why do so few use semi auto elk rifles?
HERES A NICE ELK (no not one I shot but still nice) just one picture I thought was damn impressive
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
when I first started elk hunting all my mentors used Remington slide action 30/06 or bolt action 30/06 rifles, I soon swapped to a 340 wby, but a few years later I was offered a great deal on a BAR in 338 win, it proved to be both accurate and 100% dependable if used with the correct hand loads and the semi auto action obviously soaked up recoil, to a huge degree, a few years later I was given a 270 win BAR and it has also been one of the most accurate and dependable deer rifles Ive ever used, so why do you see so few semi autos used out in the field for elk and deer, Ive seen more guys with single shot falling blocks in the field, and bolt and lever actions and slide actions are much more common.
Ive used a 338 win loaded with 225 hornady bullets on a couple elk with ZERO problems
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/146325 ... box-of-100
66 grains of H414 in that 338 win load, worked best in my BAR
http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/33 ... rains.aspx
Ive loaned out my 338 win BAR and every one who has used it remarked on both its accuracy and low recoil,most guys got elk, or deer using it,I got lots of complements on the rifle, yet they don,t seem to go out and buy one, when I purchased a 35 whelen slide action, and when I bought a 358 win BLR half the guys in my elk hunters club had also purchased one within a few years?
Ive never had that 270 bar,or 338 BAR jam or malfunction, both are easily able to deliver 1"-1.2" groups at 100 yards off a bench rest,with most ammo, better with some loads, both will allow almost instant second and third shots if they were ever required so why are they not more popular?
yeah! the only thing I can think of is its most likely the high price, easily 1/3rd more too twice what some of the other rifles cost in some cases? but I see SAKO, colt and weatherby rifles that cost even more in the field, SO I don,t think thats it?
Ive seen a few guys show up with Remington 7400 and 742 rifles but at least among my group they have a reputation for less than impressive accuracy and occasional malfunctions unlike the similar 7600 or 760 remingtons which are highly regarded
a properly cared for and maintained semi auto will function in almost any conditions a bolt action will, in my experience , the problem is that so few people correctly maintain EITHER type of action under field conditions, most assume wiping the outside of the rifle with an oily rag and running a bore brush thru the bore is all thats required. a few may partly disassemble the rifle and spray a bit of oil but careful cleaning , degreasing and use of the proper lubricants is mandatory,
our troops used the garand,M14, browning BAR and MI carbine under horrible conditions and when properly maintained they continue to function
Ive used a 340 wby and 375 H&H on most ELK HUNTS
if you hand load, most auto loaders operate best with powder burn rates that are NOT on the overly slow end of the charts, Ive rarely found anything slower burning than about h4831 can be hard on the actions.
( in many calibers, but especially 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag)
EXAMPLE
THE BUFFER PAD IN A TYPICAL BROWNING BAR
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacture ... -38573.htm
takes a beating with slower burning powders , in some cases even with zero other pressure signs on the cases
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ss/how ... -rifle.htm
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/re ... wning__BAR
slower powders tend to be rougher on the buffer, my 338 BAR works fine with H414, and WW760 but H4831 will over time beat the buffer up
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html
I got asked why I had not suggested a Browning BAR in caliber 300 win mag ?
theres not a damn thing wrong with the Browning BAR, and I have used one in caliber 338 win on a couple hunts
I have too point out the rifle type action and caliber you use, is and always has been in my experience,
far less important than having the skill and knowledge to find and get close to elk/deer,
and use your knowledge of terrain and foliage ,to get very close to game
I can,t think of a single valid reason to not have selected the BAR other than ,
I have almost constantly and consistently walked out the door in the past with a browning 78 falling block in 300 wby or the BLR in 358 win.
I guess its something like some guys like blondes, or red-heads and I like long legged brunettes with big boobs
theres no logic used in accounting for personal preference.
you can't really have many issues with H4831 or IMR 4831 but I prefer the 150 grain speer bullets in a 270 win.
I have a BAR in both 270 win and 300 win mag,
btw Ive also used a speer 200 grain bullet over a stiff load of H4831 in a browning BAR, for mule deer,
with a 215 federal primer, used on mule deer, it no more or less lethal, and it kicks a bit harder but , I'll point out its also been a consistently accurate combo!
the one attribute it does seem to have is its use
(200 grain bullet/300 win mag/ BAR) irks my hunting buddies,
if I use it on mule deer, but not so much on elk,
I find it amusing, and a bit confusing, in that I don't really understand why my choice in rifle or handload combos,
can in any way effect them. but if you lack a reason to start a heated and pointless conversation, tell the guy next to you you have a 300 win mag in a bar you intend to use on mule deer hunts..... its always resulted in a pointless and sometimes mildly heated discussion... I don't really know why, it works well, and if you place shots in the lower,. heart/lungs its been very consistent/lethal and does not destroy any more meat than the 270 150 grain combo does in my experience.
now that being stated I can,t think of a single reason that you would not be perfectly armed with a 300 win mag or 338 win mag BAR
or with a browning 78 falling block in 300 wby or the BLR in 358 win.
the only thing I will point out is that the BAR and B78 are both exceptionally well made rifles,
that have both metal and wood finished to a glass like mirror finish,
so to both protect the Finish and to keep that mirror like shine,
from letting every person or animal within several thousand yards seeing that flash, from that gorgeous, high quality,surface,
and reflected sun light like if you were carrying a couple large mirrors I have always purchased a couple girls/womens support hose.
I tie/dye them in light grey and tan and sage green and that slipped over the stock front and back provides some protection and allows you to hunt with no flashy surface
(BTW I also do the same thing with all my hunting rifles, but its MANDATORY with the BAR and B78 as those are always exceptionally shiny)
https://www.amazon.com/Rit-Dye-Liqu...rd_wg=XWJGL&psc=1&refRID=76B07JG0351Q51W95D4E
and a dozen large rubber bands
THESE PICTURE's POSTED BELOW ARE OF THE TYPE OF AREA I HUNT FREQUENTLY FOR ELK,
to successfully hunt similar areas you need to be very observant,
of the extreme edges of your visual reach over the full 360 degrees surrounding you, while you move through the terrain,
into the areas that elk prefer to travel through and bed in,
and yes you need too move slowly enough to not be easily noticed by the game as you travel through their home and secure areas.
once your familiar with hunting elk in the timber you'll rather quickly realize
you'll rarely get shots over 70-90 yards , but you'll also find you need to make rapid accurate shots from quickly acquired field positions, from the time you see an elk to the time you need to take an accurate shot , may and most likely will be under 10-15 seconds, thats not much time to assess the games horns and the body shot angles to place a lethal shot, thats also why rifles like a 358 win or 450 marlin BLR make a damn effective choice
PRODUCTIVE ELK HUNTING COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE, HAS BEEN MOSTLY SIMILAR TO THESE PICTURES POSTED BELOW
Id remind anyone looking to purchase an accurate dependable hunting rifle that youll want high quality optics and rock solid scope mounts, the best rifle available will be seriously hampered if its not matched to clear and solidly consistent optics!
one of the most common failures I've seen over the decades was not related to the basic rifle function (although that did on occasion happen) but much more commonly loose scope mounts or cheap optics that failed to retain zero or fogged.
for most hunting you don,t need some huge high magnification scope , what you need is decent quality and rock solid dependability.
the newer LEOPOLD and NIKON 30mm tube size scopes are mostly an excellent value for the price.
yes theres hundreds of options, but if your looking for a good value Id suggest you want to select one with top quality optics for the price, a 30mm tube and 50mm front lens in a well known respected brand is a good start point for good low light transmission and clear target,vision. something similar to these linked below would provide an excellent match to a deer or elk rifle to be used for precise shot placement with most reasonable caliber elk/deer rifles, set on the lowest setting they allow you to make very rapid and accurate shots, if you have the time to get a solid field position, jack the magnification up as required.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
https://www.opticsplanet.com/v/12325-browning-blr-scout-style-mount.html
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/519551/weaver-6-hole-weaver-style-rings-matte?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories&utm_content=519551&cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories-_-Weaver-_-519551&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6X4zMqA2QIV2brACh0otQ2aEAQYAiABEgIgfPD_BwE
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917995/weaver-surethread-adhesive-10-ml
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...25-10x-50mm-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-matte
most modern quality scopes are far better than they used to be, but there are some advantages to buying the larger objective lens and 30mm tube designs.
if you've ever taken a scope like one these out at dusk too actually compare how clear the details are you can see, you might be amazed at the difference between the scopes similar to these compared to the older 1" tube and smaller lens size scopes, the newer scopes are a quantum leap in quality over the scopes available even 10-15 years ago.
If you get the chance take out several rifles with different optics , out at dusk and look at fine details on something like a fence at even 150 yards, the difference in the finer detail you can see in less than ideal lighting will astound you!
(this may not seem that important as most scopes look crystal clear in some well lighted store, but if your still hunting the thick timber at dawn or dusk it makes a world of difference if your trying to figure out if your looking at antlers or branches in the lodge pole timber
in my experience youll get about 90% of your shots looking like these, at under 200 yards rather than game standing out in a well lighted field
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
LOWER CANYON
upper canyon
picture yourself slowly walking, in a walk 20-40 yards ,stop and glass,for 10-12 minutes, along the slope on one side of the canyon about 200 yards up from the bottom while your hunting companion walks the opposite slope , you'll find this method quite effective, especially if a second pair of hunters start hunting from the opposite end of the canyon, elk spotting one hunter will generally move making them more easily seen from the opposite slope.
have you ever had a ridiculous discussion over which rifle caliber or bullet config was the universal or ideal rifle ?
now there is really no way too logically and rationally debate what particular rifle or cartridge is ideal, or reason with some guy who wants to promote a certain projectile, or action type is the ideal combo?
the fact is that the guy using that rifle and his confidence in it and familiarity using it has a huge effect on his proficiency, or likely success.
most of the discussions are all but useless without detailed context on the conditions you'll be hunting in and the game and ranges, involved an that constantly changes as you can,t reasonably predict what you'll encounter.
simply because the skill and physical conditioning and experience of the guy with the rifle, the factors of the ranges game is shot from,the rifles weight, and barrel length, bullet impact angles, terrain altitudes, the projectile trajectory, the need to rapidly compensate too match the games movement and size of the game your hunting constantly change.
smiling and agreeing is probably the best route out of the discussion, especially if your experience and views on that subject tend too differ a great deal!.
what might be ideal on one particular hunt might be far less useful on the next hunt.
if I hunt mule deer in the thick timber in the warner wilderness in norther California,
Id have dozens of options, but damn few would be ideal for mule deer in Wyoming on sage brush flats.
now obviously you could get a 270 win or a 300 win mag or 7mm mag , a good bolt action, too work reasonably well in both types of terrain,
but that does not make those rifles or cartridges the only viable or ,the best possible choice in either area, and a single shot falling block or a semi auto in a different cartridge might be equally useful.
I lot of the time if I go to the local 200 yard rifle range I'll have some guy come over and start up a conversation and discussing what rifle I've chosen to take out to the range , vs what they may have or think is the best option, this subject seems to interest a good percentage of the gentlemen I meet, but I generally just smile and nod, as at times I think they are simply trying hard to justify a previous purchase... especially when I see they have no real skill with or even a good grasp on the rifle they owns trajectory, or potential accuracy, of the rifle they own.
(many can,t sight in a rifle and think a 3" 25 yard group is OK, and once thats accomplished the rifles now correctly set up for hunting.)
I learned long ago to not voice any on some other guys rifle choice or voice my opinion unless I was asked and that 99% of the time vit was just a conversation starter they wanted.
as ive stated several times its much more important that you have a good deal of experience with what ever rifle you own than what is stamped on the case
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-you-don-t-sight-dead-on-at-100-yards.14018/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/printable-targets-and-sighting-in.4560/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...looking-for-a-good-7mm-rem-mag-elk-load.6270/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
HERES A NICE ELK (no not one I shot but still nice) just one picture I thought was damn impressive
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
when I first started elk hunting all my mentors used Remington slide action 30/06 or bolt action 30/06 rifles, I soon swapped to a 340 wby, but a few years later I was offered a great deal on a BAR in 338 win, it proved to be both accurate and 100% dependable if used with the correct hand loads and the semi auto action obviously soaked up recoil, to a huge degree, a few years later I was given a 270 win BAR and it has also been one of the most accurate and dependable deer rifles Ive ever used, so why do you see so few semi autos used out in the field for elk and deer, Ive seen more guys with single shot falling blocks in the field, and bolt and lever actions and slide actions are much more common.
Ive used a 338 win loaded with 225 hornady bullets on a couple elk with ZERO problems
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/146325 ... box-of-100
66 grains of H414 in that 338 win load, worked best in my BAR
http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/33 ... rains.aspx
Ive loaned out my 338 win BAR and every one who has used it remarked on both its accuracy and low recoil,most guys got elk, or deer using it,I got lots of complements on the rifle, yet they don,t seem to go out and buy one, when I purchased a 35 whelen slide action, and when I bought a 358 win BLR half the guys in my elk hunters club had also purchased one within a few years?
Ive never had that 270 bar,or 338 BAR jam or malfunction, both are easily able to deliver 1"-1.2" groups at 100 yards off a bench rest,with most ammo, better with some loads, both will allow almost instant second and third shots if they were ever required so why are they not more popular?
yeah! the only thing I can think of is its most likely the high price, easily 1/3rd more too twice what some of the other rifles cost in some cases? but I see SAKO, colt and weatherby rifles that cost even more in the field, SO I don,t think thats it?
Ive seen a few guys show up with Remington 7400 and 742 rifles but at least among my group they have a reputation for less than impressive accuracy and occasional malfunctions unlike the similar 7600 or 760 remingtons which are highly regarded
a properly cared for and maintained semi auto will function in almost any conditions a bolt action will, in my experience , the problem is that so few people correctly maintain EITHER type of action under field conditions, most assume wiping the outside of the rifle with an oily rag and running a bore brush thru the bore is all thats required. a few may partly disassemble the rifle and spray a bit of oil but careful cleaning , degreasing and use of the proper lubricants is mandatory,
our troops used the garand,M14, browning BAR and MI carbine under horrible conditions and when properly maintained they continue to function
Ive used a 340 wby and 375 H&H on most ELK HUNTS
if you hand load, most auto loaders operate best with powder burn rates that are NOT on the overly slow end of the charts, Ive rarely found anything slower burning than about h4831 can be hard on the actions.
( in many calibers, but especially 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag)
EXAMPLE
THE BUFFER PAD IN A TYPICAL BROWNING BAR
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacture ... -38573.htm
takes a beating with slower burning powders , in some cases even with zero other pressure signs on the cases
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ss/how ... -rifle.htm
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/re ... wning__BAR
slower powders tend to be rougher on the buffer, my 338 BAR works fine with H414, and WW760 but H4831 will over time beat the buffer up
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html
I got asked why I had not suggested a Browning BAR in caliber 300 win mag ?
theres not a damn thing wrong with the Browning BAR, and I have used one in caliber 338 win on a couple hunts
I have too point out the rifle type action and caliber you use, is and always has been in my experience,
far less important than having the skill and knowledge to find and get close to elk/deer,
and use your knowledge of terrain and foliage ,to get very close to game
I can,t think of a single valid reason to not have selected the BAR other than ,
I have almost constantly and consistently walked out the door in the past with a browning 78 falling block in 300 wby or the BLR in 358 win.
I guess its something like some guys like blondes, or red-heads and I like long legged brunettes with big boobs
theres no logic used in accounting for personal preference.
you can't really have many issues with H4831 or IMR 4831 but I prefer the 150 grain speer bullets in a 270 win.
I have a BAR in both 270 win and 300 win mag,
btw Ive also used a speer 200 grain bullet over a stiff load of H4831 in a browning BAR, for mule deer,
with a 215 federal primer, used on mule deer, it no more or less lethal, and it kicks a bit harder but , I'll point out its also been a consistently accurate combo!
the one attribute it does seem to have is its use
(200 grain bullet/300 win mag/ BAR) irks my hunting buddies,
if I use it on mule deer, but not so much on elk,
I find it amusing, and a bit confusing, in that I don't really understand why my choice in rifle or handload combos,
can in any way effect them. but if you lack a reason to start a heated and pointless conversation, tell the guy next to you you have a 300 win mag in a bar you intend to use on mule deer hunts..... its always resulted in a pointless and sometimes mildly heated discussion... I don't really know why, it works well, and if you place shots in the lower,. heart/lungs its been very consistent/lethal and does not destroy any more meat than the 270 150 grain combo does in my experience.
now that being stated I can,t think of a single reason that you would not be perfectly armed with a 300 win mag or 338 win mag BAR
or with a browning 78 falling block in 300 wby or the BLR in 358 win.
the only thing I will point out is that the BAR and B78 are both exceptionally well made rifles,
that have both metal and wood finished to a glass like mirror finish,
so to both protect the Finish and to keep that mirror like shine,
from letting every person or animal within several thousand yards seeing that flash, from that gorgeous, high quality,surface,
and reflected sun light like if you were carrying a couple large mirrors I have always purchased a couple girls/womens support hose.
I tie/dye them in light grey and tan and sage green and that slipped over the stock front and back provides some protection and allows you to hunt with no flashy surface
(BTW I also do the same thing with all my hunting rifles, but its MANDATORY with the BAR and B78 as those are always exceptionally shiny)
https://www.amazon.com/Rit-Dye-Liqu...rd_wg=XWJGL&psc=1&refRID=76B07JG0351Q51W95D4E
and a dozen large rubber bands
THESE PICTURE's POSTED BELOW ARE OF THE TYPE OF AREA I HUNT FREQUENTLY FOR ELK,
to successfully hunt similar areas you need to be very observant,
of the extreme edges of your visual reach over the full 360 degrees surrounding you, while you move through the terrain,
into the areas that elk prefer to travel through and bed in,
and yes you need too move slowly enough to not be easily noticed by the game as you travel through their home and secure areas.
once your familiar with hunting elk in the timber you'll rather quickly realize
you'll rarely get shots over 70-90 yards , but you'll also find you need to make rapid accurate shots from quickly acquired field positions, from the time you see an elk to the time you need to take an accurate shot , may and most likely will be under 10-15 seconds, thats not much time to assess the games horns and the body shot angles to place a lethal shot, thats also why rifles like a 358 win or 450 marlin BLR make a damn effective choice
PRODUCTIVE ELK HUNTING COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE, HAS BEEN MOSTLY SIMILAR TO THESE PICTURES POSTED BELOW
Id remind anyone looking to purchase an accurate dependable hunting rifle that youll want high quality optics and rock solid scope mounts, the best rifle available will be seriously hampered if its not matched to clear and solidly consistent optics!
one of the most common failures I've seen over the decades was not related to the basic rifle function (although that did on occasion happen) but much more commonly loose scope mounts or cheap optics that failed to retain zero or fogged.
for most hunting you don,t need some huge high magnification scope , what you need is decent quality and rock solid dependability.
the newer LEOPOLD and NIKON 30mm tube size scopes are mostly an excellent value for the price.
yes theres hundreds of options, but if your looking for a good value Id suggest you want to select one with top quality optics for the price, a 30mm tube and 50mm front lens in a well known respected brand is a good start point for good low light transmission and clear target,vision. something similar to these linked below would provide an excellent match to a deer or elk rifle to be used for precise shot placement with most reasonable caliber elk/deer rifles, set on the lowest setting they allow you to make very rapid and accurate shots, if you have the time to get a solid field position, jack the magnification up as required.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
https://www.opticsplanet.com/v/12325-browning-blr-scout-style-mount.html
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/519551/weaver-6-hole-weaver-style-rings-matte?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories&utm_content=519551&cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories-_-Weaver-_-519551&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6X4zMqA2QIV2brACh0otQ2aEAQYAiABEgIgfPD_BwE
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917995/weaver-surethread-adhesive-10-ml
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...25-10x-50mm-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-matte
most modern quality scopes are far better than they used to be, but there are some advantages to buying the larger objective lens and 30mm tube designs.
if you've ever taken a scope like one these out at dusk too actually compare how clear the details are you can see, you might be amazed at the difference between the scopes similar to these compared to the older 1" tube and smaller lens size scopes, the newer scopes are a quantum leap in quality over the scopes available even 10-15 years ago.
If you get the chance take out several rifles with different optics , out at dusk and look at fine details on something like a fence at even 150 yards, the difference in the finer detail you can see in less than ideal lighting will astound you!
(this may not seem that important as most scopes look crystal clear in some well lighted store, but if your still hunting the thick timber at dawn or dusk it makes a world of difference if your trying to figure out if your looking at antlers or branches in the lodge pole timber
in my experience youll get about 90% of your shots looking like these, at under 200 yards rather than game standing out in a well lighted field
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
LOWER CANYON
upper canyon
picture yourself slowly walking, in a walk 20-40 yards ,stop and glass,for 10-12 minutes, along the slope on one side of the canyon about 200 yards up from the bottom while your hunting companion walks the opposite slope , you'll find this method quite effective, especially if a second pair of hunters start hunting from the opposite end of the canyon, elk spotting one hunter will generally move making them more easily seen from the opposite slope.
have you ever had a ridiculous discussion over which rifle caliber or bullet config was the universal or ideal rifle ?
now there is really no way too logically and rationally debate what particular rifle or cartridge is ideal, or reason with some guy who wants to promote a certain projectile, or action type is the ideal combo?
the fact is that the guy using that rifle and his confidence in it and familiarity using it has a huge effect on his proficiency, or likely success.
most of the discussions are all but useless without detailed context on the conditions you'll be hunting in and the game and ranges, involved an that constantly changes as you can,t reasonably predict what you'll encounter.
simply because the skill and physical conditioning and experience of the guy with the rifle, the factors of the ranges game is shot from,the rifles weight, and barrel length, bullet impact angles, terrain altitudes, the projectile trajectory, the need to rapidly compensate too match the games movement and size of the game your hunting constantly change.
smiling and agreeing is probably the best route out of the discussion, especially if your experience and views on that subject tend too differ a great deal!.
what might be ideal on one particular hunt might be far less useful on the next hunt.
if I hunt mule deer in the thick timber in the warner wilderness in norther California,
Id have dozens of options, but damn few would be ideal for mule deer in Wyoming on sage brush flats.
now obviously you could get a 270 win or a 300 win mag or 7mm mag , a good bolt action, too work reasonably well in both types of terrain,
but that does not make those rifles or cartridges the only viable or ,the best possible choice in either area, and a single shot falling block or a semi auto in a different cartridge might be equally useful.
I lot of the time if I go to the local 200 yard rifle range I'll have some guy come over and start up a conversation and discussing what rifle I've chosen to take out to the range , vs what they may have or think is the best option, this subject seems to interest a good percentage of the gentlemen I meet, but I generally just smile and nod, as at times I think they are simply trying hard to justify a previous purchase... especially when I see they have no real skill with or even a good grasp on the rifle they owns trajectory, or potential accuracy, of the rifle they own.
(many can,t sight in a rifle and think a 3" 25 yard group is OK, and once thats accomplished the rifles now correctly set up for hunting.)
I learned long ago to not voice any on some other guys rifle choice or voice my opinion unless I was asked and that 99% of the time vit was just a conversation starter they wanted.
as ive stated several times its much more important that you have a good deal of experience with what ever rifle you own than what is stamped on the case
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-you-don-t-sight-dead-on-at-100-yards.14018/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/printable-targets-and-sighting-in.4560/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...looking-for-a-good-7mm-rem-mag-elk-load.6270/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
Last edited by a moderator: