Need help choosing a new shooter

[jb79]

So I am 95% a bow hunter but am in the market for a new rifle for that 5% what I am looking at is the tikka t3 and savage 11/111 long range top with a vortex 4-16 by 50 hs ls. I am by no means a long range shooter and do not reload, so if you only had one rifle to shoot quality factor ammo out to 5-600 yards wanting to kill everything out west ( bears, elk, deer, goats, yotes, ect) what would you choose? Looking at 7mm, 300wsm, 300wm, and 300rum. Keeping in mind I want to shoot one bullet for everything not switch between heavy and lite.

 

[dreamingbig]

Tagged to follow. Curious as well to hear opinions.

 

[AZ Vince]

Not a reloader?
I'd say go with a .300 Win Mag.
If you reloaded I'd say the .300 WSM. While you can find .300 WSM factory ammo the .300 Win mag is more prevalent and thus easier to acquire. The WSM calibers really come in to their own if you reload. Maybe it's time for another hobby?

 

[Ryan Avery]

If your not going to reload I would go with the 7mm or 300win. Both will easily kill animals out to 600. You can find ammo pretty much anywhere. Find some ammo that shoots well in your rifle. Then spend the time at the range and in the field shooting to 600 yards.

 

[Broz]

Definitely 300 win. Bullet and factory ammo selection second to none. I would urge you to take a look at the new Rem 700 Long Range in 300 win. for $650. Good stock, barrel and the ability to be solid for the 600 yard pokes. A bedding job, trigger tune and a good side discharge brake (like JP Tactical compensator) will give you a very reliable rifle that will do 600 yards like most do 200. Stay away from the abusive noise and felt percussion of the Vais brakes. They blow dirt everywhere when prone and are very much over rated in my opinion. Since Elk are on the menu I would look at bullets 200 gr and above. I reload but shoot 215's in my 300 and it has taken close to a dozen elk in the last two seasons along with several deer and antelope. I assume you leave the truck so it would also be of interest to you that this rifle, with 9~13 Harris swivel bipod, will fit in the back pack scabbard of even the small Eberlestock X1.

Jeff

 

[KMD]

Stepping into rifle hunting from archery, I'd steer you toward the most pleasant shooting combination as possible. Of the cartridges you picked, that would be the 7mm. Pushing a quality ~140gr bullet, you'll have plenty of power to take big game at those ranges, and the very manageable recoil. That combo will be easier on you to shoot accurately, and the name of the long range game is accuracy & repeatability. There are enough factory offerings on the market that you should find one your rifle likes...
Good luck to ya and have fun shooting!

 

[bigfish b.c]

i would say 7mm too but in a 168gr or 180gr much better for long shots & allot less kick than a 300

 

[6mm Remington]

I'd go with a 300 WSM or 7mm WSM. 180 gr. Accubonds or Partitions in the 300 and 160 gr. Accubonds or Partitions in the 7mm.

 

[bikerdavet]

Definitely 300 win. Bullet and factory ammo selection second to none. I would urge you to take a look at the new Rem 700 Long Range in 300 win. for $650. Good stock, barrel and the ability to be solid for the 600 yard pokes. A bedding job, trigger tune and a good side discharge brake (like JP Tactical compensator) will give you a very reliable rifle that will do 600 yards like most do 200. Stay away from the abusive noise and felt percussion of the Vais brakes. They blow dirt everywhere when prone and are very much over rated in my opinion. Since Elk are on the menu I would look at bullets 200 gr and above. I reload but shoot 215's in my 300 and it has taken close to a dozen elk in the last two seasons along with several deer and antelope. I assume you leave the truck so it would also be of interest to you that this rifle, with 9~13 Harris swivel bipod, will fit in the back pack scabbard of even the small Eberlestock X1.

Jeff

X2 - can not comment on the brake but everything else in my opinion is spot on. Shot a remmy long range and it's solid shooter and there are a bunch of options for that platform. 300 win is readily available most anyplace you go and it's not to pricey. I like the Tikka T3's personally but once you get to 300 or 338 they are a little stout in the recoil arena. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jb79]

Thanks guys you have giving me tons to think about.... Will say the ten comments on here had better info then the 100 something I had on other sites had to really think about what I was going to use it for the most. I think I have chosen, the tikka t3 in 7mm. I hunt mainly deer with a rifle, not so much elk or bear. And I am trying to go light weight on all my gear so it makes sense to go light on my rifle as well....
I did look at the rem 700 lr and it is sweet and has been added to the want list. When I buy a dedicated long range gun!
Thanks again guys

 

[bigfish b.c]

Thanks guys you have giving me tons to think about.... Will say the ten comments on here had better info then the 100 something I had on other sites had to really think about what I was going to use it for the most. I think I have chosen, the tikka t3 in 7mm. I hunt mainly deer with a rifle, not so much elk or bear. And I am trying to go light weight on all my gear so it makes sense to go light on my rifle as well....
I did look at the rem 700 lr and it is sweet and has been added to the want list. When I buy a dedicated long range gun!
Thanks again guys

i have a friend that run the t3 in the 7mm wsm & it is a crazy good shooting gun 4-5 inch groups at 700+,run the bigger bullets dont get caught up in the speed of the smaller bullets,once your past 400yard the 160+ gr bullets are far better.

 

[jb79]

Just out of curiosity did he put a break on his, not worried about recoil as much as wanting to see point of impact, I hunt mainly alone and think this would be a big advantage.

 

[6mm Remington]

Just out of curiosity did he put a break on his, not worried about recoil as much as wanting to see point of impact, I hunt mainly alone and think this would be a big advantage.

For me personally I would not put a break on it. The 7mm WSM should not beat you up too badly. I just hate the noise of those things. I would not own one for my own use. Just me but I think they are just too darn loud. Unless you use hearing protection even while hunting your hearing is really going to suffer.
David

 

[WestDan]

While the 7mm is an excellent round with slightly lighter recoil, I would second the rec's on the 300 WM. With the 300 you have the option of going with a lighter round (ie 150gr) for sheep/deer and up to a bruiser-stopping 200+gr round with excellent ballistics. Factory ammo is readily available. Throw a good scope on there and you can reach out to almost any distance you would want.

 

[KMD]

Thanks guys you have giving me tons to think about.... Will say the ten comments on here had better info then the 100 something I had on other sites had to really think about what I was going to use it for the most. I think I have chosen, the tikka t3 in 7mm. I hunt mainly deer with a rifle, not so much elk or bear. And I am trying to go light weight on all my gear so it makes sense to go light on my rifle as well....
I did look at the rem 700 lr and it is sweet and has been added to the want list. When I buy a dedicated long range gun!
Thanks again guys

Great choice in rifle and cartridge!
Now that you've got that out of the way, check out some factory ammo, like the Hornday superformance 139grSST or Fed Premium 150gr Nosler B-tip. Either one should be plenty of medicine for deer, you can always step up to heavier for your elk/bear hunts.

And keep in mind, don't feel like you have to get right out and be hammering nails @5-600 yds from the get- go. And don't feel like you have to shoot a heavy bullet. Sure, they have their advantages at distance (I shoot 162/168s in my 7WSM), but for now you just want to find a good 300yd load so you can get acquainted with your new rifle and have a good point blank deer load. Least, that's what I'd recommend to start out with...

Once you're ready to start shooting the longer 5-600yd distances you mentioned, your rifle scope will become the limiting factor, more so than bullet weight. Do you have a scope in mind for your new stick?

Oh yeah, SAVE THAT FACTORY BRASS! If the LR bug bites, you' ll be happy to have a pile of brass to reload!

 

[jb79]

The scope was a lot easier choice I am going with the vortex 4-16 by 50 hs with dead hold.

 

[Broz]

I will never understand using different bullets for game size. I would select the bullet for the distance / chambering. The one with less drift will serve you best for the worst conditions where wind is king. The animal will have no complaints if he is hit with a 180 instead of a 130. But he might not be as happy if the wind takes the little bullet into the gut.

Since you are opting for a light rifle I think you should strongly consider a brake with either a 7 or a 300. When and if it comes to that 600 yard shot you speak of, and if you don't have a spotter, you just might like seeing where the bullet lands. Prone with good form, a good brake, some practice and you will be able to do this with either caliber. I do it with a 300 win and 215's all the time.

Not trying to change you mind. But I live in elk country, where wind in the norm, and we take 15 to 20 each year at the distances you are wanting to reach effectively.

Jeff

 

[Ryan Avery]

I will never understand using different bullets for game size. I would select the bullet for the distance / chambering. The one with less drift will serve you best for the worst conditions where wind is king. The animal will have no complaints if he is hit with a 180 instead of a 130. But he might not be as happy if the wind takes the little bullet into the gut.

Since you are opting for a light rifle I think you should strongly consider a brake with either a 7 or a 300. When and if it comes to that 600 yard shot you speak of, and if you don't have a spotter, you just might like seeing where the bullet lands. Prone with good form, a good brake, some practice and you will be able to do this with either caliber. I do it with a 300 win and 215's all the time.

Not trying to change you mind. But I live in elk country, where wind in the norm, and we take 15 to 20 each year at the distances you are wanting to reach effectively.

Jeff

I totally agree Jeff. Jumping around with different bullet weights makes no sense. Pick one and shoot the hell out of it...... K.I.S.S., one bullet, one ballistic profile.

 

[wapitibob]

I shoot nothing but 180's out of my 7stw. Broz will give you nothing but good advise.

 

[Sam Millard]

"Beware the man with one rifle, he probably knows how to shoot it!" As long as he's shooting the same load every time...and it's a 260 with 140 grain pills