Help, I need a new pronghorn rifle!

[Ben Lamb]

For the parameters you set, I'd go with a Howa Carbon Stalker or Tikka T3 Lite. Given the bbl length, I'd stay away from the older cartridges and go with something more modern like the 6.5 prc. that's been developed with those kind of bbl lengths in mind (assuming you want to add a suppressor here).

The Seekins PH's would be worthwhile. Really nice rifles and value priced.

Also, ignore everyone who is telling you that you don't need a new rifle. Nobody needs that kind of negativity in their lives.

 

[Elktrack]

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.

At ease buddy. I don’t think he was insinuating anything other than the more trigger time with your rifle the better. You’ve got everything you need to kill antelope. Being such an experienced shooter you should know that. You can’t expect to come on here and ask questions then get offended by the responses. These threads are ridiculous. Usually the poster already has several good options to choose from. It’s like a kid asking what can they have to eat while they’re staring into a full fridge. They don’t want the leftovers or to make a sandwich.
Take your gunsmithing expertise and get your rifles shooting minute of antelope and be done with it. If you’re looking for someone to validate your desire for a new rifle, you came to the right place. Buy it and get busy shooting.

 

[BobT1105]

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.View attachment 398636View attachment 398637

I’m going to send it back to Ruger and see what they say, I just don’t have much confidence in it now. Those smiles say it all don’t they!

 

[CRJR45]

I’m going to send it back to Ruger and see what they say, I just don’t have much confidence in it now. Those smiles say it all don’t they!

Are you reloading?

 

[BobT1105]

For the parameters you set, I'd go with a Howa Carbon Stalker or Tikka T3 Lite. Given the bbl length, I'd stay away from the older cartridges and go with something more modern like the 6.5 prc. that's been developed with those kind of bbl lengths in mind (assuming you want to add a suppressor here).

The Seekins PH's would be worthwhile. Really nice rifles and value priced.

Also, ignore everyone who is telling you that you don't need a new rifle. Nobody needs that kind of negativity in their lives.

I’m looking pretty hard at the Tikka and the Howa both, I will be running a suppressor, otherwise I would use one of the rifles I already have in the safe. I am waffling a little about the cartridge. I pretty much ignore the naysayers. The 6.5 PRC is on the radar as is its 7mm sibling. My first go around with the 6.5 PRC was pretty disappointing but it was no fault of the cartridge.

 

[BobT1105]

Are you reloading?

Yes, I reload nearly every round I shoot.

 

[LCH]

No love for the AR15?

My last 2 pronghorn have been taken with 223, Federal Fusion 62 grain. Worked great.

 

[BobT1105]

That's an impressively bad streak of luck with rifles, I have to say...

To be fair, I go through a lot of rifles, most of them are acceptable, I shoot them for a while and trade them in when I get bored with them. That Sauer was the first new rifle I ever bought that had any major issues. I don’t think it’s isolated to the firearm industry though, QC has been going down the tubes in a lot of places. I would have thought that the firearm manufacturers would be a little more diligent than average.

 

[BobT1105]

No love for the AR15?

My last 2 pronghorn have been taken with 223, Federal Fusion 62 grain. Worked great.

I have a few ARs the ones I hunt with are all chambered in .277 Wolverine.

 

[SaskHunter]

I’m the guy who likes to have a dedicated rifle for the task at hand. I may not “need” one but I want one!

If you're looking for a pronghorn rifle, then get a .25 cal...

.25-06 or .257 WBY Mag, those are pretty hard to beat in terms of pronghorn rifles. I have a .25-06 Howa 1500 and a .257 WBY Mag Vanguard S2. I've shot a crap ton of deer and pronghorns with my Howa and taken a few with the .257.

 

[kiwi hunter]

257 RPM, check out who tee who video.

 

[belshawelk]

Shot mine this year with Weatherby 6.5-300. Laser beams as far as you can see

 

[BobT1105]

If you're looking for a pronghorn rifle, then get a .25 cal...

.25-06 or .257 WBY Mag, those are pretty hard to beat in terms of pronghorn rifles. I have a .25-06 Howa 1500 and a .257 WBY Mag Vanguard S2. I've shot a crap ton of deer and pronghorns with my Howa and taken a few with the .257.

I have the Vanguard S2 in .257 and would probably work with it a little more but it’s not threaded and would be really long with a 9” can screwed on. I like the .25-06 and have taken a couple of pronghorns with it. Mine went to a nephew and he really likes it.

 

[Sheltowee]

I have the Vanguard S2 in .257 and would probably work with it a little more but it’s not threaded and would be really long with a 9” can screwed on. I like the .25-06 and have taken a couple of pronghorns with it. Mine went to a nephew and he really likes it.

Have the same gunsmith that you're taking it to for bedding chop it to 20" or so.