Help deciding on rifle

[swNEhunter]

I'm looking for a new rifle to add to my collection. I have a Ruger M77 Mkii 270 Win. that I've used for elk and deer. I am wanting to add a different caliber for shooting distances of 500-1000 yards. It will also be used for big game hunting. I've also started reloading recently.

I have it narrowed down to a Browning X-bolt or Winchester Model 70 because I can get a killer deal on either one. The calibers I was thinking were 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm rem mag., or .300 win mag.

What are your guys' experiences with these models/calibers? Is there a different caliber i should be looking at? I really appreciate everyone's input!

 

[mtswampfox]

the winchester mod 70 is my fav by far owning three of them 243,30-06,308
if the knowledge of a killer deal was known to me ,,would probably own a couple more????hint hint

 

[swNEhunter]

Have you shot the X-bolt? I wish it were a deal I could share with you, but unfortunately it's not.

 

[Josh Wright]

26 nosler

 

[swNEhunter]

26 nosler

What are the downsides to the 26 Nosler? I shouldn't have to worry about barrel life unless I'm really putting a lot of rounds downrange, right?

 

[Josh Wright]

Yes. Don't over do it while at range. But my barrel never got too hot, even with 15+ rounds. I have the M48 Patriot by Nosler.

It shoots unbelievable. I love shooting the gun and the recoil is nothing as well coming from a .300 Win Mag.

How much do you want to spend?

 

[tenth1]

26 Nosler is a pretty killer round, but not offered in Browning or Winchester.

Odds are that you will not be able to use either specified factory rifle(without work) at those ranges and I'm a Winny fan.

With the killer deal, I would hands down take the M70 and rebarrel

 

[Josh Wright]

If you can get a deal o the x bolt, they have a long range hunter chambered in the 26. They chrome lined the barrel for longer life if you are concerned.

I have an xbolt in a 7mm08. Another great gun.

 

[swNEhunter]

Yes. Don't over do it while at range. But my barrel never got too hot, even with 15+ rounds. I have the M48 Patriot by Nosler.

It shoots unbelievable. I love shooting the gun and the recoil is nothing as well coming from a .300 Win Mag.

How much do you want to spend?

I'm looking at spending $1000 on the rifle alone.

 

[lcxctf2000]

Go 7mm over 300 if you go the belted mag route. Unless you need to shoot 200gr or heavier you are going to get better BC, which helps when stretching out past 500yds.

 

[Josh Wright]

See what deal you can get on the Browning X-bolt long range hunter in the 26 Nosler.

 

[16Bore]

None of them are worth a crap without the right bullets. 26 Nosler is laughable. 7RM and 162's at 3,000 FPS is tough to beat.

 

[Josh Wright]

Laugh all you want at the 26. I have field tested this year and it is accurate and deadly.

 

[HOT ROD]

300 wm with the 215 berger is hard to beat........

 

[Clarktar]

300 wm with the 215 berger is hard to beat........

Likely my next rifle.... or a muzzle loader

 

[WRO]

None of them are worth a crap without the right bullets. 26 Nosler is laughable. 7RM and 162's at 3,000 FPS is tough to beat.

The 6.5 in 140 has a much higher BC than the 162 and leads it out the pipe by 300 fps..

 

[16Bore]

Which 6.5 has a "much higher BC" than .625?

 

[bhylton]

Never shot an X bolt, but my older browning abolt hunter 300WSM is the most accurate factory rifle i have been around. 185gr @2840fps is a mild shooting, accurate load that i consider about a 700yd gun. I only bring up the caliber because it fits within the range of cartridges you mentioned. its no 300 or 7mm Win mag. but it will do anything the creedmoor will do with more energy at closer ranges. Maybe even more energy to around 700yds? i have not run the numbers on the two.

 

[Beastmode]

Which 6.5 has a "much higher BC" than .625?

The 140 6.5mm vld has a bc of .627 I believe. Much much higher than the 7mm 162 @ .625 . With an extra 300 fps the 26 nosler would be flatter but the barrel life and life of the round after the fad have yet to be determined.

 

[WRO]

The 140 6.5mm vld has a bc of .627 I believe. Much much higher than the 7mm 162 @ .625 . With an extra 300 fps the 26 nosler would be flatter but the barrel life and life of the round after the fad have yet to be determined.

I've been wrong once a bunch of times..