Thread: Your go to rifle

It would be a hard one between a 223, 308 or a 300 wsm. Depends on specifics but:

223 can technically cover anything from possums/rabbits to deer with a 1:8 twist barrel. Very cost effective and can make use of a huge number of projectiles/ammo options. Bit distance limited on bigger animals and potentially poor blood trails in bush etc.

A 308 is incredibly versatile, can shoot heavy high BC projectiles to reasonable distances, can shoot subsonic in the bush for camp possums/other pests, and even deer especially if you run heavy subsonic monos with a 1:8 twist (would need a custom rebarrel)

For South Island a 300wsm is pretty epic. .30 cal rifles (especially 308 and 300wsm) can tolerate being chopped down without significant velocity loss. So could run a 20” wsm in the bush ok. Can still load subs and make use of almost the full (huge) selection of 30cal pills for every possible situation. Even with a shorter barrel these still have epic power out to long ranges on Tahr etc in the open country. Bit more efficient and not too much power loss relative to a WM.

Potentially a 1:8 twist 308 if I really had to choose.

Sako 75 .308 ss, never let me down since buying it new. I let it down on a couple occasions .

My 280 Rem R700 in an old Hitec (Basner era) stock.

162 amaxes at 2865, and it just works.

Otherwise..... take your pick. I'm enjoying the 6mm204. 69 grain Hammers at 3305 are hard to argue against, and 70 TNT's for bulk shooting.

My go to rifle: (this sounds better in a heavy Austrian accent )
"A phased plasma weapon in da 40 watt range"

Originally Posted by Zedrex

My goto has to be my first rifle, the Franchi Horizon .243, granted that's from limited overall experience but having spent the time to get the fit dialed into my tall, gibbon like frame just bringing it upto my shoulder makes me smile and it's a tack driver.
Although on my wishlist is something in .270 and a single shot break down....

Nice value rifles... but I thought there was a thread about yours throwing bullets all over the shop? What was the outcome of that @Zedrex?

Originally Posted by Shearer

But if, for some reason, you could only keep one, which would it be???

Probably the sabatti 243

20” Tikka 300wsm just running factory Nosler BTs at 2990fps
Will use on everything from Wallaby to pigs, goats, Bull Tahr and Stags.

Will take the 223 if only shooting roos tho.

I have 2 tikkas. 1 swede and the other 25-06. The 25-06 is being converted to a 6gt. I expect it will become my favorite if I take care to not put a heavy barrel on it.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

My go to rifle: (this sounds better in a heavy Austrian accent )
"A phased plasma weapon in da 40 watt range"

Yip it fits the profile lol .

Originally Posted by Tahr

Nice value rifles... but I thought there was a thread about yours throwing bullets all over the shop? What was the outcome of that @Zedrex?

Well it's been a mission, I tell ya! Update coming soon

Have several deer rifles, but always seem to pick the BLR in .270

Tikka 270 bushpig for the sub 300m stuff. Bergara 7PRC for ranges beyond.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I see your in Hawke’s Bay

Send me a pm and I will show you some great spots for sika

Another new to HB'er here, if you're feeling generous 7mmsaum