Thread: Can you help me choose my next build

Hi all,

Well I’m at a point now where I am looking a having a dabble in some long range shooting. It will occasionally venture out to some vally’s to see if it can put some meat on the table.

I’m in a quandary between Calibre, manufactures and models so hoping you can perhaps provide some insight if you have used one of these list below before. With all the combined knowledge on this forum I’m sure you point me in the right direction.

Of note.

1. I won’t be carrying it more than a couple of KM each time I’m out looking to fill the freezer. The rest of the time it won’t be moved much.
2. I don’t currently reload so ammo will brought of the shelf. I have ruled out a Ruger Rpr 338lm because of the cost of the rounds (approx $12-15 each)
3. I have a couple of boxes of 300WM still floating around from a CZ550 that I’ll be selling shortly (I carnt bring myself to butcher this to meet my needs as it’s as new condition with zero rounds though it and will suit a collector) - so ammo cost will be lower for this caliber.
4. Range will be anywhere from 400-1200ish yards (just guessing)

So here’s what I’m thinking so far.

Tikka Ctr 6.5CM
Tikka Super Varmint 6.5CM
Bergara pro 6.5CM
Sako S20 Precision in 6.5CM or 7mm rem mag
Ruger rpr 300wm
Ruger rpr 300prc

I like them all, but feel like I’m getting pulled towards the ruger rpr in 300win or 300prc.

Any thought, pros or cons on the above? - oh and I can buy 1x now and another 1x next year

Cheers and thanks

probably not a bad idea to look at the christensen arms semi custom rifles in something like 300 PRC. They'd be still useful in other types of shooting too as an RPR is really heavy.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

probably not a bad idea to look at the christensen arms semi custom rifles in something like 300 PRC. They'd be still useful in other types of shooting too as an RPR is really heavy.

Thanks very much Russian. I’ll what Ken at 55six in kapiti has available on his site

Tikka , Sako would be good contenders but for the ranges you mention I think the Creedmoor may be lacking in power.
300 Win and 7mm Rem would be good for the longer range stuff but as stated above save the 800-1200 yard stuff for gongs. 600 - 800 yards is an awful long way for animals.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Tikka , Sako would be good contenders but for the ranges you mention I think the Creedmoor may be lacking in power.
300 Win and 7mm Rem would be good for the longer range stuff but as stated above save the 800-1200 yard stuff for gongs. 600 - 800 yards is an awful long way for animals.

Much appreciated Mooseman. I was not clear on my intended use. 500 for animals would be my ethical max, but I’ll do my best to learn about extending the range for the gongs. I’m only new to that, as a back injury has pretty much shut down the bush hunts so off to the range from now on for the most part.

How much experience do you have shooting?

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

How much experience do you have shooting?

On and off most of my life with small to medium game. I would switch between fishing and hunting and back and fourth.
Haven’t been out in a while and moved into Wellington for work and then stuffed my back. Hate feeling old.

Don’t have anywhere in Wellington that I can go to so I’ll have to get a permit and head into the Rimutakas.

Rimutaka ranges a good place to start with plenty of slips an open faces they come out on

Originally Posted by Sanctuary

On and off most of my life with small to medium game. I would switch between fishing and hunting and back and fourth.
Haven’t been out in a while and moved into Wellington for work and then stuffed my back. Hate feeling old.

Don’t have anywhere in Wellington that I can go to so I’ll have to get a permit and head into the Rimutakas.

It would be good if any Wellington fella's on here can point out a range for this guy. Target shooting on DOC land is not a good idea.

Originally Posted by Steve123

It would be good if any Wellington fella's on here can point out a range for this guy. Target shooting on DOC land is not a good idea.

Thanks Steve123. Target shooting on DOC land isn’t my first choice that’s for sure.

For shooting steel/target from 500-1000 mtr.
The 6mm's are very popular in US, either 243 with fast twist barrel or 6mmCM but you would have to reload as not a lot of 103 - 115gr long range factory ammo on NZ shelves.
Leaves the likes of the 6.5CM with Good factory long range ammo selection on NZ shelves..
If you are not hunting past 500mtr then you probably don't need the big 7mm's or 300's. Don't beat up your back with unnecessary recoil. Enjoy your shooting.

Out to 500mtr the 6mm and 6.5mm will kill most NZ game.
Z

Ps before. Heading down the big bore track have a read on the thread on managing recoil. Learn from others experience.

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

For shooting steel/target from 500-1000 mtr.
The 6mm's are very popular in US, either 243 with fast twist barrel or 6mmCM but you would have to reload as not a lot of 103 - 115gr long range factory ammo on NZ shelves.
Leaves the likes of the 6.5CM with Good factory long range ammo selection on NZ shelves..
If you are not hunting past 500mtr then you probably don't need the big 7mm's or 300's. Don't beat up your back with unnecessary recoil. Enjoy your shooting.

Out to 500mtr the 6mm and 6.5mm will kill most NZ game.
Z

Ps before. Heading down the big bore track have a read on the thread on managing recoil. Learn from others experience.

See more bloody good advice. I haven’t really considered the recoil to be an issue, up until injuring my back anyway as now just moving can shoot pain up the spine. I was thinking the sheer weight of an rpr would take the recoil of the bigger pills, but I haven’t fire a shot since the injury. Hmmm, I might need to rethink this as I might not be able to carry the bloody thing let alone manage the recoil. I think I need to get to the range with my t3 308 and see if that’s even still tolerable. Thanks guys for your help.

Originally Posted by Sanctuary

See more bloody good advice. I haven’t really considered the recoil to be an issue, up until injuring my back anyway as now just moving can shoot pain up the spine. I was thinking the sheer weight of an rpr would take the recoil of the bigger pills, but I haven’t fire a shot since the injury. Hmmm, I might need to rethink this as I might not be able to carry the bloody thing let alone manage the recoil. I think I need to get to the range with my t3 308 and see if that’s even still tolerable. Thanks guys for your help.

so you already have a T3 in 308.......job done...suppress it if its not already and go and shoot lots o rounds at paper.....any animal out in open to 400 yards going to be in big trouble....how far can you ethically shoot game animal...I wont say rabbit I do say 3ltr plastic milk bottle...fill a few up with water ,place out at range and pop them first shot....when you cant hit them first shot you stretching it too far,reason for milk bottle???? same size as vitals on most of out species.

save your coin....learn to use what you have got,if $$$$$ are burning hole in your pocket,consider a couple of guided meat hunts..fill the freezer and actually see what your 308 is capable of in your hands in good/perfect setting.
Ive been hunting for 43 years and dont shoot past 400 yards...and seldom past 200...my freezers are full,all three of them.

Reloaders has Howa barreled actions with heavy profile carbon barrels in 6.5 PRC and CM, and. 308 if you feel so inclined.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Reloaders has Howa barreled actions with heavy profile carbon barrels in 6.5 PRC and CM, and. 308 if you feel so inclined.

Thank you Bol. I’m going to pass on the Howa’s as I know they can be superbly accurate for the price, but I’ve read a number of reviews on US forums where they have rusted out pretty quick from humidity and even left rust spot from finger prints over night. I know all will rust or stain if not maintained, but this has removed my confidence in them.
Even saw a howa hunter extreme on TM recently with the cerekote finish supposedly as new and you could see the rust setting in.

Cheers though!