DESPERATE TIMES!!!!

[miteybucs]

Only been shooting guns and rifles for about 10 years. Last year I started hunting and really have loved it. I booked my first ever hunting trip and its in less than 3 weeks to New Mexico for elk. I purchased a Christensen 300 win mag and a Swarovski scope. Should be a dream combination but its been a nightmare. I sent the rifle back as the bolt was very very sticky. They "fixed" it after a few weeks but it is NOT smooth by any stretch of the word. I don't like the rifle. I have other christensens, Surgeons, Seekins and they're all so dialed in. I love them all. I have 300 rounds through this thing and can't shoot a grouping AT ALL.

The scope rings weren't holding the scope and after having it set again at a different shop, I swapped out the Swarovski rings and started over. Still getting some movement in scope and now I went to readjust and stripped 2 screws. can't catch a break. Took scope off and put on a night force 7-35 which is too big for the job but ....

I am to the point where the 10k I have into this setup is not working. I dont have confidence in it which isn't a good feeling with less than 3 weeks to go until departure. I am seriously considering purchasing a new rifle tomorrow. I guess I need the screws popped off and reset now for the scope? Have never stripped them before.

If you were me and had more than 20k invested into a dream first hunt, what would you do? I need help....

 

[87TT]

Don't trust it, don't shoot it. Buy a good old 30 06 and be done with it. I've dropped my Ruger M77 down a hill a couple of times and had a horse roll on it. The first scope (an old Redfield) finally died after 25 years. I have a Vortex on it now.

 

[KurtR]

You have surgeon and seekins shoot them it is amazing all the horror stories about Christensen and they still keep making money.

 

[RosinBag]

Why don’t you just shoot one of your other rifles you mentioned?

If it is a booked / outfitter hunt is highly unlikely you will shoot further than 400 at an elk.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

You said you have other guns. Sounds like you have options!


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[Rob5589]

At three weeks out, I'd be ditching that gun for something reliable. I would have done it 3 weeks ago, actually.

 

[miteybucs]

so, my other options are 6.5 creedmoor and .223 and from what I have read the 6.5 would be a risky choice so I went for a 300 winmag purchase.

If needed to buy a different 300 winmag, any input on what to search for in short time meaning prefer not to have to wait a week to receive...

 

[Engineer260]

I agree with looking at other options right now as you don't trust it already. I would be getting the 6.5 creed ready as a backup and looking at a bergara, howa or tikka off the shelf with that kind of timeline.

 

[kvw4x4]

Not sure your location. But I would find a local gun nut. Not a Christensen arms dealer and let them look at it. You have 3 weeks. I built a weatherby 6.5 with vortex viper scope for under $1500 bucks. It’s impressing me every timeo shoot it, especially compared to what I hear guys are spending on guns. Good luck. Hope you figure it out. Maybe ask your guide what he thinks also.

 

[RosinBag]

Your 6.5 is more than adequate. Elk killed all over the country with that cartridge.

 

[Afhunter1]

Go buy a seekins havak in 300 win put a 4-14 shv on it and kill whatever you want

 

[wildwilderness]

Use your 6.5 and kill an elk.

 

[Shotshill]

I concur with the move on folks.. Ive 2 one hole shooter CAs but anything that falls short gets sold... Enjoy your hunt and relax thru all if it!

 

[BrooksRanger]

I did an overseas hunt for a Chamois last year in Croatia. Everything was great until I went to shoot a rented rifle. Worst mistake I ever made was going hunting with a rifle I wasn't familiar with. I would recommend sticking with your 6.5. You know how it feels to pull the trigger, when it goes click, and already have a lot of rounds in it. Don't make the same mistake I did and go on an expensive hunt with a rifle that you don't know.

 

[coyotecreek]

Since you own a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .223 which are both mild recoiling cartridges, could it be the increased recoil from the 300 WM that is causing you to shoot poorly? I'd get a 308 or 7mm-08 in a Bergara, Tikka, or Howa (all quality rifles for $600-$700) mount the Swaro with decent rings, sight it in and go hunt with premium ammo. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 either. You don't need a 300 win mag to kill an elk. Not saying that there's anything wrong with it, but a lot of guys aren't comfortable with the recoil (me being one of them). You'll shoot much better with a lighter recoiling rifle. Love my Bergara B14 Hunter in 7mm-08 and it loves 140gn Accubonds.

 

[miteybucs]

Since you own a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .223 which are both mild recoiling cartridges, could it be the increased recoil from the 300 WM that is causing you to shoot poorly? I'd get a 308 or 7mm-08 in a Bergara, Tikka, or Howa (all quality rifles for $600-$700) mount the Swaro with decent rings, sight it in and go hunt with premium ammo. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 either. You don't need a 300 win mag to kill an elk. Not saying that there's anything wrong with it, but a lot of guys aren't comfortable with the recoil (me being one of them). You'll shoot much better with a lighter recoiling rifle. Love my Bergara B14 Hunter in 7mm-08 and it loves 140gn Accubonds.

I dont think theres any doubt the 300 is a harder recoil for me to shoot ... and yes I most certainly anticipate more.

 

[miteybucs]

Your 6.5 is more than adequate. Elk killed all over the country with that cartridge.

good to read...I would love to use my Seekins. I am told by outfitter not to expect shots beyond 225

 

[highstepper]

If you don't trust the rifle AND it's kicking the snot out of you that's a recipe for disaster. If you aren't confident in the 6.5 being "enough gun", remember that thousands upon thousands of elk have been killed with 7mm-08's or .270's. Ever hear of a fellow named Jack O'Connor? He wrote about a pile of elk he laid down with a .270, and he wasn't afraid to stretch out way beyond 225 yds. If you make a well placed shot with a well constructed bullet with your 6.5 or either of those calibers, you'll have a dead elk.

 

[Miflatlander91]

It’s fun to geek out on this caliber or that broad head this weight or that bc but always about half way into the conversation I throw a wrench in it by the small comment of we’ll all this is cool but the Indians did it for years with sticks strings and sharp rocks... as long as you do your part and put the bullet where it’s supposed to be you’ll be fine


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[OXN939]

so, my other options are 6.5 creedmoor and .223 and from what I have read the 6.5 would be a risky choice so I went for a 300 winmag purchase.

If needed to buy a different 300 winmag, any input on what to search for in short time meaning prefer not to have to wait a week to receive...

Former precision shooting instructor here, chiming in to hopefully help avert a situation with all the ingredients for disaster.

An accurate platform in 6.5 Creed that you shoot well is 934682 times better than a setup in .300 WM that you're having issues with and shoot poorly.