Advice for choosing my path on an elk rifle

[Rlshrum]

I currently hunt elk with a 300 win mag that has served me very well, however it kicks like a mule and is kinda heavy… So, I'm thinking about the following choices:

1. Thread the 300wm (Remington 700 26 inch stainless Douglas + McMillan + limbsaver pad) and add a suppressor (have a Scythe ti coming in 2026). As I age I'm not interested in the recoil, or carrying such a heavy rifle.

2. Buy a Tikka T3x Superlite in 6.5 prc and add my incoming Scythe ti suppressor.

3. Buy a Kimber Ascent in 280 ai and add my suppressor.

I'm not a reloader, so I'll be shooting factory or semi- custom ammo - I currently shoot Choice Ammunition in my 300wm and Berger is my 6.5cm. Also , my self imposed distance limit is 7-800yds. I'm also not 100% on any of the options proposed above - definitely open to your ideas.

Thanks in advance for your advice and help!

 

[ShakoMako]

Head over to the firearms forum here and swing thru the suppressor forum on your way. Unfortunately the scythe TI has a reputation for blowing up, especially on shorter barreled magnums.

Tikka 6.5PRC is probably going to be the leading recommendation on this forum- a lighter recoiling cartridge in a more reliable and safe action than your REM 700 300WM.

The trend here, backed up by reams of data is lighter recoiling cartridges with heavy for caliber match bullets.

 

[CRJR45]

3 2 1 , good luck

 

[AZ Gator]

I think the 6.5prc is going the right direction to deal with less recoil. Tikka isn’t the only option, but it is hard to beat even if you spend quite a bit more.

There is tons of aftermarket support for the Tikka.

 

[waspocrew]

Of your three listed options, my preference is #2 - Tikka 6.5 PRC. Honestly, you could even go Tikka 6.5 Creed and be just fine for elk. You'll find good factory ammo for the PRC and even more for the 6.5 Creed (all with less recoil).

Unfortunately, your Scythe-Ti may end up being a disappointment (from a durability standpoint).

Edit: didn't read too closely - you already have a 6.5 CM.... what's wrong with that rifle?

 

[6mm Remington]

#2 & #3 would both work well. I have a 280AI and I sure love that rifle. Shoots great and recoil is pretty mild for what it is putting out. 140 gr. Accubonds at 3186 fps and 140 gr. Partitions at 3230 fps.

 

[ianpadron]

What's wrong with your 6.5 CM?

That's the easy button for the exact use case you mentioned.

 

[dsotm]

3 2 1 , good luck

This. Or be a refined sophisticated gentleman and buy a 7mm-08.

 

[Rlshrum]

What's wrong with your 6.5 CM?

That's the easy button for the exact use case you mentioned.

I feel like I need a little more “gas” for elk both in speed and down range punch.

 

[ShakoMako]

Thread '6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....'

Dec 17, 2021

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit not nearly as many as I should have, from a couple deer. I'll try to briefly describe the ones I don't have pics of.

If you have experiences, good or bad, post them up. Of course, pics are great, and add a lot of valuable information. Maybe it will take off, maybe it won't, but if it does it...

• woods89
• Replies: 2,026
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Here’s a long thread on 6.5 creedmoor. Whether it’s punch, gas, or wallop, terminal ballistics are a function of a given bullet’s performance within in its expansion velocity envelope and shot placement.

Good luck, happy reading and welcome.[/EMBED]

 

[keystone112]

I’d say 6.5 PRC or 280 AI depending on factory ammunition availability that you like.

 

[elkguide]

Still in the .300 WM camp here. I own a custom rifle in 6.5PRC and it is amazing but I still can't bring myself to hunt elk with it. If I were to go away from one of my WMs for elk, I would likely go to the .280AI.

 

[Rlshrum]

#2 & #3 would both work well. I have a 280AI and I sure love that rifle. Shoots great and recoil is pretty mild for what it is putting out. 140 gr. Accubonds at 3186 fps and 140 gr. Partitions at 3230 fps.

What brand of rifle is your 280ai? There doesn’t seem to be too many factory options… To get a light weight rifle for $1500ish it seemed like Kimber was the most highly regarded?

 

[6mm Remington]

What brand of rifle is your 280ai? There doesn’t seem to be too many factory options… To get a light weight rifle for $1500ish it seemed like Kimber was the most highly regarded?

Mine is a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter that was a 270 Winchester. I purchased it used and had my gunsmith work his magic on the trigger, pillar & glass bed the wood stock, and put a 24" 1-9 twist Shilen Match Grade barrel on it chambered in 280AI.

 

[ianpadron]

I feel like I need a little more “gas” for elk both in speed and down range punch.

Oh boy...

 

[hereinaz]

I feel like I need a little more “gas” for elk both in speed and down range punch.

Nothing wrong with that, and the 6.5 creed might not have enough velocity at the 7-800 self imposed range.

The 6.5 PRC is going to be the best choice given your parametees. The 280 ai is gonna be on the bubble at that range? But it’s a good choice.

A lot will depend on the barrel length.

 

[ianpadron]

The issue with these threads is that anyone with a true 7-800 yard effective range doesn't need to crowd source advice on cartridge choice to accomplish that task.

I'm going to go out on a limb and recommend OP take the $$$ he is willing to spend on a new rifle, spend it on ammo for his 6.5CM, and shoot it all before next hunting season.

That tends to solve all issues.

 

[fmyth]

I feel like I need a little more “gas” for elk both in speed and down range punch.

I switched from a 24" .300WM to a Tikka T3X lite in 6.5C with an 18" barrel and have now killed 5 elk and 6 mule deer at 300-400 yds with factory 143 ELDX ammo. My brother borrowed it and shot a mule deer and an elk w it this last season. It had plenty of "gas" for the 6 elk and 7 mule deer we killed with it.

 

[ianpadron]

I switched from a 24" .300WM to a Tikka T3X lite in 6.5C with an 18" barrel and have now killed 5 elk and 6 mule deer at 300-400 yds with factory 143 ELDX ammo. My brother borrowed it and shot a mule deer and an elk w it this last season. It had plenty of "gas" for the 6 elk and 7 mule deer we killed with it.

Hard to go wrong with that combo.

I've got a 16.25" 6.5CM that gets me to 750 yards at 5k DA, cheap and plentiful ammo, negligible recoil.

 

[TaperPin]

I’d rebarrel your Remington with a light profile 7 mag barrel. It’s more comfortable to shoot than a 300.