What makes a great hunting rifle?
#21
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern PA USA
Posts: 1,398
Really was into rifles years ago. Worked in a gun shop. Many guns are great hunting rifles. I have always preferred bolt actions for the strength, performance for a given cartridge, etc. When I was working at the shop, I picked up a used gun that I will use until I can't hunt anymore, then give it to my son. Husqvarna M 8000 with a silky smooth, very strong action, and light weight. Put it in a Brown Precision fiberglass stock. The rifle (30/06) shoots under MOA, handles loads that showed pressure signs in most of the other /06s that I had over the years. Just lucked into a gun that is good enough that I have no desire to buy any other. Never thought I would say that.
#22
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
For me it's fit. A rifle that you can throw up and your already looking at your animal through the scope is perfect fit. Accuracy is a given your either shooting your rifle good or your not. Triggers depending on which rifle they all have a different feel but several can be close to the same feel and release. And that saying I don't want to know when the rifle is going to fire is a myth to me. I do a lot of offhand shooting and I don't mind a little pull but anything over 4lbs is not a very good trigger. Weight has never been a issue for me I actually prefer to hold the weight. I don't own a non accurate firearm, granted I've traded a few off that were sub par. So I say if your rifle don't fit how you shoot get rid of it. Living in elk country I'd say 80% of my shots have been under 10 second time frame. So being a successful hunter year after year means you may not get that perfect set up to make a perfect shot. So you better know your rifle well and be able to shoot it in all positions well. If you and the rifle can do that then you have a great hunting rifle.
#24
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mi.
Posts: 250
1. Overall fit & balance
2. Trigger pull crisp & 2.5 lb. or a bit less
3. accuracy, which the first two play a large part in.
4. Very flat shooting. Exact caliber would depend on what I would use it for.
5. Action would depend on my intended use, bolt action most likely.
2. Trigger pull crisp & 2.5 lb. or a bit less
3. accuracy, which the first two play a large part in.
4. Very flat shooting. Exact caliber would depend on what I would use it for.
5. Action would depend on my intended use, bolt action most likely.