Caliber options

I have a stock Tikka T3x chambered in 7mm rem Mag and it has been very impressive. I have shot the 175gr Bergers with 1/2MOA accuracy out to 900yds. 70gr RL26, Norma virgin brass, win primers, .005" off @ 2953fps average. No pressure. I just developed a load for the 195 Bergers that is shooting 1/2 MOA @ 100yds, 70gr RL26, once fired Norma brass, rem primers, .002 bump, .005" off, @ 2942 average. Slight pressure. I am excited to see what this will do at 700 plus, with the 1:9.5 twist rate. Pretty cool for a factory gun IMO.
 
I've never understood the minimalist attitude when it comes to shooting game animals. I'd be looking at something in the 30 to 338 range if elk are on the agenda. Everything that small bullets do a bigger heavier bullet does better.
 
I vote,
7mm RM but with a 24 inch barrel....would be very nice. Probably the best of all worlds in bullets and ballistics and power and recoil.
Don't know about suppression on 7mmRM.
7.08 suppressed ? I guess ?
A 20 inch 308 suppressed would be real nice.
Sounds fun either way....any way.
 
You don't reload, it's already 6.5 CM, Easy Button.
Last 5 elk I've shot are all with the CM & 143 gr. ELD-X factory round. One round each. At that rate, it'll be 15 years before I'll need to buy another box.

Have you looked online, anywhere at all the offerings for 6.5CM?
 
If you don't want to mess with your bolt face, the 7 mm 08 is a great round. I, would probably go for the 284 Winchester if you reload. I love 7 mm, the 6.5's will do everything you need them to do also. But in your case, with a short action, 308 bolt face, and choices, I would probably lean toward the 284 Winchester. Drop 180 grain bullets in it, and call it good.
 
284 Win was going to be my suggestion until I saw you're not reloading. It's medium length and fits perfectly in the Tikka set up as a long action. You don't want much longer than 3.4" coal in a Tikka LA. The XLR 3.56" Tikka LA mags allow about 3.47" maxed out.
That being said, 280 AI in factory format should be loaded less than 3.4" and would be my suggestion. Be careful though, some loads may be longer. Also if you ever did reload you would be somewhat limited. Getting 180 class bullets out past the neck-shoulder junction requires 3.6"+ Coal.
 
If you want good factory ammo accuracy the 6.5 PRC comes to mind it will fit in a light package will even shoot good with a 22" barrel use a little faster twist rate so you can shoot heavy for caliber bullets go with a Barns or (Hammer if reloading) or something of the like that is bonded. The PRC like the Creedmoor was designed to shoot factory ammo very accurately... As was the 300 PRC. I was going through this for a little while and finally just bought CA Ridgeline in 300PRC, and a Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 good to go, and I do not feel under gunned here in Montana.
 
What he said. If you are going to leave it a short action. First choice for me is 308 and second is 708. I'm not into spending a bunch of money making something I already have. If I wanted bigger just I would just go buy a different $5-700 rifle. Then I have both options covered and then some.
+1. Keep it simple 308.
 
I have a stock Tikka T3x chambered in 7mm rem Mag and it has been very impressive. I have shot the 175gr Bergers with 1/2MOA accuracy out to 900yds. 70gr RL26, Norma virgin brass, win primers, .005" off @ 2953fps average. No pressure. I just developed a load for the 195 Bergers that is shooting 1/2 MOA @ 100yds, 70gr RL26, once fired Norma brass, rem primers, .002 bump, .005" off, @ 2942 average. Slight pressure. I am excited to see what this will do at 700 plus, with the 1:9.5 twist rate. Pretty cool for a factory gun IMO.
@ofl0926, this is pretty close to our PM discussion.
 
Good morning everyone. I've been thinking about doing another Tikka custom build. I am stuck on the caliber of choice to build. It will be a dedicated hunting rifle from elk all the way down to Whitetail deer. It will probably go in to a XLR chassis. The current bolt face is a 6.5 Creedmoor. I have someone who can open the bold face to a magnum if I wanted. I have spoken to a few gunsmiths and one recommended a 7 mm Remington magnum and the other a 7–08. Wanted to get your guys consensus and thoughts on these calibers or possibly doing something different. Also barrel length is going to be between 20 to 22 incches and suppressed.
Well I'm no expert but I love the Tikka 7mm 08. Then again I own a Montana Rifle Company 6.5 Creedmore that is a tack driver and capable of knocking down what I'm shooting at. I guess it comes down to what you want to build, what you can easily get components for and what makes you giggle when it goes boom.
 
I have a t3x model
I have stepped away from reloading for the time being.
I'd just buy a new Tikka in .308 Win. Nothing wrong with building a custom, but it'll be cheaper to start with a new Tikka, drop it in your chassis and done. I haven't seen many custom builds that'll out shoot a factory Tikka.

If you're not reloading .308 Win is going to give you the most options for factory ammunition in this current market. It's going to be one of the most affordable as well for shooting volume. Just look at what you can order online, and you'll have a lot more options in .308 than almost any other elk capable cartridge.

Just some FYI we have young gun in our elk camp that's taken a few elk with the 6.5 Creedmoor without much hassle out to 450 yards, and it's a Tikka as well. I haven't seen any dramatic reaction from the Creed except the one neck shot he did. However, they've all dropped in short order with minimal tracking. He's just 20 this year, and the Tikka is the only rifle he's used outside of an AR-15.
 
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