1000 yards mountain hunting rifle - Seems like everything is compromise... What do I get?

[adam32+P]

1000 yards on game animals or 1000 yards on steel?

Have you ever shot that distance? Are you capable of holding sub moa at all ranges in field conditions?

What is your longest cold bore hit on a game animal to date?

 

[lancetkenyon]

Agreed. So what do you recommend? (Me reloading is out of the question)

Since I don't know you, or your experience at all, here is my suggestion. To be honest, "ultralight", "long range", and "big boomer cartridge" don't really blend together without a lot of practice. And a lot of practice is not going to be cheap.

Rifle suggestion would be on your budget. I have seen and shot most of the higher end factory rifles. And a ton of customs from numerous different builders. Suggestions could range from $1000-6000. Not including glass.

Wjen youbget your rifle, Try some of the higher end factory ammo. Berger makes good ammo, but even their stuff has some decent ES variations. Tested some .300WM w. 185 HVLDs on Sunday. MV was 3052 to 3113fps across 4 shots.

Or

Get someone to do custom load development for your rifle. There are several places that do so. But it is not going to be cheaper than .338LM ammo for sure.

Buy another rifle in 6.5CM or something similar, and practice a ton at 1k+. That alone will help you when the time comes to make that 1k shot on game.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

1000 yards on game animals or 1000 yards on steel?

Have you ever shot that distance? Are you capable of holding sub moa at all ranges in field conditions?

What is your longest cold bore hit on a game animal to date?

All good questions.

I have a 300 WM that is a solid 1200 yard gun. But….I feel if I can't get inside 1000 yards from a game animal I need to rethink my strategy. Even if I hit an animal at a 1000, where did I hit it? I hate tracking game, so inside of 600 is my goal. Inside of 800 if it's the last day of the hunting season and it's the only shot I have. But that's me and I'm confident I can usually get to within 100 yards of most animals outside of the rut.

 

[purpledragon]

338LM ammo price.......LOL.....$6 a shot.....That's why I load my own!!!

Long range mountain hunting needs a heavy hit and light rifle.
I am not and will not reload.
So naturally I went with 338 Lapua Magnum thats before I discovered the price of ammo.......
The next best hitting cartridge over twice less the price (which is the highest I can afford) of 338 is 300 PRC (correct me if I am wrong).
So now looking at 300 PRC rifles. Much more choice than 338 or so I thought. If I buy 5K plus rifle than it defeats the ammo savings purpose. Also sub 1MOA is enough. So all the customs like H-S, Gunwerks, Allterra, Red Rock..... are out. AND I looove chasse rifles (although thats not a requirement).
First thing that comes to mined is Christensen Arms MPR would be perfect if you knew what you were getting.... (between the issues with the action, the barrel....) if you hit a lemon with high chance you are screwed.
There is Kelby's Nanook MG but its almost twice as much as the MPR and havent seen many reviews on it. Not sure its worth twice the MPR.

SO..... for what I see I am left with:
FIERCE FIREARMS Rival either carbon or twisted (let me know whats better)
or
Proof Elevation MTR. What ****es me off there is that not only there is no custom cheek riser they didnt even include a freaking muzzle device..... But that rifle is no doubt will perform will have no issues.....

So although I was excited to buy a rifle I see no exciting options.......

What am I missing?

338LM ammo price.....LOL...$6 a shot.....That's why I load my own,
you can do it MUCH CHEAPER.........

 

[jehu]

Bergara is the answer you seek

 

[akmtnhnt]

Long range mountain hunting needs a heavy hit and light rifle.
I am not and will not reload.
So naturally I went with 338 Lapua Magnum thats before I discovered the price of ammo.......
The next best hitting cartridge over twice less the price (which is the highest I can afford) of 338 is 300 PRC (correct me if I am wrong).
So now looking at 300 PRC rifles. Much more choice than 338 or so I thought. If I buy 5K plus rifle than it defeats the ammo savings purpose. Also sub 1MOA is enough. So all the customs like H-S, Gunwerks, Allterra, Red Rock..... are out. AND I looove chasse rifles (although thats not a requirement).
First thing that comes to mined is Christensen Arms MPR would be perfect if you knew what you were getting.... (between the issues with the action, the barrel....) if you hit a lemon with high chance you are screwed.
There is Kelby's Nanook MG but its almost twice as much as the MPR and havent seen many reviews on it. Not sure its worth twice the MPR.

SO..... for what I see I am left with:
FIERCE FIREARMS Rival either carbon or twisted (let me know whats better)
or
Proof Elevation MTR. What ****es me off there is that not only there is no custom cheek riser they didnt even include a freaking muzzle device..... But that rifle is no doubt will perform will have no issues.....

So although I was excited to buy a rifle I see no exciting options.......

What am I missing?

Go shoot something like a 6cm or even a 223rem, cold bore on a 2MOA target at a grand, get a first round hit, then start thinking about something like the rifle you're asking about.
Until then. Find something cheap to shoot, at reasonable ranges, and work up. If you're going to be hunting at these ranges, focus on field shooting rather than from a bench.

 

[akmtnhnt]

1000 yards on game animals or 1000 yards on steel?

Have you ever shot that distance? Are you capable of holding sub moa at all ranges in field conditions?

What is your longest cold bore hit on a game animal to date?

I'd be fine with just knowing what his longest cold bore hit on steel or paper is.