Looking for 600 yard deer/elk rifle. Recommendations?

[plentycoupe]

Tanya shot this bull at 715 yards with the 147 The video is on YouTube

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Thanks for all the replies Ryan. Am going to find the video now.
I do own a 6.5 Creedmoor now so am undecided on this next gun.
Truthfully I’m leaning towards another .300(unsure between WM or WSM) or a 7MM.
I did get to see my cousins 6.5 PRC in action this year. Worked perfectly on a mule deer buck!

 

[plentycoupe]

I've always looked at "normal range" deer hunting and "long range" elk hunting as 2 different pursuits that require 2 different guns. I personally consider "long range" on game to be anything over 500 yards, mostly because most hunters can't hit their own ass that far. Honestly. A Seekins Havak or Fierce rifle in 28 Nosler would be my choice with the 195 EOL driven hard in quality handloads. For factory ammo, I would turn to Unknown Munitions. I don't think a rifle for 200 yd shots at deer is the same gun to use for 600 yd elk. I witnessed a Seekins PH2 in 28 Nosler on 3 elk this fall, 1 cow and 2 mature bulls. Ranges were from 480 to 730. All one shot quick, humane kills. Don't fool yourself into complacency after you own the gun, being more proficient than 95% of most riflemen out there will matter more than anything.

Thanks for the reply.
My current arsenal contains a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .270. Both shoot well under and inch and I get to shoot them regularly out to 541 yards. As I write this I am realizing that I sure don’t “need” another rifle, yet want one for sure.
I am leaning towards a .300 as I recently got rid of one I just didn’t like well. I like to stick with “standard” calibers so .300 WM or WSM are starting to stand out to me or a 7MM. I have not owned one of those yet.
All the replies on here have given some great information!

 

[Ryan Avery]

Thanks for all the replies Ryan. Am going to find the video now.
I do own a 6.5 Creedmoor now so am undecided on this next gun.
Truthfully I’m leaning towards another .300(unsure between WM or WSM) or a 7MM.
I did get to see my cousins 6.5 PRC in action this year. Worked perfectly on a mule deer buck!

All that said if I was just hunting elk it would be a 30 Cal with a 215 Berger or bigger.

 

[plentycoupe]

My semi custom Tikka mentioned above in 7mm Mag. Like Ross said. 7 lbs 10 ounces field ready with 4 rounds in it. Light, accurate, dependable.

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One other question...what is the “semi custom” part of the Tikka you mention?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

One other question...what is the “semi custom” part of the Tikka you mention?

McMillan Hunters Edge Stock
High Desert Bottom Metal
YoDave Trigger Spring
Mountain Tactical Magazine

Factory barrel and action.

 

[Ross]

Shooting Hornady 154 gr sst here are some bullets at 80 yds on this years Muley and the bull noted....some prior checks at the range 220 yds with guns blazing next to me on both sides and casings hitting your back felt these were solid off simple bags for rests. These days check zero and shoot gongs then plink with 223.....

 

[bluetick78]

Shooting 154 gr sst here are some bullets at 80 yds on this years Muley and the bull noted....some prior checks at the range 220 yds with guns blazing next to me on both sides and casings hitting your back felt these were solid off simple bags for rests. These days check zero and shoot gongs then plink with 223.....

I've used SST's in 280 Rem quite a bit, they act a lot like an Accubond in that weight/caliber combo.

 

[General RE LEE]

I agree with all the guys saying 6.5 PRC. I built mine off of a tikka action this year with a 22 inch carbon six barrel. My full setup is 7.8lbs with a vx 5 3-15 leupold and shoots under a 1 inch group at 200 with factory 147 eldms. Has the energy you need for deer and elk at those ranges and for me the ability to pull the trigger and watch impact is well worth not shooting a harder hitting round like a 7 mag or 300 mag. I made a marginal shot on my buck this year at 510 yards but was able to watch the impact because of the low recoil and put the next shot right where it needed to be. Without that ability I wouldn’t have known where to put the second shot. Also I’d like to note that low recoil is without a muzzle break witch is another big advantage to me.

I thought the 6.5 PRC recoil was significantly more than the Creedmoor. I have watched impacts with my Creedmoor and I don’t have a muzzle brake, but any more recoil I would imagine it would be difficult to stay on target after the shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Timberline001]

I thought the 6.5 PRC recoil was significantly more than the Creedmoor. I have watched impacts with my Creedmoor and I don’t have a muzzle brake, but any more recoil I would imagine it would be difficult to stay on target after the shot.


Not all. Shooting the 147s out of factory ammo O can watch impact every shot with my gun and it’s under 8lbs including the scope. You’re only gaining about 200 FPS over the creed with factory loads. It’s definitely the top end of being able to watch impact but as long as you’re rested solid it’s not a problem. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Highvoltage1]

If you have a 270 that shoots great load up 140/150 accubond with some reloader 26. That bullet has a minimum velocity of 1800 ft/sec so with a 3000ft/sec at 7000 ft you should be safe to 900 yds.

 

[Timberline001]

If you have a 270 that shoots great load up 140/150 accubond with some reloader 26. That bullet has a minimum velocity of 1800 ft/sec so with a 3000ft/sec at 7000 ft you should be safe to 900 yds.

I missed the part where he said he had a .270. Certainly no reason to buy a 6.5 PRC if you have a good .270 to reload for. The PRC doesn’t edge it out by a ton with most loads.

 

[plentycoupe]

If you have a 270 that shoots great load up 140/150 accubond with some reloader 26. That bullet has a minimum velocity of 1800 ft/sec so with a 3000ft/sec at 7000 ft you should be safe to 900 yds.

Any factory load recommendations for the .270. I haven’t found anything with a better bullet than the 145 ELD-X yet.
Haven’t actually looked hard yet would want something a bit tougher and heavier if it would fly well.

 

[Mrvrsick]

Yup, with a 270, I wouldn't feel like I didn't have a 600 yard elk rifle. Shooting even factory Hornady ELD-X, you're at 1497 ft-lbs of energy at 600.

That said, I recently had to buy a new rifle and my 270 was no longer with me, and I went with 6.5 PRC. I'm currently looking to trade for a 270 or 7mm-08/280ai.

 

[Mrvrsick]

Any factory load recommendations for the .270. I haven’t found anything with a better bullet than the 145 ELD-X yet.
Haven’t actually looked hard yet would want something a bit tougher and heavier if it would fly well.

I wouldn't feel bad about using the eld-x, or a mono like the factory loaded vortx LR from barnes. The barnes might be a little low on energy at 600, but should still be over 1300 ft-lbs in about any rifle, and that would be sufficient.

 

[plentycoupe]

I wouldn't feel bad about using the eld-x, or a mono like the factory loaded vortx LR from barnes. The barnes might be a little low on energy at 600, but should still be over 1300 ft-lbs in about any rifle, and that would be sufficient.

This is what I have for velocity/energy from my current Tikka .270. It’s one of the reasons I’m looking to add a rifle to my small arsenal although this one shoots well!
might put it in a Mesa Precision stock(would like to hear thoughts on that?)

145 ELD-X
Muzzle, 2883fps
600 yards: 1917fps, 1183 ftlbs

130 Barnes TTSX
Muzzle, 2964
600 yards: 1701fps, 835 ftlbs

 

[Mrvrsick]

This is what I have for velocity/energy from my current Tikka .270. It’s one of the reasons I’m looking to add a rifle to my small arsenal although this one shoots well!
might put it in a Mesa Precision stock(would like to hear thoughts on that?)

145 ELD-X
Muzzle, 2883fps
600 yards: 1917fps, 1183 ftlbs

130 Barnes TTSX
Muzzle, 2964
600 yards: 1701fps, 835 ftlbs

Wow, gotta say that you're well under what I'd expect from a barrel almost 23 inches.
I do have to ask about your calculations though. What elevation and temperature are you calculating for? Whe I was doing my spreadsheets, I used 5000 ft and about 60 degrees f. Most of my hunting was done at higher elevations this year, but also colder. I know that most charts normally use sea level, and I have never hunted at sea level haha. This year I was at 6000 to 8000ish feet.

 

[plentycoupe]

Wow, gotta say that you're well under what I'd expect from a barrel almost 23 inches.
I do have to ask about your calculations though. What elevation and temperature are you calculating for? Whe I was doing my spreadsheets, I used 5000 ft and about 60 degrees f. Most of my hunting was done at higher elevations this year, but also colder. I know that most charts normally use sea level, and I have never hunted at sea level haha. This year I was at 6000 to 8000ish feet.

I used the Hornady ballistics calculator
59 degrees and it was zero elevation.
If I put in 4000 it bumps the Barnes to mid 900ftlbs.

 

[Highvoltage1]

For a factory load I would look at Sierra 140 tgk, nosler 140 accubond, federal tlr, 145 eldx or 150 sst. I’ve talked to the techs a few times and all of them agree on one thing. Scrap thinking big energy and focus on minimum velocity to allow the projectile to open. I believe 1800 for Sierra and nosler, 1600 for eldx and If you try a Barnes keep them above 2000. Again best wishes and don’t over think it. Many elk drop to simple interlocks and coreloks every season

 

[plentycoupe]

What is your budget? I bought a Fierce Carbon Fury rifle chambered in 300 WM a year ago. They are built on the Sako action and are very nice rifles.

This gun is making its way to the top of the list.
What is your overall thought of yours? Would backpack with it for sure.
Is there anything you don’t like about it?
I’ve never spent that kind of money on a rifle yet but it’s looking good!

 

[kit_man_duu]

This gun is making its way to the top of the list.
What is your overall thought of yours? Would backpack with it for sure.
Is there anything you don’t like about it?
I’ve never spent that kind of money on a rifle yet but it’s looking good!

I really like mine and do not have much negative to say about it. It is very accurate and light which makes it ideal for backcountry hunting. At first I wished that it came with a 26" barrel instead of 24" but that isn't really necessary in a hunting rifle and comes with extra weight and length. I was very hesitant to spend the money on it at first but I am glad I did. I have a Sako in 308 as well. I looked at a Browning X-Bolt, Christensen Arms too, but I think the machining and overall quality in a Fierce rifle is a step above these bigger companies.