re: Deer rifle upgrade

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Not a Tikka fan honestly

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Official rifle maker of the OB. I’m a Remington 700/Win M70 baw myself.

LINK
Just got this one and I love it in 7mm PRC.

kilt plenty at 300 yards with an .06…

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Sorry. Also planning a trip out west in the coming years for an elk hunt. Would like to be able to use for both

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If it were me, I’d do something like 338 Win Mag, 338 Lapua, or 375 H&H to be honest.

But if it were simply 300 yard whitetail hunting, I’d just keep the 30-06. Really anything will do for whitetail at 300 yards but a 270 will be flatter, a 7mm REM mag or 6.5 PRC will be slightly flatter than the 270, and a gnarly 7mm PRC or a 300 Win Mag should be flatter still. Even a measly 6.5 Cripplemoor will work at 300 yards, just aim a couple inches higher. Either way though, at 300 yards, you will have to compensate at 300 yards with any of those cartridges but it’s just a matter of exactly how much. Whatever you do, practice that 300 yard shot before you fire at a live animal… that’s pretty far!

I love my 7PRC. I’m in my 2nd season with it.

I suck at internet

Deaux-nut,
Disclaimer: I've never been on an elk hunt and doubt I'll ever get to go on one. Having said that, I've got some thoughts. Like everyone else, my thoughts are just my opinions.

Congratulations on the new hunting opportunity. I admit to being a traditionalist when it comes to guns and hunting. I deer hunt w/ bolt action handguns chambered in 308, 284 Win, 7-08 and 260 Rem, but I have considered putting together one in 6.5 PRC. Far be it from me to talk a man out of buying a new gun, but I've got to point out that I'm sure a lot of elk have been killed by the 30-06. If I had a 30-06 and wanted to get a rifle more suited for longer range deer and possibly elk, I'd get a 300 Win Mag, a Weatherby magnum 30 caliber or bigger or possibly 338 Win Mag.Traditionally, many elk have been killed w/ the 7 Rem Mag. Many of the cartridges mentioned are fine cartridges, but for elk I wouldn't use them instead of the 30-06. I grew up in OR and my best friend hunted elk w/ his 243 because it was his deer rifle and also legal for elk. I've got local friends who've been on many elk hunts in CO carrying 270s and a 7 Rem Mag. The 308 doesn't offer any advantages for elk over the 30-06. I hunt w/ a number of suppressors, but a suppressor's going to add significant extra weight and length. Stick w/ a 22" barrel.

I don't think the 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, 7 RSAUM, 7mm Backcountry, 300 WSM and others offer any any significant advantages over the 300 WM. A very real concern w/ many of these cartridges is long term viability of the cartridge and ammo availability, especially for the non-hand loader.

From what I've read, Tikka makes a fine gun. I know one person w/ a Tikka. He couldn't get it to shoot less than 2.5" at 100 yds.After he'd had it 3 years, he sent it back and they sent him a new gun. I'd also feel comfortable looking at Winchester, Browning, Savage, Howa, Weatherby and Ruger. Handle the rifles and see which one handles best for you.

As far as scopes, I'd look at something in the 4-14x range, giving you nice magnification and not too much extra weight. Weight is you enemy when you're climbing mountains on an elk hunt. I exclusively use a 1 piece Weaver base w/ Burris Signature A rings, the ones w/ the plastic inserts.

Keep us updated.

7 PRC is all about barrel twist and getting heavy for caliber bullets to fly well. If you’re going to twist turrets, it makes a lot of sense.

300Rum

You really need to put some trigger time in with that gun before you take it out to hunt. The roughtechs have a little more arse than a standard T3x lite due to the slightly heavier barrel contour, but that’s still going to be about a 7.5 lb setup with magnum recoil. YouTube how to adjust the trigger weight down, it takes about 30 seconds, action screws should be retorqued to 45 in-lbs. Do not be afraid to add weight to the rifle until you’ve gotten used to shooting it.