New Elk boom stick, help needed.

[Tex68w]

I will be going on an Elk hunt next fall in NM and I am in need of a light weight rifle to carry each day. I would prefer that the rifle have as short of a barrel as possible while still retaining the majority of it's ballistics. I don't plan on taking any shots outside of 300-400m but you never know what might present itself. I have considered short actions and magnums and I have looked at customs and factory rifles from Weathery MkV's all the way up to a Gunwerks.

I'd like to think that a 6.5PRC could get the job done but I have buddies who are telling me to go .30cal. I'd prefer to stay with a mainstream caliber but I am ok with getting off the beaten path in that regard as long as there is quality factory loaded ammo, I just have no desire to reload anymore. So chime in and let me know which direction you think I should go and why. My budget is $5K so I think most anything will fit within that range, obviously the lower the better but I am willing to go high if it's worth it.

 

[elkduds]

My elk rifles are 270 win and 7 rem mag. If I had a 280AI it would split the difference, be tolerable in a light mtn rifle, and well suited for all this continent's big game, possibly excluding grizzly and polar bears. If you have a 30 cal it will work, but it is not necessary for elk, moose sized game. Hunters almost universally shoot more accurately w calibers that recoil less. Accuracy kills game. I lack experience to speak to where 6.5 PRC lands in recoil spectrum, but is smaller diameter than .277 and .284, moreso than .308.

You could easily buy 2, maybe 3 good rifles w that budget, and decide for yourself

 

[N2TRKYS]

Remington Model Seven SS in 308 or 7-08 with a 20” barrel topped with a Leupold VX3i in the magnification of your choosing and sit it in Talley lightweight rings/bases.

 

[longbarrel]

With your budget, get a NULA .338-06 and Leupold VX3i 2.5-8 with heavy duplex reticle.

 

[longbarrel]

With a smaller budget, I like the .338RCM in the Ruger stainless MK2 or Hawkeye, same scope.

 

[SDHNTR]

Buy an Alamo Precision Maverick in .308 win with a 20” bbl. You’ll have a perfectly balanced 6.5-6.8ish lb rifle for $2500 that will shoot lights out. You can choose your stock colors, barrel fluting patterns, cerakote, etc to make it your own. The finished product will be as accurate and finely finished as any of the best true custom rifles out there, at half the cost. Top it with the scope of your choosing, you’ll have plenty of budget left. In .308 win, you’ll never question the capability and will never have an ammo availability issue, ever.

Yes, you could go lighter, like a Barrett Fieldcraft or NULA, but there is such a thing as a rifle too light imo. I’ll take an extra pound or so if it means my rifle is better balanced, less prone to barrel heat issues, holds steady in the wind, more solid off hand, etc. With Talley Lightweights and a lighter scope like a Leupold VX3i or Swarovski Z3/5, you’ll still have a light and handy package. The Alamo Maverick is the perfect hunting rifle IMO. They are building my second one as we speak, and I have several other customs from some of the country’s best builders. Alamo runs with or bests them all, at way less expense. You’ll thank me.

 

[Smithb9841]

Kimber mountain ascent 300 wsm. This is what I purchased for myself and I love it. I covered a lot of ground this year and it was Not an issue to pack at all.. I guess you could go 308 also but I prefer the 300wsm.

 

[mfsights257]

Look at Weaver custom Rifles out of Colorado, great rifles.

 

[justin davis]

300 win mag

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I'd just buy a Tikka 30-06 at this point.

That being said, I shot ~20+ elk over the years with a 270 and a few with a 300 weatherby.

 

[longbarrel]

Ken Waters preferred the .338 on the .30-06 or .308 case, and of course Elmer Keith considered the .33 caliber ideal.

 

[Sykes]

Man with that budget I'd look into either a Cooper open country long range with the proof carbon fiber barrel or a Fierce Carbon Edge in 28 nosler. Put a VX5HD or 6 on it and have your CDS turret cut for your load and go kill a big elk!

 

[Sykes]

Man with that budget I'd look into either a Cooper open country long range with the proof carbon fiber barrel or a Fierce Carbon Edge in 28 nosler. Put a VX5HD or 6 on it and have your CDS turret cut for your load and go kill a big elk!

 

[wildwilderness]

What rifles do you already have? With that budget I would take an old rifle and book a second elk hunt!

 

[6mm Remington]

A Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in 30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag., or 300 WSM would be great. I'd put either a 3.5-10x40mm or 4.5-14x40mm Leupold scope with the B&C reticle on it and practice lots. Ruger Hawkeye's are good solid rifles also. Something in a 280 AI would be terrific. My two elk rifles are a Ruger 1B single shot in 30-06 and a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter I had built into a 280 AI. Both are great cartridges for elk and just about anything else.

Tikka builds a fine rifle as are Sako's and Weatherby's. You should be able to find something that you would like. Best of luck.

 

[Mtaylor]

I agree with wildwilderness!

 

[BRTreedogs]

Give Travis at Rbros rifles a call.
Look into his Alaska model.
I'd sure he could also steer you in a direction on caliber.
His rifles are fantastic.

 

[Sportsman247]

I’m a huge fan of TS Customs out of South Dakota. He is building my second TS as we speak. Super nice and accurate rifles.

 

[LightFoot]

I will be going on an Elk hunt next fall in NM and I am in need of a light weight rifle to carry each day. I would prefer that the rifle have as short of a barrel as possible while still retaining the majority of it's ballistics. I don't plan on taking any shots outside of 300-400m but you never know what might present itself. I have considered short actions and magnums and I have looked at customs and factory rifles from Weathery MkV's all the way up to a Gunwerks.

I'd like to think that a 6.5PRC could get the job done but I have buddies who are telling me to go .30cal. I'd prefer to stay with a mainstream caliber but I am ok with getting off the beaten path in that regard as long as there is quality factory loaded ammo, I just have no desire to reload anymore. So chime in and let me know which direction you think I should go and why. My budget is $5K so I think most anything will fit within that range, obviously the lower the better but I am willing to go high if it's worth it.

5.5 lbs, 21" bbl, 6.5 PRC ----> Seekens Havak Element.

I think the 6.5 is good for elk at least to 600yds (probably further).

Kimber Montana, Barrett Fieldcraft, Browning Xbolt Pro, and other are good options.

You have a big budget. Be sure not to spend all your money on the rifle and scope. There are many other very important pieces of gear, like a rangefinder, binos, pack, base+mid+outer layers, boots, tags, licenses....

The Gunwerks Clymr stock looks super awesome. If you have a barreled action that shoots, drop it in one of those and hunt.

If you are going mainstream for cartridge, hard to beat the 300 Win or 300 WSM for distance you plan on shooting.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[tdot]

300wsm or 300WM

Lots of factory options for ammunition for either one. If that's your major deciding factor.

But bigger holes are better, so I'd love to say a smaller 338, such as the 338RCM, but that cartridge seems like it will never gain any traction. Most alternatives are uncommon or Wildcats.

For the price tag you are talking, I would build a gun. Exactly how you like it. Find a top tier gunsmith, they will have as much to do with the quality of build as the components.