I am just getting into long range hunting. I have been deer hunting in Texas for a long time but now I am looking to start doing elk, mulies, and pronghorn hunts. The round I have been looking at is 7mm mag but I am not 100% certain this is what I am going with. I figured this is a round I can hunt all three with and also use it for deer hunting in TX. Ive already got a Zeiss Conquest 5-25 but I am looking to get a rifle now. My budget is $1,500. If you were just starting out what rifle would you get and what caliber? Thanks
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Newbie... what rifle?
- Thread starter Raider00
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Nimrodmar10
Well-Known Member
This may just be me, and I'm sure others will have different oppinions, but if it were me I'd buy a Remington Sendero SFII in the 7 Rem Mag.
Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 Sendero SF II - Remington Centerfire Rifles
Retail is almost $1500 but you can buy one for about $1250. I don't think you can get any more gun, for the money, than this for long range hunting.
Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 Sendero SF II - Remington Centerfire Rifles
Retail is almost $1500 but you can buy one for about $1250. I don't think you can get any more gun, for the money, than this for long range hunting.
snowpro440
Well-Known Member
I would take a good hard look at the 300 win mag or 300 short mag for long range work . Plenty of choices out there.
gamehawker
Well-Known Member
I agree you cannot get any more gun for the money than this for long range hunting than a Remington Sendero.
I love my twin Remington 700 Sendero SF 7mm STWs.
But if you are going for elk sometimes I would get a 7mm STW instead of a 7mm mag.
There are a couple on GunBroker right now.
Or I would get a Remington Sendero SFII in the 300 RUM.
There are also a couple of these on GunBroker right now for about $1,200.
Bolt Action Rifles for Sale - Buy Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com
one crazy kid
Well-Known Member
Remington Senderos are awesome! I would go with a 300WM gun).
stanley52
Well-Known Member
7mm Mag is plenty for elk. 1300lbs of energy at 700-800 fairly easily. You don't need a cannon. .30 cal magnums will blow any Texas game in half. Put a 180gr Berger Vld out of a 7mm Mag and you will put an elk down no problem, and you can load other projectiles in it that won't obliterate smaller game.
azsugarbear
Well-Known Member
Another vote for the 7mm Rem Mag. You don't say what your scope budget is, or whether you plan on staying with the Zeiss. If dollars are tight, I would opt for the savage and put the extra $$$ towards a scope with MOA stadia on your windage crosshair. If $$$ are not an issue, then I would go with a sender.
the gun is more important than the cartridge. cdl is good; it is not a sendero or a 40x.
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
The quality of the rifle is a very important factor. Big or small cal, if you dont have the precision and consistency you will be limited in range.
IMO, when elk are on the menu, bigger is better. 300 WM or 300 RUM in a Sendero platform is a great LR shooter and elk hunter.
IMO, when elk are on the menu, bigger is better. 300 WM or 300 RUM in a Sendero platform is a great LR shooter and elk hunter.
I'll throw in my vote for the Sendero. Also, the Savage long range hunter is a good choice.
As for the 300 on TX whitetail, in my experience a .30 caliber 180 grain Accubond does about the same damage as a .270 caliber 130 grain ballistic tip. I have used my 300 wby on whitetail hunts when there has been a chance of shooting nilgai on the same hunt. At first, I thought the 300 was going to do too much damage, but that wasn't normally the case. And I was able to have the better bone breaking power to take down nilgai before it got to the brush.
However, I will admit that if you hit solid bone with a hard hitting 30 caliber bullet, you may end up with a large hole on the other side.
So 7mm mag, 300 win mag, or 300 rum will all work on Texas deer. Pick one and have some fun.
As for the 300 on TX whitetail, in my experience a .30 caliber 180 grain Accubond does about the same damage as a .270 caliber 130 grain ballistic tip. I have used my 300 wby on whitetail hunts when there has been a chance of shooting nilgai on the same hunt. At first, I thought the 300 was going to do too much damage, but that wasn't normally the case. And I was able to have the better bone breaking power to take down nilgai before it got to the brush.
However, I will admit that if you hit solid bone with a hard hitting 30 caliber bullet, you may end up with a large hole on the other side.
So 7mm mag, 300 win mag, or 300 rum will all work on Texas deer. Pick one and have some fun.
Welcome to LRH and enjoy!
IIWY, I'd save another $500 and get me a custom rifle >>> Custom Remington Rifles | Red Hawk Rifles
My preference would be 300 WM, 300 RUM or 338 RUM.
Good luck!
gamehawker
Well-Known Member
That is some real good advice!
I mentioned on an above post I would recommend the 300 RUM but as Ed mentioned above the 338 RUM is a great caliber for the Best North America Hunting/Long Range caliber and a number of established LRH members seem to agree on this prior thread.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/best-north-america-hunting-long-range-caliber-86252/
