Thread: Alpine Rifle - Factory Ammo

Time to start dreaming up ideas on rifles with the lock down in place.

What are peoples opinions on what would be a good option for a shortened, suppressed alpine rifle. Essentially a "Super Pig" - 20 to 22 inch barrel - 600y maximum.

The kicker is that it would be with factory ammo only, no reloading.

6.5 PRC seems like it could be an option, although it might not have the knock down of the 7mm and 300 magnum calibers but might be nicer to fire in a lighter, shortened package?

Haven't had any real world experience with them so would be keen to hear peoples opinions if they have.

Currently have a 26inch barreled 7mm rem mag with a suppressor, but just toying with ideas of a more compact and better balanced rifle still capable on the tops with factory ammo.

Tikka 7mm rem mag shortened to 20 - 22 inches suppressed. I have just chopped mine to 21 and done a load for it, but even with factory ammo it would do everything you need plus more. I have a video on mine in the making but with the lockdown that won’t be out for a bit longer now

I have just had my replacement for my Total POS Custom 6.5 SAUM come back from having the barrel chopped from 24 to 20 inches and suppressed. Its a 300WSM, planning on handloading the 175gn TLR projectiles or using 200gn Hornady Precision Hunter factory ammo.
No idea on speeds for either as Lock-down may prevent any testing over next month

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Tikka 7mm rem mag shortened to 20 - 22 inches suppressed. I have just chopped mine to 21 and done a load for it, but even with factory ammo it would do everything you need plus more. I have a video on mine in the making but with the lockdown that won’t be out for a bit longer now

I agree with stagstalker, my Tikka 7mm rem mag has a 21inch barrel is 26inches including suppresser. I find it very well balanced even for offhand shots and recently tried the new Sako factory ammo with the 165gr tipped gameking, two shots virtually in the same hole at 100mtrs is good enough for this boy, and there was a good bugger at the range who let me fire those two shots through his crony which came out around the 2730fps mark.
Now i know a lot of people will scoff at those velocities but at 600mtrs/ 650yds it still has 1330ft-lbs of energy and its only a couple more clicks on the turret to make up for the slow speed.
cheers

Ive just grabbed a 300wsm for this very reason. I dread the thought of chopping a rem mag down to 20. Alot of threads on here have shown the wsms responding alot more favorably. You're still getting good speeds out of the 7mm mags etc but using a heap more powder to do so. Then again I dont like cutting barrels full stop.

For those interested my 7rm is running a 162 ELD-X at 2950fps from the 21” barrel. That MV is yet to be calibrated at distance which is the final part of my video to come. My mate has a 7rm with 20” barrel shooting same projectile at 2970fps. The 7rm does damn well even when shortened and the higher BC projectiles allow it to perform. Even with factory ammo going slower at say 2700fps as mentioned above, that higher BC caliber makes it more then enough for all your hunting ranges.

Start reloading and get a 284
Failing that 300WSM, or even a 3006 if you stick with 22in bbl

What about the 3006 ?
Good range of factory ammo and moderate recoll but legendary knockdown.
I wouldn't shorten it too much, keep at 22" but slim profile like a T3 liteweight and if you can see your way clear to no suppressor it would balance and carry nicely. You won't be doing much range work with it will you?

Something based on an ‘08 case would probably be adequate to 500-600yd with ELD-X ammo and the right scope. 6.5CM, 7/08, and 308 are all viable options, with a lot less recoil and barrel-raping than the magnums

Haha yeah 284 would be great. Its a shame there is no factory support for it or any other short action 7mm with a bit more grunt than the 7mm08.

Reloading though sounds like you could make whatever caliber you wanted work, like the Duleys 270 etc and all the cut down 7mm rem mags like stagstalkers.

300wsm would seem like a great option, might just kick too much for me in a light and shorter barreled suppressed rifle.

Perhaps the 7mm rem mag cut down could just be a good option, running 154gr Superformance or 162 precision hunter ammo. Just thought something like the 6.5 PRC might be better suited to a chop as it is more of a short action cartridge? Not sure if that holds any truth in it or not. Also not sure how the recoil compares between the two or any real world practicality in it and whether the 6.5 projectiles would be suitable for anchoring down Red Stags and Bull Tahr beyond 400.

I hadn't really considered a 30/06, that could be worth looking into, and correct, I wouldnt be doing much time at the range with the rifle.

Cheers for all the feedback guys. The dreams and ideas continue!

I cant even see that far

I thought of this exact thing last year and decided a 6.5 prc with 22inch barrel would fit the brief perfectly.

My vote goes to a 20 inch 300wsm

Are you back in NZ @GlenM? I'm not too far down the road and have all reloading gear for 6.5PRC and 7mmRM (and a few others) so could probably work something out to allow you to handload if you wanted?

Of course after the lock down expires!

Originally Posted by The Claw

Are you back in NZ @GlenM? I'm not too far down the road and have all reloading gear for 6.5PRC and 7mmRM (and a few others) so could probably work something out to allow you to handload if you wanted?

Of course after the lock down expires!

Hey mate, thats an awesome offer thanks! I am still overseas at the moment (unsure how long now with everything going on). Thank you once again though, and when I get back and put plans in to action that could be a great option.