Help, I need a new pronghorn rifle! (Update)
- Thread starter BobT1105
- Start date
Brian in Montana
Well-known member
On threads like this, I always tend to recommend a Tikka T3X. I sold it a while back when I got into building my own, but the last pronghorn I shot was with a T3X Hunter stainless in .270 Win. Light weight and very accurate. I've had several Tikkas. They are excellent hunting rifles right out of the box.
Letthemgrow
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One of my all-time favorite factory rifle/caliber combos.
Hem
Well-known member
And to think I picked mine up at a pawn shop in nearly new condition.
D4570
Well-known member
Will I think... No, I can't say that. My Granddaughter is 90 pounds soaking wet and 5'3".
She is 16 now, but started big game hunting big game at 10 and gophers/varmints at 6 years. Why am I telling you about her when you're asking about a rifle? Because she has been in "training" since before that. She has perfect form when shooting; she can shoot off a bench, prone, off a backpack, bipods, and with shooting sticks.
She started with a 10/22, then a Howa Mini in 6.5 grendle, and now a Ruger American, which we rebarreled to 7mmx57AI. Over the years, she has shot maybe a thousand shells, maybe more. Most of the shooting is "Hunting." Gophers, Prairie dogs, coyotes, antelope, deer, and elk.
What I'm seeing is it's not necessarily the "Gun" or campaigning. It's how well you can shoot the gun. Trigger time. In my mind, you need to pick a gun and shoot it, not just a box, not just on paper targets. It takes work to make ANY gun shoot. I have seen her shoot a 300-yard 8"gong, she will hit it on avrage 99% of the time, in hunting situations. Off a bench, she shoots well under a half inch. Sorry for the lecture, carry on, please.
She is 16 now, but started big game hunting big game at 10 and gophers/varmints at 6 years. Why am I telling you about her when you're asking about a rifle? Because she has been in "training" since before that. She has perfect form when shooting; she can shoot off a bench, prone, off a backpack, bipods, and with shooting sticks.
She started with a 10/22, then a Howa Mini in 6.5 grendle, and now a Ruger American, which we rebarreled to 7mmx57AI. Over the years, she has shot maybe a thousand shells, maybe more. Most of the shooting is "Hunting." Gophers, Prairie dogs, coyotes, antelope, deer, and elk.
What I'm seeing is it's not necessarily the "Gun" or campaigning. It's how well you can shoot the gun. Trigger time. In my mind, you need to pick a gun and shoot it, not just a box, not just on paper targets. It takes work to make ANY gun shoot. I have seen her shoot a 300-yard 8"gong, she will hit it on avrage 99% of the time, in hunting situations. Off a bench, she shoots well under a half inch. Sorry for the lecture, carry on, please.
Dougfirtree
Well-known member
That's an impressively bad streak of luck with rifles, I have to say...
noharleyyet
Well-known member
.257 Wby Magnum w/92gr Hammer Hunters or 100gr Barnes TSX
Sheltowee
Well-known member
The Good Lord designed pronghorn to be killed with quarterbores. I'd spend $300 on sending that .257Wby to the gunsmith for a bedding job and tune-up, then see if you can get the Weatherby loadings of the Hammer Hunters to shoot.
I'd go with a Tikka T3X in 6.5PRC if you are dead set on a new rifle.
I'd go with a Tikka T3X in 6.5PRC if you are dead set on a new rifle.
6mm Remington
Well-known member
As has been noted the 25-06 is an exceptional antelope and deer cartridge and with an excellent Nosler 110 gr. Accubond, 100 gr. E-tip, or 120 gr. Partition would also serve well on elk. That being said I feel that the 6mm Remington is fantastic and I have in my lifetime probably taken over 40 antelope with it and it has never let me down.
I love my Ruger 1B in 6mm Remington. It is a beautiful classy rifle that shoots very well. You could try and hunt down a used Ruger single shot like this one, or maybe look for a Ruger Model 77 or 77 MKII in 6mm Remington. Another option would be a fun adventure. Find a used Winchester Model 70 in a short action cartridge and have it made into a 6mm Remington. Rebarrel it and have your gunsmith do some magic on it like I did with a rifle I had built (280AI) and glass bed and pillar bed the action, put a new trigger in it or have the gunsmith do his magic on it, and coat the metal with an excellent finish to protect it.
The 280AI would also be a fantastic antelope, deer, and elk cartridge. My Model 70 I had built shoots a 140 gr. Partition at 3230 fps and the 140 gr. Accubond at 3186 fps. The 280AI is just exceptional. I've used it on antelope, deer, elk, and a grizzly bear with great results.
There is nothing wrong with the 30-06 either. The 30-06 is never a mistake! A 165 gr. Accubond would work well for just about anything.
I love my Ruger 1B in 6mm Remington. It is a beautiful classy rifle that shoots very well. You could try and hunt down a used Ruger single shot like this one, or maybe look for a Ruger Model 77 or 77 MKII in 6mm Remington. Another option would be a fun adventure. Find a used Winchester Model 70 in a short action cartridge and have it made into a 6mm Remington. Rebarrel it and have your gunsmith do some magic on it like I did with a rifle I had built (280AI) and glass bed and pillar bed the action, put a new trigger in it or have the gunsmith do his magic on it, and coat the metal with an excellent finish to protect it.
The 280AI would also be a fantastic antelope, deer, and elk cartridge. My Model 70 I had built shoots a 140 gr. Partition at 3230 fps and the 140 gr. Accubond at 3186 fps. The 280AI is just exceptional. I've used it on antelope, deer, elk, and a grizzly bear with great results.
There is nothing wrong with the 30-06 either. The 30-06 is never a mistake! A 165 gr. Accubond would work well for just about anything.
WildWill
Well-known member
I wouldn't give up on that Ruger just yet. Between myself, family, and friends I've been around 7 of them (I own 3) couple gen1 mostly gen2 and only one was a lemon. Sent it to Ruger and they made it right. Next time I draw a pronghorn tag I'll be using my newest Ruger american gen 2 in 22 creedmore if I can pry it out of the kids hands.
WapitiBob
Well-known member
this is your answer
BobT1105
Active member
I’m an experienced and capable shooter, I’ve been shooting for over 60 years and am capable with several different weapons. Whenever I get a new firearm I take the time to master it, unless I see that it’s just not capable of doing what I require of it to begin with. I shoot, on average probably 300 rounds a month and have been doing so for years. I’m a retired Navy Gunners Mate and former Naval Gunnery School instructor. I have also worked as a professional gunsmith. I’m not saying this to toot my own horn, just to let you know that I’m not the bumbling idiot that you insinuate. I know how to shoot and exactly what it takes to make a gun shoot. No disrespect to your granddaughter but please don’t compare me to a child with limited experience.
BobT1105
Active member
I have a 1A in .270 that I killed my first pronghorn with several years ago, I love it but it’s semi retired now for sentimental reasons. I have also killed antelope with the .25-06 and .243. The .243 was a Savage Super Striker pistol, that was a fun hunt but frustrating too!
Sheltowee
Well-known member
I should add that there is a gorgeous little No. 1B in .257 Roberts Ackley at the Lone Tree BPS that I was pawing over last night. Would be a killer pronghorn rig but the No. 1s can be inhabited by some accuracy gremlins, to my understanding.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Any of those rifles are capable...
Point Creep
Well-known member
Sell a few of those pieces of 5hit and buy a nice rifle. My son bought it nice hunting rifle earlier this year. It’s a 6.5prc that shoots tiny groups with factory ammo even. It’s a hell of a good bargain for the price and checks all the boxes but lists for $1800 I think. Seekins PH3.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
...Nice schpiddy.
cahunter805
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Great advice! Life’s to short to have cheap rifles!
If you want a cheap rifle get a Ruger American in your desired cartridge and call it a day. I’d go 6.5 as well.
