Recommend me a new hunting rifle.

[Joel]

I am not hung up on look at all. Either or.

Tenda had Weatherby Vanguard Obsidian 22" barreled rifles for $650

 

[woodchopper]

You're no fun. I even have my wife on board with me getting a new gun... LOL.

I keep hearing this debate, though. It seems like the consensus is that the 6.5 is too light to use ethically on elk and moose. I am pretty accurate with mine, and I am completely comfortable shooting game with it out past 300 meters, but, is there enough kinetic energy in it at that distance to do enough damage to an elk or moose?

I have loaded up some 130-grain tipped Sierra Game Kings that cook at about 2800 FPS for deer this year. I could easily make up some 143 ELD-X or whatnot. If it's capable, then I am willing to do it; I just want to make sure I am ethical about it.

Yes you need a 7mmRM, for your budget, get a Savage 110

good for longerish range shooting. Hand load 160grn Nosslers and send them.

 

[270AB]

I lamented that I would never shoot a deer at 300 meters, and then immedately went out and took my first deer ever at 330 meters.

I would like to think that will be similar distance for an elk or moose, so I will say out to 500 meters maximum with an absolutely perfect shot setup. (nothing between me

So I am in Alberta, and I hunt right along the CAN/US border. I was able to snag an undersubscribed antlerless elk tag this year. I have never hunted anything this large before, and I think I want to step up from my 6.5 Creedmoor to a 7mm Rem Mag or PRC for hunting elk and moose.

I am just looking for thoughts and rifle recommendations on an appropriate rifle for this endeavor. It's a hunting rifle, so I don't need anything extravagant or something I will be afraid to nick up. It will probably see 2 boxes of ammo the first year to sight it in and 5 rounds yearly after that.

Budget-friendly and accurate.

Thanks Hive Mind!

So there's the above + you might shoot 40 rounds the first year while practicing and sighting it in, then 5 rounds a year after that? Firstly I'd ask why it takes you that many rounds to sight in a rifle, but I do highly recommend the practice part before you walk miles in the rolling hills of southern AB on an elk search.

Then up to 500 meter shooting? If thats the case I'd bump the round count required to at a minimum, double, for the extra practise you'll need. 500 meters is not a short poke even for experienced hunters and elk sized targets, and theres actually times when they don't stand still.

Then a jump recoil wise to 7rm or PRC. Throw another 20-40 rounds into the mix depending on rifle weight you go with. Would I be taking 500 meter shots at elk with a Bleedsmore? No, I'd probably prefer to be considerably closer, but only you know your own level of competence with a rifle. Be honest with yourself.

If you're going to use your new rifle to the levels you mention I'd likely ask why you'd consider buying new, not that there's anything wrong with that. Grab a decent used 30-06, 270, .308, or similar, good glass and get practising. Whatever rifle and cartridge you decide on is a lot less important than you being competent with it.