My Rem 700 (7mm REM) and my Saiga 12 got stolen a few years ago, along with some other stuff. I received an insurance payout, but bought other guns to replace those 2 (Savage 12-LRP and an AR-15). I don't do much hunting anymore (I've always been much more of a shooter than a hunter, anyway), but I figure I ought to have a general purpose hunting rifle. Never know when I might get invited out to hunt some deer, or hogs, or even elk or something out west.

While that big Savage (6.5 Creedmoor chambering) is really a competition target rifle (for "tactical" or F-class matches), it would be great for nailing deer or varmints or whatever from a blind or anywhere with a good rest or even a spot for the bipod (assuming I didn't have to carry it around all day). My AR is light, but without magnified optics, and 5.56 isn't really a legitimate big-game hunting cartridge.

I'm thinking about buying lightweight, jack-of-all-trades rifle. Specifically, I'm thinking about a Savage Lightweight Hunter in a short action...probably .308; maybe 7mm-08. I might take a look at the Ruger Hawkeye Compact, but I've been a Savage fan for probably 15 years, and they make what I think would fit the bill perfectly.

[Edited on February 9, 2015 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ooh ooh ooh, maybe a T/C Contender G2. I've always thought they were cool.]

2/9/2015 3:18:18 PM

from everything you listed go with the savage

i personally would recommend the 14 classic in 7-08 and ask your dealer if savage is running any specials in the future where the stainless models are cheaper than blued

i had a 114 in 30-06 and its the best hunting-type rifle ive ever owned

2/9/2015 5:45:25 PM

definitely get a Savage. most bang for the buck.

2/9/2015 8:07:59 PM

To address last poster on last page, I did 9mm SBR because the rounds are a little quieter and cheaper to shoot. Since I'll likely put 2-300 rounds through it at a time (letting friends shoot), thought it would be more fun, economical and less recoil to shoot, which equals a better shooting experience. I've not seen a SBR in .45ACP and doubt you could get a 32 round magazine to go with it. The lower was designed for 9mm and came ramped, so works right out of the box.

2/9/2015 8:15:41 PM

Quote :

"Does anyone have recommendations for a good Raleigh gunsmith or machinist who works on guns?"

for me, it would be worth the drive or shipping to send it to Thumper at Double H Gunsmithing in Yanceyville. there are some real jackleg gunsmiths out there, but i would trust Thumper with anything.

Quote :

"im looking for advice on replacing a 'captured' hammer strut (i suppose thats the language)"

personally, i would use the small engine valve spring compressor tool i've got. it's for 5 hp briggs valve springs, but you can make it work with a couple washers.

but if i didn't have that, i would get a couple pieces of scrap metal and make a small compressor tool where you just tighten a couple bolts and squeeze the spring down.

2/9/2015 8:32:55 PM

I wanted to consider other stuff besides Savage, since Savage is my go-to brand in most cases. The more I read about that Model 11 Lightweight Hunter, the more it seems like Savage is my go-to for a reason, and that model really fits the bill.

...now the question is, another Creedmoor, or something in the .308 family? If the latter, then .260 or .308? Or split the difference with the 7mm-08?

Honestly, for deer or hog-sized game at any distance I'd ever shoot with this rifle, it's irrelevant. They're all plenty. Drop and wind drift are also moot; if I planned on shooting long enough for that to matter, I'd bring the big 12-LRP rifle out. The only time it would ever make a difference would be if I ever happened to go out west to shoot something big like elk (which I never have to date), and I was having to carry a rifle all over everywhere...and then I think the differences would be minor.

Creedmoor and 260 all but identical in performance...that decision would be a matter of whether I wanted ammo commonality or disparity with my 12-LRP.

2/10/2015 12:24:49 AM

^^ If you are looking for a good local gunsmith, call Joel. I have used him multiple times for some very complex issues.

http://www.pendergraftgunworks.com/about.html

2/10/2015 9:36:37 AM

ah, i forgot about pendercraft. he held the 1000 yd benchrest heavy record for a while, iirc.

2/10/2015 7:38:27 PM

New 300WM AR, Petra, by SI-Defense. Interesting buffer system in video

http://si-defense.com/shop/300wm/si-d-300wm-ambi-petra-rifle/

2/10/2015 10:06:50 PM

That recoil... or lack thereof!

2/11/2015 10:53:51 AM

hogue lasergrips vs crimson trace? ive never heard of the hogue ones until i started investigating crimson trace.

obv crimson trace is *probably* better since they invented the grip panel laser? but hogue is a good company and these cost half as much. cant find too many reviews.

what do you guys think?

2/11/2015 1:21:16 PM

I haven't seen many reviews, but the ones I have seen were good. How hard can it be to make one of those things.

2/11/2015 3:23:06 PM

Can anyone explain to me why over/under shotguns cost so much?

2/11/2015 4:14:41 PM

Most O/U shotguns have a lot more craftsmanship put into them than other shotguns - excellent wood, nice polishing, smooth operation, etc. They also have two barrels that have to aim to the same point, so the machining process is more complicated than on a cheap 870 Express.

You're also paying for European labor and import fees, which probably adds some to the price.

2/11/2015 5:55:24 PM

Well this is an interesting development:

Quote :

" District Court strikes down federal interstate handgun transportation ban. http://cdn.pjmedia.com/instapundit/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/guraop021115.pdf"

2/12/2015 10:57:25 AM

stoeger and yildiz make more affordable over unders

ive never owned a stoeger but the internet is not kind to them

ive owned several yildiz guns (the academy sports brand) and they were very good for the money

you can also take those guns back to academy for warranty work (they ship them to texas, i forget the importers name, briley maybe)?

the chokes for those guns are cheap as well, just my two cents

2/12/2015 11:25:39 AM

I'd actually like to know if it takes, let's say Ruger, more material and labor to make an AR versus their Red Label O/U. I suppose once you factor in economies of scale it does, but you can't argue that an O/U is more complex or is harder to make than an AR which sells for a significantly cheaper amount.

I started pondering this because I won a Stoeger Condor and it's my first experience with an O/U shotgun. I've only shot two rounds of clays with it, but it seems solid despite the fit and finish being a little rough around the edges (e.g. burrs where the vent rib was machined). It shoots fine. It's a $400 gun. The Ruger O/U is an $1100 gun and it's considered mid-level. Ignoring guns with exotic wood and fancy engraving, they're just not that complex and I don't get the pricing. I think if I look to upgrade I'm just going to get an FN SLP Mk1 and enjoy the fact that I'd only have to reload every 3rd station.

2/12/2015 11:39:26 AM

one big difference in price is going to be HOW they regulate the barrels; not how well they are regulated

i.e., regulating them via some automatic fixture versus by hand

not sure the ruger is justified either way though; if i was going to spend that much on an OU it most certainly wouldnt be that one

(and im a big ruger fan)

2/12/2015 11:49:45 AM

Anyone ever pistol hunt?

I have a friend that wants to convert his 1911 to 460 rowland and go hunting...

Please advise on if this is even remotely reasonable... 460r has about 1000 ft-lbs right? So .223 muzzle energy.

anyway i've never really even considered pistol hunting and was just chuckling at the thought of a dude running through the woods chasing deer with a 1911.

2/13/2015 12:55:59 PM

plenty of rickies shooting deer with 9mm and .40 S&W these days

i think the "is such and such caliber enough for deer hunting?" questions are ridiculous. if you have to ask, then chances are it's not very ethical hunting.

[Edited on February 13, 2015 at 1:01 PM. Reason : adfs]

2/13/2015 1:00:05 PM

yeah 9mm/.40S&W/.45acp are not something you should be using on deer. Neither is .223. Sure, it'll kill them, but you shouldn't use it.

Quote :

"i think the "is such and such caliber enough for deer hunting?" questions are ridiculous. if you have to ask, then chances are it's not very ethical hunting."

I agree mostly, but there are those out there who ask with complete seriousness, "Is 7mm-08 enough for deer, or do I need a magnum caliber?"

or "is .25-06 enough for deer? I was thinking I should get at least .308."


They're probably largely the same crowd that can't be convinced by anything that .45 acp doesn't really offer much of anything over 9mm.

2/13/2015 2:21:16 PM

yeah, i guess the uninformed may have a legitimate question. it's probably due to someone telling them once that there's no way they'd deer hunt with anything below .308 and that a magnum cartridge is preferred.

40 years ago, no one would've ever asked if .25-06 or 7-08 was enough for deer. hunters/shooters were a lot brighter then, it seems.

[Edited on February 13, 2015 at 2:28 PM. Reason : love reading old shooting books and magazines]

[Edited on February 13, 2015 at 2:28 PM. Reason : back when they were more than just advertisements]

2/13/2015 2:26:42 PM

lol I just can't imagine shooting a deer with a pistol unless it's a point blank put him out of his misery thing.

I mean 460 rowland is twice the muzzle energy of 45 and is actually a pretty cool round. But i really can't imagine running through the woods with a 5" gun and open sights with a muzzle brake and considering that hunting....

2/13/2015 4:26:09 PM

^^ http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-726498.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-206872.html

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2317330&page=all

(My friends say that .25-06 isn't enough for deer, and I should "upgrade" to a .260 like them.)


https://www.gunandgame.com/threads/7mm-08-enough-gun.138714/

(how's the 7mm-08 trajectory out to 250 yards? Hahaha, everything this side of .30-30 or maybe .45-70 is so close it doesn't matter out to 250 yards).


http://www.louisianasportsman.com/lpca/index.php?section=reports&event=view&action=full_report&id=137757

(Do you have to neck-shoot deer with the feeble 7mm-08? hahaha)

[Edited on February 13, 2015 at 5:45 PM. Reason : man it would suck to be fucking retarded.]

2/13/2015 5:44:42 PM

Hahaha good stuff

2/13/2015 6:18:35 PM

Lol

2/13/2015 7:30:46 PM

Every time I see someone say " .223 isnt enough for deer " I . I've used that round for 5+ years with excellent success from 100-200yrds. Never had a deer run more than 20-30yrds, never had a unethical kill.

2/15/2015 9:15:03 AM

Shot placement has a huge impact on what rounds are effective. I think 5.56 is plenty for the small deer in NC, but I'd still want something a little bit more for use on the larger deer up here in MD/PA or the mule deer out West.

2/15/2015 11:16:26 AM

^I'll agree to that.

2/15/2015 8:07:30 PM

I am confident that I could kill the shit out of deer with a .223/5.56, but I don't plan on trying it. I personally think that .243 is about where truly viable big game cartridges start.

2/15/2015 9:42:20 PM

I thought i read/heard that .22 wasn't legal for hunting deer? wouldn't that include .223?

Agreed though with the right round and a good shot it doesn't seem that it would be hard to kill a deer with...
problem is someone would take steel core out and start perforating deer.

2/16/2015 7:51:04 AM

NC has no caliber restrictions on deer hunting with a rifle

2/16/2015 8:07:38 AM

BATF moving to classify M855 as armor piercing?

2/16/2015 8:24:39 AM

One step closer to making m193 illegal due to "no sporting purpose"

Kind of sucks when a governing body can make "rules" that lower courts uphold as "laws" without any civilian or legislative oversight.

2/16/2015 11:12:26 AM

I must have missed the sporting clause in the 2nd amendment

2/16/2015 11:21:09 AM

http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#RIFLE AMMUNITION

Interesting read on the effectiveness of rifle rounds for self defense. I was surprised to see how poorly M855 performs at short engagement distances, and it seemed to confirm that 300 blackout is a decent choice if you plan on using a SBR for home defense.

I was also interested in the reporting that #1 buckshot outperforms #00 buckshot by almost 30% due to the larger pattern the load produces.

2/16/2015 2:01:00 PM

what do you guys think of gun accents?

for example slapping a tan mag into a black gun?

stupid? fanboy?

2/16/2015 5:08:48 PM

Whatever. 99% of firearms enthusiasts like cool looking guns so I see no issue with it as long as it isn't obnoxious. I can't help but at the dildo's on certain gun boards who think they are special because they don't care what a gun looks like and feel the need to constantly remind everyone about their feelings.

2/16/2015 5:20:53 PM

I'm thinking about color coding my magazines to indicate what ammo I have them loaded with; something like using black 30rd mags to indicate 5.56 M193, black 20rd mags to indicate 5.56 Hornady VMAX rounds, tan 30rd mags for 300 blackout AMAX subsonic, and tan 20rd mags for 300 blackout VMAX.

I've currently got my magazines coded with electrical tape. It's effective, but it looks pretty ghetto.

2/16/2015 6:34:35 PM

I pretty much just try to not mix up my 5.56 mags with 300BLK. I use blue electrical tape or blue paint pen for the 300BLK

Does anyone else have issues with really dirty feed lips when shooting suppressed? Mine, especially the easier to see colors like FDE, are just coated in carbon buildup after shooting suppressed. I wonder if an adjustable gas block would help with that.

2/16/2015 7:04:18 PM

I don't know if I would put an adjustable gas block on a DI AR, mainly because they're not as simple to adjust as the gas block on a gas piston setup. If I knew that the suppressor would never come off of the gun, then maybe I'd make the modification. I'd be worried that the gun wouldn't cycle reliably unsuppressed without having to adjust the gas pressure back up.

2/16/2015 8:45:06 PM

haha it's never even occurred to me that people running tan mags in black rifles are doing it as an aesthetic "accent". I think that's kind of funny, but whatever, if that's what you like, go for it.

I just assumed that everyone with at least one AR has dozens of magazines that aren't all the same, and if their mag doesn't match the rifle, it was just because that's the mag they happened to pick up and insert into the receiver.

2/16/2015 8:59:30 PM

New range/shop called Blackstone opened up in Charlotte a couple days ago. 28,000 sf, 2 story, 3 ranges, can accommodate up to .50 BMG on one of the ranges, for some reason. Haven't been but their prices might put Hyatt out of business.

2/16/2015 9:02:39 PM

that's not very hard to do. Hyatt's prices are through the damn roof.

[Edited on February 16, 2015 at 9:07 PM. Reason : and it'd be good riddance. bunch of assholes in there.]

2/16/2015 9:07:00 PM

The competition is great. Supposedly their ammo prices are in line too. Not ammoman.com cheap but much better than Hyatt.

2/16/2015 9:21:55 PM

Regarding adjustable gas blocks, I've heard good things about these, SLR Sentry

2/16/2015 9:22:49 PM

I have heard good things about those adjustable gas blocks as well.

My mags get absolutely filthy when I shoot my AR suppressed.

2/16/2015 9:45:37 PM

Is the price going up on XM855 yet? I haven't been pricing it in a while; I have a bunch sitting around and haven't need to buy any 5.56 in a while.

[Edited on February 16, 2015 at 9:52 PM. Reason : ]

2/16/2015 9:51:43 PM

Sold out most places, up som in others.
Gouging by resellers, but not terrible by dealers yet.

2/16/2015 9:54:08 PM

i apologize in advance for the possibly noob question:







these are all three RIA 1911s, and i have one as well; what is the pin that sticks out about 1mm underneath the ambi safety? ive noticed on some higher end 1911s this pin is flush. is it simply a stop to prevent safety overtravel? i dont know if ive noticed the flush models having ambi safeties or not.

tl;dr

is the little pin that sticks out under the safety unique to RIA? what does it do? is it present on all ambi safety 1911s?

thanks,

[Edited on February 17, 2015 at 6:25 PM. Reason : sorry for the giant image, but it does sorta center on the pin in question]

2/17/2015 6:24:32 PM