Lightweight Backcountry Elk Rig

[jacobrhobart]

Just won the New Mexico drawing for an Elk and Mule Deer tags. I've come to realize I'm going to need a bit more fire power. I have a Rock River LAR-8 X1 Series in .308 but it's too heavy for back country.

So here I am - what are people running for this? I'm thinking 7MM PRC or a .300 Win Mag. Budget for the rifle and scope - ideally under $3,500 but willing to stretch to $5k.

 

[Al "Shifty" Schultz]

Just won the New Mexico drawing for an Elk and Mule Deer tags. I've come to realize I'm going to need a bit more fire power. I have a Rock River LAR-8 X1 Series in .308 but it's too heavy for back country.

So here I am - what are people running for this? I'm thinking 7MM PRC or a .300 Win Mag. Budget for the rifle and scope - ideally under $3,500 but willing to stretch to $5k.

All a matter of preference... I personally prefer my 300 RUM with 210 gr. Bullets

 

[Chiro1989]

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-300-winchester-magnum-24-1-11-9-16-x24-bbl-rifle-s1s300t

This link is off another thread on here, lots of money left over in your budget for glass and ammo if you grab this.

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-ceratech-300-winchester-magnum-24-1-11-9-16-x24-bbl-rifle-s1sx300t

+$70 for stainless.

 

[Wade Burns]

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-300-winchester-magnum-24-1-11-9-16-x24-bbl-rifle-s1s300t

This link is off another thread on here, lots of money left over in your budget for glass and ammo if you grab this.

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-ceratech-300-winchester-magnum-24-1-11-9-16-x24-bbl-rifle-s1sx300t

+$70 for stainless.

I just bought 2 in 6.5 prc. One for up in ND and the other for my place in NM. I hunt there and that rifle in 300 win mag would be an excellent choice! It is fairly light but heavy enough to shoot well. Has one of the best triggers I’ve ever had on a rifle. Spend the money you save on some good glass and you are set imo!
What unit did you draw?

 

[S_R]

Just won the New Mexico drawing for an Elk and Mule Deer tags. I've come to realize I'm going to need a bit more fire power. I have a Rock River LAR-8 X1 Series in .308 but it's too heavy for back country.

So here I am - what are people running for this? I'm thinking 7MM PRC or a .300 Win Mag. Budget for the rifle and scope - ideally under $3,500 but willing to stretch to $5k.

Off shelf Tikka will do the job
Spend extra on glass and LR shooting class. If more refined options want it Seekins PH3. Above 2$K is custom gun area, not massively produced.

 

[Terry Houin]

Don't overlook the Steyr Prohunter, It gets slept on by a majority of people but it can shoot. I love my 7PRC's but for this I'd go 300WM with some Federal or Black Hills loads

 

[Keith Wood]

Look for a deal on a Springfield Boundary and all the glass you can afford.

 

[jacobrhobart]

I just bought 2 in 6.5 prc. One for up in ND and the other for my place in NM. I hunt there and that rifle in 300 win mag would be an excellent choice! It is fairly light but heavy enough to shoot well. Has one of the best triggers I’ve ever had on a rifle. Spend the money you save on some good glass and you are set imo!
What unit did you draw?

I drew Unit 51 for Bull Elk and Unit 45 for Mule Deer

 

[jacobrhobart]

Off shelf Tikka will do the job
Spend extra on glass and LR shooting class. If more refined options want it Seekins PH3. Above 2$K is custom gun area, not massively produced.

Went to the gun store today in town and played around with the Seekins HAVAK ELEMENT M3 and I might just have to do it...

 

[jacobrhobart]

Don't overlook the Steyr Prohunter, It gets slept on by a majority of people but it can shoot. I love my 7PRC's but for this I'd go 300WM with some Federal or Black Hills load

Thoughts on the Seekins Havak Element M3? Played around with it today at the gun shop and my goodness. It's absurdly light.

 

[Wade Burns]

Went to the gun store today in town and played around with the Seekins HAVAK ELEMENT M3 and I might just have to do it...

I have the previous generation. They are excellent rifles. Sadly they added over a pound of weight on the new generation. Still a good rifle but if you have a chance to buy the older element it is a very light rifle. With a scope it will weigh about what the new element does without a scope.

 

[Rjohnson.307]

I highly recommend the Seekins just dont go with the Element ultra light. Buy the Pro hunter(PH2/PH3) in 300 win mag or 300 PRC. The ultra light guns are very difficult to shoot in field conditions, your fundamental need to be on point!
Ideally rifle and scope should come in at 9-9.5 pounds. The Seekins PH 300 with a Leupold VX6 3-18 is money for an elk rifle.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-300-win-mag-rifle-s1s300 6.9 pounds as is, 24" barrel cut down to 22" and have it threaded. The triggers on these Sauer S100s are incredible, .300WM for ANYthing you run into in the Rockies. Go to Talley for their integrated optic mounts, you're GTG.

Yes Marge, I'm getting to it........Do NOT forget the bipod AND Long Haul FE slings which now come in black, tan, and hot pink....WHOOPS, so the hot pink sling and the RainBow project tripods are sold OUT, LEAVing you budget for the quintessential FE cover, THE last jacket you'll ever buy.....no lie.....https://shop.fieldethos.com/collections/all/products/the-patteson-jacket

 

[Wade Burns]

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-300-win-mag-rifle-s1s300 6.9 pounds as is, 24" barrel cut down to 22" and have it threaded. The triggers on these Sauer S100s are incredible, .300WM for ANYthing you run into in the Rockies. Go to Talley for their integrated optic mounts, you're GTG.

I bought two in the 6.5 prc to have one at both places I live. They are way more gun for the money than anything else I have bought. If you want to save some coin on a rifle and spend more on glass I highly recommend this rifle as well.

 

[jacobrhobart]

Update: bought the seekins and mark 5hd in 3.6-18 with the PR2-MIL reticle. Shot it last weekend and was plinking out to 800 yards with ease. I love this thing. Girlfriend asked me "so how much was it...." Good thing she didn't get the answer. Hah.

 

[Wade Burns]

Update: bought the seekins and mark 5hd in 3.6-18 with the PR2-MIL reticle. Shot it last weekend and was plinking out to 800 yards with ease. I love this thing. Girlfriend asked me "so how much was it...." Good thing she didn't get the answer. Hah.

Just tell her, not as expensive as you baby!