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

[waspocrew]

I like the 6.5 PRC - it's just a hard cartridge to get into right now. Tikka's are great rifles - a 300 WSM would get the job done nicely. You'll have plenty of available ammo and a lot of time to practice for your hunt.

When most other cartridges were sold out at the shops I frequent, 300 WSM always seemed to be around for some reason.

 

[rbTanzan]

PS: I just saw that 243 is your largest rifle, suggesting potential unfamiliarity in your rifle choice. We've all been there. Some extra considerations: I would go shoot a few rounds with someone's 375 or 338 until recognizing that the caliber will not hurt you. Then consider any of the better elk caliber, the brand new 6.8Western up to the 338s. If you choose a Tikka rifle (always a great choice) you will be limited to their 11"-twist in 30 caliber and a current unavailability in 338. Hammer Bullets has a nice 162gn .308" Absolute Hammer that would be great in a Tikka. Jack O'Connor would recommend a good ole 270 and my wife's Tikka in 270 would do the job because its very accurate.
PPS: Tikka use the same sized actions for the various caliber between 6.5 and 338, so you would not be saving any weight with a short round.

 

[kevin0270]

Tikka or Weatherby Vanguard meateater,7mm remington mag or 300 win mag.Leupold vx5hd 3-15 scope or a zeiss v4 4-16.Good luck on your hunt!!!!

 

[Sanford338]

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.

I fully concur!!

 

[Quintus]

Alot of people telling you to choose a different cartridge. In MY experience wounded game and long track jobs have always been the shooters short-coming not the cartridge. I have seen a couple bullets splatters, but not in the last 15 years. It is always a poor shot that initiates a long track. Practice, know your limitations, leave your pride at the truck, and the PRC will be fine.

 

[Stryker56]

I wish you success with your hunt. I had my first elk hunt in 2019, and took a Weatherby Vanguard 300 Win Mag with a Burris Fullfield II scope. Not my primary choice for a scope but I had difficulty with my primary one sighting in. I only had one day to get squared away. It was more than adequate. I took a nice bull at 304 yards in a facing shot (he just wouldn't turn before going in to cover). While I'm a 30-06 guy, the 6.5 PRC looks like a great cartridge.

 

[5gauss]

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.

Leupold tried and true and rugged lifetime warranty made in USA...owned them for years and years with never an issue. Dropped. banged still on target

 

[Lefty G-gear]

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.

What about the ammo?
Can you get any?
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

6.5mm PRC Ammo

In-stock best prices for 6.5mm PRC Ammo | Best 6.5mm PRC Ammunition - AmmoSeek.com

ammoseek.com

 

[Lefty G-gear]

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.

Availability ammo and rifles?
7mm Remington Magnum (Tikka T3X SS)

7mm Rem Mag Ammo

In-stock best prices for 7mm Rem Mag Ammo | Best 7mm Rem Mag Ammunition - AmmoSeek.com

ammoseek.com

7mm Remington Magnum Rifles

Find 7mm Remington Magnum bolt-action rifles from a variety of manufacturers. Choose the lowest price from our multiple warehouses.

www.cheaperthandirt.com

7mm Rem MAG Rifles For Sale at ClassicFirearms.com

www.classicfirearms.com

 

[Ben Gallardy]

Echoing other posts, but if I draw a once in a lifetime tag, I'm taking a rifle that is MORE than adequate. Not saying a 6.5PRC can't get it done, but 300wsm or 300 Win Mag or 7mm REM Mag all get it done a little better on elk. Go big! Same gun, same weight, more dead!

 

[James DeTorre]

Tikka and Veiss. Congrats , send pics.

 

[300grains]

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.

Tikka and Zeiss. You get quality for a good price.

 

[Nimrod62]

I see lots of encouragement for a larger-bore caliber/cartridge. If you end up going with a .308 caliber (e.g., in .300 WSM or .300 WM for example), the Christensen Arms has the advantage of a 1:10 twist v 1:11 in the Tikka. This would allow stabilization of the heavier bullets (200+ gr) with higher ballistic coefficients and sectional density.

 

[Nimrod62]

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.

Thanks for this. Is the magazine length adequate for optimal COAL in a .300 WSM?