One kill all factory rifle choice?

[midwesthunter]

I have a good hunting buddy that has been getting into more longrange hunting. He is looking for a gun that he can shoot anything from ground hogs to elk with. He also wants it to be factory as he can't afford a custum build. I told him I thought a 264 win mag, 6.5 x 284 or 7mm Rem mag would do the trick. I also told him either Savages long range hunter or Rem sendero. You can get the 6.5 x 284 and 7mm in the savage and the 264 and 7mm in the sendero. All of my guns seem to run over bore so I don't know what one might suit him best. At 600 yards with all of them shooting 140 bergers they are pretty close, but at a 1000 things change pretty good. What do you guys think?

 

[WyoElk2Hunt]

I think your advise is great on the caliber choise. Just be sure the scope is as good as your rifle. Thes best scope you can afford is my sugestion.

 

[kc]

Savage makes the best low cost rifle out there with accuracy, if you plan to hunt Elk or Deer. For Groundhogs a .22-250 or a .223. than for elk you need another calibre thats bigger, the smallest I can think of in my book would be a 7mm08.
But I would not chance it, unless I was about 10 yards, from the Elk, but its great for Deer.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Not possible. Use a 22 for groundhogs and buy a elk rifle. Do not risk wounding an elk with an inadequate rifle. Or shoot groundhogs with a elk rifle. But don't attemp to shoot elk with a groundhog rifle.

The 264 winchester with 130 scirrocos will kill elk and you can load it with light varmint bullets. I shot groundhogs with my 257 wby and it was fun.

 

[HARPERC]

What I glean from your post is that he is already hunting. Inventory what he has and build on that, or sell it. Affordable: It may not be more expensive to upgrade what he has, than starting from scratch. Example, whatever he is shooting now will likely benefit from an investment in a high quality scope. He can shoot until he wears this out his present rifle, and still have the scope for whatever he graduates to. Reality, there isn't really a good gopher to godzilla cartridge if you have a tight budget. A good off season varmint hunt may wear your big game rifle out. Reality, pin down what he is actually going to do, if money is tight opportunities will be also. If coyotes are what's available to him get a good coyote rifle now, and budget/plan for other opportunities. In many places his opportunity to shoot may be limited to a range-if so get something that's fun at the range until the budget improves. Plenty of good quality .223 and .308's available to keep cost down.
I think most of us have had to proceed in a step wise fashion to play this game within our budgets. Like all budgets write down what you have, and that will make a lot of decisions up front. I'm just guessing not knowing more facts. Keep it fun.

 

[liltank]

Personally the 6.5x284 is going to be the ticket as far as an all around cartridge. If he reloads he will be able to put together some very potent loads to kill LR groundhogs to 7 or 800yd elk. If he doesn't reload than you are really limited in what you have as far as factory ammo.

The other option would be the venerable .308 Winny. Good cartridge and will do all you ask of it with reasonable limitations. It won't fry barrels and you will be able to shoot varmint loads to heavy rounds for elk. With a little research you will be able to find some good 180 and 190 Target loads. Those will pack enough energy to 700yds for an elk.

Tank

 

[midwesthunter]

Thanks guys for the responce. I should have been more specific on what he would plan to hunt long range. Ground hogs, he would be lucky to shoot a half a dozen a year. We live in the midwest so we don't go out west every year, though I''m starting to but I usually take my bow. Elk he probably wouldn't shoot past 300 yards so the 6.5 would have the knock down needed. The deer and antelope, well considering you can hunt with a 223 in some states for deer plenty of power. and chucks we shoot to kill not eat. I think he has decided on the 264 in the sendero because of the 26" barrel vs the 24" in the savage, I'm not sure if you could get the full patentule from a 24" barrel?

 

[load]

umm how bought the 50 bmg? great squirrelgun)

 

[WildRose]

I have a good hunting buddy that has been getting into more longrange hunting. He is looking for a gun that he can shoot anything from ground hogs to elk with. He also wants it to be factory as he can't afford a custum build. I told him I thought a 264 win mag, 6.5 x 284 or 7mm Rem mag would do the trick. I also told him either Savages long range hunter or Rem sendero. You can get the 6.5 x 284 and 7mm in the savage and the 264 and 7mm in the sendero. All of my guns seem to run over bore so I don't know what one might suit him best. At 600 yards with all of them shooting 140 bergers they are pretty close, but at a 1000 things change pretty good. What do you guys think?

I"m with you. The 7mag, and 264wm are awfully tough to beat for all round calibers for all varmints and North American Game.

I agree with the above poster as well. Plan to spend at least as much if not more than the cost of the rifle to get quality optics.

I'm always amazed by people that spend a grand on a rifle and then head to the discount store to get whatever cheap scope and rings are on sale, and then wonder why they can't hit a barn at 100yds.

 

[roninflag]

Thanks guys for the responce. I should have been more specific on what he would plan to hunt long range. Ground hogs, he would be lucky to shoot a half a dozen a year. We live in the midwest so we don't go out west every year, though I''m starting to but I usually take my bow. Elk he probably wouldn't shoot past 300 yards so the 6.5 would have the knock down needed. The deer and antelope, well considering you can hunt with a 223 in some states for deer plenty of power. and chucks we shoot to kill not eat. I think he has decided on the 264 in the sendero because of the 26" barreag se the 24" in the savage, I'm not sure if you could get the full patentule from a 24" barrel?[/QUO 7mm mTE]

my 7mm mag sendero kicks less than my 6.5-284 sendero. it has a muzzle break. my 300 WM sendero kicks about the same as the 6.5-284.

 

[squirrelduster]

I just bought a new barrel for one of my Savage actions in 6.5x284. All I can say is WOW!
I shot a ladder test at 100 yards and varying the powder charge 2 grains you could cover all with a quarter. Incredibly accurate cartridge with pretty good performance for deer sized game at extended ranges.

 

[WildRose]

Another I'd recommend in a short action would be the 7mm-08. Very capable cartridge for most any application to 600yds, and the bonus of readily available factory ammo and components.

 

[ntg]

6.5-284 or 7-08 are what I'd got with. I've never warmed up to the .264wm.

 

[COBrad]

This is entirely possible! With elk on the menu, I would suggest 6.5-284 as a minimum, but my personal favorite is the 7mm rem. mag. I prefer a 26" barrell to maximize velocity. Budget for a trigger job, and has been repeated, a good scope. I'm currently using a Zeiss Conquest in 4.5-14x44 and have found it great for groundhogs (marmots here in western Colorado) beyond 700 yards, and the FOV at 4.5X is just fine for elk in the timber. If it fits the budget, I can highly recommend a Cooper. Mine shoot better than the .5 MOA groups they advertise with no trigger job or other modifications necessary. I'm currently shooting one of their .270's as my elk/marmot rifle. I would be shooting the 7 mag, but they weren't available until this year.