Thread: Something bigger?

I'm currently pondering the next step past my 223, and would be interested to hear any opinions some of you might have.

My rough goals for the rifle would be effective kills on deer/tahr etc (provided we can find any ) to around 5-600y and goats+roos out to 800ish if my shooting is good enough, but usable in close too. I'd like a scope with reliable and repeatable dialling turrets, or at very least the elevation turret, and some form of BDC to hold for wind.

Current rough ideas for gun and scope -

Savage American Classic 7mm-08. - Have no doubt it would be capable of a comfy 1/2 MOA with the right ammo and while not overkill at closer ranges, still has around 1000 lb-ft at 1000yards. Should be plenty of energy for anything short of that. Would be suppressed, as it just makes it nicer to shoot in every way.

Vortex Viper HS LR 4-16x44 is the current favourite for scope choice. While right at the top of my budget, it seems to have everything I want.
Vortex Viper

Have any of you had experience with these scopes, or could recommend something with similar function for the same/lower price bracket?

Not enough gun or any other input?

Cheers.

Youd be pushing pretty hard to get 1000lbs at 1000yards with the 08 if thats your goal then 7mm mag is the easiest route

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Infact you just wont get that kind of energy that far out. My 284 does the 162 amax @2950 and just falls short doing the tonne at 925 meters.

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Beat me to it CD. I thought those numbers did not stack up.
I like the Savage too, but if 1/2 MOA rifles came off the shelf that well there would be no need for custom ones. I think your expectations may be a tad high.
All up though not a bad idea. The combo you list should perform well for the cost, and would be hard to beat in the price bracket.

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

Infact you just wont get that kind of energy that far out. My 284 does the 162 amax @2950 and just falls short doing the tonne at 925 meters.

Hmmm yeah. Something definitely isn't right with my figures. Must be something screwed up in my JBM settings as I just checked with another calculator and it wasn't even close. Thanks for spotting that.

Plenty of the shelf rifles capable of 1/2 moa ive shot a couple of tikkas that do less than that. With the ranges you want to shoot i would go for the 7mm mag. Make it a dedicated long ranger and just get some barnes loaded up for the 223 for the close work out to 200. As for scopes the vortex will do you well as will any of the other middle level scopes ie bushy 4200-6500 weaver superslam-tactical. Vx3s ect. Im a magnification whore so would be going for the weaver or bushnell 6500

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7mm mag

Originally Posted by kiwijames

I like the Savage too, but if 1/2 MOA rifles came off the shelf that well there would be no need for custom ones. I think your expectations may be a tad high.

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

Plenty of the shelf rifles capable of 1/2 moa ive shot a couple of tikkas that do less than that.

Yeah, last 3 factory rifles in the family have had no issues with getting very close to, if not under the 1/2 MOA mark. 2 R700's and a Savage.



Thanks for the various inputs, food for thought.
Will do some thinking about what my genuinely achievable distances are likely to be while trying to brew up some more accurate figures also.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

7mm mag

Listen to this man.
Anything on the 08 case simply won't push a heavy enough pill fast enough.

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7mmRemMag tikka t3 in a B&C stock with a vortex?

Originally Posted by Toby

7mmRemMag tikka t3 in a B&C stock with a vortex?

You would be hard pushed to beat this setup bang for buck. Pretty much a garaunteed shooter too. Ive only ever heard of one tikka that wouldnt shoot and it was replaced promptly.

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jeez from a 223 to a specialised long ranger?

why not just a tikka 270 with a 4-12 vx1

then atleast he has a usefull hunting rifle

Originally Posted by Bill999

jeez from a 223 to a specialised long ranger?

why not just a tikka 270 with a 4-12 vx1

then atleast he has a usefull hunting rifle

First problem its a 270

Um seriously? Love to see you drop a thar at 600 with that setup or a goat at 800. Which is what he wants. How is the same gun in a better caliber with a better scope any less effective hunting rifle?

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4 power might be a bit high in the bush. Look at a 2.5-10 like the Nightforce, there was one went for $1400 on Tardme couple weeks ago. Bargain. Oh, and 7 Rem Mag, 7 STW or 300 Win Mag for power and reach.