Tell Me I'm Not Crazy

[oldillini]

Getting ready to head to CO for elk. Been struggling on which rifle to take.

First option is my Tikka T3 7mm Rem Mag w/ Zeiss glass. Great gun and has dropped both elk it shot at. It loves the Federal Premiums with 160 gr Partitions.

Second is a 1980 vintage Winchester M70 in 30-06 that I picked up 3-4 years ago and I've never shot it except at the range. Somehow, in all of the ammo turmoil, I found some Nosler's with 180 gr Accubonds. They shoot great in this gun out to 200 yds. Slapped on new Vortex Viper HS glass and I'm liking it.

I do not take a shot over 300+/- yards because the I just don't have a place to practice longer shots and gain confidence. Also, where we hunt, the shot opportunities would typically be limited to <400 anyway.

Really getting the nostalgia bug and leaning towards the 30-06. This caliber has taken a LOT of elk. Am I crazy?

 

[noharleyyet]

 

[JLS]

You’re putting way more thought into this than I would.

 

[noharleyyet]

I always take a backup and more than once it's been needed by others...or just a superstitious switch for myself.

 

[wolfpup]

.30-06!

 

[prhunter]

Sounds to me like you are leaning towards the Win M70.

 

[Dougfirtree]

You know you want to use that Winchester...

 

[JohnCushman]

Both. One as a backup.

 

[Tinner2216]

Have a feeling the 30-06 is going to get a chance!

 

[EastTNHunter]

Both will kill elk dead as the other. I always carry a backup when travel hunting, but I don’t know how you plan to hunt. I personally prefer Zeiss glass over Vortex, and one rifle may be stainless and the other blues, so those factors would play more into which gun I was carrying each day than deciding between those two cartridges.

 

[oldillini]

Okay, made my decision. 30-06!

I definitely planned to a take a back-up and the 7RM can stay comfy in the truck.

For the ranges I will shoot, I actually like the Vortex glass better than the Zeiss. Primarily because I like its reticle better. But my plan is to have that bull within 100 yards, so iron sights might be enough. LOL

 

[noharleyyet]

Good luck, enjoy every minute!

 

[Hunterbug]

I'd take both just because I firmly believe in having a backup but the 06 will do the job just fine. It'll kill elk further than most people are capable of shooting.

 

[7mm08mo]

Take both. Always nice to have a backup. Sometimes I rotate them every day so they don’t get jealous.

 

[blueridge]

If you don't get an elk, it won't be either rifle's fault.

 

[Quinn]

Take both! Let your mood and/or weather help you with your decision. Both will kill elk.

 

[White hawk]

It's good to carry backup along while travelling for hunting, Wish you success on your hunt !

 

[F250]

If you can, take both. Always good to have a backup ... chit happens.