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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Topic: THE BEST RIFLE FOR WESTERN HUNTIN’ Posted: 12 July 2003 at 10:12 |
We are always making lists of what we want . . . and they are interesting . . . sometimes a little cuckoo . . . mine too . . . so I got to thinkin' while watching Shooters wookiees talking about fluting . . . . . . geez! Anyway . . . I think this is the best there is . . . and I will give some reasons why . . . sort of . . .
The rifle would have to be a Weatherby. Why? The best of course, but it would have to be a certain model. The best feature/cost rifle they make is the Fibermark Stainless. The Mark V action is the strongest made - will stand 200,000 CUP according to Weatherby. The Fibermark stock ain't no regular composite. It is a combination of Aramid, graphite, and fiberglass and it is pillar bedded. The stock is equipped with a Pachmayr Decelerator butt pad [best there is in my opinion], and the stainless steel/synthetic combo is a good bad weather rifle. Caliber for Western North America? The .300 Weatherby Magnum . . . of course. Will take anything from lagomorphs to Smokey the Bear!
The scope would have to be the silver & black Weaver Grand Slam in 3.5-10x50. Why? Matches appearance of rifle. Best overall range for Western hunting. 50mm objective for dim light enhancement. Has 1/8" MOA click stops. Field&Stream "Best of Best" award. Editors Choice at Outdoor Life. On & on. Brightest of the brightest by personal observation. Fully multi-coated lenses. Not all scopes are multi-coated.
Mounts? Only one way to go: Talley mounts and bases.
Nice things about this package is it really doesn't cost an "arm and a leg." You may pay more, but you won't do better!
Flame away! 
Edited by pocketnavy
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Lawdog
.30/06 SpringField
Joined: 14 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 278
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 11:17 |
pocketnavy
I’ll agree with the Weatherby but mine would have to be the Deluxe model. Just prefer the nice warm feeling you get from REAL wood(no laminates allowed). Also prefer that beautiful deep blue finish, no flashing stainless for me. Caliber choice is right on, .300 Weatherby Magnum. Scope, I’m not ready to trust Weaver again just yet so I would go with go with the Burris 4-16X with a 44mm lens. Main reason is because you can still get them in a blue finish that matches the Weatherby finish. Matching Burris rings and bases. Lawdog
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TasunkaWitko
Administrator
aka The Gipper
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14753
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 11:38 |
.30-06
my first choice would be a czech, yugo or german mauser, but an older rem 700 or win 70 would be just as fine. good (but not fancy) walnut, blue finish
scope - sightron s2, satin finish. 3-9x42.
now this combo really WOULD be affordable, and would knock anything dead out west.
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TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana  Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
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North Logan
.416 Rigby
aka The Legendary Lawman
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 1728
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 11:53 |
Hi Fred.......Okay, I'll play......
Browning A-bolt Stainless Stalker in .30-06 with a matte Leupold VariX-III 3.5-10x40mm. 
Regards, Marcus.

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"COLTS & PONY CARS"...
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NH_Hunter
.416 Rigby
aka The Kid
Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3508
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 12:41 |
Ruger m77mk2 LR .30-06 with a Leupold Vari-II Compact 2-7x28. Cant beat the light weight and fairly low cost of this pakage. Match this up with a 165 gr. Barnes X bullet, and you are good to go. For bruins, however, load up with 200 gr. Spitzers or 220 round nose and you got a sweet pakage. Cant forget the Claw rifle sling. Also, if you really want one you could add on a bipod, but wouldnt that bring the point of balance further ahead? I figure this setup is good enough.
NH_Hunter
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Leverguns make me smile
Proud Left Handed Shooter
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 12:48 |
OK . . . Marcus . . . looks like we are in the same thought process . . . very similar concepts. What kind of mounts? A little weak on power for me . . . for the ultimate chambering . . . if not a .300 Wby Mag then the .338 Win Mag has to be the best choice. Anything else is a "girl's gun."
Yeah LAWDOG . . . I know what you are saying . . . and I hated synthetics at first . . . put many a nasty remark on Shooters about them. I think what sold me, just recently, was a magazine article about some media dude somewhere "over there." Humidity played a nasty job on the wood stock, mold damage of the wood and ruined the blue finish . . . almost an instant attack of mold and rust. A synthetic/stainless would have solved HIS problem. BUT . . . it is much more dry here. The Weatherby Sporter doesn't cost much more, if any, and would be a "nicer" finish. The Grand Slam is gorgeous . . . even the dang box is cute . . . Burris gets their optics from Japan . . . so it may be a toss-up. I DO like their mounts.
Edited by pocketnavy
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NH_Hunter
.416 Rigby
aka The Kid
Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3508
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 12:50 |
The beauty of the Ruger is that the scope bases are integral and the rings are some of the best i have ever used!
NH_Hunter
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Leverguns make me smile
Proud Left Handed Shooter
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 12:52 |
Who makes "Ruger?"
Two Rugers, recently handled, really got my juices flowing. A MKII in 7x57 and one in .338 Win Mag. Nice! Prices great!
Seriously, a 2-7 just doesn't cut it out here. Great in the Southern and Eastern woods. I had a nice 2-7 44MAG. Replaced it with a Bushnell 3-9. Just a little more magnification for those common long shots . . . next scope will be 10X or more. [See LAWDOGS choice!]
Edited by pocketnavy
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:04 |
Hey Marcus . . . a female Akita would find a nice home here. Think my spouse is ready to switch! A Border Collie, ready to play, is a handful for a working girl! Exhausting to say the least. But I love the little booger . . . gawd she is cute . . . and smart. If she would just land once in awhile . . . to refuel if nothing else. She is actually taking a nap right now. One of God's miracles! 
Thought about Tikka on this rifle thing, but it would have to be SAKO first . . . but think the Weatherby out-classes it! Ruger isn't even in the running in this case. Right? 
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NH_Hunter
.416 Rigby
aka The Kid
Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3508
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:07 |
Dont push it Pocketnavy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
NH_Hunter
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Leverguns make me smile
Proud Left Handed Shooter
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:11 |
HUH?
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:20 |
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Seriously NH_HUNTER . . . months if not years of negative comments about Ruger's "lousy" triggers. Is that true? I am not trigger sensitive . . . so I don't care . . . but I do remember all the comments. Is all this true? Or is it the usual BS? If true . . . what is Ruger doing about it? I know Savage is offering better triggers. Just curious.
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NH_Hunter
.416 Rigby
aka The Kid
Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3508
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:28 |
Some people have problems with Ruger's new triggers because they are not as easy to adjust as the old ones. I personally think that the new Ruger triggers are fine. If you tried one and you didnt think so, then you just go to a gunsmith and have him/her adjust it for you. I guess the triggers are the only things people can comment on about Rugers. That is probably their only weakpoint if it even really matters. If you are just a regular old hunter, the trigger is fine. For all of the long range shooters however, they may have a problem with it.
NH_Hunter
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Leverguns make me smile
Proud Left Handed Shooter
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 13:35 |
Thanks NH . . . that's what I figured. All it takes is one unreasonable complaint for all hell to break loose! I sort of adjust to the triggers. I have never adjusted one. The one on my Howa is adjustable, but I don't want to mess with it.
I have had some Rugers. I had a Ruger 10/22 from the early years - had a REAL nice walnut stock. Cost me $60 new-in-the-box! Those days are gone. I also had a very nice Mini-14. I never shot it. I always shot my dad's! Saving mine for a rainy day I guess - but eventually sold it. I also had a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. REALLY liked it. My sales of guns were tied up in marital complaints - which need not be discussed on here . . . just very sad. New spouse has BOUGHT me guns . . . quite a change. 
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D.F.C.
.30/06 SpringField
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 499
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 14:26 |
"will stand 200,000 CUP according to Weatherby."
Fred, Give it up! The correct term is 200,000 pounds yield strength, not Copper Units of Pressure, which by the way is a relative pressure reading and is not absolute.
Dan
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 17:05 |
Danget Dan . . . may have to promote you to "Wookiee!" Never thought I would see the day. Anyway, quote from Weatherby 2002 Catalog, Page 3:
"The foundation for the Mark V was the need for a stronger, safer action, able to withstand tremendous pressure (up to 200,000 copper units of pressure - nearly three times that which is required), . . ."
Not being an engineer, all I can do is rely on their information. Now . . . what am I supposed to give up? Anyway . . . it is a helluva strong action. A steak dinner at the Outback will suffice 
Edited by pocketnavy
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Rob1
.416 Rigby
** The Walnut Whisperer **
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Vatican City State
Status: Offline
Points: 3413
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 17:18 |
and Tasco told you
"Called Tasco one time and talked to an engineer - didn't want to talk to a sales-type. He said the World Class Plus was as good as a Leupold!!!! Well . . . could be. Said it tested rock-solid - withstanding recoil from a .458 Winchester no sweat"
I'd be curious who the "Engineer" was, probably some kid who cleans the office after school. Far as I know Tasco is/was a marketing company not a scope manufacturer.
Edited by Rob1
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CB900F
Administrator
Honor, Integrity
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Eritrea
Status: Offline
Points: 8857
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 17:22 |
Pocket & all;
Been there, did that. Winchester new model 70 stainless left hand bolt with BOSS/CR. In a McMillan stock, free floated barrel. Uncle Mike's stainless QD 1.25" sling swivels and a Turner military sling. Leupold silver VariX III 3.5 X 10 50mm. In .30-06, of course. And, rather than being a fantasy gun, it's in my safe.
900F
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Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!
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pocketnavy
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Antarctica
Status: Offline
Points: 612
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 17:40 |
Phew . . . did you smell that CB? I think a wookiee is hiding around here someplace. Damn . . . what a foul odor! Reminds me of the javelinas I hunted in Texas. 
Oh well . . . we can ignore almost anything if we put our minds to it . . . continuing on . . . sounds like a great package. As I said before, I would want something a 'little" more powerful, but our .30-06s will certainly do the job. I like your choice of scope . . . at least as far as optics. Right in the area I would want. I have a 3x-9x, but not completely satisfied. Went from a 2-7 to a 3-9 . . . maybe something more? Wish more manufacturers would go the silver/nickel route. With guys buying more and more stainless steel, it would seem to be more desired. You like the BOSS?
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Rob1
.416 Rigby
** The Walnut Whisperer **
Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Vatican City State
Status: Offline
Points: 3413
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Posted: 12 July 2003 at 17:57 |
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Your a slow learner Fred. How many times do you have to start something and get your ass kicked before you learn? Wait with baited breath for the next outing, it will be far more embarrising than your ridiculous anti-gun history. The Tasco comment wasn't a flame. Toughen up buttercup.
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