Looking for versatile bolt action rifle, with ranges of 600+ yards for a good shot
06-20-2013, 10:02 AM
#11
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,747
I honestly do not think that the .308 you are thinking about would be the best choice for mule deer and definitely not for elk at ranges of 600+ yds. It simply does not have the KE required at those ranges to be humane. I would opt for a 300 WinMag or 338 Win Mag or bigger.
I've hunted for over 45 years in the east and in the west and most of my hunting was done with a Rem 700 BDL in .270 win. I killed several whitetails and antelope around the 300 yd range and a mulie at over 400. But the point I am trying to make is that in all those years I've never had a 600+ yd shot because I could always get closer. (the 437 yd mulie was the exception as I was trying to get a shot at him after stalking him for 5 hrs.). And even at that range I had a dead solid rest and shooting prone in zero wind.
I've hunted for over 45 years in the east and in the west and most of my hunting was done with a Rem 700 BDL in .270 win. I killed several whitetails and antelope around the 300 yd range and a mulie at over 400. But the point I am trying to make is that in all those years I've never had a 600+ yd shot because I could always get closer. (the 437 yd mulie was the exception as I was trying to get a shot at him after stalking him for 5 hrs.). And even at that range I had a dead solid rest and shooting prone in zero wind.
06-20-2013, 02:56 PM
#12
The first component you must be able to depend on to be a "straight shot" is the mass of carbon behind the rifle, the one manipulating what the rifle does.
You also need to be prepared to compromise. The heavy-barreled "long tom" that might seem ideal for a sedate day in the stand over Midwestern whitetails is going to beat your tail if you have to lug it 12 miles a day in hot pursuit of a herd of elk at 8,000-10,000 feet of elevation. Different game require different methods which, in turn, often dictate different equipment.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a lighter contoured, 20-24" barrel. Most manufacturers offer something in that range, depending on the chambering. Your best bet is to see for yourself, handle them, see what feels right in your hands.
You also need to be prepared to compromise. The heavy-barreled "long tom" that might seem ideal for a sedate day in the stand over Midwestern whitetails is going to beat your tail if you have to lug it 12 miles a day in hot pursuit of a herd of elk at 8,000-10,000 feet of elevation. Different game require different methods which, in turn, often dictate different equipment.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a lighter contoured, 20-24" barrel. Most manufacturers offer something in that range, depending on the chambering. Your best bet is to see for yourself, handle them, see what feels right in your hands.
Homer is most certainly right about one this point though...you'll only pack a 12 pound rifle chasing elk up and don hills all day long once...speaking from experience!
06-20-2013, 08:42 PM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WY
Posts: 2,056
06-22-2013, 04:10 PM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WY
Posts: 2,056
My grandfather used to tell me that as long as I could keep all my shots on a paper plate, he didn't care what ranges I shot deer at on his place. That's really the crux of the matter here. If you can't keep five shots on a paper plate at any particular range, you have no business taking shots at game at that range.
I know people who ought to be able to comfortably take down an elk with a .308 at 600 yards, just as I know people who shouldn't be shooting at anything over 50 yards away.
06-23-2013, 07:32 AM
#20
I shot a few prairie dogs with a .375 H&H. It'd certainly kill them, but those 300 gr GKs probably didn't expand at all as they went through. On the other hand, a 50 gr V-Max driven at over 4000 fps from a .22-250 just absolutely vaporizes them.
My grandfather used to tell me that as long as I could keep all my shots on a paper plate, he didn't care what ranges I shot deer at on his place. That's really the crux of the matter here. If you can't keep five shots on a paper plate at any particular range, you have no business taking shots at game at that range.
I know people who ought to be able to comfortably take down an elk with a .308 at 600 yards, just as I know people who shouldn't be shooting at anything over 50 yards away.
My grandfather used to tell me that as long as I could keep all my shots on a paper plate, he didn't care what ranges I shot deer at on his place. That's really the crux of the matter here. If you can't keep five shots on a paper plate at any particular range, you have no business taking shots at game at that range.
I know people who ought to be able to comfortably take down an elk with a .308 at 600 yards, just as I know people who shouldn't be shooting at anything over 50 yards away.