One Gun with different bullets, one gun w/ one bullet for Elk / Deer / Black bears? Or two different guns (cartridges)?

[ThatDUDE]

do you want to shoot further than the 6 ARC? Or, in higher wind? The 6.5 PRC would compliment it in a Tikka.

My goal is to practice enough to become comfortable at taking shots beyond 600 yards. A better wind bracket would be great as well. I have considered the 6.5 PRC. I have also considered building a 25-284.

 

[hereinaz]

My goal is to practice enough to become comfortable at taking shots beyond 600 yards. A better wind bracket would be great as well. I have considered the 6.5 PRC. I have also considered building a 25-284.

I love the 25 cals, and my primary rifle is now a 25 SST. It would be an awesome rifle and would extend your range and precision.

Running a relatively light weight bullet suffers more from wind drift past 600-700 than my 7mm SS shooting a 180 VLD. If I am on a hunt where my shots are going to be very likely past 600, I will use my 7mm.

The 7 prc is going to get you the least wind drift and still keep your tradeoff reasonable with a tolerable recoil for precision. But, it will challenge your shooting form.

The 6.5 is a good middle spot between the 25 and 7 for those considerations and tradeoffs, IMO.

 

[Lawnboi]

My goal is to practice enough to become comfortable at taking shots beyond 600 yards. A better wind bracket would be great as well. I have considered the 6.5 PRC. I have also considered building a 25-284.

Proficiency comes with perfect repetition. Neither of those cartridges are going to get you much practice without going barrel to barrel pretty fast.

223 or 6.5 creedmoor, once you start to burn the barrels then reevaluate.

Most guys can’t shoot the difference between a 4 and 7 mph gun

 

[hereinaz]

Proficiency comes with perfect repetition. Neither of those cartridges are going to get you much practice without going barrel to barrel pretty fast.

223 or 6.5 creedmoor, once you start to burn the barrels then reevaluate.

Most guys can’t shoot the difference between a 4 and 7 mph gun

I don’t disagree. Gotta shoot.

In context, per barrel, a thousand rounds (with a couple hundred for hunting) is pretty good practice for the long range aspect—if—a shooter is practicing more with another rifle like .223 or 6 arc for overall form. But, it is not cheap…

And, right on the wind factor. One reason to shoot a faster bullet with SS low recoil as possible is because most can’t judge the wind. Knowing wind is hard, I cheat with a fast, light, high bc bullet.

 

[Lawnboi]

I don’t disagree. Gotta shoot.

In context, per barrel, a thousand rounds (with a couple hundred for hunting) is pretty good practice for the long range aspect—if—a shooter is practicing more with another rifle like .223 or 6 arc for overall form. But, it is not cheap…

And, right on the wind factor. One reason to shoot a faster bullet with SS low recoil as possible is because most can’t judge the wind. Knowing wind is hard, I cheat with a fast, light, high bc bullet.

I can surely see the benefit of a higher wind bracket once one has the skill set. Unfortunately with those kinds of rifles, similar to what the OP mentioned, spotting shots in field positions is going to be hard. No way around it, burning 50 some grains of powder behind a 130-156 grain bullet becomes hard. And when you’re learning, if you don’t know what’s going on, you’re getting nothing.

Hence my suggestion, even with some wind cheaters in your safe I still would see value in a rifle that dosnt kill a barrel every 1000 rounds to maintain skill.

I did the magnum thing too, thinking it would help. It was just a waste of time and money. I had similar goals. I’m still not there, but my comfort level is steadily growing.

 

[ThatDUDE]

I appreciate all your guys feedback. I may consider a .223 and just put a lot of bullets down range between it and the 6ARC. Then see where my skill level is.

 

[hereinaz]

I can surely see the benefit of a higher wind bracket once one has the skill set. Unfortunately with those kinds of rifles, similar to what the OP mentioned, spotting shots in field positions is going to be hard. No way around it, burning 50 some grains of powder behind a 130-156 grain bullet becomes hard. And when you’re learning, if you don’t know what’s going on, you’re getting nothing.

Hence my suggestion, even with some wind cheaters in your safe I still would see value in a rifle that dosnt kill a barrel every 1000 rounds to maintain skill.

I did the magnum thing too, thinking it would help. It was just a waste of time and money. I had similar goals. I’m still not there, but my comfort level is steadily growing.

Agree that burning ammo with smaller caliber is better. Always need more. But, practicing with the magnum thrown in for 10 to 20 rounds each range session after 100 rounds with smaller calibers can give you valuable feedback and gives a way to gauge improvement.

There are multiple skill levels involved. And recoil mastery is at the top of the skill list. Position, trigger pull, etc can be had with less. But, until you shoot the magnums you cannot improve.

If you shoot a magnum all the time, it’s hard to learn the finer points though.

A .22 will teach a lot, but you still have to shoot a .223 to master the added recoil. I think it’s the same way with a magnum.

You can shoot a million rounds with a .22 and half a million with the .223, but it still requires more for the magnum. That’s why I encourage having the magnum if you want to get there, because it gives feedback where you might be getting lazy with your form shooting a .223.

It’s like practicing 3 pointers hundreds of reps for form, but then shooting while defended for practice, then shooting defended while in a game.

Ultimately, you make a valuable point. Bullets down range matter and you cannot get better with out it.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Lots of rifles, mostly chambered in .308 or 6.5 Cm, a few serve different purposes. .308 BLR as a still hunting/brush gun. But realistically I have my “go to” hunting rifle and the rest of them as back ups… really have enjoyed the 140(3)(7) grn rounds coming from a 6.5 CM even with a shorter barrel it will carry velocity to disrupt out to 650-700 yards

 

[Lawnboi]

Agree that burning ammo with smaller caliber is better. Always need more. But, practicing with the magnum thrown in for 10 to 20 rounds each range session after 100 rounds with smaller calibers can give you valuable feedback and gives a way to gauge improvement.

There are multiple skill levels involved. And recoil mastery is at the top of the skill list. Position, trigger pull, etc can be had with less. But, until you shoot the magnums you cannot improve.

If you shoot a magnum all the time, it’s hard to learn the finer points though.

A .22 will teach a lot, but you still have to shoot a .223 to master the added recoil. I think it’s the same way with a magnum.

You can shoot a million rounds with a .22 and half a million with the .223, but it still requires more for the magnum. That’s why I encourage having the magnum if you want to get there, because it gives feedback where you might be getting lazy with your form shooting a .223.

It’s like practicing 3 pointers hundreds of reps for form, but then shooting while defended for practice, then shooting defended while in a game.

Ultimately, you make a valuable point. Bullets down range matter and you cannot get better with out it.

Managing higher recoil is a valuable skill, and something to be practiced. That said jumping straight to it is a recipe for a bad time, or unrealistic expectations, I learned that the hard way, trying to buy wind calls with powder didn’t help me become a better rifleman, it actually did the opposite.

OP that 6 arc should do you good for a long time. I would do more research on here into purposeful practice and toast that barrel.

 

[hereinaz]

Managing higher recoil is a valuable skill, and something to be practiced. That said jumping straight to it is a recipe for a bad time, or unrealistic expectations, I learned that the hard way, trying to buy wind calls with powder didn’t help me become a better rifleman, it actually did the opposite.

OP that 6 arc should do you good for a long time. I would do more research on here into purposeful practice and toast that barrel.

Expectations are key. Jumping into a magnum without purposeful intent, that is a recipe for disaster. It has its place, and shooters often have unrealistic expectations.

My experience mixing in a magnum as an extreme tool to learn the skills can be effective IMO as a supplement. But, it’s only valuable if the primary work with a low recoil rifle is included like you are doing.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

I voted one as something in the 6.5 -7mm would work for all three. Pick a good bullet like the Eldx or Eldm and just practice. Can go larger or smaller if needed. Only different rifle would be something setup for brush or moving shots if you take them. Ie a lever gun with open sights .

 

[nmarchr]

I use a 6.5 prc with 156 Berger EOL for everything
6.5 Creemoor with 143 ELDX for my kids for everything

 

[WannaBeRambo]

I have a deer lease on a future toothpick farm (planted pine) in SEUSA and shots are rarely past 100 yds. Deer top out around 165, so using an AR15 with 7.62x39. They just clear cut some of the property over the summer and seeing deer in the clear, I’ve been getting up to speed with the 6.5 Grendel as they are 300-500 yards away. Should be some new toothpicks planted by next season To make this practical.

For hunting out west, using 30-06 180 grain. At least that’s the plan, saving up for a elk or pronghorn hunt next year.
I’d love to get one of those fancy Creedmores and shoot into next week, but I’ve focused on upgrading my glass instead. My senior eyes need some help. I don’t think I’ll ever be competent past 500 yds anyway.

 

[bnewt3]

I'm not knocking our progress and ability to have exactly what we want. Or the progress of doing more with less. I'm enjoying it.

But there is something to be said about our grandfathers who bought a .30-06, or .270, or 280 etc and used that one rifle for everything they came across. And never had a question of whether what they brought was enough.

The situation we find ourselves in is a luxury, let's not forget that.

Sent from my SM-S506DL using Tapatalk

 

[Leverwalker]

Two different rifles, two different terrains and distances - Marlin 45-70 guide gun, Ruger M77 Hawkeye .338 WM.

 

[BigSky]

Generally, I choose the bullet I want to use. Then, I find the most accurate load I can for that rifle using that bullet. That is then the load I use for that rifle/scope/bullet combination. For most of my rifles, that load and that bullet will work for everything I'm hunting from antelope up to elk with the occasional coyote thrown in for good measure.

If I choose to take my 7MM magnum out elk hunting and see a small deer I wish to shoot, I'm confident that my 180 grain ELD-M is not going to blow that deer to smithereens. On the other hand, if I am out coyote hunting with my 22-250 loaded with 88 grain ELD-Ms and see an elk I wish to shoot, I'm confident I will be able to successfully take it. Each rifle has its designated load. I've never, personally, felt the need to find multiple different bullets/loads for any given rifle and scope combination.

 

[Anschutz]

I have several rifles from .223 to .375 H&H but when it comes time to put meat on the table, I almost always grab my Model 70 in .270 and 145 ELD-X. At 8ish pounds, it's a little heavy for trucking up a mountain and a little light for long bean field shots, but I know that anything inside 500 yards is going home with me.

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[Ron.C]

Been using a 7mm-08 for 8 seasons now shooting 42 gr IMR 4064, 140Gr ttsx for everything (blacktail, whitetail, mule deer, black bear, goat and elk) and hopefully moose in '24.

The TTSX's have been great but not required on most of the species above. On the range I shoot 139 gr hornady interlocks over the same powder load as the ttsx and they group very close to them. I think I am going to try the interlocks for all my hunting this year (unless I draw another goat tag) or a moose, I'll stick with the TTSX.

All that said, the only 2 animals I would not hunt in British Columbia with this rifle are Griz (which are no longer open) and Bison (have no desire to hunt them).