Lightweight Elk Rifle - help me decide

skinny_feet · May 15, 2020

Hi all,

Time consult the wisdom the crowd. I've been lugging around a nice Winchester Model 70 Super Grade chambered in 7mm Rem Mag for my elk hunts around Oregon. Great gun and great cartridge for elk, but it's very heavy on long hikes. I'd like to buy a lightweight elk rifle in a new caliber that comes in under under 7 lbs (before scope and potential aftermarket muzzle brake). I've got my eye on a Tikka T3x Lite either in 30-06 or .300 win mag (I know, two very different calibers). I've also been turned onto the Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon, likely in .300 WM given the built-in muzzle brake and longer barrel.

So my question having never shot a .300 WM - will a light weight rifle (6.4lbs for the Tikka) be a nightmare to shoot without a muzzle brake? If a muzzle brake is recommended aftermarket, do I need to thread the muzzle and if so what is the rough cost for a gunsmith to do so + the actual product? Also, anyone have any major objections /praise for either gun for my intended purpose? Reviews on both guns across the interwebs look to be outstanding, so I'd grateful for your first-hand experience with either gun in an elk-getting scenario.

For context - I probably won't do much modification to either gun beyond replacing the recoil pad, and I don't hand load - so I'll be running a factory rifle and factory ammo for my elk hunts. I don't get a ton of practice with long range shooting (Portland +an hour drive doesn't have great options for shooting beyond 100 yrds) so my max range for an ethical shot will likely be between 300-400 yards until for now.

Overall price and weight is a factor for me. I can pick up the Tikka .300 WM for about $600 in either 30-06 or .300 WM. The Browning seems to be between $1,000-$1,200 on various sites. Weight for both are pretty close. Clearly the Tikka is ahead on price, although I need to factor in cost and added weight of a muzzle brake if I go with the the .300 WM in that brand.

Appreciate your opinions on matter.

Greenbug · May 15, 2020

Get the Tikka, have a gunsmith install a brake if you are getting a 300 Win Mag.
The Tikka with the additional cost of the brake install will still be cheaper than the Browning, and will shoot better too!

A co-worker has a Tikka in 300 win mag with a brake and it is surprisingly pleasant to shoot!

dplev4 · May 15, 2020

Tikka lite .308 will take an elk down. I hunt with a Sako 75 hunter in 7 mm. With scope it is damn heavy . Son has a Tikka in .308 With a nice scope and he's every bit as accurate and deadly. I'm looking for a Tikka. .308 or 6.5 Creedmore should work fine. Good luck.

No_Regerts · May 15, 2020

If 400 is your max, the 30-06 will do fine. No need to deal with extra recoil unless you just want to. I've used the 30-06 on everything from elk in the timber to mule deer in the wide open. A 180gr Partition loaded to 2800 fps was a versatile load. Same goes for 150gr TTSX at 3000fps.

Keep in mind, Tikka uses one action length and the magazine gets real cramped with the 300 Win Mag. If all you shoot is factory ammo, thats fine. As a reloader, I prefer a little more latitude to get closer to the lands. If I were to do a magnum Tikka, it would be a 7mm Rem Mag. Its a shorter case and gives you a little breathing room.

If going 30-06, the Kimber 84L Montana will get you light in factory form. My preference would be a 700 action with standard sporter barrel, bedded in a Grayboe Outlander Lightweight, or an M70 Featherweight in a McMillan Edge.

clearconscience · May 15, 2020

A 300wm in a light set would be a no go for me.
Too much cartridge in a light set up.

I'd go with a 308 or 30-06, even a 7mm with a really good brake would be good to shoot.

I'd look at a savage light hunter, or the Tikka

Stomper · May 15, 2020

Don't discount the Ruger American Rifle in long action if .308 isn't manly enough for your needs. Those rifles consistently pattern 3-shot groups very tightly with a cold barrel which is just fine for hunting purposes, and they're very affordable. Plus you won't cry if/when it gets scratched or whatever.

PDIH · May 15, 2020

I use a Tikka T3 .300 WSM. Its fantastic and can go longer range at better trajectory than a 3006. You need to add a limb saver cushion pad to the stock to prevent pain when firing (do this before you fire it for the first time or you could develop a flinch). As long as you are trained to the recoil to avoid flinch, which presumably you are after firing a 7mm, its a great rifle and will reach out far with accuracy. That is of course if you are wanting to reach out 400, 500, or potentially more yards. If you are staying at 300 yards and under... then get a .270 or 3006.

nwwoodsman · May 16, 2020

Stomper said:
Don't discount the Ruger American Rifle in long action if .308 isn't manly enough for your needs. Those rifles consistently pattern 3-shot groups very tightly with a cold barrel which is just fine for hunting purposes, and they're very affordable. Plus you won't cry if/when it gets scratched or whatever.

View attachment 697394

After shuffling through about 10 different hunting rifles since my teen years, different bolt and lever action, a few years ago I settled on that exact same rifle. Sure, most were a lot "nicer" than the American, but this one works and is pretty damn light for those long hikes in.

DirectDrive · May 16, 2020

What you are looking for, the industry calls a "Mountain Rifle".
So decide which action you like.
And then the cartridge.

A mountain rifle is a light rifle and a Big Cartridge in a light rifle is not a smart way to go.
Forget brakes and magnums in a light rifle.
I would lean towards a 280 Remington, 280 Ackley or 7mm-08.

mortar maggot · May 16, 2020

Light rifles and big calibers are only an issue at the range.

While hunting, you will shoot what one or two rounds, and have some adrenaline flowing a non issue for most.

Range day is when it sucks, but you can put on a shoulder recoil pad, heavy coat whatever.

Ruger Rich · May 16, 2020

Stomper said:
Don't discount the Ruger American Rifle in long action if .308 isn't manly enough for your needs. Those rifles consistently pattern 3-shot groups very tightly with a cold barrel which is just fine for hunting purposes, and they're very affordable. Plus you won't cry if/when it gets scratched or whatever.

View attachment 697394

Good idea. I got 2 of these and they are accurate, easy to carry, real good trigger and not very pretty. I elk hunt nowadays with this rifle in .308. There's some good 165 g factory ammo out there leaving at about 2800/2900fps. I got a neat 300 win mag in an old Ruger 77 and it just got too much for me. This Ruger works fine. And oh yeah, for deer I go with 150g stuff and leave the scope alone. It just doesn't move that much at 100 yards.

DirectDrive · May 16, 2020

mortar maggot said:
Light rifles and big calibers are only an issue at the range.

Exactly.
Where they are no fun to sight in/practice with.
It is true that you don't feel the recoil when shooting at a bull or buck.

Ever see an old guy with a lightweight rifle chambered in a big magnum.
Nope.
You might see them with an '06 or .35 Whelen or .338-06
The old guys know where the bear schitts in the buckwheat.

EHJ · May 16, 2020

Another Tikka vote here, too. Finest bolt rifle I ever bought.

No_Regerts · May 16, 2020

DirectDrive said:
Exactly.
Where they are no fun to sight in/practice with.
It is true that you don't feel the recoil when shooting at a bull or buck.

Ever see an old guy with a lightweight rifle chambered in a big magnum.
Nope.
You might see them with an '06 or .35 Whelen or .338-06
The old guys know where the bear schitts in the buckwheat.

They also wear tube socks in Jesus sandals and wear tighty whiteys too, so what's your point? :s0108:

DirectDrive · May 16, 2020

EHJ said:
Another Tikka vote here, too. Finest bolt rifle I ever bought.

People like 'em.
@pharmseller is the biggest Tikka fanboi on the planet.
Formerly known as The Pink Panty Guy on the other forum.
He should be chiming in soon.

No_Regerts · May 16, 2020

Tikkas are the Glock of bolt action rifles. Function over form. I have a few, but they never give me the warm and fuzzies.

DirectDrive · May 16, 2020

No_Regerts said:
They also wear tube socks in Jesus sandals and wear tighty whiteys too, so what's your point?

I guess I'm still in my dumbass punk stage with my big magnums.

No_Regerts · May 16, 2020

The 30-06 length magnums like the 257 WBY, 264 Win, 270 Wby, 7mm Rem, 7mm WBY, and 308 Norma, and all the SAUM and WSMs are pretty tame. Though the 300 Win fits in a 30-06 action, its crammed in there pretty good and deserves more space to really shine. To me, the true magnums require magnum length actions. With modern (since 1945) bullet technology, most hunting just doesn't require the horsepower.