First Western Rifle

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

OP- If you're considering a magnum, here is a good one for sale from a member. Looks like he's already done some value-added upgrades and the 300WSM is pretty popular.
@Mikido

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/sako-a7-300wsm-w-swfa-apa-the-answer.371163/#post-3778422

 

[Matt5266]

But it has a fixed 10X ....... lol sorry couldnt help it at this point.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

But it has a fixed 10X ....... lol sorry couldnt help it at this point.

 

[MtnW]

His wording implied that he was talking about September that’s why I asked for clarification. First season in Colorado can see some pretty heavy rut activity especially when it was earlier than now. I’ve heard bugles into 3rd season but they don’t respond to calling well or come into calls much that late. It mostly seems like talking amongst themselves than hard locating rut talk.

Yes, the Colorado Wildlife For Ranching program has some tremendous September rifle rut hunts. October can still be active in Colorado with the rut. Last October in New Mexico I killed a bull with my rifle while he was bugling at 70 yds .

 

[Zachthewack257]

Well I'm sure this isn't the first "help a noob pick his caliber" thread, but here goes.

I've started looking at setting up a "do it all" western rifle. Elk, Muleys, antelope etc.
I can't picture myself ever shooting further than 500 yards.
I'd like to stay under $2000 on the base rifle.

Edit after some feedback:
6.5 PRC, 7 REM MAG, & 300 WSM are the main 3 I'm looking at so far.

Honestly lived in western colorado my whole life been hunting my whole life and for an all around rifle you really dont need to go over 1000 the budget guns these days shoot so dang well anyway thing in that 6.5 creed 270 win 30-06 308 7-08 is frankly all that you need any more than thats just unnecessary even on the big bulls with todays modern bullets like the monolithics and bonded options and really a 3-9 to 4-12 scope in that 500$ and under range is just about perfect for the close in shots and those 500 yarders and if you put this combo on a savage 110 remington 700 howa 1500 tikka t3x browning xbolt ruger m77 you really cannot go wrong.

 

[Sp00ns]

CO resident here. Can you point me to these common September rifle hunts? Cause I’d love to participate.

Fellow CO resident here as well. Bless us with some knowledge brother

 

[Broadsideofabarn]

Those cartridges will absolutely get the job done. However, inside 500 there are many options that kill just as effectively for all the species you mentioned with a fraction of the recoil. This translates to a shorter learning curve for learning how to shoot longer range, and increased hit probability. Below are several options you may want to consider.

If you're not a reloader:

.243
6 Creed
.25-06
6.5 Creed
7mm-08
.270
6.5 PRC
.280AI
.308

If you are a reloader:

.223 w/heavy bullets
25 creed
25-284
...

To make the most informed decision, especially as it relates to smaller cartridges and their killing potential, please take the time to review these threads.

• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...n-goat-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/post-3598683
• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-243-hunting-success-on-big-game.284525/
• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...-25-creed-25-284-25-06-25-prc-25-saum.288587/
• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...eer-elk-and-whatever-else.244973/post-3253552
• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/7mm-08-rem-success-on-big-game.366191/

I recently did a little research and put some recoil numbers together for the 7 PRC on a different thread, and here is a link if you care to review.

• https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/what-to-do-with-7-prc-tikka.369191/page-2#post-3748488

I'm curious why not many people recommend 6 mm ARC? they seem plenty good for 4-500 with better barrel life than the 6 creeds? I'm newer to the world of the smaller Calibers, and genuinely curious.

 

[Mountainrancher]

I'm curious why not many people recommend 6 mm ARC? they seem plenty good for 4-500 with better barrel life than the 6 creeds? I'm newer to the world of the smaller Calibers, and genuinely curious.

6 arc is awesome and I would love to own one. However it uses an odd case head size and can be challenging to re barrel a rifle for and is very limited in factory rifle offerings.

 

[Broadsideofabarn]

6 arc is awesome and I would love to own one. However it uses an odd case head size and can be challenging to re barrel a rifle for and is very limited in factory rifle offerings.

Interesting. That’s too bad. Hopefully that will change soon. It seems the factory ammo is everywhere now that the military adopted it.