Advice with LR precision/hunting rifle

[lj_1187]

Im wanting to get into the long range shooting game. I am wanting a nice bolt rifle that I can shoot past 1000m, and use the same rifle for hunting basically any game in the US. Elk being the largest, but most hunting use will be mule deer, whitetail, hogs, and aoudad. I know the 6.5cm is the new hotness, but Im not sure it had the energy I would want down range taking a large ram or elk at distances 300m or longer. 300wm seems like a good choice, but I barely pass my hearing tests at work now, so I want to suppress whatever I get to something close to hearing safe at the ear. 26" win mag with a can seems really long to walk around hunting with.

What caliber and setup would you guys go with if you were in my shoes? I cant really afford 2 seperate setups. Thanks in advance!

[masan]

OP, are you planning to buy or load your own ammunition?

There are a lot of great cartridges out there that could fulfill your needs, but they are not going to be something that you can buy ammunition for.

If you plan to buy your ammunition then the 300wm would serve you well.

Tikka is making some excellent rifles for the $. If I were in your shoes I would be taking a hard look at the T3x Tactical in 300wm, slightly shorter barrel makse for a handier rifle.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Tikka-T3x-...0-Win-Mag.aspx


I would suggest that you consider putting your $ into good glass and good electronic in the ear hearing protection instead of a can, but that is just my 2 cents.

Good luck!

[lj_1187]

Thanks for the quick reply. I dont have time to reload right now until my kids get a little older, so I will be using factory ammo. I took a good look at the Tikka CTR 6.5 with 20" barrel, but think Id benefit from more downrange energy. I didnt know they made a T3x in 300wm. Thanks, I will check that one out!

These look like hard to find rifles. They seem like just what Im looking for besides the barrel threads. Would you get a 5/8 thread adapter so I can suppress it, or just have it rethreaded? Wouldnt want to go lower than the 24" the barrel is already at.

[Ironman8]

Thanks for the quick reply. I dont have time to reload right now until my kids get a little older, so I will be using factory ammo. I took a good look at the Tikka CTR 6.5 with 20" barrel, but think Id benefit from more downrange energy. I didnt know they made a T3x in 300wm. Thanks, I will check that one out!

These look like hard to find rifles. They seem like just what Im looking for besides the barrel threads. Would you get a 5/8 thread adapter so I can suppress it, or just have it rethreaded? Wouldnt want to go lower than the 24" the barrel is already at.

IMO, the 6.5 CTR w/ 20” barrel was what I was about to suggest. You’ll easily be out to 1000 yds and it has plenty of energy for 300+ yd shots on game. Plenty of elk killed with a 6.5. It’s light and handy enough to pack around the elk mountains, and the Tikka action is second to none for a non-custom action. Aftermarket support is there too.

You can also get the CTR in 24” bbl length too.

[grizzman]

When driven at 2800 fps, a Barnes 127 grain LRX BT has 1450 ft/lbs of energy at 300 yards, which is adequate for Elk. The high sectional density will allow it to work even better than traditional 6.5 bullets, which have been used for Elk for many generations.

If the primary use is high volume precision shooting, I'd choose a 6.5 over a .30 magnum. I can put many rounds through my 30-338 in a range session, but it's not what I'd call pleasant.

A can? No way. Electronic ear protection for the win. A rifle with a 24-26" magnum/varmint/ profile barrel is heavy enough without adding additional weight at the end of the barrel.

[MegademiC]

Take a look at the bergara HMR in 6.5.

[markm]

I would suggest that you consider putting your $ into good glass and good electronic in the ear hearing protection instead of a can, but that is just my 2 cents.

I agree. I'm a one bolt gun shooter with one good scope. And lugging a 300 with even a titanium can would be brutal.