New "All Around" Bolt Action

Around here, I rely on a .45-70 Govt. for bear, albeit only of the black bear category.

rugerjunkie said:

If you go for the ridge model , plan on spending some money on a stock. The factory ones are pretty flimsy in my opinion and that certainly isn't going to help you with your long range goals. I have 2 ridge rifles that both went into an HMR stock.

I'd rethink an HMR. The stocks are rock solid and cheaper to buy with the gun vs buying one later on. I have several and one is in a 7 mag and either the brake or suppressor makes it easy to shoot 175 grain loads. Like in I can see my hits at 500 yards easy to shoot. 40-50 at a range session is no big deal with that rifle.

I have some premiere models too and the Grayboe stocks they come with are top notch as well. Not really sure if Grayboe or Bergara make the HMR stocks.

Just more to consider.

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I would get an hmr, but doesn't come in 270 and I'm pretty sure it doesn't come in 30-06. If you think I need to change out the stock and this is the main advantage I thought it had. Eventually Id like to put a Boyds Thumb stock on it, but I hear there is extra padding or tweaking needed to use this stock on most rifles. I'd get a Ruger American, but I want the option to put on a muzzle break to reduce the recoil to practically none.

Coyote56 said:

Around here, I rely on a .45-70 Govt. for bear, albeit only of the black bear category.View attachment 19572

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If I thought I was specifically going against bear id research the best bullet for bear like a 150 nosler partition and I'd carry six 357 MAG 140GR. XTREME PENETRATOR® SOLID MONOLITHIC HUNTING & SELF DEFENSE AMMO.

Coyote56 said:

Around here, I rely on a .45-70 Govt. for bear, albeit only of the black bear category.View attachment 19572

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Now, that's my kind of all around bolt action rifle!

JonVan....a 357 magnum, which is what I carry, is not really good bear medicine.

Mobuck said:

You've set some extremely lofty goals for yourself. I'd suggest you start with something easier to handle like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm08, or .308. Any of those will handle big game at reasonable ranges. Frankly, I don't feel you should even consider 500 yard shots at game until you have much more experience.

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Exactly!!!

Coyote56 said:

Around here, I rely on a .45-70 Govt. for bear, albeit only of the black bear category.View attachment 19572

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Really?

Wondering if the OP fired a rifle with a muzzle break? Sure, the recoil may be less, but there is a significant noise tradeoff. Some of the opinions being expressed have the air of one that has done some reading of gun literature but has an incomplete understanding of the larger picture.

Actually Mr. Bell killed over 1000 elephants for he was an ivory taker. Early on having dissected one of his early kills he discovered that at the inside base of the eye there was an area in the skull that left a hole so to speak that led directly to the brain of the animal. He was a very skilled shooter, and much credit should be given to his gun bearer for he was very tall, and Bell would sit on his shoulders and hunt the areas with tall grass, Bell was much smaller than his bearer, and furthermore he would not run or move even when an elephant was charging at them through the tall grass, one brave fellow!! At gun show found a J C Higgins FN Mauser rifle for sale and bought it for the action itself and Douglas Barrel Company close to my house and had them fit it with one of their fine barrels in 7x57 or as some call it 275 Rigby, stock received refinish and sent off for checkering, installed front sight barrel band and barrel band to forward sling attachment and an island style rear sight with standing 100 yard sight and one folding for 200 yards. Reason for Bell using the caliber was due to the Belgium military stationed in what was then known as Belgium Congo the 7x57 was their ammunition at the time and a ready supply of ammo available at that time. Plus, the round was a solid bullet as many militaries use then and now, good penetration so to speak. Action is super smooth and very accurate to boot and a pleasure to shoot with recoil about like a 30-30 it seems. Can't afford a true Rigby as Mr. Bell had and at my age of 80 don't have time to wait some 2-4 years for one to be built.

NikA said:

Wondering if the OP fired a rifle with a muzzle break? Sure, the recoil may be less, but there is a significant noise tradeoff. Some of the opinions being expressed have the air of one that has done some reading of gun literature but has an incomplete understanding of the larger picture.

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NikA said:

Wondering if the OP fired a rifle with a muzzle break? Sure, the recoil may be less, but there is a significant noise tradeoff. Some of the opinions being expressed have the air of one that has done some reading of gun literature but has an incomplete understanding of the larger picture.

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I don't know. I would think if it has a threaded barrel I can obviously take of the break any time I want, but the Ruger American Go Wild was designed for hunting and comes with a muzzle break.

30-06

270

300mag

7mm mag

300PRC

28 Nosler

pecifications

• Model: HMR
• 
  
• Muzzle: Threaded
• 
  
• Caliber: 300 Win Mag
• 
  
• Finish: Cerakote
• Receiver Material: Steel
• Twist: 1:10"
• Metal Finish Group: Blued/Black
• Stock Finish Group: Brown/Tan
• Weight Range: 9 lbs to 9.99 lbs
• Barrel Length Range: 26" to 26.99"
• Barrel Description: Free-Floating
• Trigger: Curved
• Stock Description: Adjustable Cheekpiece Mini-Chassis
• OAL: 45.50"
• Length: 26"
• Finish/Color: Black
• Weight: 9.60 lbs
• Stock: Adjustable
• Safety: Two-Position
• Hand: Right
• Type of Barrel: Threaded
• Sights: None, Drilled&Tapped
• Capacity: 5+1
• Barrel Length: 26"
• Action: Bolt
• Model: B-14 Series

I have a safe full of the best all around bolt action, lever action and semi auto rifles. Only 2 share the same caliber but all are good to great on most any big game hunting in the lower 48. One big game rifle, who would really want just one.

JonVan said:

I don't know. I would think if it has a threaded barrel I can obviously take of the break any time I want, but the Ruger American Go Wild was designed for hunting and comes with a muzzle break.

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The American series is a well designed, accurate and shootable group of rifles.
Kudos to the Ruger Marketing Dept. on the GW.
Designed FOR hunting? Meh, not so much.

I really want a Bergara and unfortunately they don't explain the differences of models very well. As far as I can tell my best option is the B-14 Wilderness Ridge or HMR in 7 Rem Mag. Both have pros and cons stock style/weight.

The two you are looking at have identical actions. The ridge should have a slightly smaller barrel diameter. The HMR is a heavy rifle but the HMR stock has the full length aluminum chassis and is superior to the ridge stock. The ridge stock is lighter but flexes and I will argue again that it is not going to help with accuracy and you'll be spending extra on a new stock. If you prefer the traditional style of the ride stock there is nothing wrong with buying a stock to fit your wants and needs but buy the hmr and sell the stock off of it to recoup some cash. They are fast sellers when someone offers one up.

If I were in your position I might wait and and see what rifles they chamber in the 7mm PRC. That round might be the one that makes me retire my 7mm Rem Mags!

One more comment I have is that I believe the Bergara rifles to be the best rifle out there for the money at the moment. I have 7 now and every one of them is a shooter. They are quality rifles and beat out a lot of factory rifles that cost a lot more in my opinion. Being a Remington 700 clone is also a huge plus when looking at scope mounts , aftermarket triggers , etc.

I am on the fence of both of them. The main drawback I hear for the hmr is that is weight 9.9 lbs and with the scope I want it'll be 12-13 lbs. I hear this is quite a bit for hunting. Is this something one just has to get used to or is there enough of a difference in the ridge weighing 2 lbs less. There just seems to be a lot of variables to think about but I'm pretty sure I want a Bergara as most people say it's the most frugal option.

It seems both have major pros and cons.

Ridge is $200 cheaper on average, 2 lbs lighter, some complain about the magazine style receivers for hunting.

HMR holds 2 more rounds and I could easily switch to a second magazine.

Years ago fish and game did some research and established the most popular cartridge for hunting in Alaska. It was the 30-06. Great all around cartridge. Guide named Phil Shoemaker up here that specializes on Brown bears and the biggest bear any of his clients have ever taken, was with a 30-06.
One of the reason you are so confused is you apparently have no real experience hunting.
I moved here in January 1981. I started with a 30-06. Because I didn't have any experience hunting moose decided I needed a 338 WM. I got a stainless Ruger Mark II for both rifles and they both have Leupold VX3 2.5-8 X 36 scopes. Why? Because if you are in thick brush you want the lowest power. All of the questions you are asking is because you have no experience. Most good guides will tell you they would rather see someone come to camp with a standard 30-06 rather than a big magnum they are afraid to shoot. Why don't you like shooting from a bench? Guessing you don't have experience with recoil and it intimidates you. Do NOT go buy a 338 WM or a 300 WM without shooting one 10X. Guessing you will give up on that idea. Go buy yourself a 30-30 and do some deer hunting, and get some experience.
I don't know how many 338's I've seen for sale because they were going to go elk, moose, whatever hunting, but never made it. Or get a good old 30-06 and go hunting.
Without experience are you going to depend on a guide? Have you priced a moose guide before? It can cost you in the $20,000 range plus gear and flights.
You apparently not ready for a DIY hunt, as you apparently have no experience.
You are in a great state to get some experience. Get one of your friends to take you and help you out.
Not meant to offend but my remarks are from what I've picked up. We've all been there.

If you use the old rule of 1K foot pounds as minimum for killing big game the 270, 280, 7mmR, 30/06 and 300 Win mag all can do this. However in addition to power you have to consider trajectory, Even zeroed for 300 yards all will drop in the 36 to 40 inch range by the time they have gone 500 yards. Is the rifle you get accurate enough and more important are you accurate enough with the rifle? Can you judge distance well enough to place the bullet, and have you verified this by shooting at 500 yards? Not sure of where you are located but around here 500 yard ranges are thin on the ground. The suggestion for the lighter calibers is a good one because recoil is a factor and once you get past 30/06 in power recoil gets worse and doesn't encourage a lot of shooting, which is essential for long range accuracy.

Very good advice on this forum, regarding best common calibers. First, I would not start reloading with a belted magnum (7mmRM). Just an extra step to set the headspace properly.

30-06 Springfield: Col Townsend Whelen said it best: "...never a bad choice."

The 30-06 gives you a WIDE range of projectiles, to fit the need for less recoil range practice (150 grain with a moderate charge of H4895). Bullets from 130-200 grains are useful.

130 grain Barnes TSX will reach out and punches above its weight. Think antelope or Mule Deer, depending on your hunting area.

180 grain premium bullet (Barnes, Swift, Nosler, Northfork) will take care of most hunting needs, up to elk, and moose.

200 grain premium bullets, and within 250 to 275 yards will get it done on large , oblique angle shots. I am basing this on articles from John Barsness, hunter and writer for Rifle and Handloader magazine. He has never recovered a good 200 grain bullet, all pass through. John has been there done that for over 30 years. I respect his experience and writings.

These 2 magazines are a resource, to consider, not just for Load data, but some real world information.

30-06 brass is readily available, ammo available in remote areas, encyclopedia of information.
Once perfecting your reloading techniques (and these are important), once you graduate from the 30-06, other cartridges are easy.

Enjoy the journey of getting to master a new all- around rifle.