Seeking advice.

[Backcountry sports]

If you were operating on a $2000 budget (rifle/scope), and you were primarily hunting deer and the occasional elk, what would you buy? I'm also looking to punch some paper out to 600 yards. I'm not married to any brands or calibers in particular. My son has a 6.5 Creedmoor, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I ended up getting another one, but I would be willing to look at other calibers, although I am a recoil sissy and his is a lot of fun to shoot. Anyway, thanks in advance for your willingness to share.

Get a tikka and a leupold or vortex in 7mm better elk cartridge

 

[KurtB]

Tikka $600

Buy Tikka T3x Lite Black 65mm Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle Online

Tikka T3 JRTXE382 T3x Lite Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor 24.3 3+1 Synthetic Black Stk Blued Tikka's T3x Lite combines high performance with lightweight ease. The T3x receiver

www.budsgunshop.com

Sportsmatch rings

Sportsmatch Quality Rifle Scope Rings

Sortsmatch | Quality Rifle Scope Rings

www.sportsmatch-uk.com

SWFA 6x or 3-9x scope(first focal plane)

And a case or two of factory ammo. Seeing plenty of large game die from 6.5x47 lapua and your desired ranges. Why put up with more recoil. I'd still add the TBAC UL7 to the package though and with your budget you can afford it. If I had to shoot something with a brake again while hunting, I'd just start bird hunting only. Screw brakes.

 

[Timnterra]

If I was operating with your budget I would scour the classifieds on here and pick up a slightly used custom build in whichever caliber seems fun. And then pick up a Leupold Vx3i 4.5-14 scope to go with it. It's really sad how much guys loose on a custom built rifle when they sell, but really great for someone looking for a deal. Caliber really does not matter at the distances you hunt; you can pick anything from a 243 to a 300 win mag and be just fine.

 

[UplandFreak]

If you were operating on a $2000 budget (rifle/scope), and you were primarily hunting deer and the occasional elk, what would you buy? I'm also looking to punch some paper out to 600 yards. I'm not married to any brands or calibers in particular. My son has a 6.5 Creedmoor, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I ended up getting another one, but I would be willing to look at other calibers, although I am a recoil sissy and his is a lot of fun to shoot. Anyway, thanks in advance for your willingness to share.

I would get a remington 5r Gen 2 in 6.5 creedmoor and top it with a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44. If you want a lighter weight set up, I would do a Tikka T3x Superlite in 6.5 creedmoor and still top it with a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44.

 

[dogz]

Tikka $600

Buy Tikka T3x Lite Black 65mm Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle Online

Tikka T3 JRTXE382 T3x Lite Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor 24.3 3+1 Synthetic Black Stk Blued Tikka's T3x Lite combines high performance with lightweight ease. The T3x receiver

www.budsgunshop.com

Sportsmatch rings

Sportsmatch Quality Rifle Scope Rings

Sortsmatch | Quality Rifle Scope Rings

www.sportsmatch-uk.com

SWFA 6x or 3-9x scope(first focal plane)

And a case or two of factory ammo. Seeing plenty of large game die from 6.5x47 lapua and your desired ranges. Why put up with more recoil. I'd still add the TBAC UL7 to the package though and with your budget you can afford it. If I had to shoot something with a brake again while hunting, I'd just start bird hunting only. Screw brakes.

Here you go, look no further do this and rock on. The 6.5 CM has plenty of juice to take care of business with elk, anyone suggesting it doesn't hasn't been around many elk dying..........Life is short, make it easy

 

[P7M13]

If you can, find a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 SE. Sexy rifle, time honored, proven cartridge -- makes a classy statement and still delivers a punch (without much recoil).

 

[dogz]

True that, but with CM ammo at every 5 and dime store in the country why bother...........just a thunk

 

[thwatson2]

Inexpensive, quality 30 caliber rifle like a savage or tikka. 30-06,300wm,300wsm etc. add a brake if you don't like recoil, then spend the remainder on as much scope as you can afford. Great glass is very important.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

1. Caliber: 30-06, lot of options, take it anywhere, plenty of juice, you can refine and study your load as you go...or 7mm-08/.308/6.5 PRC
2. Rifle: In order of cost--Ruger M-77, Weatherby Vanguard, Browning X-bolt, Rem 700, Sako-85 (my choice) $800-$1800.00, of course a lot of nice rifle out of your listed price range.
3. Scope: Many options--Bang for your buck hunting to LR paper punching--Viper Vortex 4-16 X 44 HS-T. $600 with rings; another 150 for drop in Turrets from Kenton industries.
None of these, even 30-06 kick that hard; easiest on your shoulder whilst still being very deadly and functional in a lighter weight rifle IMO is the 7mm-08. I'm not a huge fan of 6.5 creed for big game hunting, two friends and my son have them--they just don't seem to lay 'em down...just my experience. I love the cartridge...

 

[Joefrazell]

I bought a Tikka ctr 24" stainless and it's one heck of a rifle. Without any load development it's putting them well under an inch and lots of groups with just one ragged hole. This rifle and a vortex viper PST gen 2 would be a great way to spend 2k

 

[montana west]

7mm mag in weatherby vangard syn stock or browning x bolt syn.. in these rifles you do not need a muzzle bread they recoil about like a 30/06 and no more..

 

[GunHawk]

Tikka or SAKO-85 in 7mm-08, with an Athlon or SWFA on top.

 

[Longrangers]

If you were operating on a $2000 budget (rifle/scope), and you were primarily hunting deer and the occasional elk, what would you buy? I'm also looking to punch some paper out to 600 yards. I'm not married to any brands or calibers in particular. My son has a 6.5 Creedmoor, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I ended up getting another one, but I would be willing to look at other calibers, although I am a recoil sissy and his is a lot of fun to shoot. Anyway, thanks in advance for your willingness to share.

6.5 PRC in a savage

 

[Will16]

Tikka with nightforce shv.