New Rifle/Caliber debate

[buggy]

I'm looking into getting a new rifle and have been eyeing something around the 280 rem / 7mm mag range. I've never been into long range shooting but would like to get something that can reach out to 1000 yds. I realize a lot of calibers are capable of this even though I am not but I would like to get something that I can "grow" into as far as my ability. I want to be able to hunt deer & elk with it also so not just a bench rifle. No I don't plan on shooting animals at 1000 yds. I just want a rifle that is fun to shoot long range and can double as a hunting piece also.

My criteria,
Relatively easy to find factory ammo (I don't reload.... yet)
Manageable recoil (I want to shoot more than a few rounds before my shoulder is done)
Enough energy to knock down an elk without too much sweat
Budget $2000 (hopefully including glass but could stretch it a bit if needed)

I'm just barely diving into this and haven't made any firm decisions yet so all thoughts and opinions are welcome! I want to learn!

[elkrack]

Like stated in the “advice on a new rifle “ thread go big on glass and less on rifle. The only consistent factory ammo I’ve seen on the shelves in the .284 is 28 nosler and 7mm wsm. Hopefully that will change in the near future. Good luck there are a lot of guys on here with a ton of knowledge that should point ya in the right direction(not me lol) 

[buggy]

Thanks elkrack that is good to know. The 28 Nosler is definitely on my list also.

[headshot5]

With your stipulations I'd say a 270 or a 30-06 (ammo on the shelf).  A 280 or 280 AI if you plan on getting into handloading soon.

You need to get a weight in mind for your fully outfitted rifle, mostly for using it to hunt (lighter being easier to carry).   Heavier is usually easier to shoot at long range.  Decide if you are okay with a brake or not.  A brake would open you up to a host of magnum rifles while still allowing you to manage recoil.   

I'd probably start with a scope that will get you to 1000 yards first.  Something like the Nightforce, or Zeiss, or Leupold.  I know there are a bunch of other options but those are 3 prominent ones that have models that have repeatable turrets that track. 

You also haven't mentioned if you are building a gun or buying a factory one.     

[huntnphool]

 7mm Rem Mag

[Duckslayer89]

7mm Rem Mag

Tikka 7mm rem mag, throw a VX5HD on it. Get solid rings and a rail.

[Reidus]

Too shoot long range, heavy for caliber bullets are usually better for wind and energy retention. With factory rifles and factory ammo you're limited in options to calibers like

6.5 creedmoor
6.8 Western
300 PRC
6.5 PRC
28 Nosler
etc.

A lot of the standard calibers were never designed to shoot heavy bullets and many of the factory rifles don't have a fast enough twist to stabilize the long heavy bullets.

If you reload that can give you a lot more options.

[HUNT JR]

I shoot a 28 nosler. I shoot the hornady precision hunter and they shoot 1/2 minute in the Christensen I use. I think as far as long range shooting in the .284 that it is hard to beat. It shoots a lot flatter than a 7mm rem mag which gives you more margin for error. I have struggled to find ammo for it this year though. I think you could go with a browning xbolt or a tikka veil with a quality scope that tracks accurately (Zeiss v4) and have a rifle more than capable of 1000 yard shooting.

[Duckslayer89]

I shoot a 28 nosler. I shoot the hornady precision hunter and they shoot 1/2 minute in the Christensen I use. I think as far as long range shooting in the .284 that it is hard to beat. It shoots a lot flatter than a 7mm rem mag which gives you more margin for error. I have struggled to find ammo for it this year though. I think you could go with a browning xbolt or a tikka veil with a quality scope that tracks accurately (Zeiss v4) and have a rifle more than capable of 1000 yard shooting.

284 win shoots a lot flatter than a 7mm rem mag?

[fishngamereaper]

7mm Rem Mag

He said manageable recoil beyond a couple rounds 

[Stein]

I'm a huge 30-06 fan, but it's no 1,000 yard elk caliber for sure unless you have lots of spin available on the old turret.

It's going to be tough to get a 1,000 year elk rifle with moderate recoil.  If you want to target shoot at 1,000 and shoot elk at 600, much more realistic otherwise you're going to need a pretty good cannon to hold energy that far out.

For a true 1,000 yard elk gun I would probably go with the boring 300 win mag, perfect combo of power at range, reasonable drop and very good factory ammo choices.

[Duckslayer89]

7mm Rem Mag

He said manageable recoil beyond a couple rounds 

I shot my rifle 25 rounds the other day at the range fire forming brass, my shoulder was quivering after but I still got it done 😂…on the heavy end of a hunting rifle though

[buckfvr]

If you want to shoot a lot, and youre going with factory ammo, and want 1000 yard capable, you will need quality ammo to go in that capable rifle topped with a quality scope.

Quality ammo is expensive and to shoot a lot and get to 1k, you will want a comfortable moderate recoil caliber.  I would look at non belted 7mms or the 6.5s. Those will be easy shooters especially with a brake.

[buggy]

With your stipulations I'd say a 270 or a 30-06 (ammo on the shelf).  A 280 or 280 AI if you plan on getting into handloading soon.

You need to get a weight in mind for your fully outfitted rifle, mostly for using it to hunt (lighter being easier to carry).   Heavier is usually easier to shoot at long range.  Decide if you are okay with a brake or not.  A brake would open you up to a host of magnum rifles while still allowing you to manage recoil.   

I'd probably start with a scope that will get you to 1000 yards first.  Something like the Nightforce, or Zeiss, or Leupold.  I know there are a bunch of other options but those are 3 prominent ones that have models that have repeatable turrets that track. 

You also haven't mentioned if you are building a gun or buying a factory one.   

I am not opposed to a break.
I was thinking a factory one but building one sounds fun too. I've just never done it so it would be a learning experience in itself.

[buggy]

I'm a huge 30-06 fan, but it's no 1,000 yard elk caliber for sure unless you have lots of spin available on the old turret.

It's going to be tough to get a 1,000 year elk rifle with moderate recoil.  If you want to target shoot at 1,000 and shoot elk at 600, much more realistic otherwise you're going to need a pretty good cannon to hold energy that far out.

For a true 1,000 yard elk gun I would probably go with the boring 300 win mag, perfect combo of power at range, reasonable drop and very good factory ammo choices.

You nailed it. I want to shoot targets at 1000 and elk at 600 or less.