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HELP

I am new to this and would like to purchase one gun that would do everything. I know that is impossible and I am not the first person who tried to get by with only one rifle so I am asking for assistance from you people who have been in the sport for a while. I have been looking at the AI, AX308, the AT 308 and the Sako TRG 22 in 308. Having gone up and down the calibers I am back to the .308 where I think I would like to be for a rifle that will do the most for me.
The scope I have been looking at is the Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25x56. Which rifle will be best for shooting F/tr and how is this scope? Do you recommend something better?
 
What is everything??? If your talking about moose or bear on the big end that would be as small as I would go. If your looking at deer size game on the top end and down to groundhogs or smaller I would recommend the 243 win. I am also a Leupold scope fan and would recommend the VR 3 3.5 x 10 X scope for an all around hunting scope.
 
I should tell you that I have not been hunting with a rifle for quite a while since I went to a bow for hunting and target shooting. I am coming back to the rifle and pistol and would like to have a good caliber that will not burn out the barrel quickly. I may not hunt since I have not done it for a while but if I decide to go with friends that still hunt I would be comfortable with a .308. I am not hunting bear or any other large game so the largest would be deer. Primary reason for the rifle would be F/tr.

The 243 is a very good choice but to my knowledge not available in the rifles I mentioned. Can you suggest a better rifle? Thanks.
 
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A .243 will burn out well before the .308. Unless you're going after really big game in the hunting field, a .308 Win is a great choice. At moderate range I'd say a .308 would kill an elk as easily as anything out there if the shooter puts the bullet in the zone. It's all about bullet choice and your marksmanship. A .243 is good too, but you would be limited to deer sized animals. Yes in the right hands with the right bullets the .243 will kill anything a .308 will, but not really as efficiently. it also is pushing lots of hot gas down a smaller bore which will burn out barrels faster if you use it to target shoot much. I also need to add that the .308W is very easy to handload ammo for. It also is about the most (on average) accurate everyday caliber out there so you can use the right .308 rifle for shooting some satisfying groups on paper. I have a nice old Savage in .308 that will outshoot alot of those so called custom rifles out there so you don't need to go crazy spending money unless you got it and cash isn't a factor.
 
If you are looking at Sakos, don't overlook Tikkas as they will shoot just as well, are extremely smooth to operate and quit a bit cheaper. Just a suggestion.
 
A .243 will burn out well before the .308. Unless you're going after really big game in the hunting field, a .308 Win is a great choice. At moderate range I'd say a .308 would kill an elk as easily as anything out there if the shooter puts the bullet in the zone. It's all about bullet choice and your marksmanship. A .243 is good too, but you would be limited to deer sized animals. Yes in the right hands with the right bullets the .243 will kill anything a .308 will, but not really as efficiently. it also is pushing lots of hot gas down a smaller bore which will burn out barrels faster if you use it to target shoot much. I also need to add that the .308W is very easy to handload ammo for. It also is about the most (on average) accurate everyday caliber out there so you can use the right .308 rifle for shooting some satisfying groups on paper. I have a nice old Savage in .308 that will outshoot alot of those so called custom rifles out there so you don't need to go crazy spending money unless you got it and cash isn't a factor.
 
Very good information and exactly what I had been thinking about. Now to find the right rifle. No, I do not have unlimited funds but I want to get the correct equipment. When I got into archery I thought I could shoot and had the correct equipment but after I joined a team of shooters I realized I needed to buy the correct equipment and practice more. This time I would like to get it right the first time. Savage is another rifle I had been looking at. Thanks
 
Very good information and exactly what I had been thinking about. Now to find the right rifle. No, I do not have unlimited funds but I want to get the correct equipment. When I got into archery I thought I could shoot and had the correct equipment but after I joined a team of shooters I realized I needed to buy the correct equipment and practice more. This time I would like to get it right the first time. Savage is another rifle I had been looking at. Thanks
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/
 
For what you are planning to spend on one do-it-all rifle and optic, you could have two different rifles much more suited to the applications you mentioned: Deer hunting and F-T/R. I would go into a more elaborate response, but you need to do much more homework before you decide what you are going to do.

I would suggest going to an actual match so this doesn't happen again:
When I got into archery I thought I could shoot and had the correct equipment but after I joined a team of shooters I realized I needed to buy the correct equipment and practice more. This time I would like to get it right the first time.

BTW, equipment won't do the work for you. You are still going to need to practice.
 
Yes, I plan on practicing often and that is why I am looking at a caliber that will not burn out the barrel quickly. I enjoy all types of target practice so going to the range and putting in the time to become proficient with the rifle will not be a problem. I have also planned on attending several matches that will be coming up in a few months, until then I am hoping to narrow down what will work best for me. I appreciate the advice and will look at some of the rifles mentioned. Thanks again.
 

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