.308 or 6.5 PRC for Deer in Colorado

[JackButler]

I killed a great bull this year with a 308. Only 275 yards but dropped in his tracks.

 

[SRshooter1]

Like a boss!

 

[IDVortex]

Id look into a 338 lapua. You need kinetic energy to kill things. With enough WALLOP anything will kill.

How far are you planning to shoot? A 6.5 CM would work for hunting and shooting and it's cheaper than the 300 or prc. .308 would be perfectly fine for a long range target gun and hunt with.

 

[35WhelenAI]

OP indicated he's looking to shoot at a thousand yards, I'm not sure where the hunting is in that? You don't need a thousand yard gun to hunt anything in colorado, unless you want to shoot and not hunt. Not fun to hear but truth.

 

[KurtR]

OP indicated he's looking to shoot at a thousand yards, I'm not sure where the hunting is in that? You don't need a thousand yard gun to hunt anything in colorado, unless you want to shoot and not hunt. Not fun to hear but truth.

In your opinion which doesn’t make it a truth

 

[35WhelenAI]

It's a fact you don't need a 1000 yd gun to hunt anything in Colorado or anywhere else.
Unless there's some place where there's no opportunity to engage at less than a thousand yards. It's a choice to shoot at a thousand yards, which is not opinion.

 

[IDVortex]

It's a fact you don't need a 1000 yd gun to hunt anything in Colorado or anywhere else.
Unless there's some place where there's no opportunity to engage at less than a thousand yards. It's a choice to shoot at a thousand yards, which is not opinion.

Anything can be a thousand yard gun and hunt in Colorado. (Minis their gay caliber restriction)

 

[Hnthrdr]

1000 yard and hunt shouldn’t really be in the same sentence… you can shoot and kill something at that distance sure, might even be an ethical shot if you are good enough. Hunt implies some sort of stalk… imo

 

[35WhelenAI]

Point taken. OP did say 1,000 yd range shooting but also to hunt in Colorado. Hunt does involve some type of stalking or pursuing. OP, what range would you be considering to hunt in colorado, or anywhere else?

With respect to caliber restriction, send in the case study to Colorado with all the pictures, it's convinced a lot of people on this forum. Why wouldn't it work with the left leaning powers that be in Colorado that make the decisions?

 

[SRshooter1]

Any potential hunting shots would be from ethical distances: within 600yds. Target shooting really starts there and goes to 1000yds with the .308 for me

 

[sololearn9]

The 6.5 will give you some ballistic advantages over the 308 past 600 yards.

 

[SRshooter1]

Yeah, I'm aware of the differences in BC, but I've heard too many hunting stories of unharvested animals with a Crredmore. I'm sure it was just bad shooting, I'm a bit old school, which is why I chose the .308 over that round for hunting. If it was targets only, sure. I just want both options if building quality setups. Thank you!

 

[KurtR]

Yeah, I'm aware of the differences in BC, but I've heard too many hunting stories of unharvested animals with a Crredmore. I'm sure it was just bad shooting, I'm a bit old school, which is why I chose the .308 over that round for hunting. If it was targets only, sure. I just want both options if building quality setups. Thank you!

I have only lost one big game animal in my life it was a 308 shooting 168 amax bad shot killed 100 plus deer with it other wise. I took that action built a creedmoor before most even knew what that was and havnt shot an animal more than once including elk and from a distance that would make the glass house people really throw rocks.

 

[ElkBro]

Yeah, I'm aware of the differences in BC, but I've heard too many hunting stories of unharvested animals with a Crredmore. I'm sure it was just bad shooting, I'm a bit old school, which is why I chose the .308 over that round for hunting. If it was targets only, sure. I just want both options if building quality setups. Thank you!

Hard to beat a tried and true .308 round for backcountry hunting.

 

[SRshooter1]

Amen brotha

 

[MuleyFever]

I appreciate your thoughts. I'm not reloading, just shooting the factory Hornady ELD/Match grades. I have a decent setup currently, optic & rings (Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5x25). I'm confident in the .308 and have a number of kills with it. Just wanting to hear what others are using and why. Thanks again!

I would use the money to upgrade from that Vortex.

 

[SRshooter1]

Damn What's the big issue with Vortex? They seem to make quality products, have a lifetime warranty and as a Marine veteran, I get a 50% discount. That's pretty hard to beat from where I sit. Thanks for your time!

 

[IDVortex]

Damn What's the big issue with Vortex? They seem to make quality products, have a lifetime warranty and as a Marine veteran, I get a 50% discount. That's pretty hard to beat from where I sit. Thanks for your time!

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

 

[KMC55]

6.5 PRC would be a great option if you want a dual purpose gun. I re-barreled my 300 Win Mag to a 7 PRC. For the purpose of doing some ELR matches and still maintaining a rifle for hunting. Obviously you don't need to shoot long range at an animal but you can certainly shoot the 6.5 PRC 300 yards just the same as your 308. The 308 however is going to be difficult to work with past 800-900 yards. If I were in your shoes, I would re-barrel your Tikka to 6.5 PRC you wont lose any capability the .308 had.

 

[CoMulies]

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

This is a smoking deal on a stainless T3x in 6.5 prc. I picked up a prc last fall when my trusty .270 had some issues 2 weeks before 2nd rifle and have not been disappointed (aside from pricier ammo). The 130 terminal ascent is impressive out to 500+. That said, I punched my CO mule deer tag at 50 yards last fall, go figure.