Am I missing anything?

[Riptide]

I'm thinking about building a rifle for my father to celebrate his retirement in the upcoming year. His words to me the other day (when I was trying to explain to him what the Rockies feel like) was that if he retires on Tuesday, he'll leave early Wednesday morning for Colorado. So...the man is going to need an elk rifle, as the .25-06 is his mainstay rifle (whitetail is the main prey). He does have a Ruger .270 "mountain rifle" hiding in the safe, but that thing will make you blow snot bubbles from recoil, and I think the too-short barrel probably cuts down on the effectiveness of the round at distance. So here's what I'm thinking so far:

Savage 110 action
Hart or Shilen barrel 26" (can't decide which)
Chambered in 7 Rem Mag
Some kind of stock with decent (but relatively light) weight
Probably a Leupold Mark 4, but that may change as well. Not sure he would be shooting distances that would make him appreciate the Nightforce.
Timney trigger (he's not an Accutrigger fan)

Any suggestions? How can I make it better? Intended purpose would be delivering death reliably to elk anywhere from 0-700 yards. Any suggestions on stock type/make? Thanks for all thoughts!

gun)

 

[Oliveralan]

I would go with a mcmillan hunter stock, with an adjustable cheekpiece.

Also, don't forget that there is a lot more needed to shoot 700yards than a fast 7mm... Rangefinder, windmeter, ballistic data, and most importantly EXPERIENCE. Now I know you or your father's shooting background. You also need to realize it is extremely difficult to accurately shoot a 7-8lb rifle at long distances like that due to it moving with every little nudge or pressure put on it in any way.

Also, a 7mm mag loaded with 168s or 180s will certainly kick harder than a .270, if rifle weight it comparable, so maybe a muzzle brake and some electronic hearing protectors would be a good option.

 

[Buffalobob]

Personally I would go with the 7STW for just a little more whomp at the down range end for elk.

I would have a brake and cap made and let hm decide on shooting a brake. He may like it after he sees some elk on the far ridge at 900 yards that cannot be gotten to in the remaining amount of day light. Then he may come around to long range shooting and begin to appreciate it.

Stock is a lot of personal preference. I am about done with synthetic stocks. They are stable but just don't really make me feel good like wood does.

A lot depends upon how good of shape he is in and what methods he uses to hunt. Most times I just walk a mile or so and sit down and glass for hours and then move again so weight is not a big problem for me.

Altitude sickness which I sometimes get when going up to 9 or 10K from sea level is a real drag on you. Takes a few days for it to go away. While you have it you are just short on enthusiasms to shoulder a 40 pound pack and a 20 pound rifle and head out.

 

[roninflag]

a muzzle break for sure.

 

[Oliveralan]

Listen to Buffalobob, he hunts about as much as everyone else on LRH combined

 

[Riptide]

Thanks everyone, lots of good wisdom there. I'm taking all of it under consideration. Thanks again.

gun)

 

[Nalgi]

How about just...

putting a brake on the .270? $200

I think you could work up a good load with the 140 or 150 Gr. Barnes TSX.

That combo has killed herds of Elk

 

[LRSickle]

Savage 110 action
The Savage 110 is an exellent platform.
Hart or Shilen barrel 26" (can't decide which)
?
Chambered in 7 Rem Mag
Good caliber that can be shot without a brake. Even better with a brake. I think Buffalobob's idea about having a barrel cap is a good idea.
Some kind of stock with decent (but relatively light) weight
Oliveralan's suggestion on the McMillan Hunter is good. If you don't want to spend $325 on a stock look at Boyd, Richards Microfit and Stockey's thumbhole stocks. All three make exellent laminated stocks.
Probably a Leupold Mark 4, but that may change as well. Not sure he would be shooting distances that would make him appreciate the Nightforce.
I have Leupold M4s and Nightforces and I'm sure he'll love them. One cheaper scope, (out of many I'm sure), that your dad might like is a Zeiss Conquest or Vortex Viper.
Timney trigger (he's not an Accutrigger fan
Good choice. I just put one on my 6mm and it made a world of difference.
Any suggestions? How can I make it better? Intended purpose would be delivering death reliably to elk anywhere from 0-700 yards. Any suggestions on stock type/make? Thanks for all thoughts!

gun)

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