Total funding not to exceed $2,500 including optics and it's to be capable of shooting 500 yards with a minimum of 1,300 FT-LB energy at the 500 yard mark.

You can buy a rifle and alter it as the budget is sufficient to allow that.

So....what:
1. cartridge is it chambered for?
2. manufacturer you are buying?
3. optics are added?
4. After market stock wanted
5. Bipod?
6. Barrel length
7. stainless/blued
8. wood/synthetic
9. Iron sights as well as a scope?
10. other

And please....if you want a .223 just go to the small bore forum to play!

300 mag or 338 win mag
Rem 7oo action
Mcmillan stock
Leupold or Zeiss 3.5-10 X

Mine is a win model 70 pre 64 action
25 inch stainless barrel
chambered in 338 win
Mcmillan stock
Zeiss 3.5-10X

I think I would get one of the new Win M70 Super Grades in 338 Win Mag and top it with a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10 x 40 - perhaps with the Boone & Crocket reticle.

Winchester M70 Super Grade 338 Win Mag $1,189.00 (per the Winchester web site).
VX-3 3.5-10x40, Boone & Crockett, Matte $559.00 (from the Optics Zone)

That would leave $252.00 for rings, bases, sling, bi-pod, gun case and if you are frugal a case of beer and set you up with a pretty darned nice elk rig.

Well, I have one already and mine is:
Remington 700 Electroless Nickel plated in .338 Win. Mag. in a Brown Precision stock and right now has a Leupold 2/5x-8x in Talley Quick Detach rings because it has the open sights sighted in for my load with the 250 Nosler Partition. Very accurate, portable and weatherproof. It also worked quite well in Zimbabwe as might light rifle on my Buffalo safari in 2005.

I'll play. I built mine, almost with the same goals:

1) .338-06AI. With a 225gr accubond @2600 fps. Exceeds your ft-lb req. by a fair margin at 500 yds. decent BC.
2) Used Sako 85 grey wolf .25-06 donor
3) Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10 (used, NIB), duplex reticle
4) Factory stock (pillar bedded)
5) I have one, don't know if I'll use it
6) 24" Krieger barrel
7) stainless
8) laminated
9) no iron sights

caveat - If I was really planning on 500yd shots I'd feel more comfortable with MOA reticle and a bit more magnification.

-nosualc

quote:

1) .338-06AI. With a 225gr accubond @2600 fps. Exceeds your ft-lb req. by a fair margin at 500 yds. decent BC.

It sure does.....and you're not too high in pressure in all likelyhood....looks good to me.

Ruger Hawkeye in 7mm or 300 mag 24inch barrel
Alternately a Win M-70. If 24 inch barrel unavailable in mag calibers I would go with 270 or 30-06.

Leupold 6x scope

Nice adjustable sling

Trigger job to smooth and lighten

Ruger rings that come with rifle

No idea of cost but sure I have money left over for a range finder and binoculars.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

1) .338-06AI. With a 225gr accubond @2600 fps. Exceeds your ft-lb req. by a fair margin at 500 yds. decent BC.

It sure does.....and you're not too high in pressure in all likelyhood....looks good to me.

When I was working up loads, I went up to a little past book max for a std. .338-06.

I found a sweet spot a bit below book max. I was getting 3 shot groups that averaged. about 0.66" with an extreme spread of 7.5 fps. In the stouter loads my groups opened up a bit.

Some day I might get up the gumption to do some other loads in quest of a bit more speed, but I doubt it.

-nosualc

Ruger MKII stainless syt stock 338WM leupold 2.5x8 with long range reticle. Use the rest to glass bed it free float the barrel. Buy reloading supplies to paractice with.

Being the Mauser fanatic that I am I cant really reccomend any off the shelf rifles, sorry.


Actually I take that back. I would consider the CZ 550. Several options, you could go with the "ultimate" CZ for roughly $1,500 and add some nice optics and go hunting. Or you could get a standard 550 in 30-06 and get it rebarreled for 338-06, or whatever, add some nice optocs and go hunting.

Just a few ideas.

quote:

Originally posted by Clem:
I think I would get one of the new Win M70 Super Grades in 338 Win Mag and top it with a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10 x 40 - perhaps with the Boone & Crocket reticle.

Winchester M70 Super Grade 338 Win Mag $1,189.00 (per the Winchester web site).
VX-3 3.5-10x40, Boone & Crockett, Matte $559.00 (from the Optics Zone)

That would leave $252.00 for rings, bases, sling, bi-pod, gun case and if you are frugal a case of beer and set you up with a pretty darned nice elk rig.

nuff said

SSR

Wow, I'm amazed....it's overwhelming for the .338 caliber......and the Magnum first.

I've never shot any BG at 500 yards but I have killed a couple of elk with a .338. At my modest limits, I couldn't see that it killed them any deader than a 300WM so I opted out of the extra abuse and went back to a 300WM. My glass was a 1.5x5 Burris.

I daresay at 500 yards, the .338 would give you a little more punch (with a bigger bullet) and a 2x7 or 3x9 might give you a better aiming point.

All of my rifles have been Rem 700s. I know they're not controlled feed, but I kept my bowie knife clenched between my teeth in case an elf were to charge and I jammed my rifle.

If I were starting from scratch, I don't see any reason to change very much. I'd get a Rem 700 in .338, have a $50.00 trigger job done on it (I could do it myself but I'd rather spend your money), and put a 2x7 or 3x9 Leuy on it. And go hunting. I still wouldn't be sniping at no elk at 500 yards.

quote:

Wow, I'm amazed....it's overwhelming for the .338 caliber......and the Magnum first.

For my taste's I'd buy a Kimber 84L. and rebarrel it with a Pac-Nor barrel in .338-06AI.
Then I'd install a leupold 1.5-5 scope set in Leupold base and rings.
No open sights, no bi-pod, just a light weight sling.
I'd shoot 250 gr. Hornady's and all would be right with the world!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Total funding not to exceed $2,500 including optics and it's to be capable of shooting 500 yards with a minimum of 1,300 FT-LB energy at the 500 yard mark.

You can buy a rifle and alter it as the budget is sufficient to allow that.

So....what:
1. cartridge is it chambered for?
2. manufacturer you are buying?
3. optics are added?
4. After market stock wanted
5. Bipod?
6. Barrel length
7. stainless/blued
8. wood/synthetic
9. Iron sights as well as a scope?
10. other

And please....if you want a .223 just go to the small bore forum to play!

1. .300 Winchester Magnum
2. Browning A-Bolt or X-Bolt, Remington 700 BDL, 26" barrel
3. This leaves about 1500$ for the scope and this is where your money is best spent after buying one of these accurate factory rifles.

Leupold Mark IV with the TMR or VXIII LR side focus, Varmint Hunter Reticle. Both 6.5-20's

4. Factory stock pillar bedded
5. Stoney point Rapid Pivot bench bipod, Sitting bipod and necessary hardware
6. 26"
7. Stainless, but painted at least to eliminate any glare
8. Synthetic
9. No
10 Good rubber sling like the Claw.

quote:

Leupold Mark IV with the TMR or VXIII LR side focus, Varmint Hunter Reticle. Both 6.5-20's

Is this like a target knob set up? I'd like to find one of these but they seem to call them something else.

I have an old scope with a target knob and I sight it in at 100 yards and then lift the cap and replace it to "0" so that in the future I can easily crank up the setting for both windage and elevation I want.....based of course on shooting at known distances.

When the target is that far away there is usually time to make the adjustment.

Most Elk hunting is in the mountains. A light rifle with a short barrel is nice. With the new Alliant medium powder you can approach the .338 WM and equal the .338-06 in the .338 Federal with a 22" barrel. For anyone that is a little recoil sensitive it's a great alternative. A Kimber 84M is around 5 lbs. I'd top it with a 3 X 9 Trijicon and have money left over...wait a minute...I just did.....Tom

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Leupold Mark IV with the TMR or VXIII LR side focus, Varmint Hunter Reticle. Both 6.5-20's

Is this like a target knob set up? I'd like to find one of these but they seem to call them something else.

I have an old scope with a target knob and I sight it in at 100 yards and then lift the cap and replace it to "0" so that in the future I can easily crank up the setting for both windage and elevation I want.....based of course on shooting at known distances.

When the target is that far away there is usually time to make the adjustment.

I've even got a couple of VXII's with the Long Range Varmint Duplex (not as sophisticated as the Varmint Hunter Reticle) without the target knobs. I've installed the Stoney Point target knobs for Leupold. They cost 30$ each and engage the coin slot. The VXII's have audible clicks and work great with the aftermarket knobs. 6-18 power. Total cost....under 500$!!

The more I think about it, you can probably build a custom .300 on a 700 action, synthetic stock pillar bedded and put that VXII like I say on it for under 2500$

Custom rifles with good barrels sure are a pleasure to load for and shoot!

Funny this should come up. I've been thinking about needing to fill the hole between my .30-06 and my .375H&H. I'd like to say 8mm Rem Mag or .340 Wby with a 26" barrel. I've been fascinated by the 8mm Rem Mag for a long time. The .340 Wny will whack 'em a long way out there. But I think that the others suggesting a .338-06 are really onto something.

I have come to the conclusion that a .338-06 makes a lot of sense. Especially for me. I've never taken a shot over 240 yards and doubt I will anytime in the near future. The bigger bullet makes a much bigger hole with a lot of punch. I will never forget the first deer I shot with a 270 grain Barnes XLC from my .375H&H---it flipped over and the sternum was cracked. Bigger is better.

Here's what I concluded I should do:

Stevens 200 $400
Sell takeoff barrel and stock <$50>
Adams & Bennet 338-06 barrel $150
B&C Duramax stock $100
SSS Trigger $100
Labor (or tools to DIY) $100

Total: $800

With your budget, that's a lot left over for glass.

LWD

I found the stoney point knobs (thanks to Google).....great idea....and I just happen to have a 4-12 X 40 Leupold with the LR reticule in it.....

It's looking like I have the scope already....adding the knobs is the cat's meow....

Another easy option would be a hillcountryrifles.com Harvester series. Basically, a Rem 700 XCRII bedded into a McMillan stock with a trigger job and new barrel crown for $1900.

http://hillcountryrifles.com/c...3/harvester-rifle_24

That still leaves enough for some decent optics.

LWD

quote:

Most Elk hunting is in the mountains. A light rifle with a short barrel is nice.

Agree, although I could live w/a 24",25" or 26" lighter weight tube.

Personally I think you're describing a Weatherby rifle w/synthetic stock in 300 Weatherby Magnum w/a brand name 3-12 scope on it.

That's the way I'd go so I'd just pull out my Blaser R93 in 300 Weatherby Magnum and take the 375H&H barrel along just in case the plan changes from wide open mountain spaces to thick timber.

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
Funny this should come up. I've been thinking about needing to fill the hole between my .30-06 and my .375H&H. I'd like to say 8mm Rem Mag or .340 Wby with a 26" barrel. I've been fascinated by the 8mm Rem Mag for a long time. The .340 Wny will whack 'em a long way out there. But I think that the others suggesting a .338-06 are really onto something.

I have come to the conclusion that a .338-06 makes a lot of sense.

LWD

I think one of the best rounds ever is the 8X68s, period. Unbelievable round BUT! Anymore the first thing I look at when selecting a chambering for a new rifle is bullet availability. I also think the 8mm-06 is fantastic but Ive basicaly given up on 8mm because of the lack of slugs.

.338 on the other hand has really taken off and there are a plethora of excellent high sd bullets available in that caliber.

So in that aspect I also agree that the 338-06 is a sound choice. The second thing I consider is brass availability. Some rounds have all of these things and a reputation for accuracy etc. etc. What with all the selections available today why settle for less?

CM LH Model 70 Classic
23" short shanked CM #2 Douglas
Williams bottom metal
Echols EDGE
Low DD's
FX II 6X36
280 Remington

Will it carry how ever many foot pounds of energy at 500 yds? Who cares. It will kill an Elk before Vapodogs ideal "Elk" rifle anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Tapper2:
Most Elk hunting is in the mountains. A light rifle with a short barrel is nice. With the new Alliant medium powder you can approach the .338 WM and equal the .338-06 in the .338 Federal with a 22" barrel. For anyone that is a little recoil sensitive it's a great alternative. A Kimber 84M is around 5 lbs. I'd top it with a 3 X 9 Trijicon and have money left over...wait a minute...I just did.....Tom

Or you could go with the 338 federal's big brother, 358 winchester in a BLR, for stomping through the timber...wait a minite...I already did..

1) .338-06AI. With a 225gr Triple Shocks at 2700 fps. Exceeds your ft-lb req. by a fair margin at 500 yds. decent BC.
2) Used Sauer 200 3006 donor (that rifles I saw in ashop yesterday for $1100)
3) Rebore and rechamber $320
4) Zeiss 4.5-14x50 Conquest Rifle Scope
NIB), duplex reticle$850
5) Factory stock
6) Blued.
7) no iron sights

I still have $230.00 left over for aything else I need like tax, shipping lens covers, ect.

338/06 is a great and well balanced round, a perfect match for a Nosler 210 partition. But since we are building imaginary rifles, I would have to agree with LWD. To me, the 340 Weatherby has always held a strange fascination, I have even gone so far as to buy the chambering reamer which sits untouched in the drawer.
Douglas or Shilen #3 contour barrel
FN Mauser action, opened up
Blackburn trigger
2.5x8 Leupold / Talley mounts and lever rings
Talley peep sight / NECG front ramp
If I lived in Elk country I would probably use a stainless barrel and a High Tech Specialties stock, and Duracoat the metal.
Since I would probably only Elk hunt one more time in my Life, I would stock it in a nice piece of english or Bastogne, matte blue the metal and take it hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
So....what:
1. cartridge is it chambered for?
2. manufacturer you are buying?
3. optics are added?
4. After market stock wanted
5. Bipod?
6. Barrel length
7. stainless/blued
8. wood/synthetic
9. Iron sights as well as a scope?
10. other

And please....if you want a .223 just go to the small bore forum to play!

Just can't 'force' myself to spend that much. I would like to go with a Winchester M70 Super Grade in 30-06. I'll add a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x 40mm. That gives me blued / wood and a 24" barrel. Then all I need is a good quality shooting sling, a case and some accurate 180 grain TSX's loaded.

I will also be the lone voice in the wilderness here for an 8mm.

1) 8mm rem Mag or even better 8x68S With a 200gr Triple Shocks at 3000 fps. Exceeds your ft-lb req. by a fair margin at 500 yds. decent BC.
2) Used remington 300 Winmag donor (that rifle I saw in a shop yesterday for $500)
3) Rebore and rechamber $320 or rebarrel and chamber $580 including a Pac Nor Supermatch barel.
4) Zeiss 4.5-14x50 Conquest Rifle Scope
NIB), duplex reticle$850
5) McMillan Stock with Limbsaver pad $511.00) 6( Stainless
7) no iron sights

I still have $149.00 left over for anythign else I need.

Would never shoot at anything at 500 yds. In fact I passed on a Royal years back that was close to that. Had an 06 but no matter; just didn't feel comfortable to place the shot. One of my 7 X 57 scouts with a 19" barrel will do the job nicely at sane distances. Easy to haul around to boot. roger

I second your comments about the 8mm. There is a good selection of elk bullets: Partitions, Accubond, TSX, A-Frame, Hotcor, Corelokt, Norma, Woodleigh, Interlokt. I hunt elk with a 8mm-06 and the 180 gr TSX and it has more than enough energy at long distance. As far as which rifle..it really doesn't matter too much. Any beat up 30-06 that needs a new barrel will work.

Well with your money I would buy the Kimber 84M in 325WSM that is sitting at the shop for $1100.
I am not a WSM fan but that rifle is so light and feels so good I just love it. Guy won it and don't want it. Stainless with synthetic stock.

$200 to have my smith add a quality muzzle brake leaves me $1200 for top quality glass and accessories.

Probably a Leupold scope with a BDC reticule. If not a Nikon Monarch with BDC reticule.

That said with my budget I am looking at the Howa 1500 or Wby Vanguard in .338 Win. Liking the Howa due to the Hogue stock. I have one on a .308 I built and love it.

Scope will be a Nikon Buckmaster with BDC reticule.

I recently found someone selling a Weatherby DGR (Dangerous Game Rifle) in 340 Weatherby with scope for $1,200! I'll swap out the scope for my Zeiss 2.5x10x48, and I'll be good to go. The 340 was my Bear cartridge for years, and with a good 250gr bullet (I have Federal Trophy Bondeds), it would certainly do the job at 500 yards, not that I'd normally shoot at an animal that far and miss all the excitement of "hunting" it closer.

Hill Country Rifles "Harvester" model in 30-06. 180 gr NAB should get you the 1330 ft lbs @ 500 yds. Sub MOA out of the box, throw on a 3x9 VX III and go hunt.

I don't know where you'll be hunting elk but where I'm from in N Idaho 100 - 200 yds are common, and its hard to get 500 yrds trough the timber. This makes long barrels and magnum calibers useless, plus your scope needs to go down to 3x or less.

Even when hunting the sagebrush plains in the southern part of the state I found my self surprisingly close to elk and would not have wanted a scope that STARTS at 4 or 6x.

I'm a huge 338 fan and I wouldn't hesitate to hunt elk with it but 30 cal, magnum or not, strikes me as the ideal bore for elk.

IF you're doing a backcountry hunt, you'll want your rifle to be as all weather as possible. where I hunt elk we get weather in the teens with snow to rain to 60 degrees and sunny, all in the same week sometimes.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Would never shoot at anything at 500 yds. In fact I passed on a Royal years back that was close to that. Had an 06 but no matter; just didn't feel comfortable to place the shot.

Exactly! Ive tried several different Elk chamberings but I always seem to come back to my 1903 Springfield in its original chambering. 180 gn accubonds @ 2850 fs, smooth reliable action. It is comfortable and feels like an extension of me.. Good enough for any Elk @ any shot I would try on such a majestic creature.

Now a coyote, yea, Id shoot them @ greater distances.. Way easier to kill and not such a trajedy if they stumble off and die lost.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Would never shoot at anything at 500 yds. In fact I passed on a Royal years back that was close to that. Had an 06 but no matter; just didn't feel comfortable to place the shot. One of my 7 X 57 scouts with a 19" barrel will do the job nicely at sane distances. Easy to haul around to boot. roger

I'd give my left anything just to see one of those animals.....even if I didn't have a gun with me. That has to be an awesome sight!

I've got a few that meet that requrement.

First is a .300 H&H
26" barrel
2.5-8X36 VXIII Leupold
200 grain NP @ 2900 fps



.338-06
24" barrel
2.5-8X36 VXIII Leupold
210 grain NP @ 2850



.35 Whelen
24" barrel
1.75-6X33 Leupold VXIII
225 grain Accubond @ 2700 fps



.375 Ruger
24" barrel
1.75-6X33 VXIII Leupold
260 grain Accubond @ 2800 fps



All of these meet most of your requirements, I might change out the stock on the H&H and Ruger as they really are upping the weight on them. I purchased all of these rifles used and have less than $1000 in all of these rifles. I built the .375 Ruger from a 7mm Rem Mag that I was given but still less than a cost of a new Ruger in it.

338 Winchester. There are a couple great deals floating around here in the forums.