I haven't hunted since my move from NY to AZ, and the Win 70 Featherweight 30-06 that was my favorite 'practical' bolt gun has been handed down to my descendants.
But just because I don't hunt now doesn't mean I'll never hunt again, and I'm doing a back-burner project to bring along a substitute from the lower ranks, a Savage Axis II 30-06. If I can develop the means, I can still (perhaps) have some hope of keeping that oar in the water.
Oh yes, it's no win 70 Featherweight. But it's not chopped liver, either.
The Savage plastic Axis II stock is simply an abomination. Midway offers this replacement stock from Boyd's, and I've made that replacement. Simply put, the stock transforms the ergonomics and the appearance enough so that folks disbelieve me when I tell them it's an Axis II.
The Kaspa Scope and provided mounts were poor at best, and I've replaced mine with the an heirloom Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 in Vortex Hunter Rings atop an EGW aluminum 20MOA base. The transformation becomes successful at this point, while retaining the economical aspects of this project.
The rifle appears to become as light, maybe lighter, than the Win 70 Featherweight. No numbers, but subjectively, it's a lightweight.
My ability to tolerate recoil has become a joke, so I'm working on a 30-06 handload utilizing 125gr Nosler Ballistic tips. Not really heavily into that, so no results yet. A flatter trajectory should be likely.
It also occurs to me that maybe somebody makes a factory reduced recoil load.
That's where things stand for now.
Greg
View attachment 7071840
My go-to hunting rig is a LH Ruger Alaskan Guide in 375 Ruger with Leupold Mark 4 in Alaska Arms QD rings.
Currently and for a long time into the future its going to be my new as of last September Cooper M92 Backcountry in 280AI. Shoots and carries like a dream. Currently has a Vortex Razor HD LH on it but I'm looking at replacing it with a 4-16x42 ATACR or the new 2.5-20x50 NX8 soon.
God eyeTikka CTR, .308 with Leupold VX5-HD 3-15 x 44View attachment 7109974
Good combo I have CTR only in 6.5 with Leupold scope ??Tikka CTR, .308 with Leupold VX5-HD 3-15 x 44View attachment 7109974
Lately all I have been hunting is Spring Bear and my go to hunting rifle is a Rem 700 in 375 Ruger, yes more than is needed for black bear but it puts 2 large holes in the bear from any angle. I shoot Hammer Sledge Hammers in it and really like the performance.
I am having an 30-06 FN commercial Mauser 98 (old enough to have a 3 digit serial number) rebored to 9.3 x 62 and barrel chopped to 20 inches I will also have a 3 position safety installed. The 9.3 x 62 will probably be my primary bear gun and the 375 Ruger will be a backup. I prefer Mausers or pre-64 Win 70s for hunting, I have a bunch of Mausers. I like CRF and mainly safeties that lock the firing pin, think about the amount of time you spend with a hunting gun in your hand having a safety that locks the firing pin is a good feature in my mind.
I shot a Marlin 30-30 for first 15 years I hunted deer in Georgia. Killed enough to stack like cord wood. All shots less than 100 yards in bottoms. Pops decided to cut timber at the farm a few years ago....Tikka CTR in 6.5 and I've stretched it out to 350 yards with several bucks....doing my best impression of "out west hunting" in south Georgia. Love the TikkaKilled a truck load of deer in Georgia with the same rifle. Gave a can full of M193 ammo for it and couple boxes of cartridges. Best trade I ever made
I'm a Florida hunter. That means i spend 1/2 the time making sure my ThermaCell has enough fuel in it to keep the mosquitoes from carrying me off. In the thick brush i love my Marlin 30-30. If i'm shooting the fields, I tend to grab my trust old 700bdl in .308. I just can't make it go away
@benchmstr what type of game are you hunting with those 73 gr Bergers?
Deer and hogs mainly...they are Texas deer so not very big...but I have taken some very substantial sized hogs with them...there is a very audible thump when they hit at distance too unlike most 556/223 rounds@benchmstr what type of game are you hunting with those 73 gr Bergers?
Deer and hogs mainly...they are Texas deer so not very big...but I have taken some very substantial sized hogs with them...there is a very audible thump when they hit at distance too unlike most 556/223 rounds
Bench
They go down easy..it's just like when people bucked the trend and started hunting with Sierra matchkings and discovered that they were devastating on flesh...they are supremely accurate, deliver energy, and expand while penetrating....I love themDo the hogs die easy when shot behind the shoulder/high shoulder, etc? Or are you doing headshots?
They go down easy..it's just like when people bucked the trend and started hunting with Sierra matchkings and discovered that they were devastating on flesh...they are supremely accurate, deliver energy, and expand while penetrating....I love them
I rarely do headshots on deer, probably 1 every 10 years....so, all deer shots are shoulders...a lot of hog shots are head and chest...for some reason I don't get a lot of broadside shots on hogs, the shot presents itself but I usually wait for a chest or headshot on hogs for no specific reason
Bench
Nice rig. What velocity are you getting with the 180gr Bergers? TIAView attachment 7149079
Custom 280 AI built on a Rem. 721 action with a Rock Creek and parked in a Manners by Kevin Cram at Montour County Rifles. This thing has been a laser beam of death since the day I got it...superbly accurate and the 180 Bergers it was throated for are devastating!
I'm right at 2792fps with the 180's and have a load with and S.D. of 6 and E.S. of 13. I just don't think it can get much better than thatNice rig. What velocity are you getting with the 180gr Bergers? TIA
Gotta inquire about your screen name. You spend any time jumping out of airplanes?I'm right at 2792fps with the 180's and have a load with and S.D. of 6 and E.S. of 13. I just don't think it can get much better than that
Just a couple, few hundred times... I was pretty active in the sport scene from '93 to around 2005 then I kinda got away from it. I made the mistake of getting into instruction and it became a weekend job instead of fun,,Gotta inquire about your screen name. You spend any time jumping out of airplanes?