Im getting a new rifle and cant decide which round to get I am looking at a Tikka in either the 30-06, 7mm or 300.
Ill be hunting Deer, Bear and Elk and possible moose and someday in the next few years alaska brown bears.

I would also like to know your opinion on a good scope for say around $250

Thanks

I would have said the 30-06, but since you mentioned brown bears, I'd definitely go with a 300 Mag. Tell you the truth, I'd rather have a 338 for that purpose, but the 300 with the right bullet will do the job. Since you're buying a new rifle, you might as well get it in the new 300 WSM, if that is an option with the Tikka. For a scope, go with a Leupold VX 2 in a 3-9x40mm.

Thanks for the quick reply. Im not too sure as to when I will get to hunt a AK brown bear but you never know.
I am actually quite fond of the 300. however I dont know if it is too much gun for WA mule deer, elk and brown bear.

thanks again

i dont think you can have too much gun for elk and bears. 338s and 375s are popluar calibers for elk in the rockies. and for mule deer proper bullet selection would make a 300 good. premium bullets that dont break up quickly would be good for deer to reduce meat damage.

Thanks for the input, its looking like a 300 would be the best choice

I have been looking at scopes online and it looks like the Cabelas Alaskan Guide scopes the one Im lookin at is the 4.5-14AO with 44obj. it runs about 250 for the scope

thanks once again

Am a 300 guy. So again, my vote goes to the 300 mag!

Too much gun? Is there such a thing as too dead? If you pick the right bullet a magnum will ruin no more meat than a standard round. My favorite rifle is my .338,I bought it to hunt elk,but carry it deer hunting sometimes. Of those choices,I'd get the .300. With a good controlled expansion bullet around 180gr,you'll be set for any N. American game.

go with the 300 ultra it is a great round, if you reload you can get some awsome ballistics out of it, I have shot mine in AZ hitting paper at 600 with my variIII 4.5-14x50, its an awsome round

30-06 or 300, thats a toss up as far as killing effectiveness, so id opt for the lower recoil of the 30-06. If you really want more gun than the 30-06, none of the ones you listed offer it, step up to the 338 win. Really its almost like a bigger 30-06, bigger bullet, same velocity, and its probably the ideal elk rifle. It does kick a little though .

I will stay out of the cartridge debate although I think you are headed int he right direction.

My input would be on scope selection. For westside hunting, I would suggest going with a scope with a lower range than the 4.5 you mentioned. If you are planning on shots 100 yds. plus then nothing wrong with a 4.5 x 14 but if you are anticipating closer shooting in thick conditions, I would lean towards a 3-9 range scope. All my rifles have Leopold 3.5x10 VariX III scopes and even these sometimes I wish backed off a little. For what its worth the Leopold 2.5 x 8 is a great brushy area scope.

Good luck!

Scope selection... who makes cabelas alaskan guide scopes? Just curious. After breaking so many cheap scopes on rifles, my choice for all my hunting rifles is leupold . You dont have to spend a lot either, the new VX2 is a great scope (so is the VX1 for the money), and im gonna order up a 2-7 for my elk rifle this week. The above mentioned 2.5-8 is an outstanding choice too, if the extra internal lense coatings are worth the extra $$ to you. Id also add that the AO feature defintatly has its place, but id prefer a scope without it on a hunting rifle myself.

I've dumped Alaska moose with the 300 Win. Mag and those animals can take a lot of lead and stand there lookin at you. I sold that hard kicking rifle and opted for the Browning 338 Auto. The recoil is absorbed a little by the gas absorbsion. I'm going to a 375 for larger and more dangerous animals. You want that bear down and dead right now!

As for scopes - I've been a loyal Luepold user for years without any problems. I would stay with a lower magnification for Western - close in shooting and definetly with 40MM objective. I have a 50MM on my 338 and it just hangs up on everything. Take a look at the ballistics between 338 and 300 Win Mag. and you will understand why going to the 338 makes more sense. Just more selection of bullet wgt.s

I having a custom rifle biult for the same game you mentioned. I wanted the 300 ultra but when I looked into it I seen it was kinda a joke. what I found was a .30-338. it uses a .30 bullet and a .338 case. it was developed as a 1,000 yrd target gun. very acurate and lots of hitting power. very much like the 300 ultra but with out the big waste of powder and MUCH more acurate. I shot a buddies and had a 1/2" group @ 300 yrds. very nice gun and with the muzzle brake it kicks like a .243

I can give the the # to the guy biulding mine and you could talk with him. oh ya you biuld it on a .300 win mag action

dc

THanks for all the replies I appreciate each one of them.

Catcher - I am in the same position as you looking for an all around good weapon for Washington hunting. Attached is a link to a site with good discussion on caliber choice amongst other topics. In particular there is an essay on how much power a person really needs to effectively hunt.

http://www.kifaru.net

From deer to moose, your range of prey is quite broad. If I were you I'd get two rifles, but if forced to choose one, I'd get the 300. I like to match the power of the rifle to the animal I'm after, while minimizing the recoil effect. If you're doing mostly deer hunting, with occasional elk, moose, bear, etc., you'll be unhappy while you're deer hunting with a .300 Mag.

Bought the Tikka 300 win sent it off to Answer Products to have a muzzle break and butt pad system installed now this rifle has the recoil of a .243 very nice and I am sold on the Tikka rifle very fine and comfortable

what kind of peformance are you getting with this round, ie muzzle/downfield velocity and energy? and if you don't mind what price range? I wouldn't mind talking to this guy. Sounds similar to the "Wiz bang" that Dave down in Aberdeen makes.

It is simular to what Dave Tow in Aberdeeen makes. He made it!!! but it's not the wiz bang. it's smaller. more for hunting. the wiz bang is just a huge gun and very acurate.(33-378.) mine just about the same as a 300. win mag but more acurate and efficient. I have a 28" barrel. it is sapose to push a 180 gr. @ about 3,250. I just got it last weekend and am doing my own finish on the stock. I hope to shoot it when I get back from my Montanna fishing trip.

I have shot my buddies dad's 30-338. and like I said 2 shots @ 300 yrds were 1/2"

Dave does great work, talk to him and he will biuld you the best for the money. his prices are very good. I got a lot of extra stuff on mine so it was expensive. but you can keap it simple and do just fine. Dave will take you out and let you shoot his guns before you buy one. give him a call.

dc

I believe Dave also builds a mean .50 cal BMG bolt rifle. Might be a bit heavy, though.