Mild recoiling rifle for hunting medium sized game

[Indyal]

Hello, new to this forum. Looking for recommendations for factory rifles for this purpose. My planned shooting range on game would not exceed 600-700 yards but I would like to try target shooting out to 1,000 ish yards. The 6.5 CM gets a lot of press and it seems like there are a lot of choices in rifle and ammo. However, I am open to other caliber choices. I don't plan to handload.
FYI, I have a 300WM that I use for elk hunting and shoot it well but would be nice to practice with less recoil and lower ammo cost.
I would like scope suggestions as well.
Thanks in advance.

 

[aushunter1]

The answer is an individual thing but.308 ticks all those boxes & has the biggest factory ammo choice of any cartridge in the world!

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

308...7-08...338 federal

 

[Deleted member 107796]

My answers would be .308win, .270win or 6.5PRC. You have some loading overlap with your 300wm if you go .308. cheers

 

[sea2summit]

What kind of game at 700? Elk are medium size in Alaska

 

[djm670]

Reading for content is difficult.. I am sure we are all of that opinion.. : "have a 300WM that I use for elk hunting and shoot it well but would be nice to practice with less recoil and lower ammo cost."

I would say: .260 remington, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.5x.284 or .270.

And as you don't plan on reloading for this rifle. I suspect 6.5 creedmoor or .270 has the most available factory ammo.

 

[Barrelnut]

If primarily for hunting and then some long range shooting/practice, I would go 6.5 PRC
If you are gonna be doing a lot more target shooting than hunting -- don't even question it -- get the 6.5 Creedmoor. You won't regret it.

As for a scope, if on a budget, I would get a Vortex 5-25x50 Gen II PST. If you need to go a little lower maybe a Vortex HST 4-16x44 would work well for you. It just won't be illuminated. You can great deals often in the classifieds for the Vortex Gen I PSTs. The Gen I PSTs are one of the best values in used scopes.

 

[FEENIX]

Hello, new to this forum. Looking for recommendations for factory rifles for this purpose. My planned shooting range on game would not exceed 600-700 yards but I would like to try target shooting out to 1,000 ish yards. The 6.5 CM gets a lot of press and it seems like there are a lot of choices in rifle and ammo. However, I am open to other caliber choices. I don't plan to handload.
FYI, I have a 300WM that I use for elk hunting and shoot it well but would be nice to practice with less recoil and lower ammo cost.
I would like scope suggestions as well.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to LRH and enjoy! Knowing your budget would help too.

 

[Rick Richard]

If you are not going to reload, then I agree with the 6.5 CM. however, I don't think I would shoot at elk size animals at the range you mentioned.

Scopes? Lots of choices out there, but spend the most money you can.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Factory ammo then 6.5 cm or 6.5 prc hands down. If your planning on target shooting much I'd lean towards the CM. The CM is perfectly capable of taking medium game at 700 yards. 6.5 prc does however get there with alittle more umph which never hurts to have.

 

[SealT5]

For the non-reloader, go with a hornady 6.5 flavor


Joe S.

 

[snox801]

Yep my go to for what you stated is my 6.5 creed. Perfect for what you want.

 

[Indyal]

Gosh, thanks for all the quick replies everyone.
To clarify, I still plan to use my 300WM for elk. It has been potent elk medicine.
I have been confined to a 200 yd range until recently and have found a range out to 720 yds. This has opened up a whole new level of fun.

 

[Alibiiv]

Hello, new to this forum. Looking for recommendations for factory rifles for this purpose. My planned shooting range on game would not exceed 600-700 yards but I would like to try target shooting out to 1,000 ish yards. The 6.5 CM gets a lot of press and it seems like there are a lot of choices in rifle and ammo. However, I am open to other caliber choices. I don't plan to handload.
FYI, I have a 300WM that I use for elk hunting and shoot it well but would be nice to practice with less recoil and lower ammo cost.
I would like scope suggestions as well.
Thanks in advance.[/QU

Welcome to the forum, the land of opinions; some agreeable and others not so agreeable. When I read the title of this thread I thought that I would tag in on it, usually this topic can get very interesting

I know that you were asked about your budget in a previous reply, knowing what the budget is like it would help? If it were me I would purchase a rifle of the same make and model of the 300WinMag, only in a lighter caliber to practice with. I like Ruger 77 tang safety rifles. I like the way they shoot and that I am familiar with them; I know what to expect out of them. I have Ruger 77s in many cartridges and calibers from 308 Winchester to 35 Whelen.

I've never hunted elk; however I truly understand recoil. from what I have read the 300WinMag is a tough one to beat "except" in the recoil department. Felt recoil is subjective in many circumstances. I was at the range a day ago, there was a man there shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor and complaining about recoil? Before I get beat up here, I'm not saying the Creedmoor was a heavy hitter in the recoil department, the shooter at the range was! I've had a few 300WinMags in the past some of them were tolerable, and some not so tolerable. I had a Harrington and Richardson 300WinMag that I sold because the recoil was so bad; so I get what you are saying. I am a fan of the .270 Winchester, so....would recommend the .270 to hunt the game you are intending to hunt at the distances that you intend to hunt them with; I think that the .308 Win is another good choice also. Good luck with whatever you choose to purchase. If possible let us know what you've settled on.