Help picking the wife’s new elk rig

[ElCidAviator]

My wife is currently shooting a CA Mesa in 6.5 PRC. It's a fine gun, but a little heavy and I think the 6.5 PRC is a little on the weak side for elk. It's a fine cartridge, but I find myself pushing it really hard to get to the energy levels that I think (which maybe isn't true) are necessary.

My wife isn't particularly recoil sensitive, but no one likes getting beat up behind the trigger. For reference, she shoots my suppressed Fierce .28 Nosler and Weatherby Vanguard 30-06 without issue.

So she's in the market for a lighter rifle, that has just a little more horsepower. She always picks the rifle and I always pick the cartridge. She likes the traditional stock of her CA, so the new CA FFT is at the top of our list. We are leaning toward a shorter rifle suppressed with a K can for recoil mitigation. I'm thinking something in the 20-22 inch barrel with a 4-6 inch suppressor would be ideal.

Our price range is $2200 or less.

So here's the questions:
Which cartridge should I be looking at?

Currently kicking around the 7 RM, .280 AI, 7 SAUM and maybe the .300wsm. I'm leaning toward the 7 RM, because I can find loads toward the minimum powder charges that satisfy the power needs for elk out of a 20 inch barrel, but I have room to move up in power if necessary.

What other rifles should I have her try out? Keep in mind she likes a tradition stock and weight is crucial. She has tried Kimbers but the trigger is to long of a reach for her hands. She's not fond of Tikkas or Brownings.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gillettehunter]

I really like my 7 SAUM with 180 gr Berger HVLD's. Been a killing machine. Somewhere around 27 African animals last 2 trips up to and including 3 eland. I'm at 2800 fps in a 24 inch barrel with a titanium action. You should be around 2700-2750 I'd think with regular steel action in a 20 inch barrel. Or run the 168 Berger and speed up some. Been a great combo for me.
Bruce

 

[sedancowboy]

I agree with Gillette hunter. 7 SAUM or 6.8 Western.

 

[Taylorbok]

If your looking for more energy I'd say you have to at least go to 28 Nosler to make a noticeable difference. 300 PRC would net you a good gain in muzzle energy

 

[Longtine88]

7 saum! All the way man. I have 6 of them and currently bedding a 7th one for the last kiddo. All 6 of them have killed elk and mine personally lots. My favorite cartridge for sure. Build it on a long action and a freebore of 0.140-0.190 and your set. Even a saami chamber will shoot the 180 hybrid perfect. Don't like bergers put a 143 hammer in it at 3300'. Both will drop them like their hot like snoopdog would say.

 

[Joe6pack]

280AI, 160 gr bullets at 3k fps is an elk killing machine, a 140 TTSX or 150 TTSX would be potentially less recoil. The 280AI recoils less than others you listed however, I have no experience with the 7 SAUM. The SAUMs seem to be fading away.
No Kimbers or Brownings? Christiansen or perhaps a used 700 action, a trip to Douglas for a barrel and possibly some action squaring, pick the stock of her choice and have it bedded. A semi-custom for about 2K!

 

[highdrum]

65prc pushing 156 bergers at 3k fps is nothing to mess with. 7 saum will only have slightly better energy, it will lose in drop/drift. I'd have her keep the 65 prc. Get her into a 300 prc or 30 nosler for elk. Ive killed and witnessed a few more bulls killed with 65 short mags, and 65x284s, they do the job just fine. Shot placement will always be key regardless of what caliber bullet your pushing at given velocity.

 

[Longtine88]

280AI, 160 gr bullets at 3k fps is an elk killing machine, a 140 TTSX or 150 TTSX would be potentially less recoil. The 280AI recoils less than others you listed however, I have no experience with the 7 SAUM. The SAUMs seem to be fading away.
No Kimbers or Brownings? Christiansen or perhaps a used 700 action, a trip to Douglas for a barrel and possibly some action squaring, pick the stock of her choice and have it bedded. A semi-custom for about 2K!

Ummmmmmm did you say fading away???

 

[Taylorbok]

280AI, 160 gr bullets at 3k fps is an elk killing machine, a 140 TTSX or 150 TTSX would be potentially less recoil. The 280AI recoils less than others you listed however, I have no experience with the 7 SAUM. The SAUMs seem to be fading away.
No Kimbers or Brownings? Christiansen or perhaps a used 700 action, a trip to Douglas for a barrel and possibly some action squaring, pick the stock of her choice and have it bedded. A semi-custom for about 2K!

that is little to no gain over 6.5 PRC

 

[bigngreen]

I would find a Weathery Camila MKV and see how it fits her, it's been a game changer for most women I know!!

 

[Joe6pack]

I know that would get someone's dander going. I don't see a lot of rifles or ammo in the SAUM rounds in the northeast, but we are not the target audience. No offense sir! You guys in wide-open Texas are more prone to use the flat shooting SAUMs. I have been using the 280AI for almost 40 years in the west, never really needed anything more (until I bought a 300 Weatherby).

 

[Joe6pack]

Someone has a Christiansen 280 ai on this site for 1650...... seems line a nice deal

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

Any off the shelf el-cheappo deluxe in 7mm/08 will handle anything she cares to harvest, save your cash..the result will be the same..

 

[26Reload]

...at what range are you worried about how the 65prc is no good for elk....
I shoot 65284....plenty for how i hunt..on foot..in timber..open terrain........

I don't see a 280ai out better a 65....well..unless that 65 is a crdmore...