Long range all around western rifle

[meatyrem]

Man - I didn't even mention the creed...lol. But a 6.5 SAUM or a 264 wm or a 26 nosler will hit like the hammer of thor on an elk at 1000 yards with a 147 eldm.

Now we're talking. It's nothing against you it just seems that everything we hear about anymore is the 6.5 creed and how it's this or it's that and how it's the new phenomenon

I'll go with the saum or the nosler and 264 win mag.

But it's getting old hearing about how awesome the 6.5 creed is when there are many better options that have been around much longer doing more.

 

[FamilyH]

Hey everybody. So I'm looking to buy a rifle that is a good all around long range hunting rifle. Something that can reach out 1000 yards and kill am elk with confidence. But also a gun I would mind taking a pronghorn with. I'm looking to buy one stock, not build. Right now I'm looking at the browning x bolt max long range in 7mm mag. I'm looking to spend around 1100 on rifle, not including scope. I'm just looking for input on what you guys think about the browning and caliber I'm looking at, or what gun and caliber choice youd search. Also I'm thinking about a savage 110 high country in 280 Ackley. Thanks guys

Hey everybody. So I'm looking to buy a rifle that is a good all around long range hunting rifle. Something that can reach out 1000 yards and kill am elk with confidence. But also a gun I would mind taking a pronghorn with. I'm looking to buy one stock, not build. Right now I'm looking at the browning x bolt max long range in 7mm mag. I'm looking to spend around 1100 on rifle, not including scope. I'm just looking for input on what you guys think about the browning and caliber I'm looking at, or what gun and caliber choice youd search. Also I'm thinking about a savage 110 high country in 280 Ackley. Thanks guys

I have yet to shot an elk past three hundred yards yet, most have been no longer then one hundred yards. But a 7mm mag just will not have the killing power at 1000 yards. Probably the best rifle would be a 378 or 340 Weatherby at 1k.

 

[meatyrem]

I totally disagree on the 6.5 CM for 1,000 yards for elk. It may be a fine round but doesn't have enough "poop" for that, unless you're really, really lucky and, therefore, ill-advised. I know I'm going to ruffle some feathers here, but I think the 6.5 CM is getting a little too much love. There are other rounds out there that can do what it does, and better.

I'm sorry. I was being very sarcastic about that because no matter what the topic the creed is always mentioned such as field and stream going low to mention the creed as one of the top best elk cartridges there is. Even on this forum I have seen it mentioned too. Just get sick of it as it's some type of holy grail of cartridges that everyone must have.

 

[coop2564]

The Bergara HMR would be a better choice than the Browning I looked at the Browning the stock is not near as good as the HMR. Both guns are on heavy side to be carrying in high mountains. Either brand in their normal bolt action class would be better western guns.

 

[rustyshackleford]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Sako-A7-Big-Game-7mm-Rem-Threaded-with-Muzzle-Brake-JRMBG70TB.aspx

For 899$ a Sako in 7 mag would be hard to beat. 26 inch barrel, threaded, and 1 in 9.5 twist.

 

[jasonco]

Why are so many people hating on the savage? They are awesome rifles and crazy accurate, especially their new line of 110's.

And there it is again with Savage no love. I say to all who don't appreciate the Savage, I'l send ya a self addressed postage paid box, put said offensive rifle in box, take to your nearest postal/deliverer, your problem is solved

 

[Tidus56]

Savage makes many changes regularly on their rifles with the "same" model that many parts are a challenge to find after you determine what you really have. Triggers are the worst. Experience speaking.

Many parts are hard to find? What parts are talking about? I have built 9 and never struggled to find anything. Timney makes triggers, rifle basix and the accu-trigger can be modified. I love my Savage rifles. To each their own I guess.

 

[djfriesen]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Sako-A7-Big-Game-7mm-Rem-Threaded-with-Muzzle-Brake-JRMBG70TB.aspx

For 899$ a Sako in 7 mag would be hard to beat. 26 inch barrel, threaded, and 1 in 9.5 twist.

I have this gun. Downsides are slow twist and cheap stock.

 

[rustyshackleford]

I have this gun. Downsides are slow twist and cheap stock.

Looks like you could shoot up to around 175's, which I realize aren't ideal, but it will shoot like a Sako and the stock is nicer than the other options around that price point. He said under 1k

 

[Hespco]

I guess it's just dumb luck all the elk I've killed over the years with the 6.5's. Hung up the heavy kickers years ago. Me & mine have used the 6.5x308 , 260 Rem , 6.5x55, 6.5-06 & 264 mag. Our bullet of choice has been the Barnes mono. Never shot one at 1000yds. Most all have been under 200yds.. Several under 100yds. I shoot frequently on my own range & the 6.5's have shown they are very capable at long yardage. Moderate recoil & flat trajectory are inherent with the 6.5's. Try one for your self. Perhaps you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[djfriesen]

Looks like you could shoot up to around 175's, which I realize aren't ideal, but it will shoot like a Sako and the stock is nicer than the other options around that price point. He said under 1k

Unless I'm missing something, you're not gonna get out of marginal stability with a 175 grain bullet in a 7RM 9.5 twist barrel, unless you're up in the hills a bit.

I can't speak to relative stock quality, but I find the factory stock on my a7 to be a little weak.

 

[rustyshackleford]

Unless I'm missing something, you're not gonna get out of marginal stability with a 175 grain bullet in a 7RM 9.5 twist barrel, unless you're up in the hills a bit.

I can't speak to relative stock quality, but I find the factory stock on my a7 to be a little weak.

Berger says their 175 is good from a 1:10 so 1:9.5 should be pretty safe. I thought the stock felt good. Better than the B&C on my extreme weather and better than the HS on senderos but that's just preference.

A 175 Berger at 2850 FPS carries ~1500 ft/lbs to 800 yards. I believe it would work just fine.

 

[djfriesen]

Berger says their 175 is good from a 1:10 so 1:9.5 should be pretty safe. I thought the stock felt good. Better than the B&C on my extreme weather and better than the HS on senderos but that's just preference.

A 175 Berger at 2850 FPS carries ~1500 ft/lbs to 800 yards. I believe it would work just fine.

Playing with the numbers with the Bergers, you might be good, depending on mv, altitude, temp, etc. When I ran a 175 eldx through the calculator, it's marginal.

 

[Wolf76]

I guess it's just dumb luck all the elk I've killed over the years with the 6.5's. Hung up the heavy kickers years ago. Me & mine have used the 6.5x308 , 260 Rem , 6.5x55, 6.5-06 & 264 mag. Our bullet of choice has been the Barnes mono. Never shot one at 1000yds. Most all have been under 200yds.. Several under 100yds. I shoot frequently on my own range & the 6.5's have shown they are very capable at long yardage. Moderate recoil & flat trajectory are inherent with the 6.5's. Try one for your self. Perhaps you may be pleasantly surprised.

At those distances, what wouldn't kill an elk? BTW congrats on getting close and making quality shots.
Nobody here is saying the 6.5 is a bad choice for elk within reasonable distances and proper bullet construction. Hell, I had my 257 Bee as a backup gun for a previous elk hunt. BUT there's a limit to what any cartridge and shooter can do. The 6.5 crowd (at least the vocal ones ) act as if there's no limit to the caliber. Some of that's marketing and some is ignorance. Watched a video recently where a nice 6x6 is shot with 6.5 cm at a distance of less than 300 yards. The elk acted like never being hit and was still very alive more than 2 minutes.

A parallel point is long range shots on game. People taking 6 hundred + yard shots, while never practicing beyond 300. I understand why they do it as well. I'm an out- of- stater and is very expensive for me to hunt the west. If the only shot was at 600, people are going to send it (I'm not one of these people because I practice all distances I'm willing to kill animal, but understand the mindset) . Look at the terrible shots on YouTube.
The whole CAN vs. SHOULD discussion certainly comes into play. You CAN brake up a concrete slab with a framing hammer. You SHOULD use sledge or jack hammer.
As the distance and game size grows, so should your HP.