For a good elk hunt give me your favorite set up - Gun / Optic / caliber
Curious where everyone lands on this I am about to purchase a new rifle so wanted some input
Tikka Ace Game in 7 Mag. I’m extremely sold on the Ace, and it’s tough to argue with 7 Mag.
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Use case… I discovered last year that not all elk hunts require a rifle capable of long range. Elk being elk, follow up shots are pretty important so when hunting terrain where a 50-80 yard shot is more common than a 150+ yard shot, I’d rather have a 45-70 or 444 Marlin lever action than anything else. I can get 2-3 shots off on an elk in that range with a lever where as with a bolt action I would be lucky to get 2.
That said, I like 7mm for all other elk scenarios whether its 7mm08, 7PRC or 7RM, etc. I’m not taking a shot past 300 in all likelyhood so, that 7mm is ideal.
I also discovered that a custom build is far better for me and my Tyrannosaurus Rex arms than a factory. My 7PRC is on a chassis (Ultradyne 5 and their UD adjustable stock that I modified to get down to my LoP), shoots consistently between .75 and .8 MOA with Federal Premium ELDx, Bergara Crest Carbon action and Barrel, Bix N Andy Tacsport Pro trigger and a Athlon Helos II 4-20 (last year it was the Element Titan 3-18).
Some type of Tikka 7 Rem Mag.
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Jim
Curious how you feel about the weight in this rifle.
In general, I would recommend a 270 Win or 6.5 PRC. You can’t go wrong with Tikka or Sako. They both are lighter recoiling cartridges and kill elk just fine. 7RM and 300 WM are great, they’re classics, but most people don’t enjoy shooting them and thus practice less throughout the year.
I will be experimenting with lighter calibers with specific heavy for caliber bullets this year, but I won’t advise anyone else to try it until I’ve had a chance to see the results for myself.
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That sounds like fun, and will be very interesting and useful information to get out there.
What kind of bullets are you going to be testing?
At the same time, I would love for someone to do the reverse test. I enjoy shooting more robust cartridges, but with lighter bullets, and not loaded to the max. They’re really quite easy and enjoyable to shoot. My 7 PRC and my 300 WSM are two of my easiest shooting guns. But I’m only shooting 150 - 160 grain bullets out of them. Not the 195 or 200 plus grain bullets
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Cva cascade 300WM or Cva cascade xt 6.5 prc Vortex Viper HD 3-15x44 scope.
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Most people would consider it too heavy, but I am willing to take the weight for a heavier barrel that just shoots better.
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Dang, that much better than your Mtn Reaper that you love?
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This is my question as well
I have a Tikka t3x roughtek in 7 rem mag with the Burris veracity PH. My only complaint is that it is long beast with a suppressor.
If I were starting today that length is the one thing that would have me considering the 7 Backcountry.
I guess Tikka Ace vs Mountain Reaper comes down to this: If you want a hunting rifle that does decent on the range too, pick the Mountain Reaper. If you want a precision rifle that can go hunting, get the Tikka Ace.
I love the Mountain Reaper. It adds light weight to the equation. Most of the time I get it shooting very well, but every once in a while it’ll act up and I’ll have to look through the system if it starts throwing shots. Also, the action doesn’t run very smoothly—especially when in a dusty environment.
But if you shoot more than you get tags, then I’d go for the Tikka. It just shoots soooo consistently. I mean, I put hundreds of rounds through it and every. Single. Shot. Went exactly where I aimed. I’ve never seen a lightweight hunting rifle shoot as well as a little beefier precision rifle, and that’s what this really is. A precision rifle that can go hunting.
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How would you compare the ACE to the SIG Sawtooth?
Sig Sawtooth is a great platform. I like the Tikka action better. Can’t really say which is better on accuracy because my sawtooth is a 300prc and the Tikka is a 6.5 creed. The Tikka is giving amazing accuracy and the Sig is very good but not as good. But again, that’s probably just because it’s a 300prc.
Both have great adjustability.
Tikka is like $800 cheaper.
I’d go for the Tikka.
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Sako 90 or 85 in 30-06. 270 Winchester, Kimber 84L classic select.