I second the Big Horn TL3 LA (DLC and 30 MOA Rail) with a prefit. If it were me it would be a carbon wrapped Bartlein left variable twist with a Fat Bastard. Trigger Tech trigger and adjustable composite stock, say a Manners or GRS. You can pick up 338 and 375 barrels later. Northland and Bighorn Arms both will sell you the tools to change it up yourself in minutes for different hunts. Three calibers, no Smith. More Ammo. Saving up for it now myself.
Factory rifle vs custom build
- Thread starter ramcglohn
- Start date
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Just my opinion....but today's gun builders (factory) have so many tremendous offerings no point in looking elsewhere unless you fully understand what components are worth to you! And why wait perhaps months to get them all together. Fierce, Gunworks, Weatherby, Tika, the list goes on and on of great Sub Moa guaranteed tried and true guns!
BiggameBesser
Member
.300 PRC
BiggameBesser
Member
The .300 PRC like I said is simply amazing up here in Canada we have lots of open spaces to hunt and target shoot. The sky is the limit lots of local ranges to shoot out to 2.5 miles target shooting and the same for hunting the big mulies bucks. Check out some of the ballistics on the .300PRC vrs the .338 Lupa. It is passing the Lupa
For big bears, hard to beat for the price!
CBH Australia
Well-Known Member
What is the price difference between Christensen and a full custom?
How do you feel about paying the difference?
Are you hunting the bear or preparing defend yourself should one come close?
If you are not an Avid hunter you don't need anything more than factory rifle in a suitable chambering.
Close encounter consider the shotgun recommendations that have been made. A pump gun with heavy loads could be good. Alternate between solids and heavy Buskshot maybe
Ive never seen a bear but would love to Hunt one.
If it's just keeping a rifle close by for a possible encounter the the .338wm suggestion seem feasible.
You might buy a new factory rifle in that or .300wm for a fraction of a Christensen or others.
Get a reliable scope and you can eliminate an encounter from 200 yards if you know it's coming in.
If you are happy spending 3k and upwards then buy what you like , it's nice to have good gear , as a hunter I just customised a Tikka on a budget and it does well.
In Australia we see a lot of Howa Rifles, particularly before the later Tikka rifles came around. The Howa/Weatherby 1500/Smith and Wesson 1500 or the early Australian Mountaineer are all made by Howa as a Howa 1500 with some model variants and options and is still capable of hunting accuracy.
With premium ammo most rifles should shoot ok.
Select premium ammo intended for Game so it performs on the intended target. 1/2moa or 1moa shouldn't matter much if you can shoot. As far as hitting a large animal vitals at sensible ranges goes.
Exceptional accuracy is great and it helps but I see it as a prerequisite for long range work but there are many variables.
Starting with a more accurate rifle will help eliminate some of the external effects on the shot or the human error elements.
You can't hunt successfully with a 1moa budget rifle. We just get out jollies by chasing accuracy or quality because it's an interest.
How do you feel about paying the difference?
Are you hunting the bear or preparing defend yourself should one come close?
If you are not an Avid hunter you don't need anything more than factory rifle in a suitable chambering.
Close encounter consider the shotgun recommendations that have been made. A pump gun with heavy loads could be good. Alternate between solids and heavy Buskshot maybe
Ive never seen a bear but would love to Hunt one.
If it's just keeping a rifle close by for a possible encounter the the .338wm suggestion seem feasible.
You might buy a new factory rifle in that or .300wm for a fraction of a Christensen or others.
Get a reliable scope and you can eliminate an encounter from 200 yards if you know it's coming in.
If you are happy spending 3k and upwards then buy what you like , it's nice to have good gear , as a hunter I just customised a Tikka on a budget and it does well.
In Australia we see a lot of Howa Rifles, particularly before the later Tikka rifles came around. The Howa/Weatherby 1500/Smith and Wesson 1500 or the early Australian Mountaineer are all made by Howa as a Howa 1500 with some model variants and options and is still capable of hunting accuracy.
With premium ammo most rifles should shoot ok.
Select premium ammo intended for Game so it performs on the intended target. 1/2moa or 1moa shouldn't matter much if you can shoot. As far as hitting a large animal vitals at sensible ranges goes.
Exceptional accuracy is great and it helps but I see it as a prerequisite for long range work but there are many variables.
Starting with a more accurate rifle will help eliminate some of the external effects on the shot or the human error elements.
You can't hunt successfully with a 1moa budget rifle. We just get out jollies by chasing accuracy or quality because it's an interest.
Todd Gansel
Active Member
Not sure where you live in AK or where you hunt, and don't get me wrong the 300PRC is a great caliber, but for hunting in AK I think there is a better choice of Caliber and gun since Southern AK is more trees and brush. But like everyone else it's an opinion.
Yup, you have a point. It's also possible that each rifle 'likes' certain loads better then others and gets the accuracy w/o swapping parts, certainly true in my case.
