What would be a good hunting rifle that is equally good at the range that you can get off the shelf for up to and including elk? I have been researching a lot and watching a lot of different opinions, from customs to cheap, Just wondering what you all are using and why ? I personally am looking to build a custom but my Bro is looking for an off the shelf. Thanks Y’all
I’d look closely at the following:
X-Bolt 2 in 6.8 Western Pro Mountain (6Lbs 3oz with 24” Fluted Steel Barrel & Carbon Stock. You can get a CF barrel for about a 1000 premium. On the standard stock, it’s 11oz heavier, and it’s a 20” barrel. You can also get it on a McMillan stock, both the 20” SPR and the 22” - again at a premium.
Weatherby 307 Alpine CT in .280 AI (6lb 5oz with 22” BSF Carbon barrel). The 307 is a pretty standard 90-degree throw Rem700 clone, with the typical custom action upgrades -
I been researching customs, which led me back to factory builds. I may still end up going custom, but right now, I’m digging into the X-Bolt 2 Mountain Pro (which no one has in stock as it just came out at Shot Show). This is for a few reasons. 1. While I’m sure a custom gun will be more accurate, I suspect it will only be about 20-30% more accurate at a bit over double the cost of the factory rifle. Second, it’s harder to build a sub-7 lb rifle than I thought - even using a light short action and a carbon fiber stock.
FYI: Excel Spreadsheet - looking at 3 different builds - 6.8 Western, .280AI, and X-Bolt 6.8 Western
The sheet as a QTY column for selecting various choices on barrels, actions, scopes, etc.
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I’d go fierce, without hesitation. I have 5 and all shoot great. Had to deal with their CS on one of them, and they were nothing but awesome. Shipped the gun in, and they had it re barreled and back to me in 2 weeks w a test target. I’ve called multiple times to ask questions, and they’re always really nice. I still don’t think there is anyone making a gun as nice as the carbon rogue, for that price
Sako would be my number 2 choice, they just flat out shoot, and th actions are awesome
A lot of guys love Seekins too. I can never get myself to buy one…they’re heavy, the stock seems cheap for the price, and there are no stores around me where I can handle one first. Reputation is excellent tho.
Tikka & Bergara - you can’t really go wrong here w either one, for the price.
Browning - never seen one that didn’t shoot really well out of the box. Personally don’t like the look of them, mos rid their barrels are threaded 1/2x28, which is annoying if you want to run a can, as you have to buy a 1/2x28 adapter, and their triggers are heavy.
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Pretty darn good list there
off the shelf, I would go Tikka. Lost of custom after market options.
I recently built a 30-06 that shoots amazing! Hand loads I’m getting a solid 1/2 MOA. Really depends what your looking for. My dad wanted something he could elk hunt with, but at the same time pick up ammo at Walmart if needed.
very awesome all i truly appreciate the input
I have to second Tikka. I’m getting sub-MOA in a magnum. As for cartridge selection, I think it depends on recoil tolerance. If Elk is on the table, I’d say 270/6.5 prc minimum.
You can do a lot with a Tikka 6.5 PRC. Recommend threaded barrel for running suppressed.
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thanks great info from all you all helping a lot
I have the 7prc From Bergara In a Squared Crest with steel barrel and it shoots .25 inch groups. I have taken 3 elk with it now from 500-800 yards and it has been great! It has almost all of the features you would want. It was easy to add a full arca rail to the bottom and has QD cups. Factory trigger is good and you can find on sale below 1500. With a can on it the 7prc in this chassis is a light shooting gun.
I truly love a 6.5 PRC for this use. We all know it but, its flat shooting, mild recoil, factory ammo is easy to find, easy to load for, rifles everywhere, 6.5 bullets are literally EVERYWHERE, its a step up from the 6.5 creed, if your using a longer barrel. If you are willing to give up some speed and get creedmore preformance out of factory ammo then its great with a 20 inch barrel and a suppressor. The thing I like about the PRC is that if you hand load, you can get a 6.5 PRC up to the velos you would normally see in a longer barrel. I really like the Bergara Wilderness Sierra design. Adjustable cheek piece, more vertical grip, reasonably light, stiff stock, great factory trigger. Not to mention it is priced so fairly around 1K.
Only thing I would say is make sure the bullet you are using is fit for the use case you need. You can use some high BC bullets for the range, or dial in a load with some other type of bullets! I used the 156 Berger with great success of both hunting (deer and elk) as well as long range target work.
Adjacent question here. I thought I wanted a 7 PRC because it would be modern and awesome. The more I read, the more I think it’s a high maintenance rifle that I may not be into. I don’t want to be a competition shooter. I want an elk rifle with a little more umph than the 30-06. I didn’t want to regularly shoot a mile.
I like the 7mm caliber, so would I go wrong with the tried and true 7 Rem Mag? It’s old. It’s trusted. It’s not this high maintenance sexy new thing, but I think it will get the job more than done.
Am I wrong? I just can’t get into a 6.5 PRC because I don’t want to drop caliber sizes that much. I like 30 caliber effectiveness.
Just to spice this thread up. I’ll be using 22 CM with the new Sierra 88g TMK (assuming the gun likes it when it releases next month). I would put it up against any other cartridge/bullet combo for ANY big game species in North America. Only reason for bumping up from the 223 Rem is so I can shoot past 400 yards. Tikka or Horizon would be my go to currently for factory.
If you watch Who Tee Who, just about everything he touches is golden, along with all his Chinese Scopes, not saying he’s full a crap, but seems to have his shit dialed in… but he’s not a Tikka Fan boy
I recently watched a video by Ron Spomer comparing the 7 Rem Mag to 7 PRC. He also did one comparing 300 WM vs 300 PRC. Essentially the difference comes in only when you want to shoot farther than like 600 yards. So if you want to shoot the longer, heavier for caliber bullets or you want to shoot extreme distances, you’d want the PRC. Otherwise go with the Rem Mag. The ammo will be more readily available and cheaper.
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Awesome. Thanks, that’s what I thought.
I’m not seeing the price difference in ammo though. At least not online or at my local spots. It’s not what I expected.
There’s an interesting rumor being reported from a Hunt Expo attendee. Apparently they sat next to some of the Barretta team flying home and one of the employees had the Tikka T4X pulled up on his laptop. Might be an interesting shot show next year…
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Came across this video that somewhat relates to the topic: https://youtu.be/rabcVgvkVaQ?si=u7812M_xQ53Sk_HE
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