Upgrade my RPR or 700 Long Action?

[LongRangeJunky]

Hey guys, need some help thinking through this one.

Both my Ruger Precision Rifle and my 700 Long Action are in desperate need of face lifts. I am ready to go after one or the other. I am moving to Virginia and will be hunting a lot of whitetail and varmints. I will also be able to do some more serious long range shooting as well. I will Elk hunt in Colorado but I think for the next few years it will be primarily during Archery season.

I can upgrade the RPR with an LRI 6.5CM barrel, magpul stock, Timney trigger, tools, etc. for about $1,600.
I can upgrade my 700 with a McMillan A5, Bugnut barrel system, + tools for around $2,750.

The RPR will be much more affordable, and bad medicine on whitetails and varmints, but won't be much use during elk season if I do want to rifle hunt.

The 700 would be chambered in 7mmRM so I can hunt anything, but it will be more expensive to shoot and probably not as fun (recoil), as the 6.5CM.

The biggest reason I debate this is because the 7mm won't leave me limited, but the 6.5CM will be much more fun, affordable and practical 99% of the time, leaving more money for suppressor/better range finder etc.

As I type this I kinda know that I should go with my RPR, just hate the thought of knowing I will be limited for a long time until I can stomach dropping another $2,700 for my 700.

Anyone been in this position before??

 

[PBWalsh]

Why could you not use the 6.5 on elk? Is there a minimum caliber law where you are? If thats the case, buy a .308 barrel and swap your RPR to a .308 while in season.

 

[LongRangeJunky]

Well no that's not the case as far as I know. Im just one of those guys that likes magnums for elk, expecially at extended ranges. My RPR is currently a factory 308.
The other reason why I don't really want it for elk season is because fully loaded my RPR is gonna be one heavy MF. Up in those mountains a cold metal, heavy ass rifle won't be too much fun. A mcmillan stock 700 is a different story, even if it is heavy.

 

[lennyo3034]

Upgrade the RPR and buy a Tikka T3 lite in 7mm. Still cheaper than the 700.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

It seems like you have already answered your question....If upgrading the 700 is a thousand more then I would upgrade the RPR for $1,600 and then rebarrel the 700 which would be way less than a thousand. Then you have the easier to manage recoil along with the less expensive ammo for everyday with the PRP and the Rem 700 when you need it to hunt.

 

[ChadL]

Archery season.

Nice to see a fellow archer on here.

You seem to be leaning pretty heavily toward the RPR. I would too. I can appreciate the cold aluminum concern. Last year was my first year hunting with an aluminum style chassis. However, some well placed adhesive moleskin does wonders with cold transfer to your hands, etc. It's relatively inexpensive, works well, and when you're done you peel it off and clean off any adhesive residue.

 

[2c1fr]

Op the RPR would get the nod if it were me

 

[Drew9299]

I would do the 700. Cry once