One new rifle or two?

[Ranger Rick]

Interesting facts. So sorting them out, here's my 2¢
If your Weatherby is a Mark V and a good shooter, keep it and add a good muzzle brake & A+ hearing protection. Good bye moose. Your shoulder surgeries must have gone great. A relative in Alaska has shot 30 moose with his 7mm mag, and only one was over 100 yards.
Sell your Bergara and invest in an MPA switch lug rifle for range shooting. I have one in 6.5PRC. It's incredibly accurate, and it comes with a .375MOA guarantee. I do double takes when I shoot 100 yard rag holes, and I celebrate when I hit steel at 1,200 yards.

 

[Jud96]

I'd delete this part...you are going to have every lunatic in the country calling to get your money! Spread it out and buy 3 guns!

Every custom rifle shop in the country is backed up 4+ months. Most gunsmiths aren't out to take advantage of people and aren't going to call him looking to swindle him. A full custom without mounts or optics is $3500+ nowadays. His budget has him setup for a really nice rifle with an equally good scope.

 

[skipglo]

Every custom rifle shop in the country is backed up 4+ months. Most gunsmiths aren't out to take advantage of people and aren't going to call him looking to swindle him. A full custom without mounts or optics is $3500+ nowadays. His budget has him setup for a really nice rifle with an equally good scope.

I certainly wasn't talking about legitimate builders or sellers Jud....think about it...." I'M YOUNG, IM NEW AND I HAVE DEEP POCKETS...not something for the net! No offense was meant towards the honest people!

 

[Lightnin08]

Interesting facts. So sorting them out, here's my 2¢
If your Weatherby is a Mark V and a good shooter, keep it and add a good muzzle brake & A+ hearing protection. Good bye moose. Your shoulder surgeries must have gone great. A relative in Alaska has shot 30 moose with his 7mm mag, and only one was over 100 yards.
Sell your Bergara and invest in an MPA switch lug rifle for range shooting. I have one in 6.5PRC. It's incredibly accurate, and it comes with a .375MOA guarantee. I do double takes when I shoot 100 yard rag holes, and I celebrate when I hit steel at 1,200 yards.

It is a Mark V, but the end of the barrel doesn't have threading to put on a muzzle break. Is that something I can take to a gunsmith and they can add?

 

[Radman]

A single gun is going to be a compromise for both hunting moose and shooting long range steel.
For shooting a lot, I would want a light recoiling heavyweight rifle. Even though they might be light for 1 mile, a medium size 6mm, .257, or 6.5mm cartridge. Low recoil, good barrel life.
For hunting moose and elk, I would want a lightweight bigger caliber rifle. Like a faster 7mm or .308. 7RM, .280AI, 7SAUM, .300WM, .30 Nosler, etc.

Agreed. Any excuse to buy 2 new new rifles instead of just 1 is a good reason!

 

[Rocketeer77]

I have a need for a new rifle and I'd like help determining if one rifle would fit my needs or two? I know I need a light weight rifle to take on mountain hunts. I also would like an additional rifle to bring to the range with one mile being my max range. Can this be the same rifle or better to get two?

Here's my situation and uses.

I currently have a Bergara HMR pro in 6.5 creedmoor that I love. I live in the South and have access to shoot 500 yards at home or up to a mile within a 3 hour drive. So I don't really have any business trying to spec out a rifle for more than a mile.

The HMR is a little heavy for a hunting rifle to carry and hike with, but works fine for deer hunting from a stand or short walks. I enjoy shooting metal targets with it, but can see how having a second range rifle would be fun. Maybe something higher powered or just different to focus more on the 800-1800 yard distances?

I have a hunt lined up next year for moose in Alaska. The guide is telling me to be ready for 300-500 yard shots. Thinking .30 cal and up? We'll be hunting from a Sherp but with some hiking up ridges being possible. I only plan on moose hunting once, so maybe I can get away with a heavier rifle for one hunt? Elk is a more normal game target for me, and that requires quite a bit more hiking and I'd want something light.

I'm younger, but I've had 3 shoulder surgeries, so unfortunately recoil does matter. For reference, I have a .300 Weatherby mag that doesn't have a muzzle break that I've shot elk with, but don't enjoy it for target practice. Will a lightweight rifle in .30 cal or bigger be fun to shoot at the range? Or will it be necessary to have a large caliber for hunting moose, but too much recoil in a light weight rifle to enjoy target shooting up to a mile as well?

Currently I'm considering the .300 PRC, .300 WSM, .30 Nosler, .300 WM, or .33 Nosler. Or maybe something 7mm or .28 Nosler if it's meant for target or game (elk and smaller). I'm newer to this, so I appreciate any advice the community has! If you have specific recommendations, please give them. Sorry for the long post, just trying to be thorough.

The current obsession with featherweight rifles seems quite pointless? If you're fit enough to hunt in rough country then carrying a rifle that's only a few pounds heavier isn't exactly the end of the world. I brought a so called mountain rifle in 7mm 08 it kicked like a Mule plus the light weight SS barrel wandered everywhere after three shots etc.
My Unmodified Sako in 7mm Rem Mag is very comfortable to shoot and hits steel at 800 metres using factory Federal ammo. Swarovski scoped and well inside your budget.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Get two!
There are plenty of great cartridges out there in factory rifles(for hunting) so you don't have to wait 6 months to a year for custom builds and can get one that a great packer for the weight and recoil. Get a "Brake" and good recoil pad. Then if you want to shoot steel at 1,000+ get one built in a 6.5 with a heavy stock & barrel. You can also go up to a 338LM for ELR with heavy stock, barrel, good brake, good recoil pad. It really won't affect you shoulder too much. When you say three shoulder surgeries are they just rotator cuff or did you have a full replacement? I have had (3) rotator cuff and on total on both shoulders. I shoot all the time up to 338LM without any issues.
With any shoulder injuries/repairs you are going to have lasting pains forever. You can minumize the pain by the build of the rifles and the caliber with the bullet selection.
When you are hunting remember that you are only going to shoot one shot (hopefully). with all the excitement you will not notice the shot, but practicing before the hunt my give you some issues depending on what you buy or build and how much damage is currently with you shoulder.
Another thing is try switching your shooting shoulder to the good one. Since I was in the Corps 50 years ago I always practiced shooting with both right & left. Never know when a situation warrants changing your shooting position.
You have almost unlimited options these days, but I will say if you want to sports get two rifles. i have a safe full of rifles for every occasion for both Jill and I and then another 1/2 dozen in the waiting line in our shop to be built.
Seems like you have some time until you Moose hunts. Read all these reviews and also talk to actual shooters before you decide. You said this is a one time hunt-how do you know that you won't do a similar hunt again. You already have a .300 Weatherby mag. If you can find a smith that could put a brake on it of use as is. Remember that you are hopefully only going to shoot it once.
Then if you want to do a lot of long range shooting-build a nice rifle with low recoil.
Good luck to you on your hunt and LR shooting.
We pray for you and hope for your shoulder to heal and not give you any discomfort while shooting.
Len & Jill

 

[matt_3479]

Not with 3 shoulder surgeries!

A good brake goes a long way. But still a prc or win mag shouldn't be over looked

 

[Mackinaw BOB]

I would concentrate on what you are going to take moose hunting(once in a lifetime you said) Gunsmith can very easily thread the barrel on your 300bee and be good to go. I had it done on my 6 pound 325wsm(worth every penny). It is a rifle you are all ready familiar with and probably have ammo for. I personally have always wanted to identical rifles in different calibers with matching scopes. Say a 6mm creed moor and a 300 win mag both in a seeking havok with mark 5's sitting on top. Different strokes for different folks. Good luck with whatever you choose and good luck on your up coming moose hunt.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

I just installed a break,(Ultradyne). First I've owned or installed. Self timing and of course the barrel was threaded. I see why folks like them on range guns. The difference is hard to believe. Have the Weatherby threaded by a reputable Smith. You will thank the commenters later. Then build your dream gun after your dream hunt!
Good luck on all!

 

[Wolf01]

Well with the fact you don't reload I'd say 300 prc is the winner without a doubt for both the 1 mile shots. For hunting there's plenty good calibers.

If you were reloading I'd probably do a 300 Norma mag

Prc is ok. Even good. Not as good as 300 wm. Especially if he is ok with a good break. Pick a good factory round until you do reload. Lost of help here for that.

 

[Lightnin08]

Prc is ok. Even good. Not as good as 300 wm. Especially if he is ok with a good break. Pick a good factory round until you do reload. Lost of help here for that.

Why do you prefer the 300 wm to the 300 prc? I realize there are a lot more factory loads available for the 300 wm, but do you have any other reasons?

 

[Wolf01]

Why do you prefer the 300 wm to the 300 prc? I realize there are a lot more factory loads available for the 300 wm, but do you have any other reasons?

Open up the 300wm it has more cap hence more power. I know prc is a better balanced case. But you can balance 300 too.

 

[skipglo]

A good brake goes a long way. But still a prc or win mag shouldn't be over looked

You are not wrong...plus the can or brake...I have the surgeries...on both shoulders...sucks to get older!