New rifle for CO big game hunting?

1

I haven’t gone big game hunting in 10+ years. I grew up in IL hunting whitetail with shotguns. When I moved to CO, I got a Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06 for elk (and mule deer if I happened to have a deer tag in the same unit as my elk tag). Then I got hunting dogs, and hunting behind them in the upland bird field became a passion.

That being said, I want to start putting meat back in the freezer. CO elk, deer, pronghorn, and maybe one day a moose, are on the hunt list. Since I bought my Tikka, some new calibers have performed better than the old 30-06, allowing folks to get into the fun of precision shooting as well. So, do I just stick with my current Tikka 30-06? Do I convert it into a 7 PRC? Do I buy a new rifle in 7 PRC? Should I do something totally different than what I have asked?

Let’s say I have a $2,500 budget that might slide to $3k for the “perfect” option.

2

Id buy a new 7 prc. I have two 6.5 prc ‘s and a 300 win mag. I wish i had a 7 prc in place of one 6.5prc.

That being said there is nothing wrong with your 30-06, maybe update the scope , put it in a chassis the Backfire launches for tikka this month.

3

You could put a 7 Backcountry barrel and a chassis. 7 BC’s parent case came from the old reliable ‘06 so you wouldn’t need a new bolt.

4

@NeverLostInTheWoods I like the idea but I suspect that won’t work. The difference between the old Tikka T3 and the newer T3x is that it has an aluminum action rather than steel. I bet it can’t handle the pressures created by the backcountry.

5

I was not aware the older actions were aluminum. It might work as there are other aluminum/steel hybrid actions like the Seekins M3 that do well with high pressure cartridges like the 7 BC. BUT, I would definitely want to talk to a gunsmith who knows the older T3 well.

6

If I had $2500 to buy a new rifle, I would be thinking custom.
Bergara Premier Barreled action: $1400 #4 (#6 is CF and $1750)
Backlight Chassis: $765 with discount
Trigger of choice: $200-$250

No gunsmith needed. Just drop in the trigger and 2 actions screws for the chassis. The barreled action comes ready to go.

7

You can either up grade around your current ‘06, or change the barrel 380AI-

Or like Ben Said buy new- Euro-Optic has great deals on barrel Bergera premium actions

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Or go outside the norm, 300wsm. Still holds the 1000yrd accuracy record… and with the new longer bullets there throwing in that ammo and being able to run the Tikka in a longer action you can really tump some critters, and new cassis and scope etc… I’m running 300WSM Norma bond strikes- Ammo about the same price as the 7prc and cheaper then 300 prc

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https://ammo.com/ballistics/300-wsm-ballistics

8

The 30-06 is perfectly adequate for anything you are planning on hunting. Selection of the right bullet for the game you are hunting and of course along with proper shot placement andnyou have a winning combination.

9

Thanks for the ideas. I’m going to start with updating the scope and getting the Backlight chassis. If I really start shooting more over the next year, I may get a 7 PRC to put on the chassis and convert the 30-06 to .280 AI.