Trying to settle on a new rifle for elk hunting and general hunting around east Texas. Already own a LaRue PredatAR 308 that is my current hunting rifle, but it's a little heavy to be hauling up in Colorado for an elk hunt next year.

So I have been looking and have settled on 30-06 as the caliber, 22in barrel or less, and want something around 7lbs that is either threaded 5/8x24 or can be threaded for that so that I can use my suppressor. Supressor is a Crux 30cal can. Also trying to keep the rifle budget around $1000, but less is better.

I initially was going towards the Browning XBolt Hells Canyon Speed, but found out the threads are metric and Crux doesn't have an option for those threads. Then I found the Winchester XPR SR and the Remington SPS which are both supressor ready with correct threads. Are their any other recommendations or could some of the lightweight barrels be threaded to 5/8x24 and still have enough shoulder and meat on the barrel?

I am in Houston so maybe EyeGuy could help me track something down to order/build.

Not sure when he can chime in, but email us and we can take a look (owner@texianfirearms.com and jonathan@texianfirearms.com).

How about the Browning X bolt Hells Canyon Speed? I am not sure what the thread pitch is on that gun though.

I love shooting suppressed but chose not to take my suppressor on my hunt in Montana due to the weight and added length. Just something for you to think about.

My can is a SiCo Harvester so it's not heavy or crazy long but I didn't miss it anyway. A rifle gets Heavy carrying it for 9 hours a day up and down hills.

Kimber Montana is available in .30-06 and is threaded.

I've handled the Kimber Adirondack which is also threaded and it is unbelievably light. The Adirondack is not offered in .30-06, but does come in .308 which is basically a ballistic twin

Neches21 said:

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Kimber Montana is available in .30-06 and is threaded.

I've handled the Kimber Adirondack which is also threaded and it is unbelievably light. The Adirondack is not offered in .30-06, but does come in .308 which is basically a ballistic twin

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Short action should help keep the weight down too.

If you are going .308, I like my Ruger Gunsite Scout

Pretty set on 30-06. Tried to entertain a 7 Mag, 300WM or 300WSM, but couldn't justify the ammo costs and recoil for shots within 500yds max. Don't plan on shooting farther than that, and 30-06 gives the extra case capacity and energy over 308 at the 300-500yd.

Looked at Kimbers, but barrels are longer than I'd like, especially with a suppressor on the end. Looked at Christensen Arms, but they're a little out of my budget range. The Hells Canyon Speed was at the top of my budget, but the metric threads kind of grenaded that option.

Would love to stick with an X-Bolt Stalker, but unsure if the barrel can be threaded properly.

Just curious why do you want a suppressor while elk hunting?

All rifles i own will be suppressed. Makes a huge difference to me when hunting due to not having ear pro. Not saying it's hearing safe, but shooting a doe the other day with my suppressed 308 was awesome cause my ears didn't ring after the shot and i could hear the bullet impact. Also reduces felt recoil.

But mainly, because it's legal to do so and I have the means to do so.

My Christensen Arms 300 WSM is threaded. I also had the barrel reduced to 22" so the suppressor feels more proportionate and has better weight distribution. The carbon fiber barrel and titanium receiver are both very light and endure the elements well.

The gun has performed, admirably, on my mountain hunts - most recent one for Stone sheep in the Yukon.

1. Buy the Browning Hells Canyon Speed in .30-06.

2. The thread pitch is metric, M13x0.75 according to Browning. Found in a thread on Long Range Hunting from someone dealing with your same issue; they emailed Browning customer support.

3. Buy this conversion https://www.cncwarrior.com/M13x0-75-RH-to-5-8x24-RH-Thread-Adapter-p/28749.htm

4. Now you are converted to the most common thread pitch for .30 cans.

I was actually looking for thread adapters, but couldn't find anything in that size. Thanks for tracking that down! That'll definitely be an option, even though it won't be the most aesthetically pleasing option. I will have to attach the QD muzzle brake for the Crux suppressor to that thread adapter.

junior200414 said:

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All rifles i own will be suppressed. Makes a huge difference to me when hunting due to not having ear pro. Not saying it's hearing safe, but shooting a doe the other day with my suppressed 308 was awesome cause my ears didn't ring after the shot and i could hear the bullet impact. Also reduces felt recoil.

But mainly, because it's legal to do so and I have the means to do so.

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Since it's pointless to not shoot sub-sonic with a suppressor, a 30-06 and a .308 are essentially the same caliber. No real reason to go with a 30-06 over a .308 when shooting suppressed.

308 vs 30-06...long action vs short action...Not two calibers that I would compare to one another in the hunting world, but that's just my opinion.

Odd statement. Very narrow viewpoint to think that shooting with a suppressor requires sub-sonic ammo. None of my rifles shoot sub-sonic ammo, yet I would never go back to shooting unsuppressed. It still, too me at least, significantly reduces the sound when firing. My 308 sounded like a cannon before the supressor. It's still loud, but much more bearable to me and those around me when shooting. Is shooting sub-sonic ammo quieter? Sure, but definitely not required.

And the -06 can push the same bullet from a 308 faster, thus increasing down range energy. And the -06 has more range of projectile weights than the 308.

Now, without going into a tangent of suppressors and calibers, any other recommendations on rifles or gunsmithing options?

I've been eyeing a Ruger American Magnum in 7mm rem mag just to have it. Don't know if it's a round you would consider but I know it will do what you want.

7mm Mag was one of the first calibers I looked at, but I came to the same conclusion of the other magnums. I shoot a lot at the range, and prefer cheaper ammo and less recoil of the 30-06. Also don't plan on any shots over 500yds, and more realistically 400yds.

Its not cool and all, but if you really want to hunt suppressed with a rifle, cut and thread a single shot. Ive done a 308 with Gemtech tracker and love it. Also put together a 30-06 for a family member. Getting rid of the action length allows you to keep a reasonable barrel length while maintaining huntable overall size/weight. We actually hunt with our guns without feeling handicapped while all my friends that set up bolt actions leave their cans in the safe when they hit the woods.

I love shooting my 7mm mag suppressed but a suppressor adds 8 inches and almost a pound to the rifle. It's fine for the range and hunting out of a stand but for running around the mountains it is less than ideal for me.

I spent a week in Montana doing spot and stalk for whitetail and elk and I never wished for a longer or heavier rifle. We walked 6-8 miles a day in 6-10 inches of snow.

The Browning X bolt and a leupold VX 5 will take care of you when the time comes and won't wear your butt out carrying it around all day. I also agree that magnums aren't very necessary my 280 does everything my 7mm mag does in a light more compact package.

Have you considered a 6.5 Creedmoor? 143g Hornady ELDx is a heck of a round and that would put your rifle weight down. Just something to consider if you are comfortable with shot placement.

I would love a creedmoor, but don't think I can go that low for an elk round. Prolly getting my wife one for her first deer rifle though.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/12-best-rifle-cartridges-for-elk-hunting

I wouldn't shut the door on it. I don't have personal experience with it on elk but we drop some massive pigs with that round. Even if not, it's still a decent read.

What about the Browning AB3 Western Hunter? Not sure what thread pitch off the top of my head, but it's a great rifle for about $750.

I saw those on yalls website, but I think it's the same thread pattern as the Hells Canyon. Can M13x0.75 be rethreaded to 1/2x28 without cutting the barrel back? Do y'all have a gunsmith at your store, or one that y'all recommend in the area?

junior200414 said:

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I saw those on yalls website, but I think it's the same thread pattern as the Hells Canyon. Can M13x0.75 be rethreaded to 1/2x28 without cutting the barrel back? Do y'all have a gunsmith at your store, or one that y'all recommend in the area?

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Not sure on your first question, so hopefully after EyeGuy gets out of the stand this morning he can answer. To the second, if it's somethinf we can do in store we will but barrel threading is something we would have to send out for afaik.

junior200414 said:

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I saw those on yalls website, but I think it's the same thread pattern as the Hells Canyon. Can M13x0.75 be rethreaded to 1/2x28 without cutting the barrel back? Do y'all have a gunsmith at your store, or one that y'all recommend in the area?

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We send out barrel threading. That being said, that's another option... just find what you want and get it threaded.

If you're gonna go suppressed and need threads, barrel length shouldn't really be an issue for you, and your cutting down and adding back length with the the can. Only thing that might limit you is an odd profile barrel but an out of the box rifle shouldn't have an issue there.

Also cutting and rethreading your smith should be able to cut you a nice thread protector from the cut barrel

Good "mountain rifle" options I own are Rem 700 Mountain Rifle and Kimber. My Kimber in .300WSM weighs less than my Rem in .270, and my 700 is the older DBM model which adds a little weight

The new stainless Rem 700 MR is 22" for both .30-06 and .270 with 22" barrels, weight listed at 6 1/2 lbs for each

If I was throwing money around for an out of the box mountain gun/stainless, I'd strongly consider Kimber Subalpine at 5lb 5oz, cut it down and thread it, saving a little more weight. Honestly though I'd dump the can and save that weight if I was packing it on a mountain hunt.

Personally I prefer the Kimber short or long action but I've shot both accurately at mid-LR distances both hunting and target shooting (500-600 yds)

I think 30-06 is a great round but I like 7mag, 300wsm or 270wsm a little better. But that's personal preference.

For elk I'd go with the heaviest bullet your gun shoots well - and I mean up to a 200gr pill if my gun shoots 'em well. But i also subscribe to "carry enough gun" and don't like to get cute when I'm spending lots of time and money on big game. Especially on a mountain. I'd spend more time on my bullet than picking caliber and spend a lot of range time - probably order several Bullet sample packs from Superior Ammo, dial in my bullet, then play with bullet weight

Good luck -looking forward to seeing where you end up

Hey everyone,
I have noticed a demand for the Hell's canyon Adapters. It seems that you might really be interested in this rifle but might be a little hesitant because of that pesky thread pattern!

If you are interested you can check this link out!
http://www.thesilencerstore.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=hell%27s
Xcaliber Firearms (thesilencerstore.com) has multiple adapters!

But most importantly they have the M13x1.25 to 5/8-24 and the m13x.75 to 5/8-24 adapters!

Go check them out!
I hope this helps!