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Started By
Message
Deer rifle upgrade
Posted on 12/3/25 at 4:58 pm
Posted on 12/3/25 at 4:58 pm
Looking for recommendations on a new rifle. I’ve always hunted with a 30.06 paired with a decent scope. Killed plenty of deer within 150 yards. Hunting at a new place where I will have the opportunity for fairly long shots, possibly 300 yard plus. Looking to upgrade both rifle and scope. Looking at Tikka 7mm PRC paired with a $2000 Nightforce scope. Would love some insight or recs to pair with that scope. Thanks.
20
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:04 pm to Deaux-nut
keep rifle and upgrade scope?
30.06 still plenty for 300 yards.
Or if wanting new, 308 or the unpopular opinion of a 6.5
Nothing wrong with the 7mm Mag either! Happy shopping!
Google says:
"For long-range deer hunting, excellent calibers include the 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 308 Winchester. The best choice depends on the specific distances and game, but the 6.5 Creedmoor is often recommended for beginners due to its low recoil and accuracy, while larger magnums like the 7mm and .300 Win Mag offer more power for longer shots. The .308 Winchester is also a versatile option with a wide availability of ammunition."
30.06 still plenty for 300 yards.
Or if wanting new, 308 or the unpopular opinion of a 6.5
Nothing wrong with the 7mm Mag either! Happy shopping!
Google says:
"For long-range deer hunting, excellent calibers include the 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 308 Winchester. The best choice depends on the specific distances and game, but the 6.5 Creedmoor is often recommended for beginners due to its low recoil and accuracy, while larger magnums like the 7mm and .300 Win Mag offer more power for longer shots. The .308 Winchester is also a versatile option with a wide availability of ammunition."
This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 5:09 pm
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:07 pm to TopWaterTiger
Sorry. Also planning a trip out west in the coming years for an elk hunt. Would like to be able to use for both
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:11 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
keep rifle and upgrade scope?
This. A .30-06 will bust an elks arse way out there. Get a good scope (nightforce, trijicon or swfa) and a pallet of ammo and really learn how to shoot.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:15 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
Looking at Tikka 7mm PRC paired with a $2000 Nightforce scope. Would love some insight or recs to pair with that scope. Thanks.
This or 7mm rem mag.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:18 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
Tikka 7mm PRC paired with a $2000 Nightforce scope
Both scope and rifle are excellent choices.
If youre gonna get in thr long range hunting game, set money aside for good rangefinder or ballistic calc binoculars and a shitload of ammo.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:26 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
Looking for recommendations on a new rifle. I’ve always hunted with a 30.06 paired with a decent scope. Killed plenty of deer within 150 yards. Hunting at a new place where I will have the opportunity for fairly long shots, possibly 300 yard plus. Looking to upgrade both rifle and scope. Looking at Tikka 7mm PRC paired with a $2000 Nightforce scope. Would love some insight or recs to pair with that scope. Thanks.
What NF scope? I’ve got a couple and I like them but they can be heavy.
I did 2 zeiss V6 and swaro Z6 on my last 3 custom builds. They have become my go to scopes for any bolt gun now.
This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 5:29 pm
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:29 pm to Rize
NX8 4-32x50
Posted on 12/3/25 at 5:30 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
NX8 4-32x50
Damn! You trying to see shite on the moon?
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:00 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
Hunting at a new place where I will have the opportunity for fairly long shots, possibly 300 yard plus.
If you're also going to be doing a lot of walking consider the weight. NF are heavy bastards.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:07 pm to Deaux-nut
Tikka 7prc and a NF or trijicon is a perfect combo.
My next build will be on a tikka clone action called the raven being developed right now and supposed to release in 2026.
Tikka clone action, 20 or 22in prefit barrel in 6.5prc and a carbon fiber ultralight stock and one of those scopes.
Goal is to have a bomb proof ultralight rifle and combo that can easily shoot 500yd.
Just know that some of those scopes come first focal plane and mil or moa variations. A ffp scope on 5x can be tough to get in a deer at 50yd in a thicket if you decide to bring it to thick stuff. I have a NF shv and not being FFp is not ideal for LR but makes it easier to see cross hairs compared to the nx8 FFP.
Ohh and if for elk make sure what ever you get make sure you get in better shape than you think you need to be in because your rifle won’t matter if you can hunt farther than 500yd from the camp on day 3.
My next build will be on a tikka clone action called the raven being developed right now and supposed to release in 2026.
Tikka clone action, 20 or 22in prefit barrel in 6.5prc and a carbon fiber ultralight stock and one of those scopes.
Goal is to have a bomb proof ultralight rifle and combo that can easily shoot 500yd.
Just know that some of those scopes come first focal plane and mil or moa variations. A ffp scope on 5x can be tough to get in a deer at 50yd in a thicket if you decide to bring it to thick stuff. I have a NF shv and not being FFp is not ideal for LR but makes it easier to see cross hairs compared to the nx8 FFP.
Ohh and if for elk make sure what ever you get make sure you get in better shape than you think you need to be in because your rifle won’t matter if you can hunt farther than 500yd from the camp on day 3.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:14 pm to Deaux-nut
6.5 PRC Christiansen Arms
Leupold with a Boone/Crocket reticle
Leupold with a Boone/Crocket reticle
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:19 pm to Deaux-nut
quote:
Sorry. Also planning a trip out west in the coming years for an elk hunt. Would like to be able to use for both
Well, are you planning on going to a range and shooting at extended distances?
If you are going out West and hunting, any guide would rather have a client who is a proficient shooter at distance with the weapon he has rather than a novice who has the latest greatest setup but can't hit the broad side of a barn with it?
30-06 or the .308 have killed more Elk than almost anything, I would guess...
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:25 pm to BarberitosDawg
Obviously, but didn’t think I needed to explain that in my post.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:27 pm to Deaux-nut
My Elk go to is a Weatherby MKV Accumark in Weatherby .300 mag with a Swaro Z6 3-18x50. Killed one at 325 and another at 473. I prefer a 300mag for Elk, for me it's about energy downrange.
This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:47 pm to Deaux-nut
I would keep what I have and upgrade scope or go .308. There’s A LOT of .308 available and it’s easily accessible. Once you get into some of those crazy calibers you ammo maybe limited. And a .308 can def bust an elks arse!
Now a scope is only as the person using it. There are several other brands that are just as good as NF. Z6 sawro is legit. You can have the best scope in the world and still shoot like shite. Also want to consider a scope you can get custom turrets made for it once you figure out the round it likes.
Another big thing is rings. Don’t cheap out on rings!!! This is one of the most important things!!! Get a set of tactical rings or really good rings. Have them louped all that makes a huge difference once u start shooting long distance.
Also buy some good bags. Starting out bags would be best. Bi pods look cool but can add weight and I have seen ppl torque the stock and not realize it bc of a bi pod
Now a scope is only as the person using it. There are several other brands that are just as good as NF. Z6 sawro is legit. You can have the best scope in the world and still shoot like shite. Also want to consider a scope you can get custom turrets made for it once you figure out the round it likes.
Another big thing is rings. Don’t cheap out on rings!!! This is one of the most important things!!! Get a set of tactical rings or really good rings. Have them louped all that makes a huge difference once u start shooting long distance.
Also buy some good bags. Starting out bags would be best. Bi pods look cool but can add weight and I have seen ppl torque the stock and not realize it bc of a bi pod
This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 12/3/25 at 8:01 pm to Deaux-nut
Take a look at what affordable long range is setting up. They like Tikkas and Zeiss.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 8:02 pm to Barneyrb
My elk rifle is also a 300 WBY.
Posted on 12/3/25 at 8:37 pm to Ol boy
quote:
My next build will be on a tikka clone action called the raven being developed right now
I don’t understand what they’re trying to accomplish here. You can buy a stainless tikka with a great trigger for $700 and change the barrel in your garage. They’re supposedly going to have BAT make it, so it’ll cost twice that at least, with no trigger. Best case it’s as good as the tikka you could have started with. What am I missing?
Posted on 12/3/25 at 8:44 pm to LSUDUCKMAN67
quote:
There are several other brands that are just as good as NF.
Trijicon and SWFA are the only other two brands that guarantees you'll have a reliable scope. Other brands have some models that are reliable and some that aren't. All trijicon, nightforce and SWFA scopes are reliable.
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