Buddy wants one rifle for everything...?

[2 the Plug]

From what you described I would think 7MM Mag, 300WSM, or 300WM. Under normal circumstances plenty of factory choices and your hand loads can do whatever else he needs with any of those three. Savage Long Range Hunter comes with a brake and leaves enough for bases rings and glass. Other savage models mentioned would fit the bill. Tikka would also work and would be much lighter if going with T3x lite or superlite. Used in both options would work as well.
I know you can kill any of those animals you mention with a bow, so even a 280AI or 6.5PRC could have arguments to work, but for me I would probably go 300WM or WSM and then focus on glass.

 

[2 the Plug]

Also, I wish I was your buddy. None of my friends or family have ever offered to load for me forever… hell of a friend you are good sir!

 

[Tidus56]

IMHO, 1200yds rules out 30-06, AI and is a stretch for several others mentioned. Plain, old 300Win mag will do all that and then some. And with some work can likely find one in the price range.

I can shoot a 6.5 creed at targets for giggles at 1200 and with a 280 AI it's that much easier. So I think he would be fine but that's my take. A 300 win is a great option as well.

 

[entoptics]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

We've got time to shop, so I think I'm going to steer him towards a Savage or Tikka in 7mm Mag. I know everything is hard to find right now, but perhaps we could even score a used rifle in the $500 range, and then his budget might accommodate a new barrel with a faster twist (X-Caliber on sale can be had for <$500. Indeed, I have a couple myself).

As for a scope, I haven't looked at the $500 range for quite awhile, but I'm sure there's something that will suit his needs. I'm thinking something in the 3-12 or 4-16 range. He's a hunter first and foremost, so as long as it's durable and reasonably clear and bright, he'll be happy.

He was ecstatic when I tuned up his old Win 670 and 30 year old Burris Signature 2-8x40 with a 166 HH going 3200 fps into 1.5 MOA at 200 yds, so he shouldn't be too hard to please.

 

[2 the Plug]

Used one of these on a 700 LTR 308, works just fine.
I have a savage 6.5cm listed but it's a short action so that won't work. Maybe put up a WTB savage Mag action and bolt and see what you get. BP/Cabelas just clearance sold a bunch, but I couldn't find one Mag action left.

 

[Sockeye66]

Savage 110 LRH 6.5x284 topped with a Burris Signature HD 3-15x44, 124gr Hammers for game, 140 ELDMs for fun.

 

[DoneNOut]

Never met a mechanic that only had one tool.

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

I'd go with in this order(I prefer the non belted cartridges)
300PRC
6.5 PRC
7mm Mag
300 WM

 

[Buck3]

For ammo availability I'd go 300win. I was just looking at a stainless Tikka for $750. It sure looked like a decent gun for the money. I was looking for something more suited to elk then his 6.5cm. I don't know what scope to reccomend in that price range though. I do have a friend who uses a Vortex pst and likes it.

Needing off the shelf copper hunting ammo pretty much rules out the 6.5prc and 300prc.

 

[Recon$$]

Sure I'll get flak but I gave Vortex a handful of chances. I can't recommend anything other than their razor line....

 

[ORCON]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

We've got time to shop, so I think I'm going to steer him towards a Savage or Tikka in 7mm Mag. I know everything is hard to find right now, but perhaps we could even score a used rifle in the $500 range, and then his budget might accommodate a new barrel with a faster twist (X-Caliber on sale can be had for <$500. Indeed, I have a couple myself).

As for a scope, I haven't looked at the $500 range for quite awhile, but I'm sure there's something that will suit his needs. I'm thinking something in the 3-12 or 4-16 range. He's a hunter first and foremost, so as long as it's durable and reasonably clear and bright, he'll be happy.

He was ecstatic when I tuned up his old Win 670 and 30 year old Burris Signature 2-8x40 with a 166 HH going 3200 fps into 1.5 MOA at 200 yds, so he shouldn't be too hard to please.

I've got a lovely stainless Savage 12 with a nice stock, barrel, and scope in 300 WSM that would suit his needs.

 

[esshup]

Just another vote for 7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag.

Moose at 400 yds is why I'd shy away from the smaller calibers. Sure they may kill it but how far will it run after hit? And will the smaller calibers have the oomph to get to 1200 yds (factory gun, twist rate availability, etc.).

 

[wasskeet]

If he can deal with mil instead of MOA - here's a scope deal:

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[nksmfamjp]

1) All ungulates to 400 yds (deer mostly, but elk, moose, etc will almost certainly be tackled occasionally).

2) Steel and paper to 800 plus (occasionally out to 1200 just for giggles on big targets).

3) $1500 for scope and rifle.

4) Factory rifle most likely (see #3).

5) I'll load for him, perhaps indefinitely, but reasonably common factory ammo is a must.

6) He only hunts with lead free. So it needs to have a good factory option in copper (see #5). He's cool with slinging lead at paper/steel, but verboten on animals.

7) He can handle recoil, but I'd like to steer him towards "a bit more than minimum" that will get the job done, so a factory rifle with a brake is a high priority, but not a deal breaker.

So...

Rifle?

Scope?

Cartridge?

Barreled action:

M1500 6.5 CREEDMOOR BARRELED ACTION | Brownells

The Howa 1500 6.5 Creedmoor Barreled Action is a great platform for shooters who want to build their own long range, precision rifle at an affordable price. Starting with a standard-dimension forged steel short action (SA) receiver, Howa adds a ha...

www.brownells.com

Stock:

Rifle Parts for Rifle Repair by Gunsmiths or DIY Modifications | Brownells

Shop rifle parts (5,116) at Brownells, including barrels, stocks, triggers, and bolt carriers to customize, repair, or upgrade your rifle’s performance.

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Scope:

SH4 4-16X50 GEN2 FFP MOA VPR Illuminated Reticle with Zero Stop - 34mm Tube

8-12 Week Backorder Lifetime Warranty Precision Tracking Guaranteed HD Glass First Focal Plane (FFP) Zero Stop Specification: Magnification: 4-16 x Objective Diameter: 50 mm Eye Relief: 3.6 inches Field of View: 30 -7.5 ft @100 Yards Tube Size: 34 mm Turret Adjustment: 1/4 MOA Reticle Position:…

www.arkenopticsusa.com

6.5 prc

I agree that the 6.5 PRC or 6.8 Western offer a bit more, but in today's market, those calibers are commanding a premium.