KaibabHunter

I'll be there with my 10 yo.

Nice write up! I've been doing a lot of research on everything to do with my new setup I.e. Rifle (300 win mag), scope, brakes, recoil pads, and bullets. I don't call myself a gun guy so this is mostly new territory for me. For bullets I've been reading a common likes/dislikes consistently it seems for lead core vs all copper. This is what I've found that seems to consistently pop up on the issue. Lead core (ex. core-Lokt) Pros: 50+ years proven deadly, inexpensive Cons: less accurate at longer ranges (say 400+), less weight retention Main complaint: close range failures at higher velocities (basically exploding, not penetrating) All copper (ex. Barnes TTSX) Pros: accurate factory ammo close and far (say out to 700), Tikka (my new gun) rifles really like Barnes ammo, 95% ish weight retention Cons: expensive Main complaint: "pencils" through animals without proper velocity on impact. The above is just a synopsis of the conversations I've read online on the bullet types and how they perform, not based on personal experience. I've had Nosler partitions recommended to me to try as well as well. Personally I'm leaning towards hunting with Barnes and bought 2 boxes but also got 2 boxes of Core-lokt to start with as I break in my gun. My youngest will be shooting core lokts out of his 270 win and my oldest's 7-08 shoots Hornady SST's pretty well. I guess no matter what you choose, there is a compromise somewhere.

My dad doesn't remember 100% but believes it was bought new by my grandpa for my dad and uncle when they were kids. My uncle used it mostly as my dad is partial to his 30-06. My uncle stopped hunting a long time ago. The gun sat unused for the last 25 years. They gave it to my 10 yo boy for his first rifle. It's put down a few WY elk, mulies and antelope in its hay day.

I was too impatient to order products online so I just went to Home Depot. I used Watco Danish Oil (Med walnut) and a couple coats of min wax wood paste wax.

"Should have hung around "4th" sqd more on deployment" Ha! You and I must know each other! If ur not 1st ur last! And me a pm cause sorry but I can't put a face to u.

Thx for everyone's input so far! The only thing I have left to decide on is ammo. I was sold on the Barnes TTSX 180 but cringe at the $50/box price. Another option would be Remington CoreLokt 180 which runs up to $30/box. I think the Barnes is a good all around option for the possible 400+ yard shot and the CoreLokt is proven for up to 400 yards but looses accuracy on the longer shots. The odds are that my shot will be under 400 but who knows. Any thoughts? I'm on a budget for my hunt and any savings I can find will allow me to scout more.

It's all been ordered so I guess I'll have to make it work. I came in $65 under budget. Here's what I ended up with: Tikka T3 Lite 300 Win Mag (blued) Leupold VX 3i 4.5-14x40mm CDS w/Wind Plex reticle Leupold dual dovetail base/rings Limb saver recoil pad Kahntrol Muzzle Brake I'm gonna start with Barnes TTSX 180 gr and see what it does.

Lots of good advice and I'm getting closer to my nailing down my choices. I talked with leupold and he didn't think the 50mm would be an issue on a tikka but it would be tight. I'll probably go with a 40mm so I don't have to deal with it. Wouldn't have known that so thx. What are your thoughts on the Leupold VX-R Fire dot scopes for big game hunting?

I went to Cabelas and held the tikka and am sold! Super light and and smooth. Researching scopes and depending on the deal I can get am looking at: Vortex Viper PST 4x16x50, Vortex Viper HS-T 6x24x50, or Leupold VX-3i 4.5x14x50 CDS. Any thoughts? What makes the rings any better/worse and what brands should I be looking at?

Just poking around I found that Nikon has an app that ties the bullet/ballistics to the BDC and provides the range changes based on magnification level. Im assuming all the scope manufacturers have something similar. http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/spoton.html#Index:8

Lance: I agree that the money should be in the scope. I should qualify for a discount which will up my purchasing power on the glass. So my $350 will hopefully get me a $500+ scope. AJ: Good to hear about the Tikka! I've read quite a bit on em and like what I hear about the weight, smooth action, and accuracy. 452: I'm gonna start with a limb saver recoil pad and go from there. If I need to add a brake I'll look into one but I don't think I can squeeze it into my initial budget. My boy's guns are a .270 and a 7mm-08. I was gifted a very nice 25-06 and would prefer to leave it in the safe.

$300 charge right?

I recently used ABN painting. Not sure if they work that side of the valley but overall fair price and quality work imo. Contact Alex (602) 214-3040

July12th, 3:48 Pm

Sent you an email. Ryan

How about some dead staghorn cactus or saguaro ribs?

PM's are for specifics if u choose to share, like road numbers, tanks, etc. Some of us may be scouting the same areas or even watching the same animal and don't need that info put out on a public forum.

My all around hunt setup is my badlands 2200, 15x56 binos, tripod, 10x42 binos, bugle, assortment diaphragm calls, couple open reed calls, good pair of broke in boots, havalon knife/blades, 5-6 game bags/pillow cases, decoy, camcorder, camelback. Wash everything scent free and spray down before I start hunting. If you're gonna call practice all summer - elk know a crappy call. As long as your bow shoots darts and you use the summer to dial it in it sounds like your setup is fine. I practice out to 70 yards just in case. The fun thing about archery elk is that your shots will likely be under 50. Slick trick 100 magnums shoot well out of my current setup. I use an elk tag as an excuse to take the kids camping 2-3 time a summer, explore so new ground, waterholes, roads, camp spots, glassing knobs, and hang some cams. I generally have 2-3 areas I watch and elevations vary from lower in pinyon/cedars to pines at 7000+ ft (unit depending). I don't get too worried about finding bulls in the summer but find good concentrations of cows and hope for a hot rut when the hunt comes around. Here's a good read on member thoughts on tactics and strategy. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/20542-elk-in-pinyonsjunipers/

We scored a jr tag a couple draws ago something like 8 days after the first hits-when all hope was lost. I just can't remember if they keep charging over the weekend or business days only...so far 0 for 4. Also not hearing of charges from Bank of America.

Just lookin thru some old pics... Didn't kill him but helped the 70 year old man that did pack him out.

Throw some scores at at this bull

they're laughing at you

Looks like anyone guessing today is out.

Less optimistic: wed mar 30th 1:04 pm

Looking to get one for a birthday present if anyone is looking to sell. Preferably pump action. Ryan