Long(ish) Range Deer rifle

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

So my father in law has a 500 acre hunting lease that has some corn fields and good long sight lines.

The rifle I currently have is a .300 blk that really is more of a 100-150ish yard brush gun/hog rifle I built while I was down in Texas.

I'm currently looking to buy or build a rifle to take deer out of a tree stand at 300-400 yards.

I have done 3 gun and shot 3 position rifle in college and shoot service rifle in CMP marches but with modern long range rifles i'm a bit foggy.

First question is bolt gun or to do a 6mm ARC AR. Does the 6mm Arc have the ability to put a deer down at 400?

The second question is for a bolt gun I'm looking at a 6.5 creedmoor but what would be something that could he had for not unreasonable money? My father in law has a savage axis but those seem a little basic.

Has anyone had any experience with the savage m110s? Is there any other sub $750 bolt guns that I should consider? I personally want a threaded barrel as I would like a suppressor.

And also is there any mid range glass that would be recommended at that distance? Again I don't have much experience with long range optics as I have a fixed 3 power prism and a 1-4x LPvO and have shot ACOGs a bit

 

[BigMoose]

30-06 has been making dear dead at those ranges for decades now.

There are many sub $500 bolt guns, some with scopes for sale with the gun.

Pick your poison

https://www.cabelas.com/l/used-guns#sortCriteria=%40offerprice%20ascending&f-cartridge_or_gauge=.30-06%20Springfield

 

[natdscott]

The groups determine how "basic" a rifle is, don't forget.

If a rifle can shoot 1 MOA in bad conditions, and at your target range deliver a good bullet with 800+ pounds of energy, and 1,800 fps, then it is a killer for sure. If you can get that up to 1,000 lbs and 2,000+ fps, you have a rifle that can deal with less ideal shots.

A rifle that can do 1MOA/1,000 lb/2,000 fps at 1/4 mile is a rifle that is beyond the understanding of any deer, and most hunters.

If you're looking for a place to start spending, it is barrel, sighting system, trigger, loads. That's in order of importance unless anything is required to satisfy the "bad conditions" comment above.

 

[Born2vette]

I am sure there are others that would work, but this caught my eye tonight and I would think it would work nicely.

WTS: - Remington 721 .270 with Custom Deluxe stock .

Back up for sale, sell fell through. For sale is this Remington 721 in .270 Win . Base and rings included. Not scope. FTF in or around Hancock County. $550 OBO. Just selling to fund another project. EDIT: The stock in the gun is a 700 Classic stock , the original stock is the other one .

www.indianagunowners.com

Add a primary arms 4-16x or similar for around $300

 

[Michigan Slim]

I'm partial to a good .270! Ruger M77 mk II. OR my new No 1. I handload but I'm seeing ammo everywhere.

 

[Hookeye]

If ya like long actions a .25-06 would be nice.
Being silly my next rifle will be a .257 weatherby mag. Just because

Vanguards have a 3 shot MOA guarantee. But im not familiar w Howa stuff.

Cerakote and camo on synth stocks ups the price. Some are threaded for a brake, some come w brake.

 

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

The groups determine how "basic" a rifle is, don't forget.

If a rifle can shoot 1 MOA in bad conditions, and at your target range deliver a good bullet with 800+ pounds of energy, and 1,800 fps, then it is a killer for sure. If you can get that up to 1,000 lbs and 2,000+ fps, you have a rifle that can deal with less ideal shots.

A rifle that can do 1MOA/1,000 lb/2,000 fps at 1/4 mile is a rifle that is beyond the understanding of any deer, and most hunters.

If you're looking for a place to start spending, it is barrel, sighting system, trigger, loads. That's in order of importance unless anything is required to satisfy the "bad conditions" comment above.

Well i was looking and 140 grain 6.5 creedmoor ammo just barely makes 2000 fps and 1200 ft ibs at 440 yards

Would be a good place to start and i handload

 

[Mgderf]

30-06 has been making dear dead at those ranges for decades now.

There are many sub $500 bolt guns, some with scopes for sale with the gun.

Pick your poison

https://www.cabelas.com/l/used-guns#sortCriteria=%40offerprice%20ascending&f-cartridge_or_gauge=.30-06%20Springfield

A few years back I bought a Mossberg Patriot in .30-06.
Think I paid right at $400.
It well outperforms it's price tag.

 

[Michigan Slim]

A few years back I bought a Mossberg Patriot in .30-06.
Think I paid right at $400.
It well outperforms it's price tag.

My daughter has the .243 short action. Incredible accuracy.

 

[patience0830]

I am sure there are others that would work, but this caught my eye tonight and I would think it would work nicely.

WTS: - Remington 721 .270 with Custom Deluxe stock .

Back up for sale, sell fell through. For sale is this Remington 721 in .270 Win . Base and rings included. Not scope. FTF in or around Hancock County. $550 OBO. Just selling to fund another project. EDIT: The stock in the gun is a 700 Classic stock , the original stock is the other one .

www.indianagunowners.com

Add a primary arms 4-16x or similar for around $300

Old caliber with a stellar history. You could do much worse.

 

[El Conquistador]

I'm partial to a good .270! Ruger M77 mk II. OR my new No 1. I handload but I'm seeing ammo everywhere. View attachment 314940
View attachment 314939

Your bolt is on the wrong side

 

[Michigan Slim]

Your bolt is on the wrong side

 

[patience0830]

So my father in law has a 500 acre hunting lease that has some corn fields and good long sight lines.

The rifle I currently have is a .300 blk that really is more of a 100-150ish yard brush gun/hog rifle I built while I was down in Texas.

I'm currently looking to buy or build a rifle to take deer out of a tree stand at 300-400 yards.

I have done 3 gun and shot 3 position rifle in college and shoot service rifle in CMP marches but with modern long range rifles i'm a bit foggy.

First question is bolt gun or to do a 6mm ARC AR. Does the 6mm Arc have the ability to put a deer down at 400?

The second question is for a bolt gun I'm looking at a 6.5 creedmoor but what would be something that could he had for not unreasonable money? My father in law has a savage axis but those seem a little basic.

Has anyone had any experience with the savage m110s? Is there any other sub $750 bolt guns that I should consider? I personally want a threaded barrel as I would like a suppressor.

And also is there any mid range glass that would be recommended at that distance? Again I don't have much experience with long range optics as I have a fixed 3 power prism and a 1-4x LPvO and have shot ACOGs a bit

Define "unreasonable" money.

 

[carsgunsandgirls]

6.5 creedmoor is my go to. I have a Bergara B-14 HMR that I run 143 ELD-X in and it is an amazing rifle. I am a big believer in shot placement and shooting accurately. My dad would kill deer a long time ago with a 22lr and always taught me that placement is the most important thing in hunting. The only disadvantage to my Bergara is that it's heavy so if it's a long way to your stand I'd get a lighter rifle and honestly the Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint looks nice on paper, I just can't find one anywhere.

 

[natdscott]

Well i was looking and 140 grain 6.5 creedmoor ammo just barely makes 2000 fps and 1200 ft ibs at 440 yards

Would be a good place to start and i handload

Good! Now, make sure it's a bolt gun of repute, and load 'er up.

140 Partition, or equal+ quality. Don't want a failure on bone when your 400 yard deer is only standing at 40.

 

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

m

Define "unreasonable" money.

Sub $1000 for the base gun and 10 pounds or less

Im looking at these

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-10t-sr-bolt-action-rifle

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-110-tactical-bolt-action-centerfire-rifle

And also the ruger American predator

 

[patience0830]

m

Sub $1000 for the base gun and 10 pounds or less

Im looking at these

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-10t-sr-bolt-action-rifle

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-110-tactical-bolt-action-centerfire-rifle

And also the Ruger American predator

FTFY. Lots of options under a grand. CDNN often has close out bolt guns at a good price and the used market will offer higher quality at a better cost if you search a bit.

 

[bgarman47]

I'd nudge you towards the Tikka T3X family of rifles. Excellent action, trigger, and stock.

One of the few rifles under $800 that the stock or trigger doesn't need immediately upgraded, IMO.

The stock is quite rigid and has interchangeable palm swells. It doesn't touch the barrel when applying sling or bag pressure, either. The trigger is crisp, adjustable, an doesn't have a goofy dongle on it's face.

Begara B14 would be another good place to start.

 

[Slow Hand]

Lots of great choices in your range. If you’re looking for best bang for the buck, Savage Axis, used or new model 10, Ruger American, I’m sure one of the mossberg will shoot well too. Calibers? I’d sway towards .308, just because it will easily do the job you want, ammo is ’cheap’ and plentiful, I think I saw you post you reload, so there are a myriad of bullets, brass is everywhere, etc. but a 6.5 Creedmoor will do the job, as will 270, 243, 7-08 and probably a dozen or more other calibers. While the distances you speak of are relatively long range for Indiana, folk have been shooting deer and deer sized critters at those distances for decades, so you’re right in the sweet spot of having a lot of experience and knowledge to draw upon.

 

[snapping turtle]

A friend of my fathers goes out west and has taken lots of different game. What has he used to take them all. A rem 700 in 7mm mag. Bear elk deer goats antelope ect.

He says the secret seems to be it shoots very flat allowing him to take shots at distance with very little holdover.