New Rifle advice

[Bjoornwolfr]

Hey all, I recently picked up a nice Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP rifle scope, and am currently looking at a rifle to put under it, I live and hunt in the mountains of Virginia, but have plans to go out west, and up to Alaska to hunt big game in the very near future, but also want to do some long range shooting to prepare for 4-500 yard shots since 150-250 yards is a long shot around here. I'm torn between the PRC cartridges and the 6.8 Western, I've ruled out another 6.5cm as my wife has turned it into her primary hunting rifle. Any advice on what you'd lean towards? I've watched tons of videos and read articles, but wanna hear first hand from owners of the cartridges. Thank you all in advance!

 

[ResearchinStuff]

tikka stainless, 6.5 creed. swfa scope.

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

tikka stainless, 6.5 creed. swfa scope.

Already have one with the blued barrel, looking more towards to PRC calibers or 6.8 wst

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Do you handload? If not, PRC and western are going to be harder to find and expensive.

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

Do you handload? If not, PRC and western are going to be harder to find and expensive.

I do hand load, and surprisingly around here both are somewhat readily available, specifically the hornady precision hunter cartridges.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Recommend you read the scope testing threads here before you go any further.

Also, listen to the shoot 2 hunt podcasts on scopes and terminal ballistics.

Bullets matter. Everything you’re wanting to do can be accomplished with a 77TMK.

Don’t be in a hurry to make a bad decision.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Already have one with the blued barrel, looking more towards to PRC calibers or 6.8 wst

sure, but for what you want they're not a great choice because they're expensive to shoot, have reduced barrel life, higher recoil, and are just flat out unnecessary for 500 yard western hunting.

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

 

[N2TRKYS]

My favorite is a Remington Model Seven SS in 7-08 with a Leupold VX3I 3.5-10x42 sitting in Talley lightweight rings.

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

sure, but for what you want they're not a great choice because they're expensive to shoot, have reduced barrel life, higher recoil, and are just flat out unnecessary for 500 yard western hunting.

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

Should I consider a magnum caliber instead, 7mm mag, .300 win mag, or even step down to a .308 win?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

6.5 creed is about perfect. 6 creed is nice too, 223 is nice but not an option in colorado.

what you really need is something that you can afford ($ and shoulder) to shoot 500+ times a year.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

sure, but for what you want they're not a great choice because they're expensive to shoot, have reduced barrel life, higher recoil, and are just flat out unnecessary for 500 yard western hunting.

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

Inside 500 yards, these calibers will give you excellent ballistics and terminal performance with minimal recoil. This will improve your consistency and hit rate %. Absolutely no need to go magnum or PRC for what your described.

Because your a handloader, you can maximize performance with all of these cartridges and have fun doing some wildcatting by Ackley Improving, going with fast-twist barrels, etc... Tikka is an excellent platform for starting your journey.

.223- 77 Sierra Tipped Match King (TMK)
.243- 109 Hornady ELDM
6mm Creed- 109 Hornady ELDM
25 Creed- 134 Hornady ELDM, 133/135 Bergers
.25-06- 115 Nosler Ballistic Tip (BT), 117 Berger VLD, 120 Sierra Gold Dot (Federal Fusion bullet) or get a fast twist prefit (1:7.5) and launch Hornady 134 ELDM, 133/135 Bergers
6.5 Creed- 140 Hornady ELDM

 

[CorbLand]

Should I consider a magnum caliber instead, 7mm mag, .300 win mag, or even step down to a .308 win?

Magnums are unnecessary for 500 yards and less.

I know you dont want another CM but honestly, it would fit the bill for what you are looking for.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Should I consider a magnum caliber instead, 7mm mag, .300 win mag, or even step down to a .308 win?

Magnum unnecessary and the cartridges I listed have better ballistics and less recoil than .308. 7-08 has better ballistics and less recoil than .308, but can be harder to find ammo.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

sure, but for what you want they're not a great choice because they're expensive to shoot, have reduced barrel life, higher recoil, and are just flat out unnecessary for 500 yard western hunting.

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

Adding another relevant thread for your research and decision-making:

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-243-hunting-success-on-big-game.284525/page-9#post-3089595

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

I'm loving the feedback, I wouldn't be opposed to another 6.5 creed for around here, just nervous when I go hunt big alaskan bears that it won't be 'enough' I guess, I'll definitely do more research

 

[ResearchinStuff]

you have a brown bear hunt booked?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have a 6.8 western, a 6.5 PRC and a 280AI (pretty much the same thing as a 7mm prc). The 6.5 PRC is a phenomenal cartridge…its the exact same ballistically as a 6.5x284 norma which has killed a lot of critters at long ranges. That would be my vote. I am just loading my PRC up to go elk hunting as we speak. Run 156 bergers or 147 eldms and blast away. I am selling my 6.8 western to friend.

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

you have a brown bear hunt booked?

I work at a small gun store with a guy who lived and worked for 34 years in AK, we're shooting for right around May '24 and potentially later in '24 for Caribou or Blacktail

 

[ResearchinStuff]

that's pretty awesome. the smaller cartridges would work for a brown bear (it's actually been done), but i get the psychological aspect telling you to grab something larger.

trying to think, maybe @thinhorn_AK or @VernAK have some first hand big bear experience? there are definitely some AK bear hunters around here, just not exactly sure who.

 

[Bjoornwolfr]

that's pretty awesome. the smaller cartridges would work for a brown bear (it's actually been done), but i get the psychological aspect telling you to grab something larger.

trying to think, maybe @thinhorn_AK or @VernAK have some first hand big bear experience? there are definitely some AK bear hunters around here, just not exactly sure who.

The gentleman I'm going with is taking his .458 win mag custom rifle