traks44:
First of all, welcomd to LRH.
You asked for opinions so here's another one:
You mentioned Nesika action, McMillan stock and night force scope. I agree with you there, as these are all great components for a long range gun. I would have to disagree with you on the bullets though. Along the lines of Kirby's comments I would suggest you look strongly at the Wildcat 200 grain ULD RBBT bullet. I have used these on deer at 862 yards and elk at 690 yards and they are awesome. The retained velocity and energy at long ranges make for a fantastic long range killing machine. Shoot a heavy for caliber bullet in a quality built gun and you'll never look back.
I would stay away from the lighter bullets if you truly want a long range elk hammer. Launch the big Wildcat at about 3200-3250 fps and nothing at 1000 yards will withstand the impact. If you really want to see something interesting, run the numbers on the 200 grain Wildcat out to 2000 yards and you'll be amazed at what it'll do. The lighter bullets will look great at shorter ranges and will kill great at those shorter ranges but the big 200 will walk right on by them from about 700 yards or so, on out to as much as 2000 yards. Also remember that the big 200 grain Wildcat will buck the wind better than anything you can find out there.
The 28" barrel will work but if you want to wring out everything possible from your new long range gun then I'd suggest you take a look at the 30" 3 groove from Lilja. If you're gonna be packing it through the brush then something shorter will work but for a true long range hammer, I'd go with the 30". I've got one and that sucker is a work of art. It's a #8 contour with the heavy fluting.
Kirby won't say that his 7mm AM is the best 7mm around but I will tell you that when I decided to build my long range gun money was no object. We looked at every available component and every available chambering/bullet combination. I chose the 7mm AM and had it throated to seat the big 200 grain Wildcats way out and it shoots fantastic.
If you're interested in what something like you are talking about, component wise would look like, I've included a couple of pics of my 7mm AM that Kirby built. If I had it to do all over again I'd pick the same components, the same chambering, the same gunsmith and would shoot the same bullet. The choice is up to you but you said you wanted a 1000 yard elk hammer and I feel that this is the best there is in the 7mm caliber, bar none. I would call this round a "just barely cruising, 1000 yard elk round" that'll go well beyond that easily. Run the number before you decide.
As far as accuracy goes, this gun is shooting 1/4 moa using the fire form loads. I'll be working up full tilt loads soon, if the weather co-operates and the new bullets get here.
By the way, where are you located? If you're close enough we might be able to arrange to get together and let you shoot this one to see what you think. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif