Elk tags in the high country, mule deer in the piñon-juniper and pronghorn on the eastern plains: New Mexico asks a lot from one rifle. Draw hunters can wait years for a good tag, so the rifle should fit whoever finally gets one, young hunter or grown.

Fierce Firearms makes the Mini Rogue line for youth, women and smaller-framed hunters. It carries a carbon fiber stock, a shorter length of pull and an adjustable comb, and the CT Mini Rogue XP weighs about 6 lb with a titanium action. For elk, look at 6.5 PRC, 7mm-08 Remington or 308 Winchester. For pronghorn and deer, 6.5 Creedmoor is hard to beat. A light rifle also makes a big difference on a climb above Taos or in the Sandias foothills.

In XP form the Mini Rogue gets a carbon fiber match-grade barrel and a TriggerTech Primary ProCurve trigger; QD flush cups and two 1/4-inch stock spacers come with it.

6.5 PRC takes the 6.5 mm bullet faster than the Creedmoor for more reach on elk and mule deer, at the cost of a little more recoil. 6.5 PRC recoils more than the Creedmoors; for a first season most young hunters do better with 6.5 Creedmoor.

This rifle has a 20 in barrel. Finish: Smoked Bronze / Sonora Ambush Camo Adj C.

Elk and pronghorn shots can come at longer range, and a rifle that does not fit makes them harder. With the right length of pull, a smaller shooter can get prone behind a bipod and stay there. Set the comb so the eye sees the whole scope picture with no shadow. A new hunter should learn on 6mm or 6.5 Creedmoor before carrying a 308 up the mountain.

The rifle ships to the New Mexico dealer you choose. New Mexico has a seven-day wait that is waived for concealed handgun license holders; everyone else picks up on day seven. Ammo and gear travel straight to your door. Price and stock are rechecked live as the order goes in.

Questions buyers ask: Is 6.5 Creedmoor enough for New Mexico elk? With good bullets and sensible range, many hunters use it. 6.5 PRC or 308 Winchester gives more margin. Do I have to wait seven days in New Mexico? Yes, unless you hold a New Mexico concealed handgun license, which waives the wait. What caliber is this Fierce rifle? 6.5 PRC.

Specifications come from Fierce Firearms' published data for part number ROGM265PRC20BRS, UPC 853418413982.