Drumroll please...

[Purebred Redneck]

I went with the regular pistol grip version of the Browning BLR in a 308.

I'm still not sure what to do scope wise. In the picture, I basically laid out my bolt action rifle with a matte 3x9x40, covered it, and put the new rifle on top. I think the 40mm is just a tad too big and I personally would like gloss. That leaves me with the choice of a 2-7x33 Leupold, a 2-7x33 Leupold, or a 2-7x33 Leupold. Decisions decisison...I think I'm most likely going to put a gloss Leupold on it. 7 power should be fine for counting antler points (stupid law) out to quite a ways.

I picked up a box of Hornady Super Performance 165gr SST's which are advertised at 2840fps but that's not going to happen out of that 20" barrel. Hopefully it gets around 2700fps but who knows --- I'll just set it 2" high at 100 yards and aim on the back at anything over 300. For deer, it's a solid 350-375yard gun. Some people don't like the SST but it should be able to stay together with that heavier weight bullet. Should be all I'd ever need for game smaller than elk or moose.

[Jack]

Looks nice, Red!
Hard to argue with the 2-7 Leupold - should serve you for many years.

[dovehunter]

The BLR definitely looks a lot better with a pistol grip stock. That's a nice looking gun. The 2-7X scope is probably a good choice.

[Jack]

Red, Leupold makes a straight 4x that's pretty compact, too.

[Purebred Redneck]

Thanks both of you

Aug 5, 2014 17:02:39 GMT -5 Jack said:

Red, Leupold makes a straight 4x that's pretty compact, too.

I would be concerned about the antler point restriction. Last year I had a deer right at the end of shooting time come up. I had enough problems counting tines with a variable scope. I honestly don't think it could have been done at 4x.

Without that law, I would seriously consider something like a 1-4.

But I think a 2-7 would be hard to beat.

[Jack]

Can't argue with that, really, except to say that binoculars might be a good idea.

[Purebred Redneck]

Aug 6, 2014 7:50:18 GMT -5 Jack said:

Can't argue with that, really, except to say that binoculars might be a good idea.

Binoculars are for scouting; scopes are for hunting

[Jack]

I'd have to disagree. I use my binoculars a lot more than I ever do a riflescope when I'm hunting.

[Purebred Redneck]

I don't even bring my binoculars when hunting in Missouri

[Jack]

Hmmm, that might be the problem!

[dovehunter]

I always have binoculars with me when I am hunting. I keep a compact pair of 8x21's in my hunting stool. I keep a pair of 7x35's under the seat of my truck at all times. I even use them when I am dove hunting. To me, they are almost as important as my gun, but that's just me.

[Jack]

I'm with you, Dovehunter. I use binoculars a lot while hunting. I see a lot more deer because I use binoculars.
When I'm in a stand, I use 8x40's. I have a pair of compact 7x21's that I take when I'm still hunting. Even at 30 feet sometimes, you find a deer with binoculars you didn't see with the naked eye.
Besides that, when there's nothing going on, and you begin to get bored, you can watch birds, etc.

[jmarriott]

I love the choice red. I prefer straight over pistol grip but whatever lever gun you get is a great hunting weapon. The feel is what matters and many prefer a pistol grip. I just grew up shooting straight levers so that's what I am used to.

I don't use scopes to check out or spot game. Just would not like someone pointing at me figuring out how many antlers I have. That is what Bino's are for. We don't have antler restrictions here in Indiana but it does not take me long to figure out if I am going to shoot or not. I don't shoot young bucks I leave them to grow up or for a young hunter as a buck is a trophy itself to many.

The other thing I could or will offer is my day of heavy for caliber bullets is over. New bonded core bullets offer penetration expansion and velocity so I use them over my old standards which seemed to be heavy for caliber bullets. If you had asked me even in 1996 I would have recommended heavy for caliber stuff except for varmint hunting. Now I go with group size over anything else. If my buddy uses his dad's 257 Roberts on elk with success then I am not going to sweat using bonded core bullets in a 308 for the same.

[Purebred Redneck]

I liked the straight stock better, but it didn't come with sling studs. Had it, I would have bought it. My luck, bad things would have happened

As to the bullets, I still think the cup and core bullets are all you need for thin skinned game (even larger if you go with heavier bullets). Especially at 308 velocities - I don't think separation would be an issue.
The 165gr Sierra Game King would have been a good choice. Honestly, the 180gr round nose Core-loct would be a good option too but it's not a good long range option. Would put a heck of a hole through a deer at 100 yards.

I went with the 165gr SST Supercharged because I thought Hornady made a regular 165gr SST; my plan was to just use the posted ballistics for the regular rounds since my barrel is 20". Come to find out though, the only option is the Supercharged.

In the future, I might go with the Accubond or Partition. Or I may go back to PowerPoints

[Jack]

".... my day of heavy for caliber bullets is over. New bonded core bullets offer penetration expansion and velocity....."
I agree.
I used to use Ballistic Tips and other cup and core bullets for longer ranges, and Partitions when I wanted deep penetration.
My friends and I have been using Accubonds for a couple seasons now. They act like Ballistic Tips in loading and at the range -quite accurate. On game, they seem more like Partitions. We've shot quite a few deer with them now, 25-06/110, 270/130 and 7mm-08/140 mostly. We have not been able to recover an Accubond yet- all thru and thrus, and one shot kills.
I suppose i I were to go moose hunting with a 30 caliber or smaller bore, I might still use a heavy for caliber Partition. I think for anything elk and below, Accubonds will get it done.