5X5 bull...2 cows) and 17 deer (mulie and whitetail). It weighs 6 lbs, 12 oz with a 3X9 Swarovski scope and will put 140 grain Swift A-frames under MOA for 3 shots any time. This rifle has not been shot for 5 years because of the need to bloody some newer rifles.
If we talk notches, it is the model 94 30-30 safe-queen that was my dads. That has taken well over 70 deer and 3 black bear, but only 2 notches where I squeezed the trigger.
If we talk notches, it is the model 94 30-30 safe-queen that was my dads. That has taken well over 70 deer and 3 black bear, but only 2 notches where I squeezed the trigger.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
This is a Model 70 Super Grade with a custom stock, built in 1949 (stamped under barrel) and has been owned by only two people. I bought it from the original owner in 1974 and he had cut the original stock to lighten it and side tapped it for a side mount peep sight.
I had a Bastogne walnut blank that I had traded for a Sako rifles and had Jules Bantchni through London Guns, Santa Monica, CA make a classic stock for the rifle from this blank. I also had metal work done on the rifle to weld and recut the lettering on the action where the holes had been tapped. The stock in itself is not what makes the rifle special. It is the fact that I have hunted with this rifle for deer every year since 1975, when I got it back from the stockmaker. I stopped counting after 20 years and about 40 deer later but it has killed a deer for me in several states while hunting every year that I have used the rifle.
It has killed every deer that I ever shot with it from 50 to 350 yards with a single shot. I have no idea how any deer it has killed but I know that it is well over 40 deer. The rifle is a .270 Winchester. I have certainly used many other rifles over the period since I started hunting in 1956 and even during the 38 years that I have owned this rifle but this rifle has killed more game for me than any other rifle that I have ever owned. Both deer and antelope have fallen to this rifle. Surprisingly, the first antelope that I ever shot with it in 1976 was the only animal that has required two shots to kill it.
The rifle is now well marked and shows signs of use certainly but is still a special rifle to me of very high quality. The rifle currently has a Kahles scope on it, with TDS rings, unlike the Minox in the photo.
I had a Bastogne walnut blank that I had traded for a Sako rifles and had Jules Bantchni through London Guns, Santa Monica, CA make a classic stock for the rifle from this blank. I also had metal work done on the rifle to weld and recut the lettering on the action where the holes had been tapped. The stock in itself is not what makes the rifle special. It is the fact that I have hunted with this rifle for deer every year since 1975, when I got it back from the stockmaker. I stopped counting after 20 years and about 40 deer later but it has killed a deer for me in several states while hunting every year that I have used the rifle.
It has killed every deer that I ever shot with it from 50 to 350 yards with a single shot. I have no idea how any deer it has killed but I know that it is well over 40 deer. The rifle is a .270 Winchester. I have certainly used many other rifles over the period since I started hunting in 1956 and even during the 38 years that I have owned this rifle but this rifle has killed more game for me than any other rifle that I have ever owned. Both deer and antelope have fallen to this rifle. Surprisingly, the first antelope that I ever shot with it in 1976 was the only animal that has required two shots to kill it.
The rifle is now well marked and shows signs of use certainly but is still a special rifle to me of very high quality. The rifle currently has a Kahles scope on it, with TDS rings, unlike the Minox in the photo.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,278
- 709
Ruger #1B in 30-06 with a fixed power 4x Leupold. I love those #1's and this thing really shoots. I've shot coyotes, gophers, antelope, deer, black bear, and elk with it. When I pull this rifle up to my shoulder it just seems to point really well and feel right. There is something that just beckons one to use a single-shot!
Remington Model 700 MTN rifle in 280 Remington with a 6x Leupold. That also was (I sold it
) a go to rifle. It shot really well and was great to carry. That 280 Remington is one fantastic cartridge too! I shot a lot of coyotes, deer, antelope, and elk with it. I need to get another 280 Remington to replace it. Winchester Model 70 classic sporter or EW-SS would be really nice!
Remington Model 700 MTN rifle in 280 Remington with a 6x Leupold. That also was (I sold it
) a go to rifle. It shot really well and was great to carry. That 280 Remington is one fantastic cartridge too! I shot a lot of coyotes, deer, antelope, and elk with it. I need to get another 280 Remington to replace it. Winchester Model 70 classic sporter or EW-SS would be really nice!
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 717
- 680
Sauer 202 25-06 topped by a Leupold VX-III 4.5x14 in Burris mounts. I've shot nothing at game except 100 gr BT's and so far the whitetails fold at the shot.
It hasn't killed as many deer as some of the other rifles listed on this thread since I've gotten into the habit of trying different calibers every year, just to be different. But, if I want proven performance, this is it.
Ron
It hasn't killed as many deer as some of the other rifles listed on this thread since I've gotten into the habit of trying different calibers every year, just to be different. But, if I want proven performance, this is it.
Ron
- Thread starter
- #20
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,475
- 3,612
I guess mine would be my 416 Wby mag.
And that is because I sell everything prior to bleeding them! :roll:
And that is because I sell everything prior to bleeding them! :roll:
