Best 600y elk cartridge to built on top of 270 Win Tikka action

[arizonahunter]

Old fashion 30-06 you can almost always find cartridges (maybe even the local circle k)

 

[Lou270]

Fast twist 270 or 280ai. Can get slightly heavier ie 180-195gr bullets in 7mm but may run into mag issues if limited to 3.34 as some of those buggers have looong ogives to pump up bc.

Lou

 

[Jpron]

If your open to sticking with the 270, do it! I did a 7.5 twist 26 inch barrel. I put it together for my dad. He's using the 175 gr Sierra with rl26. 2940 fps with rl 26 and unbelievably accurate, if those didn't work the heavy hammers were next on the list. Brass is easy to find. I'm jealous of that rifle

 

[A A Ron]

To address the original post.. I had the same question, long action, standard bolt face, long range elk capable.

I went 30-06 AI. Mine shoots 200 Bergers at 2800 fps + with sub moa accuracy. That load arrives at 600 yards at 2013 fps and 1800 ft lbs of energy. I routinely out shoot my brothers 300 win mag and my friends 28 nolser. Those both have more potential, but the 30-06 AI clearly still is relevant.

 

[Will83]

7 Sherman Max or 7 SAUM. Probably the Max becayof availability of components.

 

[FEENIX]

Lots of good suggestions; the easiest and certainly fit the bill would be a 270 AI, the 280 AI is just barely more powerful and no critter at any range would know the difference. However, if you want something that would max out the .473 (standard) bolt face look at the Gibbs line of wildcats (all based on a 30-06) 6.5, 270, 7mm, 30 and 338. Below is a quote from a guy running a 338 Gibbs. I have a 338-06 built on a Colt light rifle that I have entertained the idea of converting to a Gibbs, but at 7.25 lbs running a 175 HH bullet at nearly 3000 fps it already has excellent performance. If I were to ever build a super light, kill anything rifle for North America the 338 Gibbs would be hard to beat.

I now have a 338 Gibbs with a 26" barrel. With Re17 and 210 gr. Swift Scirocco's I'm getting 2950 fps. Although primer pockets are good, this is max IMO. I'll settle on 2925 fps

I also have a .30 Gibbs (https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/30-gibbs-is-finally-ready.242088/). It propels the 190 Berger VLD at 2806 FPS with RL-17 out of 24" barrel with plenty of room. I am just playing around with powders I already have open.

 

[Trm82]

Tikka makes a 300 wm so the action will handle cartridges up to that length so if you want horsepower get a magnum bolt face and choose any of the Nosler cartridges 26,27,28,30. Those are all amazing performers well past 600 yards.
Not the 33 !! Had one on a lite rifle and I think my brain is still hurts just thinking about shooting it.

 

[strikeforce32]

I've considered 280 AI but it seems like I might run into COAL issues. 284 WIN doesn't seem like it has enough bang.

Are there any other options with standard bolt face?

The new 338 Weatherby RPM is a standard bolt face that should deliver — all four factory loads have at least 1700 ft-lbs at 500 so @ 600 there should still be plenty of punch

 

[tim_w]

@FEENIX is it a reflection or do all those loaded Gibbs cases have a dent at the shoulder junction?

 

[James DeTorre]

If I may jump on 280ai thread for some help. 280ai is my favorite. Recently bought a Nosler 21 in 280 ai and it has the tightest chamber I have ever experienced. Handloads that cycle nicely in my other 280s won't load. Factory Federals have to be slammed home. Dropping coal down to 3.280 or below is required to get good feed.
***?
ps returning to Nosler is going to be major pain

 

[FEENIX]

@FEENIX is it a reflection or do all those loaded Gibbs cases have a dent at the shoulder junction?

Reflection, here's one before bullet seating.

and one loaded with 168 Cavity Back bullet next to factory -06 Federal Powershok 180..

 

[Highvoltage]

I just built a 6.5 saum on a tikka and killed a bull first rifle just under 400 yds. The bullet used was a 140 accubond, 25" barrel getting 3150 with h1000. My buddy has always shot the 26 nosler with the same bullet and dropped every elk he's ever pulled the trigger on. I converted a 308 for this build but i debated hard on the 6.5 rpm or 6.5x280ai. If I didn't want to spend the extra money on a bolt swap I'd look hard at either of these 2. If you really want to keep it simple, stay with the 270 and go for a 25-26" barrel and a 140 accubond.

 

[tim_w]

miss post

 

[tim_w]

If I may jump on 280ai thread for some help. 280ai is my favorite. Recently bought a Nosler 21 in 280 ai and it has the tightest chamber I have ever experienced. Handloads that cycle nicely in my other 280s won't load. Factory Federals have to be slammed home. Dropping coal down to 3.280 or below is required to get good feed.
***?
ps returning to Nosler is going to be major pain

Only way to be sure is order a 280AI go gauge from JGS, Manson, or PTG. Should be $30-$40. Try chambering it with your bolt stripped.. it should chamber without resistance. . If it doesn't it was short chambered.

You would have little choice but to follow Noslers warranty process. You could, of course, use a gunsmith you trust to set it to proper minimum headspace. It would void the warranty at least on the barrel.