Opinions on Best Long Range Rifle for Deer, Moose and Elk

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Understood Kelly, personally I have no issues with the glass on my friend's Huskemaw. My budget for a scope is maximum $2,500.00. The lighter in weight the better, which is why I have decided not to purchase a Night Force, I find them way to heavy.

My total budget for this rifle with scope is $6.000.00, and for that I want a killer rig!
 
huntingsask said:
Hi,

I am a new here, but I have been viewing this forum for awhile, lots of good information!

I am in the process of buying my first rifle for long range shooting and was wondering what some of you think. Thanks!
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caliber would be 338 Lapua or 50 BMG, the rifle is your choice depending on what you like, weight, budget, etc that you have to meet.

This is for actual long range hunting I make this suggestion, if your idea is 500 yds or so there are many more caliber choices to consider that have knock down power
 
Brian46 said:
caliber would be 338 Lapua or 50 BMG, the rifle is your choice depending on what you like, weight, budget, etc that you have to meet.

This is for actual long range hunting I make this suggestion, if your idea is 500 yds or so there are many more caliber choices to consider that have knock down power
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Way beyond 500 and up to 1000 is what I want! Not that I will ever take a shot at 1,000, but if I have to, I can and will.
 
HUSKEMAW.... well we know where the 1000 yard idea came from.

Get a .300 WM and cut the distance in half... and preferably more than half.
 
Well I actually hunt most of the deer I hunt with a bow, but sometimes on the prairies while rifle hunting the big mule deer are way out there and many times I could not take the shot, because my 30-06 setup is not set up for distance shooting.

The rifle I am going to buy will be used primarily for Moose and Elk not only in Canada, but in the USA for Elk in Arizona and most likely New Mexico. I also want to use it to hunt in Africa, if I do go.
 
huntingsask said:
Well I actually hunt most of the deer I hunt with a bow, but sometimes on the prairies while rifle hunting the big mule deer are way out there and many times I could not take the shot, because my 30-06 setup is not set up for distance shooting.

The rifle I am going to buy will be used primarily for Moose and Elk not only in Canada, but in the USA for Elk in Arizona and most likely New Mexico. I also want to use it to hunt in Africa, if I do go.
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With the Africa part, that may narrow down your choices some depending on your choice of game over there. Big stuff requires a 375 as a minimum I believe. Here in NA, a 300 or 338WM will do just fine. 338 LM is even better with similar ballistics to the weatherby 30-378 etc. Some nice choices there! If you're reloading it is no issue. Factory ammo however is sometimes hard to come by and expensive for either weatherby or lapua.
 
Northern Amateur said:
With the Africa part, that may narrow down your choices some depending on your choice of game over there. Big stuff requires a 375 as a minimum I believe. Here in NA, a 300 or 338WM will do just fine. 338 LM is even better with similar ballistics to the weatherby 30-378 etc. Some nice choices there! If you're reloading it is no issue. Factory ammo however is sometimes hard to come by and expensive for either weatherby or lapua.
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I want to do a lot of practicing, and I do not want to get into loading, so ammo availability is important. As for Africa, If I do go it would be for Plains Game and I would hope it was close up to maximize on the thrill!
 
huntingsask said:
With all due respect, I am here asking for sound and knowledgeable advice, not here for sarcasm. Thank you.
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Ironically you are getting sound and knowledgeable advice. Several decent caliber suggestions and some advice to forget about it. Both valid in their own way. Long range shooting is about 90% shooter and 10% equipment.
 
Northern Amateur said:
Curious, when would you 'have to' take a shot at a deer that is 1000yrds away? No sarcasm intended either. Genuine curiosity.
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define "have to" since it really could be argued that you could just go to the store instead, but this is a hunting forum so not really the right place to discuss the merits or reasons a person prefers to hunt their own food rather than buy.

If you have hunted a while, you may one day come across an animal that year after year will never allow you to get a close up kill and that is when you need to decide if you are going to pursue the skills and equipment required to take that animal one day when you are ready or just pass at the opportunity year after year after year.

I chose to take up the added skills and equipment for these types of scenarios, you may choose whatever you think is best for yourself. Hopefully this does not turn into the usual questioning of ethics when long range hunting comes up.
 
Brian46 said:
define "have to" since it really could be argued that you could just go to the store instead, but this is a hunting forum so not really the right place to discuss the merits or reasons a person prefers to hunt their own food rather than buy.

If you have hunted a while, you may one day come across an animal that year after year will never allow you to get a close up kill and that is when you need to decide if you are going to pursue the skills and equipment required to take that animal one day when you are ready or just pass at the opportunity year after year after year.

I chose to take up the added skills and equipment for these types of scenarios, you may choose whatever you think is best for yourself. Hopefully this does not turn into the usual questioning of ethics when long range hunting comes up.
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The OP provided a very good response to my question. Again, just asking due to curiosity.
 
I agree animals are not made of Kevlar. Shooting accuracy for me to date is not the problem I am proficient, my setup is which is why I have not been taking shots that I could have taken with the right system, if you know what I mean. I guess what it boils down to is that within my budget, I want a versatile rifle that I can use where ever I go. Like I said I am not a gun collector and only want one more rifle. By the way nice Giraffe , that must have been quite the adventure. Congratulations on that Dogleg

Dogleg said:
Ironically you are getting sound and knowledgeable advice. Several decent caliber suggestions and some advice to forget about it. Both valid in their own way. Long range shooting is about 90% shooter and 10% equipment.
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..practice practise practise the long shots !!!! My dad is now 74..... He bought a 30-378 weather by mag used it on hunting season and put it away .... Sat in the safe for about 12...14 years he bought it in 2001..2002 ... Last year bought a brand new night force 5.5-22x50 illuminated ... He has 4??5 boxes of factory hunting ammo all weatherby....over the years I bought some brass for it and it was last year when I bought a set of dies for it it has my be 2 or three boxes of shell through it ..... I swear on the holy bible and by booth my testicales under a chopping block....he's trying to sell it $4000. Firm want to know more let me know ....I have receipts to show purchase of scope .... My dad is sick and not getting better that is why he is selling it....davide
 
davide montini said:
..practice practise practise the long shots !!!! My dad is now 74..... He bought a 30-378 weather by mag used it on hunting season and put it away .... Sat in the safe for about 12...14 years he bought it in 2001..2002 ... Last year bought a brand new night force 5.5-22x50 illuminated ... He has 4??5 boxes of factory hunting ammo all weatherby....over the years I bought some brass for it and it was last year when I bought a set of dies for it it has my be 2 or three boxes of shell through it ..... I swear on the holy bible and by booth my testicales under a chopping block....he's trying to sell it $4000. Firm want to know more let me know ....I have receipts to show purchase of scope .... My dad is sick and not getting better that is why he is selling it....davide
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That's a nice set up and a decent price too! Lots of long range power there for sure.
 
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