What is the most popular type of big game rifle in your area

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:39 am

I actually see more pump action Remingtons than anything else. A lot of old 760 Gamemasters and some newer 7600s. Bolt actions are next in line and levers and semi-autos are last.

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:41 am

Bolt actions from the big 3. Other than myself, I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a levergun anywhere except the rifle range.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:43 am

In eastern kentucky the marlin and winchester 94 still reign supreme.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:43 am

Ruger all-weather 7mm Mag. Think I'm the only one without one...

Savage bolt action, close second.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:49 am

12 gauge Pump shotgun.

Joe

canonsix · Post by **canonsix** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:51 am

Bolt guns by a wide margin. Doug

Junior · Post by **Junior** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:53 am

Bolt guns in 7 mag or 300 mag.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:55 am

A Muzzleloader... but the .44mag is gaining popularity rapidly...

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:01 pm

Bolt actions by Rem, Ruger and Savage. Most in 300winmag.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:17 pm

Bolt action rifles prevail and the 7mm Remington Magnum reigns supreme because there is a lot of long range shooting available -- especially for antelope.

Here's an interesting story.

A fellow walked into one of our local gun stores (we only have two) and ordered a Browning BLR (lever action rifle) in 7mm Remington Magnum. This was the first time the store owner was made aware that the Browning BLR came in 7mm Remington Magnum. Not only did he order the fellow a BLR in 7mm Remington Magnum but he ordered six more for his store because lever action rifles are very popular in this area too and he felt that a lever action rifle chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum (so poupular here) would be a great seller. All 7 rifles arrived the same day. The fellow that ordered his came in and bought his rifle and the extra six rifles the gun store owner ordered were sold out within two weeks. The gun store owner has since ordered 4 more BLRs in Remington 7mm Magnum.

ndcowboy · Post by **ndcowboy** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:25 pm

Around here, it is mainly bolt actions - and lots of guys are using the new short mags.

dgr416 · Post by **dgr416** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:27 pm

The most popular gun in Alaska is a Ruger stainless Model 77 in 338 win mag.Its tough as nails and all my 338 win mag Rugers will shoot under an inch at 100 yards and most shoot under an inch at 200 yards.They hit hard and kill stuff in their tracks.I have seen a few stainless BLR in short mags but none in the field.The 338s are about $450-500 in stores and sell out quick when they go on sale.

Slick13 · Post by **Slick13** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:44 pm

In NW PA, the bolt gun is most common, though levers and pumps still get plenty of use. No semi autos due to PA game laws.

Most common calibers are the usual suspects... .243, .270, .30-30, .30-06. I'm suprised I haven't met more people who use the .308 Win. If I was looking for a bolt gun, that would probably be #1 on my potential cartridge list.

~Michael

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:50 pm

Bolt guns in 7mm or one of the .30cals. People look at me funny when they see I am carrying a 94 in .45colt.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:11 pm

There are alot of .243 .270 7mag 30-30 .30-06 , you know, the usuals.

I don't know anybody that hunts with a pistol or even a pistol caliber rifle, one of the reasons I would like to.

Oh yeah, there are some that use the 300 win mag.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:57 pm

Most hunters around here use bolt guns in 7mm or 300 Win Mag. I talk about leverguns and they look at me funny. Go figure. And my big CZ 550 in 375 H&H AI? They look at me REAL funny then!

Oh well.

-Tutt

rock-steady · Post by **rock-steady** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:05 pm

Since Mississippi allows single-shot breechloaders of a type designed before 1900, and .38 caliber or larger, for use in Primitive Weapon season, I'd have to say the most popular big-game rifle in my area is the H&R HandiRifle in the following calibers:
1.) 45/70
2.) 444 Marllin
3.) 44 Mag
4.) 38-55
5.) 500 S&W Mag

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:12 pm

Bolts in usually a caliber like the 7mm or 300's. 308's and 30/06's used to be the thing but deer got tougher here in Arkansas.

Johnny

pharmseller · Post by **pharmseller** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:15 pm

I hunt in Oregon. Only twice in too many years to mention have I seen a lever, and one of those times I had the lever.
Bolts, hands down.

Quinn

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:35 pm

bolt actions by far.

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:51 pm

Jason_W wrote:I actually see more pump action Remingtons than anything else. A lot of old 760 Gamemasters and some newer 7600s. Bolt actions are next in line and levers and semi-autos are last.

That's because of them deer killin Benoits.

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Didn't Remington actually do a run on the pump 30-06 for them?

Around here anything goes, usually some "more then enough super mag with a 4-12 power scope for ranges under 100yds.

leveractionjunkie · Post by **leveractionjunkie** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:56 pm

Bolts by Remington, Winchester, Ruger etc. usually in 7mm, .300 long or short Mag, 30/06, or 308. I get some real funny looks walkin around with my Guide Gun. But most everything is shot 100yards or less usually a lot less.

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:25 pm

Scoped bolt actions from .243 to about 30-06 or 7 mag. You see very little else except for pigs then maybe some 444 or 45-70. One Blackfoot Indian buddy uses a 99 in 300 and a Siamese 45-70 and now a Ruger # 1 in 9.3 x 73 R.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:31 pm

We open our club, to the public, the 2 weekends before hunting season starts so they can sight their rifles in. My bench was near the entrance the day I worked, so I got to see everyone coming in. Out of about 225 shooters that day, I only saw 2 levers. Tons of Rugers, a few Remingtons, Brownings, & Savages, and even some vintage Winchester M70's. The majority of chamberings, in order of popularity, were 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, and 300mag.

It's always a challenge to explain to someone that their "hunting" rifle isn't a sub moa target rifle and that a 1.5-2" group, at 100yds, is "minute-of-elk" good enough.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:33 pm

Mostly bolts, although I've seen a little of everything.

86er · Post by **86er** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:22 pm

In NY first and foremost it is 12b slug guns in pump or semi-auto. Next is rifles of bolt action mechanism in 30-06, 7mm Mag and other bottleneck cartridges.

At the TX place the local most often have bolt actions of 243, 22-250 and 25-06 with a distinct jump to 300 Mag class as MOST popular.

Really, I see a lot of variation no matter where I travel to. I think there is a current trend in adding more nostalgia to the hunt, so more folks are taking out old, heirloom and replica rifles.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:19 pm

Same as Pharmseller! Here in Oregon the bolt action rules by a huge margin!

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:32 pm

Probably 90% bolts, but you see a surprising number of BARs in the woods of So Cal, and every once in a while I'll run across another levergun, usually a Savage 99.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:37 pm

Here in the Ozarks or Arkansas, I see about everything, but mostly Boltactions, with the 7mag, 30-06, even .300mag. It seems by new sales anyway, that lots of new shooters end up getting these cheap Savage Package rifles, but really you see and here of about everything, from SKS's and old turkish mausers to 300 Weatherbys, and the a lot of leveractions still get sold.

There is just so much to choose from anymore, but the scopes are getting bigger and the magnum bolt actions are getting more popular.

The one gun that used to be poplular in the 70's that you don't see very often anymore is the Remington 742's, 7400's and the like, probably because the have gained a well known reputation for lousey accuracy and the tendency to jam after a while.

old06 · Post by **old06** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:40 pm

bolt action and in 7 mag, 300 mag and it looks like some of the short mag stuff is around not that I dont use one but I still fit in a lever or my 35 rem pump M14 remington

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:13 pm

Around here you never know what you'll see a guy with a shiny new Remington 700, a mint condition Model 88 Winchester in .284 (which I offered to buy), Mini-30's, Savage 99's, 7400's, Winnie 94's, you name it, it's around here. Right down to "Pawpaw's 03 Springfield he used in the war."

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:51 pm

J Miller wrote:12 gauge Pump shotgun. Joe

I thought about posting "300 x.72 Magnum Rifle", but decided to go ahead and actually talk about "rifles" rather than "rifled" guns...

But yeah, Indiana is still primarily a 12ga "Rifle" State... but the PCRs are gaining quickly.

Thankfully.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:57 pm

Old Savage wrote:One Blackfoot Indian buddy uses....a Ruger # 1 in 9.3 x 73 R.

For what? Did something big escape from the zoo?!

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:02 pm

In my specific hunting area, I'd guestimate that leverguns outnumber all the others by 9 to 2 in our group. We had 18 levers with everything from a '92 .38-40 (made in 1897), to a Savage 99, to Marlin 336's, to a BLR, and the rest of the levers were variations of the Win '94 against those girly, loose wristed, twist bolts. (hope my pards see this!)

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:52 pm

Everyone I hunt with uses a lever. If anyone has a newer rifle it is usually a bolt. When I hunt corn country with my buddy it's everything. A lot of autos in 30-06, pumps, bolts. I'm the only lever guy in that group. Most of the guys who had pumps went to bolts. So there is nothing dominate. It depends on the group your hunting with. My co-worker has been hunting the last two seasons with an AR in 6.8 SPC and loves it. I'll keep hunting with my levers.

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:15 am

I'm in Central Texas. Off the top of my head, I know of the following being used among my friends - all bolt actions: (1) .30-06, (1) .300 Win Mag, (2) .264 Win Mag, (2) .270, (2) .243 and (1) 7x57mm. The gun shops are full of .243's and .270's but the 7mm Mag also seems to be popular. We don't need much for the thin skinned game around here - even the exotics are relatively easy to kill, like nilgai and sika deer. However, the ranges are sometimes out to several hundred yards so flat shooting is important, depending on where you are hunting. I gave a .270 Model 70 Win to one of my sons but I confess that I carry it sometimes when he isn't hunting.

In leverguns, one of my sons shoots a 94 Win in 30-30 and I shoot either a Marlin .45-70 or a Model 92 Rossi in .45 LC, depending on range. My grandpa is dead now but he hunted with a .32-40 in a 94 Win and my uncle used a 38-55 in a German drilling. Another buddy of mine uses a M99 in .300 Savage on occasion but he normally used the .300 Win Mag.

Savage99 · Post by **Savage99** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:10 am

I see alot of those ugly tika bolt guns....I see mostly bolt guns.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:27 am

I've pondered over this question for the past couple of days, trying to decide how to answer. The guns I see most are at Cowboy Action Shoots, therefore... leverguns. However, for hunting, I must admit I only seem to see bolts in the field... except for mine that is!

leverhunter · Post by **leverhunter** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:56 am

Most everyone here uses bolts in 30-06, 7mm mag, 300+ mags and the various WSM's. See the occassional semi and single shot ie Ruger #1. If you see a levergun, it is in my hands or my sons.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:57 am

Scoped model 700 Rem. in 243, quite a few Filipino and Japanese decent Americans that prefer this caliber and are quite handy with it. On the "Big ISland" of Hawaii you can still find Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboys) who still prefer the model 94s.

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:22 am

Around here I'm gonna have to say .270 and .30-06's mostly bolts but plenty of semi's and pump actions.

There are some levergunners and it is nice to see them when they are about.
Went with a friend to his co-workers land and there was a kid there with a 99 in .300sav slung over his shoulder. So nice to see.

TCB in TN · Post by **TCB in TN** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:21 pm

Around here (Middle TN) you will find a pretty good mix of Name Brand bolts in 30=06/ 270 etc, and lever guns in 30=30. I would guess that lever guns (especially marlins) make up about 30-40% of the rifles you see.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:27 pm

Waco Texas area, it's mostly 300 mags and 7 mm mags. Why, I don't know. You would think it was Colorado or at least South Texas.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:48 am

Mostly bolts in my neck of the woods also, hard to believe being a close range situation, but there are plenty of levers too.

What is the most popular type of big game rifle in your area

What is the most popular type of big game rifle in your area

Alaska rifles

Re: What is the most popular type of big game rifle in your

Re: What is the most popular type of big game rifle in your