Building my elk rifle

[Tim Johnson]

So after turning 55 I’ve decided to build me a lighter rifle the gun I’m replacing is a heavy 7mm shooting 154 inter bond so I thought I’d build a 300 win mag shooting 165 accubonds thinking I’d get performance similar or maybe better then the 7mm my max yardage is 500yds sad thing is I’ve killed truck loads of elk/ deer with my 7mm guess it’s time to retire it what’s your thoughts on shooting the 165 accubonds for elk

 

[butcherboy]

I would stay with the 7mm. I shoot a 270WSM and 140 grain accubond. Love this rifle but without reloading it’s tough to find ammo for it. I’m now in the mindset to shoot a caliber that you can find ammo for on any shelf in NA.

 

[chicoredneck]

The 300 win mag will recoil more and deliver less performance at 500 yards than the 7mm. If you are going with a lighter rifle the recoil will likely also increase.

 

[huntnful]

I would not go lighter AND add recoil. I'd stay 7mm or go even smaller and faster with less recoil

 

[Hnthrdr]

lighter with more recoil is not a great recipe in my experience, lighter and less recoil or stay heavy ish and keep the same caliber. Elk have been killed effectively from everything from a .223 to a .338 pick what suits your hunting style and needs

 

[Forest]

I've killed a few elk with a 165 accubond out of a 300wm. It is certainly more than capable. But I agree with other posts, I wouldn't go lighter and add recoil. Really haven't shot my 300wm since I built my 7 saum. The 7PRC would be the easy button nowadays. I would probably do a 280 AI before the PRC, just because ha.

 

[Ross]

Stick with that elk killing 7mm

 

[Scoutfan]

Why not just lighten up your 7mm?

 

[repins05]

165 accubond is a nice fit for a 300wm. Accurate bullet. Will easily serve your purpose to 500 yards.

 

[180ls1]

I think you can pick any bullet with a 300wm and it'll work wonderfully. I've watched my dad do that over the past 20 years.

He just grabbed a Howa superlite 308, almost 1/2 the weight and he is glad he did. Dumped the only thing (buck) he has had a chance to shoot with it.

 

[SDHNTR]

Huh? So because you’re getting older you want more recoil?

 

[Black ice]

Fast-twist 280AI and build towards the 160 AB or 168 Berger.
You're closer to 65 than 40...I don't think a 7prc or 300WM in something lighter than you're accustomed to makes sense.

 

[davsco]

Why not just lighten up your 7mm?

yeah if that is working and you have it dialed in like it sounds you do, why go in a different direction? maybe a lighter stock? that said, nothing wrong at all with adding another gun to the stable.

and to the anti-magnumites, a good brake and decent stock design really does mitigate recoil.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Sure it mitigates the recoil, but it damages your hearing in the process no matter what you try. For 500 yards, a 6 arc, 6 creed, 243, or similar will have a fraction of the recoil, all the terminal effects, and can be suppressed for maximum shooting fun. The 108 eldm will likely make a bigger wound than the 165 accubond, and unlike accubonds, the elds are always available.

 

[cwpepper]

Sounds like you want a new rifle, but don’t necessarily need one. I’ll bite. 6.8 Western with 165gr accubonds if you wanna stay close to what you got. More efficient cartridge and the smaller action and shorter barrel length will save you desired weight with similar performance to what you’re used to. Throw on a break / suppressor.

 

[TaperPin]

If you don’t mind the recoil, or just really want a 300, then go for it. The difference in recoil between a 165 gr 30 cal and 154 gr 7 mag isn’t that much. Lighter rifles kick more, just the price to play.

That Accubond will work great in either the 300 or 7mm. A 160 gr Accubond or Partition in a 7 mag is also a great combination that has always worked with boring regularity.

 

[dirtytough]

An easy button seems like a 6.5 creed or 6.5 PRC especially since you want a lighter rifle.

Yes the 300 165 combo will easily kill elk out to 500 yards.

I looked up factory ammo for the 300/165 and the 6.5 PRC/147.

The 6.5 has less recoil and drift. The 300 has more wind drift, more recoil, and less drop.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

7mm is hard to beat for all around big game rifle.

 

[davsco]

Sure it mitigates the recoil, but it damages your hearing in the process no matter what you try.

yeah i wear earpro whether at the range or hunting. even the suppressed rifles are pretty loud.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

even with ear pro you are damaging your hearing with a brake.