It is most likely that I will not have access to our deer hunting land going forward. As such, my buddy and I have begun talking about traveling out of state for some antelope, deer, elk, and hog hunts. I hunted in the slug zone and my only center-fire rifle is my .223 AR. 300 yds would be on the outside of how far I would consider shooting at his point. I am wondering what you guys would pick out for caliber, rifle model, and optic with a 1k budget?
The budget is not a hard number, but my firearms funds are a limited. I have had good luck with my Savage 220, 17hmr, and .22 and I am partial to the Hog hunter in .308. I have also heard a lot of good things the Ruger American. I know the Rem 700 is always popular, but the press they have received in the last few years would not put them at the top of my list.
I have also liked my Votex Viper PST and would consider them again, but I would also maybe consider switching my nikon pro staff 2-7 from my slug gun to a new rifle.