New Long Range Hunting Rifle

[kootenay88]

Hello,

I am looking at purschasing a "do it all" long range rifle for mainly elk,deer,bear and moose. I currently own a tikka T3x in 7mm rem, but I am looking for some thing alittle bigger like a 338win mag or 300wsm. The rifle would have to be consistently accurate to about 500-600 yards. I have been looking at Christensen arms or possible kimber. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks,
Kootenay88

[Weatherby Fan]

look for an used Kimber Montana 8400 Mag Bolt face and build a 28 Nosler or a 30 Nosler , use a #3 Benchmark 26" long and you'll be a happy Camper, maybe add a brake if your going to be shooting lots or laying prone.

[Red_Mist]

I really doubt there's anything your Tikka 7mm Rem mag can't do out to 500-600 yards. You already have a gun/caliber that will kill everything in BC.

[boxhitch]

agreed. run with what you have til it proves not to do the task
Better to be a better shot with a lighter recoiling rifle instead of being less-better with a big hammer

[Astepanuk]

I'm Currently using a Christensen Arms Summit Ti TH and have had very good success My rifle is Chambered in 300 RUM I shoot a 200Gr Berger Hybrid at 3145FPS with phenomenal accuracy I'm very comfortable out to 700Yards. It is normally topped with a NightForce Atacr but have recently switched it out for a light weight Swarovski Z3 for my Mountain Goat hunt.

[300rum700]

The Fierce line has all these rifles beat. Set your budget and choose your calibre, they have options all the way from $2500-$6000.

[.264winmag]

Welcome to the rabbit hole. For long range think high BC frangible bullets and moderate to fast muzzle velocities. 338wm does not make the cut imo, and the 300wsm just squeaks in. 7RM trumps both imo. As said a tikka can be tweaked and loaded appropriately for mid range work in the 5-600 yd range quite easily. Before forking out the dough on a new smokepole I'd suggest working on burning up the 7RM barrel for practice, and research what cartridge will suit your shooting needs best.
Cheers

[Weatherby Fan]

You certainly can make use of your 7mm Rem Mag as other have suggested above, maybe check out some heavier bullets with it and see how it responds.

It would be a lot cheaper option but certainly takes the fun out the new rifle option !

[kootenay88]

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I am currently shooting 160 grain accubonds out of the 7mm rem and I have been fairly impressed with their performance on deer. I am not 100% confident if they carry enough energy at 5-600yards to smack down a a big bull.

[300rum700]

That load is more than capable at that distance.

[Weatherby Fan]

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I am currently shooting 160 grain accubonds out of the 7mm rem and I have been fairly impressed with their performance on deer. I am not 100% confident if they carry enough energy at 5-600yards to smack down a a big bull.

Try some 175gr ELD-X and see how they work, but as 300rum700 says the 160AB should be fine, AB and the ELD-X bullets two of the best made long range hunting bullets, you could even give the Barnes 168gr LRX a whirl.

[decker9]

Something that may help make your current 7mm feel more comfortable with longer range would be a bit heavier of a sock. I had put a B&C on my .300 T3, even tho it didnt help with the rifles accuracy itself, it did help me hold it steadier in a rest position. I think a bit of a flatter surface of the bottom of the forestock seemed to help that a bit.

Just a thought anyway, but if a new rifle is in the budget, there’s a lot to choose from these days.

Cheers.

[twoSevenO]

Do you actually have any experience shooting the 7mm rm to 500 yards that leads you to think you need something bigger?

[the_longwalker]

The 7mm is the epitome of long range cartridges.......

[browningboy]

7mm is a good cartridge but if you're looking for something different, go Nosler 28 or 30, if you go 33 it will kick like a mule.

[Weatherby Fan]

7mm is a good cartridge but if you're looking for something different, go Nosler 28 or 30, if you go 33 it will kick like a mule.


I have just the answer for those nasty mules......... a Gary Flach built custom brake !

[rocksteady]

He does not NEED a new gun, he WANTS a new gun..

Go for it.. dont let anyone talk you out of a shooter that you love

[browningboy]

I have just the answer for those nasty mules......... a Gary Flach built custom brake !


He does make some nice brakes that I saw, the 33 would be like a supercharged 338 Win Mag, like shooting Volkswagen's at game! :-))

[Jimbob]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn1G8BeUuc

The Gunwerks company is one of the biggest reasons for a surge in long range hunting. Their guns, equipment, and TRAINING are pretty amazing. Also, their show has some amazing feats. Their bulletr of choice 7mm remington magnum

A bull elk over 1300 yds and the 7 mm did fine in the video. For 500-600 yds the 7 mm RM is great. If you want another gun then go for it but don't think for a second you need a bigger caliber.

[moosinaround]

Do a new rifle! Life is too short for just 1!! 300 RUM, or a 7mm RUM, STW. or a 28-30 Nosler! Brake any of these, and your shooting long distance, with plenty of oomf for killing stuff! I just bought a 338 win mag. Gonna use it for elk, and moose, with 225gr pills. Not gonna be a 500 yrd gun though, up close to 200yrds I think? Have fun looking and shopping! Moosin

[tinhorse]

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I am currently shooting 160 grain accubonds out of the 7mm rem and I have been fairly impressed with their performance on deer. I am not 100% confident if they carry enough energy at 5-600yards to smack down a a big bull.

That gun and bullet would be good on moose out to 600 for sure. I took a bull 2 years ago at 400 yards with my .280 xbolt with 140gr noslers. he dropped where he stood. Accuracy trumps power. Although I am taking my .300 wsm this year....

[BRrooster]

Shoot some ones BIG rifle and see if you actually want to hunt with something that wallops you. Good way to develop a nice flinch. If you cant hit a pie plate at 500 yards every time, then become a better hunter and get closer. Reading the wind is a lot of times more important than knowing the drop. 600 yards is a long way to
pack out a moose! Practice that with a 100 lb sack of potatoes on your back. I don't mean to be all negative but know what you are getting into, or think you want to get into.
cheers.
B.

[dino]

Shoot your 7mm at a steel plate at 600 then shoot it with a real magnum and im sure you will go with the magnum. Yes the 7mm will kill at 6 or 7 but it doesnt do it with authority. Shooting a bull elk at 600 with a real magnum is going to be the choice of most. You can use the 7mm for smaller game. Many hunters use different rifles for their diffrent styles of hunting. Buy the 338 but in lapua if you do go 338.

[howa1500]

Hello,

I am looking at purschasing a "do it all" long range rifle for mainly elk,deer,bear and moose. I currently own a tikka T3x in 7mm rem, but I am looking for some thing alittle bigger like a 338win mag or 300wsm. The rifle would have to be consistently accurate to about 500-600 yards. I have been looking at Christensen arms or possible kimber. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks,
Kootenay88

338RUM Nuff said... Go big or go home... Or appreciate that beauty of the 7mm. I personally think the 7mm is fantastic, technically the 7 will shoot flatter and drift less.

[BCHUNTER21]

..............

[whitlers]

Shoot your 7mm at a steel plate at 600 then shoot it with a real magnum and im sure you will go with the magnum. Yes the 7mm will kill at 6 or 7 but it doesnt do it with authority. Shooting a bull elk at 600 with a real magnum is going to be the choice of most. You can use the 7mm for smaller game. Many hunters use different rifles for their diffrent styles of hunting. Buy the 338 but in lapua if you do go 338.

So the 7mm isnt a 'real' magnum?

[Ltbullken]

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I am currently shooting 160 grain accubonds out of the 7mm rem and I have been fairly impressed with their performance on deer. I am not 100% confident if they carry enough energy at 5-600yards to smack down a a big bull.

What MV are you starting with? With it’s .531 BC and even just 2900 fps MV, the 160 accubond still has over 2000 fps and 1500 ft/lbs at 600yds. More then enough to ensure proper bullet opening and enough for an ethical kill on a moose. FWIW.

[.264winmag]

I got a Lapua for sale that shoots minute of moose out to 1300yds, turn key package. It's an ugly savage but it sure stacks 285 Amax's in neat little clusters with 2800fps mv...

[kootenay88]

I got a Lapua for sale that shoots minute of moose out to 1300yds, turn key package. It's an ugly savage but it sure stacks 285 Amax's in neat little clusters with 2800fps mv...


How does the recoil of the lapua compare to a 300win mag??

[Weatherby Fan]

How does the recoil of the lapua compare to a 300win mag??

You usually get your fillings replaced after every range session, but the recoil is manageable :wink:

[.264winmag]

How does the recoil of the lapua compare to a 300win mag??
An 11# Lapua with a gill brake pretty identical to an 8# 300win with no brake.

[Norwestalta]

Do a new rifle! Life is too short for just 1!! 300 RUM, or a 7mm RUM, STW. or a 28-30 Nosler! Brake any of these, and your shooting long distance, with plenty of oomf for killing stuff! I just bought a 338 win mag. Gonna use it for elk, and moose, with 225gr pills. Not gonna be a 500 yrd gun though, up close to 200yrds I think? Have fun looking and shopping! Moosin

338 wm will do it. No problem. Mine does anyways.