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Deleted member 107796
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With a Limbsaver or other newer design recoil pad, it'll jump, not kick. No brake needed.
First elk hunt. Leaning toward Tikka
- Thread starter adiredneck
- Start date
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With a Limbsaver or other newer design recoil pad, it'll jump, not kick. No brake needed.
HRM Johnny
Well-Known Member
Buy the new rifle! There's an old saying: we don't regret the things we do we regret the things we don't do. If you don't buy the new rifle now when you have a chance you'll regret it.
Johnny
Johnny
adiredneck
Active Member
I stopped at a small gun shop today. All they had was a blued tikka t3x 30-06. They quoted $770 for a stainless, which is not bad.
GonzoK34
Well-Known Member
Agree 100%
GonzoK34
Well-Known Member
The key to hunting success starts with a positive attitude. Complete confidence in all your hunting gear. 100% ONE with your RIFLE! That requires extensive dry firing, trigger time, range time, and what you carry complements your shooting accuracy. The 06 is more than adequate. 168 grain copper bullets give you great balance between velocity, energy and trajectory. Wind drift, down/up angles and terrain are issues you must deal with. Mental and physical conditioning are critical. If you want a new rifle go for it. However a guided hunt and the tip at the end of the hunt are expected successful or not. If you don't reload than you have to buy ammo to test to insure your zero and holdover. I develop my own loads and creat a dope card. I shoot weekly from 25yds out to 1000. I shoot in desert and mountain terrain. I wear a 45lb backpack, carry a primos bipod, binoculars, rangefinder and spotting scope. Load development is time consuming and $$$$. Hunting season for most rifle hunts start late September. Thru November. Not much time to screw around with a new rifle. Rifles I use are 6.5 Grendel 120 GMX, 7-08 140TTSX, 30-06 168 TTSX and 300WM 200 LRX. For years I shot the 168 TTSX in the 300. Prefer the heavier bullet because it stable at long range and less wind drift with lots of punch. 30-06 w/168 to 500yds on elk is a dead elk. Bullet placement 1/3rd up from brisket behind the elbow and it will blow the heart away.
hugheserj
Well-Known Member
One thing to be aware of if you buy a Tikka in 7mm Rem or 300WM and hand load, is that the relatively short magazine length really limits COAL, unless you want to single feed any of the heavy for calibre projectiles. They are fine for factory ammo but the real potential comes from hand loads loaded longer than SAMMI spec. I have a Tikka 270 running 140gr Sierra gamechangers @3000fps and a Sako 85 300WM shooting 210gr bergers @2900fps, both >0.25MOA with hand loads. For the magnum I went with the Sako for the longer magazine. It sounds like your 30-06 is more than adequate if you pair it with the right projectile for the job and spend the time at the range, however, if you want a magnum go for it. Just beware of the Tikka mag length and slow twist rate before you buy.
mervgriffin
Member
. 338WM with 225 partitions ! My go to elk load. Never failed.
I'm not an '06 fan but I don't see where you will have any problems, it's worked for over 100 years
As you can see, there are plenty of varying recommendations and experiences. The .300 WM remains my go-to chambering from antelope to elk size game up to 1K yards.
Since you mentioned you've always wanted a magnum, pick one and go for it. The slower twist can be problematic only for heavier bullets that require a faster twist rate. My SAKO M995 in .300 WM has 1:11" but harvested MT bull elk at 931 yards with 190 Berger VLD. Also, not sure where in MT you are hunting but altitude is your friend when it comes to bullet stabilization.
Whatever you decide, the good thing is you have plenty of time to prepare for it and you can always bring the venerable -06 for back up.
Good luck!
adiredneck
Active Member
I ended up putting a deposit on the Tikka. It'll be here in 10-14 days. If I can get close to Nosler load data with the 175 AB LR and the bullet stabilizes, I'm okay with Saami OAL.
Winkmeister
Member
and if you are going 300WM, I would recommend a good look at the 300 WSM- which in looking at the Sako catalog has several nice options.
Happy Hunting! - in both endeavors.
Happy Hunting! - in both endeavors.
Privi457
Well-Known Member
How old are you ?
Are you in shape to handle the altitude ?
When was your last comprehensive physical ?
FYI a 3 state (ID, MT, WY) study determined the average Elk kill was under 150 yards.
In my outfitted hunts (ID and WY) my longest shot on Elk was 200 yards.
If you are comfortable with your 30-06 and it shoot MOA, you don't need a new rifle.
Spend your money on a better scope, good boots/clothes and horseback lessons.
For myself, I'd never hire an outfitter who could not get me within 300 yards of any big game animal.
This forum is dedicated to long range hunting. You should consider that when seeking advice.
Are you in shape to handle the altitude ?
When was your last comprehensive physical ?
FYI a 3 state (ID, MT, WY) study determined the average Elk kill was under 150 yards.
In my outfitted hunts (ID and WY) my longest shot on Elk was 200 yards.
If you are comfortable with your 30-06 and it shoot MOA, you don't need a new rifle.
Spend your money on a better scope, good boots/clothes and horseback lessons.
For myself, I'd never hire an outfitter who could not get me within 300 yards of any big game animal.
This forum is dedicated to long range hunting. You should consider that when seeking advice.
