Combination bench and Hunting rifle dilemma

What 7Mag said, Proof Research. No free lunch on conventional 4140 or 416 barrels with weight and ability to handle long target strings. If you end up selecting a "common" (read- no wildcat) chambering, you could go with one of their Savage prefits (about $850), instead of doing a full custom build off a blank. Depending on whether you end up LA or SA, get a lightweight stock and a Savage 10 or 110 action (even off a "donor rifle"), and it can be done on the cheap (relatively speaking, that is).

IMO, this really needs to be purpose-built given the intended hunting use. Most recommend about 1200 ft/lbs of energy on impact for Elk, and out west those shots can be at ranges limited only by your abilities, and capabilities of your hardware. The Creedmoor might be fine at 600 yards and less, but heavier hitting choices are needed beyond. 6.5-.284 Norma, .270 Win, .270 Weatherby mag, and of course the 7 mag among many others.

Don't overlook a suppressor if you go with a heavier hitting magnum. A lightweight titanium can will add about a pound, but provide substantial recoil reduction in addition to the main benefit of being able to shoot without hearing protection.
 
Sounds like Savage Axis donor action, Proof barrel, Rifle Basix trigger, Bell & Carlson stock.

Ya got yourself one sweet rifle.
 
Mr. Hill said:
I don’t think that a lighter hunting rifle and a 1000 yard bench rifle mix very well. I think you’ll need 2 separate rifles.
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+1

What the OP is asking for is like asking for a race car that turns sub ten second 1/4 miles, corners at over 1 G but is street legal, gives 40 mpg and a smooth ride. Any attempt at trying to compromise enough to achieve both goals will result in a rifle that's no good at either.

Buy a Kimber Hunter/Montana in 6.5 Creedmore. Put a 2x-7 Leupold on it and you'll have a 6 lb hunting rifle. Buy a heavy barreled 6.5 Creedmore and a high power scope for long range shooting.
 
All of those that keep saying a sporter barreled rifle will not be able to make long range hits must have never tired to use one for that. Snipers used them for a few decades to make repeatable hits at distances that seem to defy the abilities of us mere mortals. Many preferred the sporter barreled rifles as they had to carry them for miles and miles through what most of times is quite inhospitable terrain, and in horridly hot, and humid weather.

It is not that it can not be done. It is not super hard to do. It does involve being able to wait a while between shots to let the barrel cool down. I have an old Remington 700 in .243 Win. It has a custom barrel on it. (I think it is Walther it could be something else. It was bought used, and the owner said he paid more for the barrel than he did for the rifle.This was in 1982 when I was a wee lad, and Dad bought me my first hunting rifle.) It is a sporter barrel. It will give under 1/2 MOA with store bought CoreLokt. :eek: My grandfather took me to the Ft. Hood range for us to sight it in, and see what the little rifle could do. He was making 500 yard hits on an 20 inch steel gong with every shot. My family fights over who gets the deer killer first every season. I have never reloaded for that rifle. Grampa bought 2 cases of the CoreLokt it shot so well. Still have a case of it left. It has not been used on a target other than to confirm zero in the past 35 years.
 
Made the mistake of a 4x12 and 6.5x20 hunting under a hundred yards this year. Couldn't begin to find the deer quick enough.
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Yep, lots of hunters have their scopes set on maximum power. That don't work so well when old mossy horns shows himself at 25 yards. 4X is suitable for shots to at least 300 yards.
 
Apples and oranges made into one delicious fruit salad.
No 2 guns needed.
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Any time I see a cartridge with "WSM" or "WSSM" in it's name--I know I'm going to be spending time on my knees with the nose in the leaves looking for brass.;):D
 
I have looked since first post and am settling in on a Tikka t3x chambered in 260 since I already reload for it. 260 brass not cheap but I have 2-300 left and can always resize 243 up which I did in the ctr. Light enough to hunt and I don’t mind waiting for barrel to cool to shoot longer ranges at the bench. I’m hooked on the Hornady 143 eldx bullets and H4350 powder using br2 primers. That will take care of me here. The Nosler 130 accubond should handle my black bear hunts so this or a Savage with Accustock are about the only options I have left
 
Well that changed quick. The 260s are all gone so I went with the Tikka T3x in a 7-08. Now to start loading bullets.
 
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