Your Ultimate 500 Yard Rig

Inspired by John Spadaro's thread found here:
https://longrangehunting.com/threads/help-chosing-an-elk-cartridge.211198/

What is your ULTIMATE rifle outfit for ~500yds on North American big game? Think packing WAY back/up in there with a shot of a lifetime on a trophy animal that has never seen a human.

Long/short action? Caliber? Action? Stock? Optic? Trigger? etc. Overkill is fine; what is your ULTIMATE dream rig for out to 500?

I see that most people just put down their favorite rifle not really answering your questions. When you say packing way back in there that means a long hike. I would go with my ultra light ruger in 30.06, Leopold scope compact. The whole gun weighs right at 6 pounds. I live in AZ and we do have mountains so every pound counts.
Inspired by John Spadaro's thread found here:
https://longrangehunting.com/threads/help-chosing-an-elk-cartridge.211198/

What is your ULTIMATE rifle outfit for ~500yds on North American big game? Think packing WAY back/up in there with a shot of a lifetime on a trophy animal that has never seen a human.

Long/short action? Caliber? Action? Stock? Optic? Trigger? etc. Overkill is fine; what is your ULTIMATE dream rig for out to 500?
 
I see that most people just put down their favorite rifle not really answering your questions. When you say packing way back in there that means a long hike. I would go with my ultra light ruger in 30.06, Leopold scope compact. The whole gun weighs right at 6 pounds. I live in AZ and we do have mountains so every pound counts.
Yep, after reading this thread, I still have some equipment to research, but quickly developing my ideal rig, at least in idea form. I'm not thinking what I currently have, but more- what is my ultimate rig. If I could ever afford it, what would it be...? What would I take on a sheep hunt or dream hunt of a lifetime. What is that hunt to you? Lion in Africa? Dall sheep? Trophy Coues in Mexico? Wolf? Roosevelt Elk? Tule Elk? NZ Red Stag? etc... What rifle would be your dream rifle for your dream hunt.

I'm in AZ with you and spent September chasing bull elk around the mountains of northern 27 from 7-9000'+ with my bow. I was mulling this subject back then... I'm not as spry as I once was. :)

Here's a question- what is the consensus on Blaser rifles? I haven't really seen anything promoting their accuracy, really. Anyone have any input on them?
 
The Tikka.338 Federal with Tikka sthetic stock and Vortex light scope weights in at 7 pounds 6 oz
I'm looking at Wildcat stock that would cut 8 oz
Any idea how to cut more weight?
 
Yep, after reading this thread, I still have some equipment to research, but quickly developing my ideal rig, at least in idea form. I'm not thinking what I currently have, but more- what is my ultimate rig. If I could ever afford it, what would it be...? What would I take on a sheep hunt or dream hunt of a lifetime. What is that hunt to you? Lion in Africa? Dall sheep? Trophy Coues in Mexico? Wolf? Roosevelt Elk? Tule Elk? NZ Red Stag? etc... What rifle would be your dream rifle for your dream hunt.

I'm in AZ with you and spent September chasing bull elk around the mountains of northern 27 from 7-9000'+ with my bow. I was mulling this subject back then... I'm not as spry as I once was. :)

Here's a question- what is the consensus on Blaser rifles? I haven't really seen anything promoting their accuracy, really. Anyone have any input on them?


Have you looked at the proof switch barrel?
 
Just got done building mine, although I haven't even fired a round through it yet. Will be probably April before I get a chance to start load development, just sold our house, and all my reloading stuff will be in storage until the new house is complete in March. Gun weighs right at 9 lbs ready to hunt. Up at elevation in the mountains, it should carry 1500 ft-lbs of energy all the way out to 1000 yds, with the 147's. Although I feel confident in the guns and my ability to shoot game much further than 500, I do plan to limit the range on Elk to 600ish being a 6.5.

Curtis Custom Axiom (Although might of done a Lone Peak Razor Ti action, would save about 10 to 12 ozs, if I was really trying to cut more weight)
Proof Sendero Lite 24"
Trigger Tech
Manners EH1
APA bottom metal
Alpha Mag (Probably go to a Curtis 3rd mag once available)
March 3-24-52
Seekins Rings
6.5 SS shooting ELD 147 until the Berger 156's come out

Velocity and accuracy? Thanks
 
Bighorn action, proof barrel 26" long chambered in 7mm Sherman Short, carbon stock something that mirrors the grayboe Terrain just in carbon. Trigger tech trigger, scope not to sure on either a leupold vx6hd would do a very good job I think.
Tell me more... Velocity, Accuracy? Thanks Jim
 
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