Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Rifle recommendation for a newbie that doesn't reload

I have an acquaintance that has come to me for advice, there is his first mistake! But he is the average “joe” hunter. He has killed lots of deer back East and one successful trip out West for elk. He wants to get into long range hunting/shooting. He does not reload and will be limited to factory ammo and he wants the ability to kill elk out to 600yds. My first thoughts are .308; 7 Mag or 270 WSM not in that order just the 3 that come to mine. He does not want to get into custom rifles so he wants a factory production rifle as well. Again not mentioning this as my answer just what comes to mine is for him to get a Tikka in one of the 3 cartridges above and go shoot. Curious as to what you all think?

Proficient shooting at 600 yards = lots of practice.

Lots of practice = lots of factory ammo.

Lots of factory ammo = .30 06

.308 gives less velocity, similar or greater cost for ammo. 7mag or .270 WSM both have substatially higher cost for ammo, more recoil, but slightly better trajectory.

Kimber Montana in .308 or Rem 700 in .308. An RPR in .308 or 6.5 Creed may not be a bad way to go.

Roger that on the 30-06. I guess my nature bias to that cartdige I didn't even consider the factory loading options for the grand 'ol 30-06. My thinking was the .308 has lots of Nato ammo for cheaper trigger time.

Cheap and plentiful ammo isn't the only requirement for a 600 yard hunting cartridge...

What about a 300 win or 300wsm?Pretty much a do all with lots of factory ammo.Mine really likes the 168 Hsm Bergers and their ammo is somewhat affordable.

06 is a solid choice. He Will need a good scope that tracks good and learn how to read the wind and his turrets.
I'm comfortable to 400 yards with my tikka 06.
For me At 500 + yards errors start to magnify and things start to open up . It's a long ways. Requires practice.
I think a magnum would be better for 600+ yards on big animal like elk.

The guy should get over on the classifieds and buy Brad's 308 M70 EW with McMillan stock....pronto....before someone wakes up and grabs it.

Slap on a 6X Super Chicken with MQ reticle., get some good ammo and he should be laying them in at 600 within two range sessions.

Cant think of anything simpler. A 308 will kill an elk at 600 with good placement.

long range.... equals a very accurate rifle . weight helps . Remington 40x, 5-r, sender or 5-r. sako long range

the rifle is more important than the cartridge.

A factory 6.5 x 284 may be the ticket; likewise the 260 Remy (or a variant).

If that's not enough soup for him (and it is for an elk), check out splattermatic's post on the 7mm Mag.

Long range is a lot about practice and practice is a lot about recoil. 'Course, if your pal is willing to lug a 10 lb rifle, more options await.

Or hell, just get a Tikka in 7mm 08 ...

Tikka CTR 308 Win.

Remington 5R Milspec 308 Win.

Given the criteria, that's probably exactly what I'd point him towards. Or a Tikka or savage of some sort. Those choices are known for their accuracy right out of the box..

Chris .... .308 should handle the chore with aplomb. I don't see why an off the shelf ADL/SPS couldn't handle the core (I have yet to have bad luck with those), but budget will dictate. I wouldn't want to lug a 5R all day unless I was playing PRS games.

g

In my opinion, this lies with the shooter and an accurate firearm more than the cartridge size.

As everyone has stated, practice, practice, practice if you're going to try shooting at long ranges of 600 yards. A well placed shot is what counts in my book. I think that more animals are lost due to someone thinking that because they have the latest and greatest new long range magnum that it will make up for a poorly placed shot. Someone that is more comfortable shooting a 260, 7-08, or .308 does much better than the guy with a .30-378, and flinch's with each round fired.

Personally, I would never try a 600 yard shot (or so I think). I've taken my fair share of elk in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Ive never had to shoot more than 200 yards (my choice). I've harvested 4 in Utah, 3 in Nevada, and 9 in Arizona.

The elk harvested in Utah and Nevada were taken with a .30-06 in 150 grn Sierra Spitzer boat tail handloads, or 180 grn round nose Remington Core-Lokt factory load.

Of the 9 in Arizona, all of them were under 140 yards with a muzzle loader. 5 with a .50 cal, using a .45 cal 300 grn Hornady XTP in a sabot and 150 grains of Triple 7 powder. The other 4 with a .54 cal, using a 600 grn maxi-ball and 120 grains of triple 7.

Yes, a well placed shot is what counts. Maybe have him go to the range with a few borrowed rifles to see what his recoil thresh hold is and narrow down the choices. Then start practicing.

Sorry for the rant. Just my opinion.

308, 308, 308

Having suggested other calibers, I will acknowledge it is impossible to improve on the .308 for what the OP wants. Mine would be Tikka due to good performance and light weight. And they make lefties

Norma? I second that....

308
If your twisting turrets all 30cal from mild to mighty are the same. The wind is what gets ya. If you can't read the wind to get a mild .30 Into the hot box a .30 superwizbangboom might help a c-hair. But it will never overcome cheap trigger time with a 308. There is a lot of 308 match Ammo out there that will hang with or beat some of our best hand loads.