Rifle length, weight, forgiveness. What is an easy to shoot hunting setup?

[180ls1]

Oof, yeah, the SST is used for very long range on light animals by guys like nate foster, definitely an exploder. Out of a 270 I bet that was a mess.

I'd go Lighter to keep velocity up at long range with Barnes since they're speed dependent like most monos, I hear good things about their factory ammo consistency. I'm really curious about hornady's improved mono, if I were in your shoes their 165 cx would be on my list. Hornady has an accuracy ceiling from corner cutting I find annoying but it's accurate enough to make most people very happy, I've never seen a gun not like any hornady ammo and that load says it will stay above 2200 for a long ways. Nosler e-tip has decent numbers. My last gun hated the Nosler I tried but that wasn't their fault, when I inspected it it was very consistent ammo. If a gun likes it I bet it really likes it. Their bullets handloaded have been extremely accurate.

Good luck, sounds like you're making a good choice. What make/build are you thinking?

I have been looking at Tikka, Bergara 14, Sako and Browning. Heck, I was even watching 1 mile hits with the Ruger American and it has had me shook lol but I handled one and it left a lot on the table. It will be entry level to start and maybe throw parts at it as needed/wanted or step up to a different class. The Christensen seems interesting as well.

 

[JakeC]

Few things feel cheaper than a ruger, even though they are good. If you're thinking of upgrading as you go skip the Ruger and definitely get a Savage instead. They start out with a hideous but accurate stock that's easy to upgrade. They tend to be very accurate and the barrels are easy to give a massive upgrade later on. Triggers are excellent, and they have to only 26" barrel I can think of offhand on a common rifle. HS precision and Bell and Carlson both make great stocks for them that go on sale periodically. I've seen good used Long range hunters in 300 wm hanging around for 500, you can drop it in a fantastic stock for amount of savings now and get a sick barrel the year after.

Folks like the Howa/weatherby vanguard too, that's a different feel and more traditional. harder to upgrade. Bergaras are turning out to be an excellent option but less entry level.

If you want to do it one piece at a time like Johnny cash though that's exactly what I've done with my savage.

 

[birddog 68]

View attachment 379048
Just sayin'

I get your drift manitou but there's a reason why they make Barbies, woman, cars and guns in different shapes and sizes. Everyone prefers something different ! I happen to prefer some meat on my women and my truck but not my rifle!

 

[Wolf76]

This has been weighing on me a little. I am thinking of jumping to a 300wm from the 6.5prc.

1. My dad already runs one and we hunt together all the time.
2. Its plenty for elk. Since this is an elk/deer/pig gun I wont have to critique my load and worry about effectiveness on elk like I would with a 6.5 prc.
3. Since I hunt in areas that are lead free and leaded. I could just work on one lead free load that does it all with energy to spare. No switching between ammo, point of impact and other further complications from shooting different ammo. (I have a long drive to get to a range over 100).
4. Tons of ammo availability and variety.

Thoughts?

Its a solid choice. The variety of bullets and ammo for this cartridge is great. If I was to pick 1 bullet for everything....180 accubond. The best part is you don't need to load a heavy bullet to get massive terminal ballistics.

 

[180ls1]

Few things feel cheaper than a ruger, even though they are good. If you're thinking of upgrading as you go skip the Ruger and definitely get a Savage instead. They start out with a hideous but accurate stock that's easy to upgrade. They tend to be very accurate and the barrels are easy to give a massive upgrade later on. Triggers are excellent, and they have to only 26" barrel I can think of offhand on a common rifle. HS precision and Bell and Carlson both make great stocks for them that go on sale periodically. I've seen good used Long range hunters in 300 wm hanging around for 500, you can drop it in a fantastic stock for amount of savings now and get a sick barrel the year after.

Folks like the Howa/weatherby vanguard too, that's a different feel and more traditional. harder to upgrade. Bergaras are turning out to be an excellent option but less entry level.

If you want to do it one piece at a time like Johnny cash though that's exactly what I've done with my savage.

I went and handled a bunch yesterday. They felt "fine" but nothing really stood out. Since I am 6'3" with long arms (31" draw, I know I keep using archery terms lol) how beneficial would something with an adjustable stock be? Maybe one of the Savages with the Accu stock?

I really don't know how much fit matters. If it's anything like archery, it makes a massive difference and I will gladly pay more and carry more because of the upside.

 

[birddog 68]

WOW! A 31" draw length is quite the wingspan. A adjustable stock for LOP would definitely help. Most gunsmith's would be able to add spacers to help if you don't care for the adjustable stock's.

 

[180ls1]

WOW! A 31" draw length is quite the wingspan. A adjustable stock for LOP would definitely help. Most gunsmith's would be able to add spacers to help if you don't care for the adjustable stock's.

That is good to know. Thank you.

How about the comb height? Is that pretty helpful/important on a hunting-focused gun? If I am going through the work I want it done right and not have to go back and change things.

 

[birddog 68]

There's actually another recent thread on the LOP for tall/long armed people with more information than a guy with a 27" draw length can give you.lol It's in the equipment discussion forum if you want to check it out.

 

[JakeC]

I went and handled a bunch yesterday. They felt "fine" but nothing really stood out. Since I am 6'3" with long arms (31" draw, I know I keep using archery terms lol) how beneficial would something with an adjustable stock be? Maybe one of the Savages with the Accu stock?

I really don't know how much fit matters. If it's anything like archery, it makes a massive difference and I will gladly pay more and carry more because of the upside.

I think the accufit stock is just too ugly to bear but you definitely need something different. I don't know, really didn't think of that. Too short is better than too long but only to a point then you're really struggling. Fit is not that critical like a bow or shotgun but not fitting is certainly bad. Pretty sure hs precision has adjustables if you can stomach the accufit until upgrade time. Yeah savages feel just fine, no better than that. They wear in and get better but they're never great. It's the other benefits that draw some folks in. Not everyone.

Oh, Did you mean handled a bunch in general, different brands?

 

[JakeC]

That is good to know. Thank you.

How about the comb height? Is that pretty helpful/important on a hunting-focused gun? If I am going through the work I want it done right and not have to go back and change things.

Comb height is important, it's the kisser button of the rifle. But that's adjusted any number of ways with aftermarket stuff.

 

[vancewalker007]

That is good to know. Thank you.

How about the comb height? Is that pretty helpful/important on a hunting-focused gun? If I am going through the work I want it done right and not have to go back and change things.

Comb height is important for you being able to align you eye with your scope/sight. For example on a shotgun comb height is critical because you are throwing that gun up quick and if your eye does not align with the sight picture its going to be tough hitting anything. Similar issue with rifles although you usually have a little more time to adjust your head to align to the scope. But, if you are way off and need to crank you neck a bunch your lack of comfort can translate into consistency issues shot to shot and can become really painful if your say in the prone for a long period.

 

[180ls1]

I think the accufit stock is just too ugly to bear but you definitely need something different. I don't know, really didn't think of that. Too short is better than too long but only to a point then you're really struggling. Fit is not that critical like a bow or shotgun but not fitting is certainly bad. Pretty sure hs precision has adjustables if you can stomach the accufit until upgrade time. Yeah savages feel just fine, no better than that. They wear in and get better but they're never great. It's the other benefits that draw some folks in. Not everyone.

Oh, Did you mean handled a bunch in general, different brands?

Yeah, I ran by a couple shops and handled some.

- Howa chassis rifle (oryx?). Not sure what to think of it. It would take some handling, the chassis setup was heavy and just not something I was used to. I liked the carbon barrel.
- Sako 20 long range. Same somewhat odd chassis type feel.
- Browning Mcmillan long range. 100% felt the best in hand. $2k is just too much right now.
- Bergara 14. 2nd best feel easily. Seemed like the best bang for the buck at 40% of the price of the browning.
- Tikka Roughtech, felt very "meh"
- Win model 70. Id put it behing the Bergara
- Sauer 100. Same level as the win 70.

I didnt get my hands on a Savage.

 

[180ls1]

There's actually another recent thread on the LOP for tall/long armed people with more information than a guy with a 27" draw length can give you.lol It's in the equipment discussion forum if you want to check it out.

Cant find it. I'll try looking again later.

Comb height is important for you being able to align you eye with your scope/sight. For example on a shotgun comb height is critical because you are throwing that gun up quick and if your eye does not align with the sight picture its going to be tough hitting anything. Similar issue with rifles although you usually have a little more time to adjust your head to align to the scope. But, if you are way off and need to crank you neck a bunch your lack of comfort can translate into consistency issues shot to shot and can become really painful if your say in the prone for a long period.

Does a high comb impact quick shots? Like if I jump a bedded bull and have almost no time to raise the gun and shoot?

 

[JakeC]

Yeah, I ran by a couple shops and handled some.

- Howa chassis rifle (oryx?). Not sure what to think of it. It would take some handling, the chassis setup was heavy and just not something I was used to. I liked the carbon barrel.
- Sako 20 long range. Same somewhat odd chassis type feel.
- Browning Mcmillan long range. 100% felt the best in hand.
- Bergara 14. 2nd best feel easily. Seemed like the best bang for the buck at 40% of the price of the browning.
- Tikka Roughtech, felt very "meh"
- Win model 70. Id put it behing the Bergara
- Sauer 100. Same level as the win 70.

I didnt get my hands on a Savage.

I've yet to hear a bad word about the bergaras and they have a lot of nice configurations. Everyone I've talked to in person about them says they're the real deal and reviewers love them, never heard of any duds. I didn't love the one I felt up but they're legit. Howas are nice handling rifles if you can find one in an upgraded stock that's not a chassis. Sportsmans warehouse had exclusive rights to the randy newberg model amd that was a really nice outfit, not sure if that's still around. Weatherby vanguard is the same action in a different configuration, I don't love them but some do. I've never heard of anyone liking sako for value at long range. Saw a video on nate fosters channel where he went over how the new ones are 100 percent immune to accurizing and bedding. Lots of folks are bonkers for tikka but I don't get it. If it didn't blow your skirt up I wouldn't worry. My favorite new rifle I've handled in the last few years was a howa 30-06 in a stepped up stock, fully cerakoted. Just personal feel.

I'd rather break a knuckle than hunt with a chassis type rifle.