Dr. Vette
Well-Known Member
The two guns you mentioned are apples and oranges...one is a lightweight hunter the other is a heavy rifle.
What type of rifle are you looking for?
Im looking for a rifle to take out west this fall for antelope and mule deer and elk/moose in the future. It will be primarily a hunting rifle with a few trips to the range per year. I'm interested in a Long range rifle but being a bow hunter from NY 30 yds is long to me!?
I agree that the two rifles are vastly different. My hunting partner has a Christensen, and I have a Sendero. We each have others too, but I'm familiar with both and have shot both a fair amount.
Personally I'd aim for something in between. As already noted the Christensen can be difficult to shoot longer ranges because it is so lightweight. I think you would find it a challenge. The Sendero, as you note, is relatively heavy which makes it much easier to shoot longer range but a problem to carry.
My thoughts -
First, antelope to moose is a huge difference in size. For antelope and mule deer you could do extremely well with anything from a 243 to a 280AI, with very manageable recoil. I would frankly buy a rifle for this fall, and worry about larger animals at a later date. Buy one that you can shoot a fair amount without worrying about recoil, and start practicing. If you've not been West to hunt you will quickly find out that 500 yards away looks like it's "right there."
Second, you will likely want a 30 or 338 caliber for elk and moose, but I'm not sure you want to have those for this fall. At least, most of us reach for different rifles when dividing up the 4 animals you mentioned.
Third, if you've not shot beyond 100 yards I would look at some of the excellent moderate priced production rifles to start, and go from there. Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka T3, Savage 110, Bergara B-14; these are all great rifles that will shoot better than you can out to 500-600 yards. Use the spare money for better optics and more practice ammo, as well as a wind meter and good range finder.
Fourth, find a place to shoot increasingly longer distances and visit it frequently. I had to look hard and be creative to find 500 yards near me, but did it and can hit targets with my Vanguards, Sendero and others without a problem.
Good luck!