JJMoody
Well-Known Member
Honestly, if you keep an eye on the classifieds, there's always a $3000 "perfect rifle" on there.
Still need the perfect long range elk gun
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- 300 deer hunting elk
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KyCarl
Well-Known Member
Is there really a "Perfect" rifle?.. Is there a perfect anything?
Some really nice choices But everything in one?
Some really nice choices But everything in one?
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
There is, but for each scenario/type of game you're hunting, that "perfect rifle" and "perfect cartridge" set of needs changes. Sometimes you need more than a .25-06, but sometimes you don't. And sometimes you need less than a .338 Lapua, and sometimes you need more. I guess you could go right in the middle of the spectrum and say the closest thing to the "perfect" caliber & cartridge would be the 7mm RemMag/.280 Sherman/.280 AI/7mm SS cartridges. The 6.5 Sherman & 6.5 SS pushing the new Berger 155's or Matrix 160's would be a close 2nd.
I've found a few rifles in classifieds that are what I'm looking for but are in 300 rum or Norma mag. Very sweet setups but at this point I'm trying to keep things simple and stay with the 300 wm. I'll have to spin off the break for group I go to Idaho with for the type of hunting we do there.
Now for the good news!
Just got off the phone with John from Mesa Precision Arms in CO after the recommendations on here. He has a rifle that was ordered by a customer and canceled. He has to put it together and confirm it's a shooter before he will agree to sell it but as long as it does I'm in. What a guy! Great to deal with.
It's a 300 wm
blueprinted 700 action
Jewel trigger
Barteline 3b 26" fluted 1-10 so I can still shoot these **** copper bullets in CA, (not crazy about flutes but if it shoots it shoots)
Wyatt's mbe2 box
I can't remember which stock for the life of me but it's a carbon adjustable I was excited about when he said it.
With that adjustable stock it's coming in at 8 lbs.
I'm excited!
Now for the good news!
Just got off the phone with John from Mesa Precision Arms in CO after the recommendations on here. He has a rifle that was ordered by a customer and canceled. He has to put it together and confirm it's a shooter before he will agree to sell it but as long as it does I'm in. What a guy! Great to deal with.
It's a 300 wm
blueprinted 700 action
Jewel trigger
Barteline 3b 26" fluted 1-10 so I can still shoot these **** copper bullets in CA, (not crazy about flutes but if it shoots it shoots)
Wyatt's mbe2 box
I can't remember which stock for the life of me but it's a carbon adjustable I was excited about when he said it.
With that adjustable stock it's coming in at 8 lbs.
I'm excited!
They machine their own ss and Ti actions or use a blueprinted 700 if you want to save a few bucks. Lead times were as stated earlier, 7-8 weeks. The ascent uses an HS precision stock unless you want something else. They have their own stocks that should be coming out soon. The reamer they use for 300 win is Saami spec. They will build whatever you want.
Is it bad I'm already planning another build? It might not be cheaper but at least this addiction is healthier than heroin.
It's a never ending quest to find the next rifle
Doesn't Mesa use lone peak actions? That's redhawks builder correct? I've heard good things about them and redhawk is top notch to deal with.
I went back and forth for months about what to build for my perfect lighter weight elk rig. Here's the end result of my wife leaving me unsupervised long enough to do it. Decided on 280ai throated for 168s and it fits me better than the glove fit oj.. whatever you do build exactly what you want and fits you unless you can afford to build two. Or ten
I went back and forth for months about what to build for my perfect lighter weight elk rig. Here's the end result of my wife leaving me unsupervised long enough to do it. Decided on 280ai throated for 168s and it fits me better than the glove fit oj.. whatever you do build exactly what you want and fits you unless you can afford to build two. Or ten
adk hunter
Well-Known Member
Interested to know what your carbon barrel length is? I just did a 280 AI too. And the 168's bullet brand? I stayed with steel #4 fluted seems to like the 150ttsx and ABLR 150's going easy. Did some seating depth tests now have to crank up the loads to see where that accuracy and powder marry.
24', 8.44tw. 168 berger vldh
For that price you could look at the Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle too. Lightweight, can get 300WM or 300 Norma if you like. Folding stock. I am not sure of the mag length but seeing as the large frame is 300 Norma/WM and 338 Lapua I would assume that it will use CIP length mags which will get you to 3.6"+ COAL. Being that it is a carbon barrel, POI shift based off of temp should be very minimal. I have not shot one but the reviews I have seen of the rifle are very positive.
https://christensenarms.com/modern-precision-rifle/
https://christensenarms.com/modern-precision-rifle/
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I believe they use the lone peaks when they are out of their actions if I understood John correctly. He also said they can't keep their actions on the shelf. Most of the work the work they do these days is on the Ti actions.
They seem to be very thorough with quality control and haven't built a single rifle yet they couldn't send out due to not meeting the 1/2 Moa guarantee. Based on what I've gathered so far this place is outstanding to deal with and puts out an equally great product.
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I've come close to getting a Christensen but ultimately got cold feet with the amount of problems they've had with their barrels. It seems like these past few years have been much better.
Ultimately I decided that it seems like buying a $600 tikka or savage would put me in the same weight class and give me the same chances of shooting 1/2 Moa. That was a risk I wasn't willing to take. It was a hard decision because they have a ton of great features at a respectable price. I most likely will end up with one some day but I don't have time to be sending anything back to get any kinks worked out. Mesa seems to be the answer.
I have a CA Ridgline 6.5 Creedmoor and it's the most accurate rifle I own. 2 1/2" groups at 430 yards if I don't screw it up, some guys on here could probably do better I bet. Not steering you away from mesa precision because I want one as well just wanted to give you a positive response on a Christensen Rifle
