My Next Rifle

[Cole022]

Let me give a little information before I get to my questions. I’ve hunted for the past 7 years only taking whitetail deer and hogs out in west Texas. I’ve borrowed buddies guns like a .270 and had to sell my .308 for personal reasons. However I want to get back in to deer hunting with my own gun again, with the aspirations of taking elk size game in Colorado, Montana or Washington with this rifle. So my questions are:

From personal experience what range have you taken game successfully? Where are you comfortably shooting to? I don’t want to be a long range hunter, so I think my limit with the right cartridge wouldn’t be past 500-600 yards (assuming I practice enough)

If you had to pick between 8.6 BLK in a 16” Q Fix vs a 18-20” 7 Saum in a Manners LRH-SC or Night Stalker (using a Short Action). Reloading won’t be an issue, just more of a difference between if I need something flatter shooting for 500 yards or if I won’t miss out on only having a Gun I’m comfortable only out 300 yards. Both rifles will be suppressed at all times, and won’t be my last gun of course, but just a gun I’ll use for a long time ideally. I also know Q is coming out with a magnum capable bolt action rifle but the suggested retail price they are teasing is way out of my budget.

Q Fix weight is roughly 6 Ibs whereas the manners is around 7-7.5 IB both without optic and suppressor.

I also know the .223/6mm crowd will come out, understand those calibers can take big game with a well placed shot, however the smallest id like to go is .284 Caliber.

I’m honestly open to anything as I’m not hellbent on anything, I will say I like the look and idea of a Fix rifle but have no time behind one, and if that isn’t for me than I’ll stick to a manners stock with whatever caliber that is the best fit for me.

If y'all have any questions for me that I might of missed that help make a better informed decision feel free to ask and I’ll try to get back as quick as possible.

 

[Castle Rock]

Really odd choice of rifles and cartridges for hunting.
I would buy a tikka in 243 (8 twist) or 6.5 CM

 

[Deere_Man]

Get another 308 or 7mm-08 and a good scope and mounts. Don’t get fancy.

 

[TaperPin]

Of those two, the 7 SAUM is the one I’d think is more of an open country cartridge. If an animal was shot at 500 yards with a 270, 7 SAUM, or 308 it wouldn’t know the difference.

 

[turbo406]

An 8.6 BLK at 500 yards would need artillery calls, Go get a new threaded tikka and a can in a 6.5 creed and spend the rest on practice

 

[huntnful]

Of those two, 7SAUM no question.

 

[khuber84]

Of your two options, 7saum will def be the much more do all setup. These two choices are of a completely different genre tho, ones a long range benchrest accurate pedigree, the other is mostly ran subsonic in a gas gun setup. You're going to likely hear a lot of, get XXX cartridge it's better or splits the difference, or low recoil long range.......you've already whittled it down to these 2 choices in your logic, go 7 saum. It's a fantastic case.

 

[Superx3]

7saum no doubt of your choices. If I had to pick one gun today I really think I would have to pick a 7mm08.

 

[Kaleb]

Since you are comfortable with Q money I’d totally skip that idea and get matching tikkas in 223 and 6.5creed. If you’re totally against smaller than .284 get a708 or 308 instead of a 6.5. Set both rifles up with the same scope rings and suppressor. Shoot them both a lot. You’ll change your mind on the 223. I have no experience with it on anything larger than deer but you can see pictures and read testimony of a lifetime worth of experience. Oh and skip the 8.6 idea grin.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Get a Q in 308 and call it a day

 

[_S_R_]

You have nice working rifle with standard caliber. You want to go fancy 375 raptor way to go.

 

[Deere_Man]

Here is one you can win if you want it on GB. 7x57 can be loaded to 7mm-08 velocity.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1114187893

 

[Hnthrdr]

I personally wouldn’t touch Q for what they are asking for a rifle you can get a nice rifle, rings, scope, and ammo, and another suppressor for what they are asking… and I bet it would shoot any better than a near stock tikka

 

[Cole022]

Of your two options, 7saum will def be the much more do all setup. These two choices are of a completely different genre tho, ones a long range benchrest accurate pedigree, the other is mostly ran subsonic in a gas gun setup. You're going to likely hear a lot of, get XXX cartridge it's better or splits the difference, or low recoil long range.......you've already whittled it down to these 2 choices in your logic, go 7 saum. It's a fantastic case.

That’s what was I learning towards, I appreciate the straight up advice and honesty.

 

[Cole022]

Since you are comfortable with Q money I’d totally skip that idea and get matching tikkas in 223 and 6.5creed. If you’re totally against smaller than .284 get a708 or 308 instead of a 6.5. Set both rifles up with the same scope rings and suppressor. Shoot them both a lot. You’ll change your mind on the 223. I have no experience with it on anything larger than deer but you can see pictures and read testimony of a lifetime worth of experience. Oh and skip the 8.6 idea grin.

It’s not that I’m against 6.5 or hate the caliber/cartridge as a whole, it’s more of comfort level than anything. I know .223,243 & 264 calibers can take game with well place shots and I will get some smaller caliber for coyotes at some point and test on a doe or two. I just personally don’t want to gamble at anything bigger than a deer, although I know people have done it plenty.

 

[SloppyJ]

Your choices might quite possibly the two cartridges furthest apart on the spectrum of usefulness. Id fully recommend you dont take a shot past 50yds and you get something you can practice with.

Start reading about ballistics and go practice. Go read about terminal ballistics and then read it all over again. Its going to challenge everything you've ever been told. Just trust it and you'll end up a much better shooter at the end of the day.

If you have to have a 7mm, then a 7-08 because it will do what you want and you will shoot it more. A 6 creed would do the same thing or more with even less recoil. If you want to spend that money on one gun, get a seekins IMO. But if you want the smart play, buy two threaded tikkas, one in 223, and a can. Don't forget your optics too.... you really need to check some ballistics charts on the two you mentioned or any rifle youre interested in for that matter.

 

[Nicaburns]

Those two calibers are about as different as deciding between a 4wd truck vs a McLaren for a daily driver. Definitely pick the 7 saum if your goal is hunting past 100yds, determined to only choose those two calibers, and .284 is your desired minimum.
I side with the rest who suggest using the funds to get a .223 to do a bunch of practice to get used to shooting distance, and get a 7-08 or a 280ai for deer. (Not that the 7 saum is in any way a bad selection other than no factory ammo.)

 

[Castle Rock]

That’s what was I learning towards, I appreciate the straight up advice and honesty.

Interesting reply, do you think that the other replies were dishonest, or you just seeking affirmation?

 

[Deere_Man]

There is very little factory 7mm SAUM ammo. And when you do find it, it’s $55 a box for low end Core-Lokt

A basic old 270 Win shooting 150 grain Hornady interlock bullets is all you need for your mythical Big Western Hunt. The bullet will simply kill whatever elk you shoot, provided that you are within the window of distance and velocity that the projectile was designed to perform at, and you have the skill to shoot accurately. People go through a lot of trouble overthinking things.

 

[lil' bear]

I think around 150gr moving around 3k is perfect for what you seek. You can get that out of a 6.5, 270, 7, or 308. If you like the 7 go for it. Generally I like short action magnums so the Saum, sherman, prc, western or my preferred the WSM. However with the new sig fury hybrid brass you can get almost the same velocity out of a 7mm08 as you can the 7mm saum. So really if your going to handload you can choose just about anything, it's not really going to matter.