Hunting Rifle

After 20 minutes of dissecting the canyon mouth with the glass, I spied a bull. He was over a mile-and-a-half away. 

After some practice, no elk will be safe. I can’t wait to report on the rifle’s in-the-field performance soon. 

“My first rifle was a 243” is a lyric from a great song. This is an article about putting together a first hunting rifle for my son. And yes, it ended up being a .243.

This rifle is built specifically for hunters, and as its name implies, the gun is chambered for the potent 450 Bushmaster cartridge, turning an AR-15 into a thumper of a hunting rifle for most North American game when used within the round’s range limitations.

Enter the American-made VF-ORYX 22WMR by Volquartsen. This rifle is an absolute beast. The moment I picked it up, I could sense its precision. The modern design immediately caught my attention, but it was the performance that truly impressed me.

Several years back, I took a small ring Mauser 96, in 6.5×5,5 and turned it into a scout-type rifle. It later became a more traditional rifle with normal scope mounts and a turned-down bolt. In that configuration it became my loaner, backup, knock-around rifle for friends and relatives that asked to borrow a rifle for impromptu hunts. 

Taylor & Company Firearms is based in, of all places, Winchester Virginia. Unlike many other companies, Taylor does not actually manufacture any firearms. Instead, they partner with existing companies, such as Chiappa and Uberti, to market and sell exclusive models.

For those looking to find an affordable rifle chambered in the formidable 7mm PRC, Mossberg has you covered with the Patriot Predator.

This gun is not cheap, but if you’re looking for a high-quality factory rifle that comes close to being a custom-built gun, the Model 21 may fit the bill.