Can of Worms

[cajuntransplant]

Okay. I have been shooting my whole life; rifles, pistols, shotguns, bows, you name it. I like to shoot and got into skeet shooting last year. Shot >5,000 rounds and like it. However, I think rifles are more my style. I don't really like deer hunting (rifle) in Louisiana because at the range I typically shoot (<200yds), it is not really a challenge.

I stumbled on this site and have been reading a lot for the past few days.

Here is the situation. If a person wanted to get in this game, what would you experts suggest? The gun will be used for Deer, Elk, Bear, and target shooting. I don't really have a preference for caliber, but from reading here, I assume 7mm RUM or .300 RUM. I would like to build/buy now and be able to grow from 500-1000yds with the same set up.

The budget is ~$7,000 and that will have to cover gun, scope, case and bi/tripod.

I would like to buy/build the best possible within the budget.

 

[youngbuck]

You can do an awful lot with 7k. You could do a custom build, on a custom action, with a nightforce scope (or something along the 2k range, maybe even swing a Premier if nice glass is your thing). You could get the best stock (IMO), Mcmillan or Manners. That would leave you plenty left over to get into reloading, and a chrony, if you aren't already. For elk, I would feel comfortable with a 7mag on the small side. You could also opt for any of the 30 cal mags are up to the 338s. You could also go with one of the nicer factory rifles (sendero or savage LRHs) and save some coin for components. A lot of the sponsors here also have turn key rifles that at ready for 1k+. If it was me, I'd have a 338 mag, Lapua, Edge, or one of Kirby's mags. I think any 7mm magnum or 30 cal mag would suit you well.

 

[liltank]

This is one of my dream builds: Surgeon action LA, Badger Ordnance bottom metal and clips, Manners A5, Lothar Walther, Lilja, or Brux barrel 25.5" 1.20" taper to .900" in 1:9 twist in 338 Norma Magnum, Pain Killer brake, Schmidt & Bender Scope, Premier, or Hendsolt mounted in Night Force Rings or Badger Rings with level and angle indicator of some type. I would also apply for my clearance for a suppressor for hunting. Harris Bi-pod with a swivel mount w/ pod lock. This caliber will kill anything in the Northern Hemisphere, and barrel longevity is greater than the 7RUM and 338 Lapua Magnum. This will allow for more range time w/o concern of burning up your barrel.

Tank

 

[bigngreen]

This is one of my dream builds: Surgeon action LA, Badger Ordnance bottom metal and clips, Manners A5, Lothar Walther, Lilja, or Brux barrel 25.5" 1.20" taper to .900" in 1:9 twist in 338 Norma Magnum, Pain Killer brake, Schmidt & Bender Scope, Premier, or Hendsolt mounted in Night Force Rings or Badger Rings with level and angle indicator of some type. I would also apply for my clearance for a suppressor for hunting. Harris Bi-pod with a swivel mount w/ pod lock. This caliber will kill anything in the Northern Hemisphere, and barrel longevity is greater than the 7RUM and 338 Lapua Magnum. This will allow for more range time w/o concern of burning up your barrel.

Tank

I like your take Tank, ALOT!!! My twist on it is a Raptor action, Brux 1-9.3 over size shank med palma 26in, Manners MCS-T5A with mini chassis, 4-port Muscle Brake, Nightforce 5.5-22, Hollands level, and Snipertools ADI, Harris pod with lock. Chambered by me in a 338 Norma Improved!! Not that I've thought about it or anything

I would go with something that you can have a couple thousand rounds of very consistent, no throat chasing shooting with quality components available to you.

 

[lamiglas]

I would contact shawn carlock at defensive edge ( 208-687-2659) www.defensiveedge.net and have him build a canyon rifle in the 338 edge topped with a nxs 5.5-22 x56.

go to his site and check out the canyon rifle, or the longrange lightwieght. I have the Longrange lightwieght and absolutely love it! in the last year it has taken elk at 535, 603, 1025 and a bear at 1065.

I saved forever for this rifle and just knew that it would be a once in a lifetime buy for me because of what a custom rifle costs. the problem is once you have one, you cannot help but to want one more!

I like mine so much, I have been buying parts now for over a year, and He is currently building me a canyon rifle. should be done here within a week or so!

good luck

 

[Len Backus]

I have some ready to ship rifles that would meet your needs for much less than your budget.

Long Range Rifles

Len Backus
Publisher, LongRangeHunting.com

 

[Buffalobob]

For target shooting get something built on a 308 case such as a 243, 260, 7-08 or 308. Get into F-class competition there in Louisiana and learn the basics of long range shooting. Does not need to be a custom rifle. Savage makes some good off the shelf target rifles.

Then next year apply for antelope tags in Wyoming and go and hunt antelope. It is about the easiest form of long range hunting there is. You have a extremely high rate of success. Elk and deer hunting is much lower success rate and the learning curve to successfully hunt them is much harder and longer. If you cannot kill antelope at long range then you are really not likely to succeed at long range elk.

How to build a rifle is predicated upon your style of hunting. There are light walk around rifles and heavy sit in one spot rifles. Calibers are a lot of personal choice and simply needs to be adequate for the range and the game.

 

[HARPERC]

It sounds like you've got a realistic budget. My advice would be to think system, and begin with optics. If you can't see it you can't shoot it. Optical system includes, scope, binos, and, spotting scope.
The rifle choices are numerous, I like the idea of Len's ready mades although I haven't had one. Theres another thread where folks talk about waits up to 2 years for some gunsmith's to actually deliver a rifle. Being able to start now while the passion is there is worth something.
Best of luck

 

[WildRose]

Okay. I have been shooting my whole life; rifles, pistols, shotguns, bows, you name it. I like to shoot and got into skeet shooting last year. Shot >5,000 rounds and like it. However, I think rifles are more my style. I don't really like deer hunting (rifle) in Louisiana because at the range I typically shoot (<200yds), it is not really a challenge.

I stumbled on this site and have been reading a lot for the past few days.

Here is the situation. If a person wanted to get in this game, what would you experts suggest? The gun will be used for Deer, Elk, Bear, and target shooting. I don't really have a preference for caliber, but from reading here, I assume 7mm RUM or .300 RUM. I would like to build/buy now and be able to grow from 500-1000yds with the same set up.

The budget is ~$7,000 and that will have to cover gun, scope, case and bi/tripod.

I would like to buy/build the best possible within the budget.

Go to the link Len provided and look at his 300 WSM. Well within your budget, with enough power to do all you describe in your interests, and you'll be supporting our publisher/website owner. Have him put a good muzzle brake on it and you'll be set for years of shooting enjoyment and ready to explore long range shooting with the right hardware from the start.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/lrr/lrr-300-wsm.php

Make note of his accuracy gurantee which is as good as any in the industry.

 

[Len Backus]

Hey, guys, thanks for the plugs.

Here is a link to my Long Range Rifles "Testimonals" page.

And here's a picture I received last week of a group from Tim O.'s new 6.5x284. He's had the rifle only a few weeks.

1,000 yard group!

I guess that is a money group but the $100 bill was all I had in my pocket to show the group.

Money won't buy you love but it will let you pick your own brand of misery and this must be mine.

Remember, I use gunsmiths (unnamed) and component suppliers who are Official LRH Sponsors.

 

[RDM416]

cajun,

It sounds like you are ready to move so waiting 10 to 12 months for a custom build may not be your thing for your first long range rifle. Going with one of Len's rifles may be the way to go as he has rifles available or can put together what you want fairly quickly. If you want to go the "start from scratch" method on a build. I would recommend Kirby Allen (Fiftydriver on this site) of Allen Precision Shooting.

I am a big fan of the 338 caliber and would go with something along the line of 338 Lapua or 338 RUM. There are several 30 cal options as well including the 300 RUM. Just my personal opinion, but since you mentioned elk and bear I would not go 7mm. I know it will kill them and don't mean to start an argument here..... I would stay away from wildcats for your first LR rifle other than maybe the 338 Edge.

A Night Force 5.5-22X50 is a good choice for scope and comes in at less than $2K.

You can start out shooting factory stuff, but you will want to reserve some of that money to get a start into handloading. As you stretch the range out, you will want to work up your own combinations. You can easily spend $100+ a box (20) for premium magnum ammo. Most people simply will not shoot enough to learn the rifle and ballistics paying that much for ammo. When you go out and drop $300 for ammo just for an afternoon of dial up chart development it hurts.... You may not actually save money hand loading, but you will think you are.

Good luck and welcome to the Long Range game!

 

[J E Custom]

One more opinion.

For what you will be using the rifle for I would recomend something big enough to take anything
on your list, at any range to 1000 yards+ but something that could be loaded down or used with
factory ammo that is loaded with different velocities and energy.

So I would recomend one of lens rifles in 300 RUM with a break.

I like the 338 as much as anyone and have several, But with the .30 cal bullet selection and
the velocity and trajectory the 300 RUM is hard to beat.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

 

[WyoElk2Hunt]

I would go with Lens 300 RUM ready to ship and put a nightforse scope on it. Not wait for a custom to be built maybe a year or more form now.

 

[liltank]

Just do the 300 Win Mag then if factory ammo is the norm. You can get military grade and premium hunting stuff. It will be cheaper to load and buy than the RUM. Not to mention it will give longer barrel life. It is very versatile, so that is the direction I would go.

Tank