Help with long range caliber and rifle please

[barnesuser28]

i am trying out a LR rig in 284 Win starting out with a savage weather warrior in 270 rechambered with a 24" #4 contour brux and a vortex viper pst 6-24x50, should come in at around 9-9.5 lbs. I am going to set a 600 yard limit for elk with this rifle and around 800 yards for deer/antelope, and 1000+ on Pdogs and rocks.

[youngtrout]

Got it on weight. So looking in general at a build

4oz for some talleys (or around that)
20oz for an average 4-16 or 6-20

1.5lbs looking for a rifle in about the 7.5 range which is do-able.

Could lighten up your current 7mag, 7mag is a great caliber, drop the 4.5lbs you list for scope and bases to 1.5lbs (see above)

Could get to 10.75 with optic / base changes, sure you could squeeze another pound or two going with a different stock.

But back to range, still would shoot what you have to 600-800 a lot. Would give you a benchmark down the road

But again if it were me I'd look at quality over quanity. Use the action you have. Have it trued and barreled with top end barrel. New stock trigger. Just ballpark but around 1200? And you have what you want

[desertbull]

Get a good pack with a rifle scabbard, IE Eberlestock, and the weight will be much less of an issue. trying to carry a 10-12lb rifle with sling through the mountains can be hard but with the gun on your back it's way better.

I would also say that your money would be better invested in a reloading set up for your existing 7 mag than a new rifle. For the money you will spend in factory ammo or custom hand loads a RCBS Rock Chucker kit will get you much closer to shooting 800 yards. You need to shoot a lot to be proficient enough to shoot at an animal that far away.

[bowhunter42]

+ 1 on the Eberlestock, I love the 2 I have!

[bthomasb1]

If your 7mm shoots well,take your 1k and buy a good lightweight stock get a threaded muzzelbrake installed so you can take it off if you wish,get your bolt fluted,the bolt handel lightened flatside the action,aluminum bolt shroud and a titanuim tipped aluminum fireing pin,lightweight tally ring /base combos and a good lightweight scope(i would use a leupold 4.5x14-40 1inch tube with a non adj objective its about 13.5-14 oz)then use whatever money you have left to start reloading so you can talior your loads to the gun and the bullets to your game.Good luck

[JeffP40]

Couple things here, some have already mentioned. First, your scope system is 5 1/2# ? What kind of tank is that? A lot of weight is right there. Eleven pounds shouldn't be too bad.
Second, the comment on handloading is right. If you are on a budget and are considering custom ammo, they are mutually exclusive. You will spend as much in a short time on ammo as you would on equipment. With the equipment, at least you have something durable to keep.
The suggestions on lightening you 7mag are good. It will do the job. I am not familiar with the stock on the LSS, I believe it is laminate. A good glass stock will do wonders.
Let us know what you do and how it works.

[chucknbach]

Spend some extra time in the gym before the season and carry a heavier rifle.