Best Rifle for packing in to hunt Elk and Mulies?

[Ltsheets]

Well now that I know I'll be moving to NM next month I'm starting to research what rifle to buy for future Elk and Mule Deer hunts. I've pretty much decided on a 300 win mag for the caliber but haven't even come close to the best rifle. I want a rifle that is all weather and not too heavy. What do you guys carry and why? Thanks in advance.


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[buckbull]

I like a lighter rifle myself. I'm using a Tikka T3 in .300 win mag. It is a very accurate rifle, doesn't break the bank, and doesn't serve dual purpose as a boat anchor. Another light commercial rifle is the browning x-bolt but I don't have experience with one.

 

[Ltsheets]

Is your tikka a synthetic/stainless combo?


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[Old Hunter]

You should tell us how much you want to spend?

 

[buckbull]

Its the non-stainless hunter model. There are several offerings of the t3 in stainless with synthetic, wood, and laminated stocks. Even with the magnum action, the gun still comes in right under 7lbs in most configurations.

 

[Ltsheets]

The budget is flexible but I'd prob not want to spend more than 2500 max including glass. I'm wanting this rife to be my go to for anything in the NM or CO area. I already have a Winchester M70 .270 Featherweight but its got a wood stock and isn't as all weather as I'd like for packing in to public land. That help?


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[buckbull]

You could buy a hogue stock and a can of Cerakote and weatherize that .270. I really like the weatherby vanguards for what you get for the price but they are heavier.

 

[packmule]

Mine is a Remington 700 AWR 300WM, but there's a lot of options out there for semi-custom rifles. Budget really excludes the ultralights.

 

[shootbrownelk]

The budget is flexible but I'd prob not want to spend more than 2500 max including glass. I'm wanting this rife to be my go to for anything in the NM or CO area. I already have a Winchester M70 .270 Featherweight but its got a wood stock and isn't as all weather as I'd like for packing in to public land. That help?


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Forbes rifle in .270 or 30.06 very light, very accurate.

 

[Ltsheets]

Mine is a Remington 700 AWR 300WM, but there's a lot of options out there for semi-custom rifles. Budget really excludes the ultralights.

What kind of budget would I need for a semi-custom ultralight?

 

[mnhunter]

If I was in your shoes, this is what I would do.

1. Tikka T3 Stainless ($699 / 6lb 3oz) (Caliber is up to you, I like a 300 WSM)
2. Bell & Carlson Medalist stock (w/aluminum bedding block) ($260 / +3oz approximately)
3. Talley Lightweight 1 piece mounts ($45 / 2oz)
4. Leupold Ultralight 3-9x33mm w/CDS dials ($500 maybe less if you can find a deal/ 9.8oz)

Re: the stock change. The factory stock from Tikka is super cheap feeling and doesn't handle recoil well. The felt recoil dropped dramatically when I changed the stock out, and it handled significantly better.

All together you will have a rifle that will shoot sub-moa / weather proof / great adjustable trigger / good glass / lightweight 7 lb 2oz w/optics / all for $1500 MSRP. Use the extra money in your budget for some top quality boots and pack, IMO these will get you farther back into the back country than a light rifle.

BTW: I did do this, I just wish they had made CDS dials when I got mine.



Links:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1103330644/bell-and-carlson-medalist-rifle-stock-tikka-t3-synthetic

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/390528/talley-lightweight-2-piece-scope-mounts-with-integral-1-rings-tikka-matte-medium

 

[packmule]

What kind of budget would I need for a semi-custom ultralight?

Depends on desired weight..the lighter you go the more expensive it gets. You also don't shoot them from a leadsled.

 

[Ltsheets]

Great advice mnhunter. That looks like an easy way to save 1500 or more on a gun.

If I was in your shoes, this is what I would do.

1. Tikka T3 Stainless ($699 / 6lb 3oz) (Caliber is up to you, I like a 300 WSM)
2. Bell & Carlson Medalist stock (w/aluminum bedding block) ($260 / +3oz approximately)
3. Talley Lightweight 1 piece mounts ($45 / 2oz)
4. Leupold Ultralight 3-9x33mm w/CDS dials ($500 maybe less if you can find a deal/ 9.8oz)

Re: the stock change. The factory stock from Tikka is super cheap feeling and doesn't handle recoil well. The felt recoil dropped dramatically when I changed the stock out, and it handled significantly better.

All together you will have a rifle that will shoot sub-moa / weather proof / great adjustable trigger / good glass / lightweight 7 lb 2oz w/optics / all for $1500 MSRP. Use the extra money in your budget for some top quality boots and pack, IMO these will get you farther back into the back country than a light rifle.

BTW: I did do this, I just wish they had made CDS dials when I got mine.

View attachment 6275View attachment 6276View attachment 6277

Links:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1103330644/bell-and-carlson-medalist-rifle-stock-tikka-t3-synthetic

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/390528/talley-lightweight-2-piece-scope-mounts-with-integral-1-rings-tikka-matte-medium

 

[Ltsheets]

Depends on desired weight..the lighter you go the more expensive it gets. You also don't shoot them from a leadsled.

True that. I feel like I can handle recoil from a light rifle. Can't kick as bad as my Thompson turkey gun!

 

[buckbull]

Depends on desired weight..the lighter you go the more expensive it gets. You also don't shoot them from a leadsled.

I agree but its much easier to add weight to a rifle (bi-pod, stock ammo holder, etc) than trying to take it off.

 

[buckbull]

True that. I feel like I can handle recoil from a light rifle. Can't kick as bad as my Thompson turkey gun!

Nothing worse than a magnum 12guage turkey load IMO. I can shoot my .338WM about 12 times in a session before I give up. I bought some supercharged 3" #4's to try one year. Still have the box, minus one shell.

 

[tim]

ruger m77 allweather is a good mountain gun.

 

[Ltsheets]

Nothing worse than a magnum 12guage turkey load IMO. I can shoot my .338WM about 12 times in a session before I give up. I bought some supercharged 3" #4's to try one year. Still have the box, minus one shell.

Haha my turkey gun is the only gun where I "scoped" myself with my thumb that was holding the stock, and that wasn't the first shot so I knew the recoil was stout. Certainly makes most rifles not seem bad anymore haha.

 

[Ltsheets]

ruger m77 allweather is a good mountain gun.

How do these guns shoot? I've had 2 ruger m77 mark 2s and neither was sub MOA.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have a custom .300 Wby that weighs in at around 8# with a sling and full of ammo. I also have a muzzle break to cut the recoil down while I'm at the range. I can be screwed off if you want to while your in the field. I don't use it for deer, thats for my M77 Ruger 25-06. Muzzle breaks make a lot of sense for light guns in big calibers. You should consider using your M70 in 270....great for deer and with the right bullet will do just fine on elk too. great piece to start with. Comp stock will help immensely.

My Ruger is a tang safety, 1975 vintage and shoots sub moa out to 500 yds.

My turkey gun (a Browning BPS) is 10 ga and its does belt you around.!