Help Deciding on "Budget" Rifle & Scope for Once in a lifetime Elk tag (narrowed down list)

[ND243]

So I just found out that I drew a North Dakota Elk Tag which is a once in a lifetime tag (literally can only get one in your lifetime). I have been going over everything I need... which is a lot of gear (lightweight camo, new pack, spotting scope, rangefinder) so I am trying to keep costs down. I am big into archery hunting whitetails but also have shot plenty of rifle in my life. I figured this is a good opportunity to get a new rifle setup as I also have a Wyoming muley tag that I will be guaranteed for but I will put it off for a year after hearing this news.

I narrowed the rifle choices to these three:
1. Tikka lite veil wideland 6.5PRC
2. Tikka lite Roughtech 6.5PRC
3. Christensen Arms Mesa 6.5PRC

I cant imagine I will be shooting an elk past 400 yards. But I do like to go shoot gongs out to around 800-1000 yards. Also I know Tikka's are just coming out with the 6.5PRC but I have heard of a few shops who have gotten them already so I would think it wouldn't take too long to get one. I have had both the tikka and the Christenson in my hands. I like both, I prefer the tikka action. But feel they are pretty comparable, besides Christensen having a better stock. I know I can get all of them for close to the same price. I like the fact the both the wideland and mesa are cerakoted.

Scope Choices:
Athlon Helos BTR GEN2 4-20×50 APLR6 FFP IR MOA
Athlon Midas BTR GEN2 4.5-27×50 AHMR SFP IR MOA HD
Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle
Ziess V4 (used) not sure what would be best reticle for me yet
Meopta Optika6 4.5-27x50 (or56?) or 3-18x56 (unsure on reticles)
Arken SH-4 gen 2 (if I could get my hands on one)
Burris XTR II Rifle Scope - 3-15x50mm 34mm FFP Illuminated SCR MOA Reticle Matte( can get blemished for $640)
Burris Signature HD 5-25x50mm (unsure reticle)
Leupold???

As you can see my price point varies a lot. I would love to stick around the $500 range if all possible but willing to go up if there is a scope absolutely worth having. still want to keep this gun fairly light and easy to carry around all day unlike some of the other guns I have. Please let me know what you believe is the best bang for your buck out of these rifles and optics.

 

[Recon$$]

Based off your budget and what you listed I would buy whichever rifle you like the best that you listed and pick up the zeiss v4. I wouldn't try and save any money on the optics side. I'll take a look at the rifles and see if I formulate any opinion worth posting.

I'd buy the rough tech and put the couple hundred you save towards the optic.

 

[david g ranes]

So I just found out that I drew a North Dakota Elk Tag which is a once in a lifetime tag (literally can only get one in your lifetime). I have been going over everything I need... which is a lot of gear (lightweight camo, new pack, spotting scope, rangefinder) so I am trying to keep costs down. I am big into archery hunting whitetails but also have shot plenty of rifle in my life. I figured this is a good opportunity to get a new rifle setup as I also have a Wyoming muley tag that I will be guaranteed for but I will put it off for a year after hearing this news.

I narrowed the rifle choices to these three:
1. Tikka lite veil wideland 6.5PRC
2. Tikka lite Roughtech 6.5PRC
3. Christensen Arms Mesa 6.5PRC

I cant imagine I will be shooting an elk past 400 yards. But I do like to go shoot gongs out to around 800-1000 yards. Also I know Tikka's are just coming out with the 6.5PRC but I have heard of a few shops who have gotten them already so I would think it wouldn't take too long to get one. I have had both the tikka and the Christenson in my hands. I like both, I prefer the tikka action. But feel they are pretty comparable, besides Christensen having a better stock. I know I can get all of them for close to the same price. I like the fact the both the wideland and mesa are cerakoted.

Scope Choices:
Athlon Helos BTR GEN2 4-20×50 APLR6 FFP IR MOA
Athlon Midas BTR GEN2 4.5-27×50 AHMR SFP IR MOA HD
Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle
Ziess V4 (used) not sure what would be best reticle for me yet
Meopta Optika6 4.5-27x50 (or56?) or 3-18x56 (unsure on reticles)
Arken SH-4 gen 2 (if I could get my hands on one)
Burris XTR II Rifle Scope - 3-15x50mm 34mm FFP Illuminated SCR MOA Reticle Matte( can get blemished for $640)
Burris Signature HD 5-25x50mm (unsure reticle)
Leupold???

As you can see my price point varies a lot. I would love to stick around the $500 range if all possible but willing to go up if there is a scope absolutely worth having. still want to keep this gun fairly light and easy to carry around all day unlike some of the other guns I have. Please let me know what you believe is the best bang for your buck out of these rifles and optics.

First thing to figure out what ammunition you can get or at least get components to load know a guy who just had to have a 6.5prc then could only find one box of ammo. David

 

[Canhunter35]

Zeiss v4 would be a good choice
Leupold vx5 3-15 would be my top choice, pretty great in low light for the money.
Cheaper tikka I'd think

 

[duckhunter175]

Standard stainless Tikka T3x Lite-- 300wsm, VX5HD 3-15x

300wsm will be plenty for any other critter you may hunt, ammo is easier to find and elk aren't small critters. If I'm on a 'once in a lifetime' for anything I'm going in with P for plenty of gun.

 

[Highvoltage]

Congrats on your tag! Do you have any rifles to start with? A plain on 270/280/3006 would be just fine, slap a leupold vx3i 4-14 and go hunt. The majority of your whitetail gear would work. I would invest in a leupold rangefinder as well. I e found through trial and error that they pick up deer sized animals very well at longer ranges. Best wishes

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

All of the Vanguard Weatherby's and they come in a lot of non-Wby chamberings (eg. 300Win, needmore, other real 6.5s, etc.. : ) seem to be 1/2 moa shooters and pretty reasonably priced. Some are (the RC's) not so reasonable, but many in the $500-$800 range. V4 Zeiss is an awesome scope for the price.

 

[Husky user]

I would not touch the PRC to hard to find ammo.I would go with 7mm Magnum or 300 Win mag..After that buy the best glass you can afford.

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

Tikka's are nice rifles, but if you're a reloader, or every plan to, I'd go with the CA Mesa. The twist rates on Tikka's aren't ideal if you want a wide range of bullet weight options. As for the scope....VX5HD 3-15x44. Great glass for the $ and worth spending a bit over your $500 target.

 

[Chadp82]

Can I ask what do you already have? Any 7mm or 30 cal is more than sufficient for elk within 500 yards, with the right load of course.

you could spend the money on upgrading scope and load development of a current rifle. If you have something that already fits the bill, and you are confident shooting it, may not need to go further than your safe.

unless of course this is the excuse to explain to your significant other as to why you need a special elk rifle. If that's the case disregard everything above and head to the store before they change their mind

 

[martinakl]

I won't try and talk you out of a 6.5 PRC. You have that picked out. It's on my short list of next rifles.

The Tikka will have plenty of twist rate in that cartridge (1:8) Their 7mm and 30 cal stuff is slow twist. You're good to go with anything they sell in 6.5mm.

Their Magnum rifles (7mm Mag, 300 Win) have insanely short magazine COALs, so heavy bullets are shoved way in the case, so it's a double whammy there.

My advice: Do not purchase a 6.5 PRC rifle until you have something to shoot out of it. If you reload, find all of the reloading components you need and make sure they're in your possession (Brass, Dies, Bullets, Powder, Primers). If you have the cash handy, and keep your eyes open, you'll come across something priced normal. Like others have said, it's hard to come by PRC stuff. I've seen ammo listed at $5/round a few times ($100/box).

If you find a good deal on a scope, and have the cash, go for it.

*I hope the Lapua 6.5 PRC brass starts hitting the streets soon. I've had my backorder in for months now. See, I practice what I preach.

 

[TC338]

So I just found out that I drew a North Dakota Elk Tag which is a once in a lifetime tag (literally can only get one in your lifetime). I have been going over everything I need... which is a lot of gear (lightweight camo, new pack, spotting scope, rangefinder) so I am trying to keep costs down. I am big into archery hunting whitetails but also have shot plenty of rifle in my life. I figured this is a good opportunity to get a new rifle setup as I also have a Wyoming muley tag that I will be guaranteed for but I will put it off for a year after hearing this news.

I narrowed the rifle choices to these three:
1. Tikka lite veil wideland 6.5PRC
2. Tikka lite Roughtech 6.5PRC
3. Christensen Arms Mesa 6.5PRC

I cant imagine I will be shooting an elk past 400 yards. But I do like to go shoot gongs out to around 800-1000 yards. Also I know Tikka's are just coming out with the 6.5PRC but I have heard of a few shops who have gotten them already so I would think it wouldn't take too long to get one. I have had both the tikka and the Christenson in my hands. I like both, I prefer the tikka action. But feel they are pretty comparable, besides Christensen having a better stock. I know I can get all of them for close to the same price. I like the fact the both the wideland and mesa are cerakoted.

Scope Choices:
Athlon Helos BTR GEN2 4-20×50 APLR6 FFP IR MOA
Athlon Midas BTR GEN2 4.5-27×50 AHMR SFP IR MOA HD
Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle
Ziess V4 (used) not sure what would be best reticle for me yet
Meopta Optika6 4.5-27x50 (or56?) or 3-18x56 (unsure on reticles)
Arken SH-4 gen 2 (if I could get my hands on one)
Burris XTR II Rifle Scope - 3-15x50mm 34mm FFP Illuminated SCR MOA Reticle Matte( can get blemished for $640)
Burris Signature HD 5-25x50mm (unsure reticle)
Leupold???

As you can see my price point varies a lot. I would love to stick around the $500 range if all possible but willing to go up if there is a scope absolutely worth having. still want to keep this gun fairly light and easy to carry around all day unlike some of the other guns I have. Please let me know what you believe is the best bang for your buck out of these rifles and optics.

Just looking at your list of scopes. I've got a NIB Athlon Ares BTR Gen 2 4.5-27 in MOA I'm wanting to sell. They are going for about $850 on optics planet. I'd do $750 shipped. I'm wanting to go back to SFP.

 

[Hespco]

I've been taking elk each season with a 6.5 since 1994. Started with a 6.5x308 wildcat , now known as the 260 Rem. My original bullet of choice was the then Barnes 120gr "X" bullet. The first bull taken , that season , with that rifle was at 197 yds.. It was a complete pass thru of both front shoulders. DRT. I have used my different 6.5's to take elk every season since then. My one & only Tikka is a 6.5x55. A couple Savage 260's. A semi custom 6.5-06 & a couple 264 mags. All of these 6.5's have taken elk using the Barnes 120gr X & now the TSX/TTSX. These rifles & bullets have never failed me. It comes down to a tough, deep penetrating bullet properly placed, what ever the cal. . My over whelming amount of shots have been under 200yds. with many under 100yds. I can only recall one at 347yds, my longets . which performed perfectly with the elk going less than 20yds. I did use a Hammer Hunter 121 gr in 2019 to take my elk , which also performed flawlessly. If I can make one recommendation, buy stainless , whatever brand you get. I have seen blue steel rifles rust in hunting camp over night. Literly , over night.

 

[Safariman62]

I support any rifle caliber a hunter chooses. 6.5PRC is some very expensive ammo.