rifle/load conundrum

[seaweasel]

Guys- first time posting, first time elk hunter here. I'm headed to CO GMU54 1st rifle season this year. I've got a rifle- remington win mag 700 rifle, outfitted as a sniper rifle with modified stock, heavy barrel and basically looks like this: http://www.snipercentral.com/remington- ... e-package/. It is a beast (14 lbs) but it will reach out and touch something. I sighted it in to 500 yds and it can go further, not that I likely could or would take those shots. Not surprisingly I'm worried about both carrying it and about the likelihood of getting shots in tight brush or offhand. It pretty much is designed to be a prone shooter weapon. I can shoot from a stick but it isn't really something that you can just hold off the shoulder easily. Its not the recoil, which isn't bad (at least with the 150 grain round that I've been shooting), but rather the overall weight. First question, is this rifle unreasonable given the terrain, and the probability of short-range, quicker shots? I'd rather not purchase another rifle but don't want to miss an opportunity because of too much rifle.

Second question, if I stick with this rifle, I sighted it in with Hornady American whitetail 150 grain rounds (all that I could get out on short notice). Is this enough weight bullet? I'd prefer more but would rather not change much as I won't get another chance to shoot past 100yds before Oct.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

john

[Gypsumreaper]

I rifle hunted with a ruger m77 .270 for years, still do when I rifle hunt. 150 grain bullets and shot out to 450 with it. It isn't that heavy but for your question I personally have an old weaver 1 power scope that I shoot with on it. To many times have we had adjustable scopes that we had turned up before and then got a close shot and couldn't even see what part of the animal we were aiming at. So make sure you always turn ur scope down. To much gun I'm not sure, my dad shoots his .300 win mag with 180 grain bullets. We're not super big into the super long range shots but I archery hunt now. We have shot most animals under 300, but have had a few times where we wished we could shoot further. There are thermals you must worry about plus across gulches. So be sure you can hit at that distance and are sure of ur skills. Not saying you don't have the skills but long distance is partially what your weapon can do but also partially what you can do.
Also you may have more shots off hand than you will prone or with a rest. Spot and stalk is always good and being able to shoot that far is a plus but you will also be hiking timber and trees where a 50-70 yard shot is always likely

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Elkduds]

54 is the kind of steep, high altitude unit where every extra ounce of equipment and body mass feels like a ton.

[Lefty]

If your going to hunt elk more than this year I would get a different rifle. Or what other game do you plan to hunt?
What caliber is your rifle?
A lot of decent bolt actions for under $500, and there is always some character who built a gun because he had some money that he needs now

Elk are many times heavier than wt. If the bullet is designed for white-tail, it will expand early and could be a poor bullet if you hit bone.
You have 6 weeks have someone with ballistics trajectory info: sight your gun in a 100 yards,.. and make the ballistic hold ons or hold overs for your distance.
I use to zero my rifle at 250 yds. some guys tape a chart to their stock. I had my info memorized

[saddlesore]

As Lefty stated,it's pretty rugged country . A lot of up and lot of down.I have hunted it for years and I have mules to haul me around. I'd really think seriously about a lighter rifle.

I think you will be sorely disappointed if you shoot an elk with that 150 gr C&C bullet out of a 7mag, especially within 200 yards. At least step up to a tougher bullet like a Nosler Accubond or a Partition. Even a 175 gr.

95% of your shots in that GMU are going to be less than300yards.

[sojurner 65]

I don't know anything about unit 54 but I wouldn't want to drag a 14 lb rifle around anywhere. I bought a Tikka Lite in 7 mmMag for my trip this year. Weight with a scope (3x9) is about 7 lbs. If you have a good scope I'd look for something lighter. A whitetail 150 grain, I've been told, is not good enough for elk. I have been shooting Winchester 175's and they group well. I also use a Bog Pod tripod. If as the guys say 54 is full of timber, I'd ditch your present outfit. Saddlesore says less than 300 yd shots likely so I'd sight in at 200. Good luck to you!

[Brendan]

That's a lot of extra weight, especially compared to something like this - Kimber Adirondack in .308





I like the Kimber so far, Tikka T3 Superlight is another gun I've heard great things about.

[Navesgane]

I hunted 54 2nd rifle last year. There are definitely areas that you can get 200+ yard shots, if the elk are there. Pm me if you'd like more info on these areas.

[cohunter14]

I would base a lot of the decision on how you plan to hunt. If you have easier to access high points that you plan on glassing and shooting from, that rifle could work great. But if you are planning on hiking miles and miles a day up and down and your shots are probably going to be in the closer range, I would maybe pick up something lighter. A 14lb rifle doesn't matter if you are making short hikes on flatter ground, but if you are covering a lot of ground, the weight savings is priceless.

[Lefty]

I shoot an A-bolt,... But a Kimber is my dream gun,.. not sure why,.. Ive just always wanted one, My gun shoots sub .4 groups with Particians, maybe someday.

That's a lot of extra weight, especially compared to something like this - Kimber Adirondack in .308


I like the Kimber so far, Tikka T3 Superlight is another gun I've heard great things about.

[sojurner 65]

Cabela's has Tikka Lites on sale this month, $100 off.

[Brendan]

I shoot an A-bolt,... But a Kimber is my dream gun,.. not sure why,.. Ive just always wanted one, My gun shoots sub .4 groups with Particians, maybe someday.

That's a lot of extra weight, especially compared to something like this - Kimber Adirondack in .308


I like the Kimber so far, Tikka T3 Superlight is another gun I've heard great things about.

You can get a pretty good deal on the Montana if you keep your eye out.... So far for me - one group around .8, but I only have one box of the Nosler Accubond through it... Needs more shooting.

[seaweasel]

Thanks for the insightful comments. The rifle is chambered in 300 win mag. Regarding the type of hunting I plan to do. Our camp is at 10K so it could be up or down each day, probably both due to the thermals. There is a lot of open space up there in that area with scattered timber. If I can set up in a prone position and wait, the gun is great. Hiking a lot and quick shots in tight brush and it is a liability.

So I may consider another rifle, just don't want to spend the money right now (can't afford the kimber, but its nice). I'm looking at perhaps the Remington 783? Any thoughts on that?

john

[Charina]

Whatever gun you use, use tougher bullets intended for thicker hides and heavier bone. You're going to end up with lead fragments scattered all through the meat, potentially as if a frangible bullet. You want a tougher bullet.

I have a 770, one of the cheap 700 variants, and it has absolutely no problem shooting more accurately than I can, and the elk it has killed didn't care that the bolt was not silky smooth or the trigger was not as crisp as could be. They are not very fancy guns, but they get the job done for sure.

[oldnovice]

What they all said! 14lbs is probably 6lb more than you need and that is 6lb less food or gear you can carry for the same weight. Like they said, if you are not going to hike much, it may be OK. Colorado has a LOT of public land hunters so getting a couple of miles off any road or trail is almost mandatory to find elk after the bullets start flying. Cabelas has a Savage Axis available right now for well under $300 in elk-friendly calibers. I got one last year in 30-06 and added an Osprey 4-9 scope. It will easily reach out 300 yards which is farther than I care to shoot.