Guns in the $500 price range are usually limited in caliber choices. It's one way they can hold costs down. The top 6 (243 win, 308 win, 270, 30-06, 7mm RM, & 300 win mag) have been pretty consistent for many years, and now you can add the 6.5 Gheymoor to the list. 300 PRC is too new and its to be seen if it will be a sales leader.

https://eurooptic.us3.list-manage.c...4597e&id=c81e22fdc1&e=cba61626d2
Just saw some of their Vortex were 50% off. Not sure if any of these models were those mentioned earlier, just thought I would post.

Well, since you like the Browning, I agree with the xbolt, but you may want to consider the long range version of this rifle, I believe it has a faster twist rate, but don't quote me on the last part. The caliber, there has been a lot written on that subject, have fun on the internet researching that part. Me, I would stick to a 7 mag. or a 300 Wm., or even the .338, you're wanting a 500+ gun with plenty of power at the end, correct? Yes, the .270, the 6.5, etc. is all up for debate, I prefer a heavier bullet, that's me, the rest has been debated on countless forums and on the internet. Me, I prefer a Steyr weapon, that's just me. I have a buddy that swears by thumb-hole stocks, that will be up to you.

The glass, well now we have different sorts of ideas on this. We all know glass is getting much better, generally speaking the more you spend is not always better, and etc. Glass is in the eye of the beholder, a cliche yes, but we all know it. I prefer Zeiss or Swarovski, let the debates begin. You think you can't afford it, go back and pick up some glass from 2005 or so from Germany or Austria. No, they won't have all the fancy reticle stuff that allows your computer to talk to your scope, but you're going to see where you're aiming at 600 yards.

Now, we get to choose ammo and shooting. Ahh, we have our platform, we have our glass, but do we have the resources, time and diligence to effectively shoot 500+ yards. For that matter, can you even see a deer at 500 yards? It isn't as easy as it seems for any of what I mentioned in this paragraph.

Let me just say, it is easier to talk about 500+ hunting than it is to do it. It is easier to hit the paper exactly where you aimed every now and then at 500+ from a nice bench, than it is when the wind is blowing, the animal and maybe a doe or two are watching you, and the antlers are way outside the ears. Practice with a fast heart beat my friend.

I would put one of these on a used Tikka T3 7Mag and call it done. All in will be under $1500.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/bushn...0137-44d8-00163ecd2826?variation=1971938

Scope has much better glass than any Vortex under Razor line will dial reliably unlike any Vortex below the Razor line. 12x is plenty for shooting big game.

Pass on any Vortex below the Razor line, you’ll ultimately regret it. Been there done that.

This ^^ but I’d look into the Meopta Optika 6 for the scope.

Thanks! I have an older Bausch and Lomb elite that I love. I think Bushnell 6500 and tactical series scopes get good reviews. Been looking at bear basin last couple of days. Scopes be crazy nowadays.... too many features!
Been hunting a lot in my life, bow hunting and dog hunting gets me more excited than anything (heart rate). With a rifle still hunting, I think I’m good. I just can’t figure holdover well enough with my deer rifle/scope past 325-350 plus I need a bigger caliber for sure. Thanks for all the advice.

Globe, my suggestion is to get a buddy that knows, yes knows, about shooting at long range. Let him show you what he knows, I'm sure a good friend will even let you borrow his equipment while you are together. Then, you can find out if you want to get into that beanfield sort of shooting. Some people don't like it, it isn't hunting to them. Some don't like it because they can't see the animal that great with the naked eye at that distance. Some fall in love with it.

Let that friend teach you a few things, and you put him on a good, ok decent, crappie hole.

Another good option! They haven’t been out long but the reviews thus far are very favorable.

Meopta scopes are great, and heavy as a brick. Most are pushing 2 lbs.

The Optika 6 2.5 - 15. x 44 weighs 27.3 ounces. Swarovski 3 - 18 x 44 weighs 15.9 ounces.

Many other options also available at a lighter weight than Meopta

if you want to get your feet wet don’t ignore the SWFA SS. My 2 favorite models are the 6X and the 10X. I’ve shot both at ranges a sub-$300 scope should be ashamed of. We are living in a wonderful time to be a gun nut. Lots of factory rifles these days are as accurate as custom setups from years ago. Don’t neglect the base/rings. Make sure you go with a quality mount and if you don’t load your own invest in quality factory ammo. The longer the poke the more valuable a consistently loaded projectile becomes.

True But he said he was working with a $1500 budget. The meopta can be bad for a lot less than the Swarovski.

Not to be a Dick, but, I think your budget is way to small for a serious long range weapon. I would just save up until you can buy something truly special. I think you would be dissatisfied with your options in that budget. I think you need $1200 for the gun and close to $1800 in the scope.

Why?

Strongly disagree, it doesn’t take 3k to get a reliable 1000 yard rig. Have someone who shoots these ranges often show you the ropes and you’re good to go.

When you say I can shoot pretty good out to 350... you have to dig within and understand, is the pretty good out to 350 the limits of your current rifle or is it your abilities, vision, ability to execute breathing control etc. There’s plenty of good out west elk hunts to be had where a 500yd shot isn’t required. Don’t let the BS on tv about long range hunting make you think that’s what’s required to kill an elk, because its not. As others have mentioned it’s a hunting preference as well.

Some people can flat out out shoot at long ranges and some just can’t. So, before I went and spent a bunch of money, I would do as mentioned above, try someone else’s long range set up and see if you like it and determine how well you do at it. If you just have extra cash to spend than thats your choice.

As far as caliber, that’s a personal preference, the 7mag, 300mag are good choices. I grew up with a guy who became a very accomplished guide and outfitter in WY that could flat out shoot. When we were teenagers and we hunted elk, I witnessed him drop a few bulls at 250-400yds with a 257 Roberts and a cheap a$$ scope.

Globe,
You’re gonna need a good trigger on a long range rifle. Find a used Remington 700 in any long action caliber, take it to Butch Rawls (he lives not too far from you, west of Vernon a few miles, towards Columbus), get him to true the action and install a good barrel and chamber it for 6.5-.284 Norma. Get a Timney Calvin Elite trigger. You can always add another stock later on if you want.
Thank me later.

While there is nothing wrong with 6.5-284 Norma, why would you pick that over the .264 Win Mag, 6.5 PRC, or the 26 Nosler?

https://imgur.com/a/IA3wel7

Ruger gowild 6.5cm $550
Timney trigger full replacement $140
Vx6
-bubble level (purchased used off Facebook for $800)
- 20 moa rail that was bedded. $60
143eldx. $35/ box
Total $1600

Zeroed the scope while getting 10 shots worth of speeds to get avg speed to plug in ballistic app on his phone
Halfway confirmed the data from the app with a 5 shot group at 300 which was spot on ( done several days ago)

Yesterday after we hunted we had to stretch her legs
Cold bore was a 10” plate at 530 yards that he center punched
2nd shot was the 30” plate at 1075 yards

I know it’s not a “elk caliber”, just showing that it’s not rocket science nor do you have to mortgage your house to get the equipment to do so

6.5 creed is a fine elk caliber, out to about 300 yards, just like the .35 Rem is a great elk cartridge out to about 150 yards. .30-06 takes that to about 450, with 7 Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag stretching that to 600+ yards.

Most folks that sing the creedmoor song don't want to admit the limits.

The Swarovski sales rep showed me a video of a woman using a 6.5 creed on a big bull elk - at over 600 yards. Bull staggered a few seconds and dropped dead.