Author Topic: Which one gets the boot?  (Read 1691 times)

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Offline longwinters

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Which one gets the boot?
« on: February 06, 2005, 09:14:46 AM »
I have 3 bolt actions that I use quite a bit.  All 3 are wood/blue.  All 3 shoot MOA or better.

Tikka Whitetail hunter  243
Sako   Hunter              280
Sako   Hunter              308

Which one would you trade off . . . and what would you replace it with?

Long
Life is short......eternity is long.

Offline hunt127588

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« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2005, 09:26:22 AM »
Hmmm, not sure what to replace it with but would trade off the Tikka as they seem to be easier to come by than the Sako's and aren't constructed quite as well as the Sakos. As for what to replce it with, that depends on taste and amount willing to spend. I try to vary my tastes in action design somewhat. I can say that most mainstream rifle makers of today are not what they used to be. This is one reason I went the CZ route recently and have been extremely satisfied.

Offline Gregory

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« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2005, 12:47:08 PM »
If you're using them why would you trade one off?
Greg

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Offline PA-Joe

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« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2005, 12:53:35 PM »
You need a 223! Or exchange the 280 for a 7mm08.

Offline redd7

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« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2005, 01:11:08 PM »
I would loose the 280 because of the caliber. Replace it with a 17 HMR or a 223 on the small side or 375 H&H on the big side, depending on what you use them for. I would also get it in a Cooper rifle or a Kimber. All of the above is probably stuff you have never considered or wanted. But it is stuff that I want.  :grin:  Guns or like jewelry, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  :D

Offline huntsman

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« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2005, 03:27:00 PM »
Depends entirely on what you want your rifles to do. You have medium game covered with a good deal of overlap. You don't have a true varmint cartridge (but you may not need one). .223 would be my choice there. You don't have a big bore, so that might be more of a need. There it depends on where and what you are hunting.

Strictly from an elimination point of view, I would trade the .308. It's a fine cartridge, but you've got it beat hands down in every category except available factory ammo with your 280. Both rifles can essentially do the same job, but the 280 has the slight edge on trajectory, downrange velocity, and stopping power.

Good luck whatever you decide. 8)
There is no more humbling experience for man than to be fully immersed in nature's artistry.

Offline Graybeard

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« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2005, 03:46:29 PM »
The .280 is the one I'd not even think of letting go of. The .308 does nothing better and not all as well. If one has to go that would be the first to leave if I were chosing.

Why do you want any to go? Is there some magic to the number three that you plan to hold the number there? If not then just add a .223 and perhaps move the .308 for a .35 or .338 or whatever you prefer in a larger bore and you've got all bases covered.


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Offline bigjeepman

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« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2005, 04:12:03 PM »
I have to agree with Graybeard on the .280 staying in your safe. I have never owned one but the ballistics tell I will someday soon. I own a .243 that I feel is one awesome caliber and is a multi-use rifle. I would also keep this one.

If you have to rid yourself of one to get another, the .308 needs to go and like some of the others said, replace it on the high end or the low end. I would get a .223 myself.
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Offline Omaha-BeenGlockin

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« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2005, 04:35:56 PM »
The .243 used as a varminter---out varmints ANY of the so-called .22 cal varmint calibers----keep it.

The .308 is too good of an all rounder---with cheap and plentiful ammo---to consider not owning one----keep it.

Now the .280---I would consider replacing that obscure caliber with even more(but better) obscure caliber---the .338-06-----assuming that you handload.

The Sako's are so nice---not sure if I'd get rid of one----soooo---rebarrel your .280 to .338-06(or .35 Whelan)----the only modification would be the barrel---same magazine---same bolt etc......would be used----so the change would be pretty simple to do for your gunsmith.

On further reflection----while you're replacing the barrel----get it in stainless----and get a McMillan synthetic stock for it-----that combo would be hard to beat for droppin anything that walks in North America and standing up to rigors of going after the beast where it lives.

Offline JDK

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« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2005, 04:38:40 PM »
None.


If I had to, and I mean really had to, I guess I'd get rid of the 243.

Offline mountainview

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« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2005, 05:06:46 AM »
I'd hold on to them and keep adding to the collection. My biggest regrets related to the firearms, and those of many others it seems, all seem to be centered on the pieces gotten rid of.

Safe shooting.

Offline High Brass

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« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2005, 05:13:01 AM »
I would say keep the 280 and 243.  Depending on what bullet weight(s) you use, you could potentially use the same powder for both rounds and you could cover alot of ground between the two from groundhogs to elk.  Nothing against the 308 mind you, but if you had to get rid of one of the three, it would be the one to go in my opinion.

Offline gunnut69

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« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2005, 06:44:28 AM »
Have to agree with GB again. The 280 is a great caliber.  Not as wide spread as the 308 but ammo is not a problem.  Performs at nearly the 7mmMag level and handles a wide variety of bullet weights.  The 308 is a good round but not as good as the 30-06, the 280s parent case.  The 243 is simply in a different category. It's a dual purpose round and is a lot of fun. Actually I'd keep them all and look around for a 35Whelan or 358 win.
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Offline longwinters

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« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2005, 01:57:43 PM »
Here is a little more info.  I do reload.  I got rid of several rifles and handguns in order to get to the point financially where I could get the Sako rifles.  At this point in my life with 3 teenage kids ( with helping with their car payments, insurance, college etc...)  I can no longer even attempt to save for another rifle.  But sometimes I just get that itch to try something else.  I don't get this itch in any other area of life, just guns.  And you all know what it does to a person to have an itch that they cannot scratch.  It just keeps getting worse and worse.   I lean towards getting rid of the 308 but it is a beautiful rifle.  It is a pleasure to carry and has been good to me in the harvest of deer.  The 280 is hands down the best shooting rifle I have ever had, and the 243 is a rifle that comes up so nice and points so well  . . .  Plus it has very nice wood and it is pre-T3.  I probably should just be content and move on.

Long
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Offline minutemen1776

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« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2005, 05:31:41 AM »
Interesting subject. I, too, often get the itch to try something new when it comes to guns. I don't know why it's this way, but it is. A few years ago, I resolved, for both practical and financial reasons, to not have more guns that my modest gun cabinet will accommodate. Since then, I have swapped and traded a lot; when I want something new, something old must go on the auction block. Yes, parting with some guns can be tough, and sometimes regret sets in later, but this happens a lot less often that one might think. I think this is because, on the whole, my gun collection gets better with each successive trade. Rather than increasing my numbers, I am able to invest a little more in the same number of guns at each step. So, whereas I used to have only one or two really nice firearms and many more middle-of-the-road specimens, a little diligent and thoughtful trading has now yielded a collection that is mostly of the nice or very nice variety. To boot, I've been able to try lots of guns that I otherwise would not have had the pleasure of owning, even for a little while. This has gone a long way toward refining my tastes and helping me appreciate guns I truly enjoy keeping and shooting.

All that said, I would not decide what rifle to sell until you decide what new rifle you want to buy. Selling any of your three rifles would produce enough cash to buy something quite nice. Rather than looking to fill a hole in your line-up, look for something you'd enjoy more than the rifles you currently own. Maybe you'd like a semiauto (AR15s are fun), or perhaps a handgun or shotgun would be to your liking (assuming you don't have one already).

Offline lilabner

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« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2005, 06:24:10 AM »
Keep the .280 and .243. Two great cartridges. You're covered for everything from small varmints to moose (with the right bullets, of course)

Offline old06

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« Reply #16 on: February 08, 2005, 06:37:25 AM »
Rebarrel the 308 win to 358 win it will cover you on the upper end, not cost you an arm and a leg, save the old barrel you may one day want to swap back. I would get a 20 inch barrel a type of close cover rig just my 2 cents.
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Offline beemanbeme

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« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2005, 11:04:38 AM »
Get rid of the .243.  Too big for  varmints and too little for big game.  Or get it rebarrelled to a worthwhile cartridge.  Like a 7-08 or a .260.  Then you could trade off the .308 for a 22-250.  
Please, no shrieks from the .243 shooters that have killed over a gazillion deer and had them all drop like a sack of coal.   :D

Offline Don Fischer

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« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2005, 02:49:34 PM »
Keep them all and go job hunting for a second job................for your wife! Seriously, I have traded off some rifle's, shotguns and handgun's that I really wish I still had. But if you just have to do it, rebarrel the 308 or the 243. Either could be re-barreled into anything on a 308 or 30-06 case. If you wanted to replace the 280 down the road, you will probally have to go the custom route.
and all-around, the 280 just may be the best of the three. In fact the 280 just may be the best all-around cartridge in existance, it's in the bullet's.
:wink: Even a blind squrrel find's an acorn sometime's![/quote]

Offline targetguy

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« Reply #19 on: February 09, 2005, 07:41:09 AM »
Get rid of the 280.  The 308 is to good of a round to let go.  According to my speer manuals 12 and 13, the 308 is actually better than the 06 with bullet weights up to 165 grains, and its cheap to shoot

Offline james

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« Reply #20 on: February 09, 2005, 09:13:15 AM »
I have never been sorry for keeping a gun, ..... I have sold several, I wish I still owned.
james

Offline beemanbeme

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« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2005, 03:57:53 AM »
I agree with James.  Anytime I've even thought about sssssssssssselling a gun, I've had to lay down and put a cold rag on my head.  :(

Offline Bart Solo

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« Reply #22 on: February 10, 2005, 05:58:00 AM »
Tell us again just why you want to get rid of one of those fine rifles.  I for one would be tickled to own any of them.  You seem to have a real fondness for all three and none have ever let you down.  I just don't get it.  Do you need to sell to make a car payment or something?

Offline longwinters

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« Reply #23 on: February 10, 2005, 11:14:19 AM »
Ron,  Don't need anything but to scratch an itch for a new caliber to reload for and shoot.  Cannot spend cash outright cuz I have a daughters wedding and a son's graduation to pay for this year.  You are right, I am fond of all 3 rifles.  But I have that "whats over the next hill" itch.

Long
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Offline lama

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« Reply #24 on: February 10, 2005, 12:43:57 PM »
I gotta agree with those that say don't get rid of any.  I'm not big on keeping every gun I ever own but I try to always keep the good ones.  I have a Sako in .270 and will never sell it.  If you want to scratch an itch save a little money and find a good used rifle or maybe a new Savage.  They're not Sako quality but they shoot very well.

Offline Gregory

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« Reply #25 on: February 10, 2005, 12:47:38 PM »
Quote from: longwinters
Ron,  Don't need anything but to scratch an itch for a new caliber to reload for and shoot.  Cannot spend cash outright cuz I have a daughters wedding and a son's graduation to pay for this year.  You are right, I am fond of all 3 rifles.  But I have that "whats over the next hill" itch.
 
Long
Quote


Now that I understand where you're coming from, sell the .243.  I made a decision about 5 yrs ago to not add anymore guns to my collection, so if I see one I want I make a sometimes tough decision to get rid of one.  Mostly I've had little regret
Greg

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Offline Bart Solo

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« Reply #26 on: February 11, 2005, 02:39:12 AM »
Given your desire to own and reload a new rifle, I have thought about this and thought about it, and have no idea which one I would trade.   The 280 (a tweener round) is probably the logical choice but I would never get rid of "the best shooting rifle I have ever had."  The 243 seems to be your carry rifle. The 308 is a great all around caliber and you seem to use it a lot hunting whitetail.  On balance I would keep them all.  Your daughter will just have to elope.  :roll:

Offline Don Fischer

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« Reply #27 on: February 11, 2005, 01:20:46 PM »
Boy Ron came close to the right answer with elope, Heck if that young man love's her as much as he think's, don't give her away, SELL HER!!!!!!!!!!  Then too, I don't know how long this young man's been seeing her but you might let him know that making his life better, as surely you are, come's at a price. I convinced my own daughter-in-law to move her wedding up a week because it conflicted with opening of antelope season! If this young man hope's to inherite the fortune you should tell him about, he'll need to be reasonable.
:wink: Even a blind squrrel find's an acorn sometime's![/quote]

Offline longwinters

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« Reply #28 on: February 11, 2005, 03:46:49 PM »
:lol:  :lol: Well, they are getting married in July.  A good logical month as it does not interfere with any hunting or fishing seasons.  They also are going as inexpensively as they can.  Small wedding etc... But it is still a lot of money.  I forgot to mention that my graduating son is going to college so more $$$$.  My days of being able to accumulate the doe rae mee is put on hold :cry:  :cry:

Long
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Offline Big Tom

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« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2005, 04:35:34 PM »
Hey Bud!
Do more fishing and bow shootin.....less rifle shootin in the spring.......pray for strength over impusivity :lol: (I should talk?)

Put a lock on your gun cabinet! We'll both save our pennies for a couple seasons and have custom rifles made! :-D

Like a real cool stainless synthetic mountain rifle in .284 Win  :eek: (really a short version of the 06)

I know I know its matched in performance by the 7mm08 but I like old calibers that do just what the "new" hot ones do :?
Tom Gursky
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