New rifle questions: Cartridge / Suppressor / Brake?

[Panhandler80]

So, I've been toying with the idea of new rifle. Don't really need one, but just getting the itch. Right now I do zero dialing, and most shots are within 200 yards. I've done a little shooting at 300 and am pretty consistent with the two rifles I have (more on that later). If I were to get something new, I'd like to put some glass on it that's more capable of frequent dialing. I'd also like the rifle to be just a touch on the lighter side of average, and capable of clean elk kills with some room for error, which obviously is never the intention, but as we all know... real world angles and circumstance don't always present textbook opportunities. As such (the slightly less-than-average weight aspect), I'd like to try and tame recoil best I can. I've read that suppressors can help with that, but is that true? If they can really help, I'd prefer that over a muzzle break, and again. Of course everything is a compromise, but if the goal is keep package a bit on the lighter side and convenient side in the field, the lighter and smaller the suppressor, the better. Same goes for the scope, although I know purpose built scopes for dialing are going to be a bit heavier than average.

Currently have a 270WSM and a 300 WM. Neither barrel can be threaded. Both topped with Leupold VX5HD 3-15 x 44m. Can easily zero either one (270WSM with 140 grains, and 300WM with 180 grains) to point-and-shoot out to 300 yards, and then to 400 is just a little hold over on deer sized game. At least according to ballistic charts, which have proved pretty accurate. Have NEVER shot on targets past 300 though. Also have never done any dialing with the Leupolds due to internet chatter, even though both guns have CDS. Cheapest answer would be to try the CDS out. Both rifles are obviously capable of elk, and scopes are pretty lightly used and relatively new. The 300 is a bit big in the field and kinda heavy. Also isn't quite as accurate as the 270wsm, but it is more consistent with various off shelf ammuntion. The 270WSM is fairly picky. It really likes 140 accubonds, which fortunatley, I have plenty of on hand.

While trying the CDS system on those leupolds and forgoing the suppressor or brake on a new rifle would be the most economic and simplest, I'm still tossing around the idea of a new set up.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. What cartridge?

2. Suppressor vs Muzzle Break for help with recoil on lighter gun. Which mfg / model should I consider?

3. Rifle suggestions. A) Not featherweight, but lighter than average. B) The more traditional the look the better, but if looiking at longer distances, would consider more modern features if there's truly an added benefit. C) Short action / compact for easy of carry in field would be good.

4. Optics? Would like to be able to easily dial? What about electronic scope / rangefinder deals? Anything out there that's reliable.

5. No idea on budget. Was thinking like $1k on out-of-box rifle. Then whatever it takes on optics and recoil help on the pointy end.

Thanks!

 

[nm.otter]

Get ready for a small firehose of info coming your way.

Most importantly, some fundamental principles:

• The lighter the rifle system (rifle, scope + mounts, and suppressor), the less recoil it (and you) will be able to manage.
• All other things being equal, you will shoot a lighter-recoiling cartridge better than you will a boomer.
• In order to become a better shooter, you need more rounds down the barrel. This is exceedingly difficult (not to mention expensive) with larger cartridges.
• Headstamps don't kill. Bullet construction, bullet placement, and terminal velocity kill.

It will take some effort, but this, this, and this are entirely worth your time. Skim at first, then dig in as you can.

 

[Panhandler80]

Get ready for a small firehose of info coming your way.

Most importantly, some fundamental principles:

• The lighter the rifle system (rifle, scope + mounts, and suppressor), the less recoil it (and you) will be able to manage.
• All other things being equal, you will shoot a lighter-recoiling cartridge better than you will a boomer.
• In order to become a better shooter, you need more rounds down the barrel. This is exceedingly difficult (not to mention expensive) with larger cartridges.
• Headstamps don't kill. Bullet construction, bullet placement, and terminal velocity kill.

It will take some effort, but this, this, and this are entirely worth your time. Skim at first, then dig in as you can.

Understand and agree with all of those bullet points. Will check out the links! Thanks.

 

[nm.otter]

I built a semi-custom suppressed T3x 6.5 Creedmoor that's just under 8# all in. It balances, carries, and shoots wonderfully. Spotting shots is doable on a bench if I have perfect form, but less recoil would dramatically improve my ability to do so in field positions. Looking hard at 6mm GT or .22 ARC as a better fit for this kind of weight.

 

[Panhandler80]

Both scopes are owed a free CDS turret cap, and I shoot both guns well. Maybe I'll just do this and put the $$ for a new system towards a hunt!

 

[tony]

I’ll go against the rockslide grain:

Rifle - Ruger American G2 “ranch” 6mm arc
Suppressor- AB A-10 7.62 “”warthog”

I don’t know shit for shit with 99% of the members. I know I like my rifle and suppressor for the money I have in it.

Optics - I have the infamous Athlon 2x12 on it. I haven’t dropped it on purpose yet. Because I know what may happen. But, riding around West Virginia dirt roads. So far, so good.

 

[280twoeighty]

I would look at Tikka. I have two. I am not recoil shy. Both will print a clover leaf at 100yds off a bench which translates very well to the field in real world circumstances. But not like the bench accuracy obviously. Just really good, accurate shooters. Both are older T3's. One is a 7mm rem mag. The other is a .300wsm. Both have lower power Leupold scopes than yours. No dialing for me. I am confident with both rifles. I have not taken game at 400yds with either. But would not hesitate if circumstances and conditions were favorable. I shoot the 7mm suppressed. Not the .300wsm. They are a joy to carry afield. Ymmv

My suggestion is don't look for a problem in search for a solution.

Best of luck

 

[Panhandler80]

I would look at Tikka. I have two. I am not recoil shy. Both will print a clover leaf at 100yds off a bench which translates very well to the field in real world circumstances. But not like the bench accuracy obviously. Just really good, accurate shooters. Both are older T3's. One is a 7mm rem mag. The other is a .300wsm. Both have lower power Leupold scopes than yours. No dialing for me. I am confident with both rifles. I have not taken game at 400yds with either. But would not hesitate if circumstances and conditions were favorable. I shoot the 7mm suppressed. Not the .300wsm. They are a joy to carry afield. Ymmv

My suggestion is don't look for a problem in search for a solution.

Best of luck

You right.

Just bored and want a new gun.

 

[schweinstein]

tikka 223. Put on whatever aftermarket stock you wish or leave factory. Iam fond of my RokStok. SWFA 10x fixed power scope. Suppressor. Any decent one will do. I like my Q trash panda. Once you go suppressed it’s hard to go back.

Shoot it to your heart out. Amazing rifle.

 

[Panhandler80]

tikka 223. Put on whatever aftermarket stock you wish or leave factory. Iam fond of my RokStok. SWFA 10x fixed power scope. Suppressor. Any decent one will do. I like my Q trash panda. Once you go suppressed it’s hard to go back.

Shoot it to your heart out. Amazing rifle.

10-4


Was still kinda thinking a bit more ass, though. Which probably right back to…. Eff it….. i’ll just keep what I’ve got. Try the loop hole bullshit. CDS and shoot guns that I’m good with.

If these scopes don’t dial, I’ll change it up. Was just thinking about a whole new package. I really don’t need to do it. I was bored at work.

If you want quiet, here’s quiet!


No trash pandas here. .22 at 22 grains. Doing like 980 fps. Guessing. Have a chronograph on order. It’s neat. No trash pandas here! Hahaha

Ugly gun. Heavy as hell. But same hole at 50 yards and fun.

 

[Caseknife]

Why can't the rifles you already have be threaded?

 

[Panhandler80]

Why can't the rifles you already have be threaded?

Not enough meat. My understanding.

Year 2001 Browning A/bolt 2. 270s short mag.


Year 2021 plan jane Bergara in 300 wm.

 

[Aussie Dan]

So, I've been toying with the idea of new rifle. Don't really need one, but just getting the itch. Right now I do zero dialing, and most shots are within 200 yards. I've done a little shooting at 300 and am pretty consistent with the two rifles I have (more on that later). If I were to get something new, I'd like to put some glass on it that's more capable of frequent dialing. I'd also like the rifle to be just a touch on the lighter side of average, and capable of clean elk kills with some room for error, which obviously is never the intention, but as we all know... real world angles and circumstance don't always present textbook opportunities. As such (the slightly less-than-average weight aspect), I'd like to try and tame recoil best I can. I've read that suppressors can help with that, but is that true? If they can really help, I'd prefer that over a muzzle break, and again. Of course everything is a compromise, but if the goal is keep package a bit on the lighter side and convenient side in the field, the lighter and smaller the suppressor, the better. Same goes for the scope, although I know purpose built scopes for dialing are going to be a bit heavier than average.

Currently have a 270WSM and a 300 WM. Neither barrel can be threaded. Both topped with Leupold VX5HD 3-15 x 44m. Can easily zero either one (270WSM with 140 grains, and 300WM with 180 grains) to point-and-shoot out to 300 yards, and then to 400 is just a little hold over on deer sized game. At least according to ballistic charts, which have proved pretty accurate. Have NEVER shot on targets past 300 though. Also have never done any dialing with the Leupolds due to internet chatter, even though both guns have CDS. Cheapest answer would be to try the CDS out. Both rifles are obviously capable of elk, and scopes are pretty lightly used and relatively new. The 300 is a bit big in the field and kinda heavy. Also isn't quite as accurate as the 270wsm, but it is more consistent with various off shelf ammuntion. The 270WSM is fairly picky. It really likes 140 accubonds, which fortunatley, I have plenty of on hand.

While trying the CDS system on those leupolds and forgoing the suppressor or brake on a new rifle would be the most economic and simplest, I'm still tossing around the idea of a new set up.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. What cartridge?

2. Suppressor vs Muzzle Break for help with recoil on lighter gun. Which mfg / model should I consider?

3. Rifle suggestions. A) Not featherweight, but lighter than average. B) The more traditional the look the better, but if looiking at longer distances, would consider more modern features if there's truly an added benefit. C) Short action / compact for easy of carry in field would be good.

4. Optics? Would like to be able to easily dial? What about electronic scope / rangefinder deals? Anything out there that's reliable.

5. No idea on budget. Was thinking like $1k on out-of-box rifle. Then whatever it takes on optics and recoil help on the pointy end.

Thanks!

Sounds to me like you need/want a 22 arc/creed or a 6arc/6 creed/fast twist 243

 

[slm9s]

There are ways to thread sporter barrels. Threading your 270wsm sounds perfect to me. Yes, a can will soften blast as well as recoil. Find a smith who can do this, usually you thread a little extra length then use a thread protector and contour it to provide a shoulder and lock-tite it in place.

 

[Panhandler80]

There are ways to thread sporter barrels. Threading your 270wsm sounds perfect to me. Yes, a can will soften blast as well as recoil. Find a smith who can do this, usually you thread a little extra length then use a thread protector and contour it to provide a shoulder and lock-tite it in place.

It's < 1" right now... I'd hate to mess something up. Guess I could look into this, though. Dumb question, but once threaded the can doesn't HAVE to be on there does it?

In other news, ordered a chronograph last week. Spoke with Leupold and they really want you to have YOUR gun's velocity with a given round for their CDS system, as opposed to fps off the box. Always been curious anyway and now I've got a new toy.

 

[BuckSmasher]

There are ways to thread sporter barrels. Threading your 270wsm sounds perfect to me. Yes, a can will soften blast as well as recoil. Find a smith who can do this, usually you thread a little extra length then use a thread protector and contour it to provide a shoulder and lock-tite it in place.

I second this. Or get it re-barreled. A custom bartlein barrel will be more accurate and cheaper than buying a cheap factory rifle. 270 wsm shoots light bullets fast, doesn't recoil like a big 30 mag. Newish 6.8 western is basically the same thing but optimized for heavy for caliber bullets.

If 270 wsm/ western is still more recoil than you are after lots of quarter bore options out there, the 25-06 looks great, it can shoot heavy for caliber bullets fast. Even a 6.5 Needmore works great when put in the right spot with the right bullet. Make sure you use a good bullet that doesn't fly apart. As folks on this forum like to say big magnum in the guts isn't as good as small bullet in the chest. Just make sure your bullet can penetrate far enough for less than optimal angle.

The 'hip to shoot .22' crowd is the new fudd you would meet back in the 90s with .378 wby for elk. Its hip and edgy but unwise. One thing I agree with them on is shot placement.

 

[MT Freezer]

I'm really enjoying the Seekins PH3 in 6.5PRC. It may not be a "traditional" looking rifle or the lightest option (7lbs) but mine is shooting very well and the stock is comfortable for long ranges.

I started with a brake on this rifle and ended up switching to the Unknown OG 6.5. Suppressed it has a little more recoil and harder to stay on target, but imo the difference in recoil doesn't outweigh the benefit and comfort you get with shooting a suppressor, at least in smaller caliber like 6.5.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I was working up some loads for my son’s Browning xbolt 6.8 western with nosler 165g ABLR’s. I think it’s a hells canyon. It has a brake. Anyway it was a real kitten to shoot, and I must admit I’m a bit recoil shy. Also accurate as hell. That model is already threaded, and kind of long, so a suppresssor would make it really long. If you don’t reload, factory ammo for a 6.8 western might be a little hard to find and pricey.