Dream elk rifle setup with $4k budget

slowS4

FNG
Joined
Oct 25, 2022
Messages
9
What would be your dream/ideal elk hunting rifle setup with a 4k budget. This includes rifle, glass, and a can. It would probably end up being 1500ish for rifle, 1500ish for the can + stamp. And then 1000 + left overs for glass.
 

Macintosh

WKR
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Messages
2,005
Me personally, Id probably agonize over the scope more than the rifle or can. My personal “dream” rifle is a S&B klassik 3-12x42 scope on a stainless T3x in an alterra stock. In whatever your cartridge of choice is, add a can and you are right around your budget. If you need a aftermarket barrel I’d skimp on that before the glass, you can always get a barrel spun on at any point in the future.
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
864
Tikka T3x in 300WSM = $900 (https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1011291546)
RokStok = $549
Cut barrel to 20" and thread 5/8-24 with collar = $225 (with shipping)
UM Tikka rings = $130
Nightforce SHV 4-14X50 F1 or Maven R1.2 Mil = $1200
SilencerCo Harvester Evo = $800 (with stamp)

You are looking at just over $3800 for that set-up. Depending on tax and FFL fees, probably right around $4000 when all is said and done.
 
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
1,395
Location
Littleton, CO
@slowS4
What is your current rifle setup?
What is your bino/spotting scope/tripod setup?

I ask because chances are your current rifle is an elk rifle. Whereas you cannot kill elk if you cannot find elk. Good optics can substantially help you find more animals. Which leads to more animals dying. The cost of my optic setup dwarfs the cost of my weapon. Hike to vantage points and glass. Rinse and repeat until you find them. Walking blindly through the woods in hopes of stumbling on them is for the birds. Let your eyes do the walking for you.

My rifle of choice when I hit the woods is a Steyr Pro Hunter 7RM, SWFA 3-9, Warne Mountain Tech rings. I am shooting 162gr ELD-M bullets.

For a factory rifle I would buy one of the following in 7RM or 7prc.
Steyr
Tikka
Seekins
Currently the only company of those three that offers a 7prc is Seekins.
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Messages
2,658
Location
Co
Dream and Ideal are kind of two different things. I go for utility over just cost, tikka 6.5 prc or cm stainless: 750 + cut and thread to 17/18” so 900 ish

Trijicon credo 2.15-15 + rings 1000, so you are in for 1900, another grand for a can+stamp, could go 1200 and get a sico ti, or dead air nomad ti… so all set for 2900-3100, plus tax of course, leaves 900 for buying ammo
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2021
Messages
609
Tikka t3x stainless in 6.5 cm 900
Um tikka rings 130
Rokstock 600
Trijicon tenmile 3-18 1400
Puts you a little over 3000 with tax
I have no experience with suppressors but it leaves you plenty to get the tikka threaded and buy a can. If not spend the rest on ammo and shoot it a bunch. Unless you’re a legit shooter with the necessity and skill to shoot past 500 (which I am not) there is no reason to go bigger or more expensive imo.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
10,471
Location
Alaska
-Tikka t3x 30-06 - 850
-barrel cut to 18” and collard for 5/8x24dt 150.00
-back ultra 7 and stamp - 1300
-nightforce shv 3-10 - 1000
- sportsmatch to84 - 70

Less than 3400.00
 

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jimh406

WKR
Joined
Feb 6, 2022
Messages
975
Location
Western MT
I'm not sure I can build my dream Elk setup for $4K with suppressor. However, I think I'd consider a Howa Superlite (6.5, 7mm-08, or 308), Banish Backcountry, EGW rings, and the rest on the brand of scope you like with what's left for the expected range you intend to hunt.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
10,471
Location
Alaska
I'm not sure I can build my dream Elk setup for $4K with suppressor. However, I think I'd consider a Howa Superlite (6.5, 7mm-08, or 308), Banish Backcountry, EGW rings, and the rest on the brand of scope you like with what's left for the expected range you intend to hunt.
My banish 30 is on its way back for warranty work. I’d recommend not buying a banish.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
10,471
Location
Alaska
So, you don’t want to buy a product that has a warranty. What did you do to damage it?

What should OP buy instead?
-thunderbeast
-silencer co
-AB
-cgs

To name a few.

As to the damage to the banish 30, I didn’t do anything I wouldn’t do to any other silencer. There is something rattling around inside of it and the end cap is seized on even though I followed the exact instructions with the thing.
 
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