I'm having a hard time trying to decide on my next rifle which I have narrowed down to ... the Guide Gun and the Hawkeye FTW Hunter, in 300 win mag. Before those two I was almost going with the Hawkeye Predator in .308.
A little background ... I'm not a hunter, yet, living in northern IL but someday hope to move further west. I have a Gunsite Scout in 5.56, 2 Henry's in 30-30 and 45-70. So I was thinking of a nice gun, put a decent scope on, in a decent size caliber that can reach out a bit, that I might eventually find useful (in a place other than IL).
The 300WM drops less than the 308 out at 400 or 500 yards and has more energy out there. I've read a number of forum posts and watched YouTube videos of everyone trying to explain why caliber abc is better than xyz. Sure, you need a caliber that will be effective for the game you're after, but in the end it is shot placement that gets the job done.
The 3 choices I mentioned above I like because ... I can get all 3 in a stainless barrel, 2 have the green laminate stock which I just love. In the Hawkeye series with a 300WM and 308 it's pretty much either the Predator or FTW Hunter. The Compact, Laminate Compact, and Standard don't really appeal to me. The Guide Gun has backup iron sights, and the gun just looks freakin' nice.
I realize there is a lot of personal preference and intended use involved in choosing a gun so everyone will more than likely have varying opinions. I've never shot a 300WM gun, shot a little 308 (range and outdoor target). But is there anything about the 3 mentioned that you folks have thoughts on? Thx for your input.
A little background ... I'm not a hunter, yet, living in northern IL but someday hope to move further west. I have a Gunsite Scout in 5.56, 2 Henry's in 30-30 and 45-70. So I was thinking of a nice gun, put a decent scope on, in a decent size caliber that can reach out a bit, that I might eventually find useful (in a place other than IL).
The 300WM drops less than the 308 out at 400 or 500 yards and has more energy out there. I've read a number of forum posts and watched YouTube videos of everyone trying to explain why caliber abc is better than xyz. Sure, you need a caliber that will be effective for the game you're after, but in the end it is shot placement that gets the job done.
The 3 choices I mentioned above I like because ... I can get all 3 in a stainless barrel, 2 have the green laminate stock which I just love. In the Hawkeye series with a 300WM and 308 it's pretty much either the Predator or FTW Hunter. The Compact, Laminate Compact, and Standard don't really appeal to me. The Guide Gun has backup iron sights, and the gun just looks freakin' nice.
I realize there is a lot of personal preference and intended use involved in choosing a gun so everyone will more than likely have varying opinions. I've never shot a 300WM gun, shot a little 308 (range and outdoor target). But is there anything about the 3 mentioned that you folks have thoughts on? Thx for your input.