Seeking Advice Montana Hunt

[Ga6570]

i have to echo this from - Dogz -

"Lastly, and forgive me for saying it but instead of a 10 pound RUM, and instead of a PRC I'd simply buy him a Tikka T3 Lite in .308, 7/08, 270, 6.5 CM or the plain oldy but goody 06. Cost effective, easy to tote around, they generally shoot balls out and really for sub 500 (and more) it's all one needs. Fit it with a decent sling that doesn't slip around when slung and doesn't weigh over 5 ounces with the swivels. If you just put a decent 1" tube scope on it you'll be around 7 lbs give or take a quarter pound all up and ready to rock!"

that part of Montana has a lot of ups and downs. the 3 elk I've shot in that mountainous area have all been under 200 yards. granted if you do get onto private ranch lands further west the shots can get much longer. be bear aware! it is beautiful country.

good luck to you on the drawing, in a couple weeks let us know how the draw ended up!

 

[Brian D]

Thank you for all of the advice and direction thus far. I am going to look at reasonable pricing and and go ahead and put my semi factory 300 rum up for sale. It is a factory fluted stainless sendero threaded 5/8x24 with a 3 port break. All has been black cerakoted and has less than 100 shots down the tube with a proper break in done as well. That should fund the future light rifle. I have several heavy rifles from 300 rum, 308, 260 rem. I Will work on getting in good shape and carry one of the heavies and give dad the lightweight.

 

[Backcountry sports]

I am looking for any and all advice that I can get. My dad is 67 and last hunted in Montana nearly 40 years ago. He has gotten the itch again and is hopeful that our group of 5 gets drawn for a trip this fall. About 15 years ago I bought a factory Rem 700 Sendero 300 rum stainless fluted shortly after that I had a custom 700 in 300 rum built for him with a rock creek fluted barrel. Basically an upgraded Sendero. Both of these rifles shoot well. I have always leaned toward the polymer tipped bullets but he hates them. He likes soft point Spitzer's. I am looking for bullet suggestions for the rum. I would like to have something that is better in bc than his tried and true Spitzer's. He has also always complained about the weight of his rifle as well. It is right at 10 lbs with scope and sling. With the that in mind I am considering selling one of the rums and I am looking at something like the savage ultralight in 6.5 prc. I would have another custom rifle built but just don't have the money for a custom action and reasonable 700 actions are impossible to come by. My career in LE is great but not as financially rewarding as I would like. I am in TN and my local trusted gunsmith moved to Colorado a couple of years ago. He is pretty well retired. If I am able to go the PRC route I am also interested in bullet recommendations for that as well. I have never hunted out west so any other advice for this trip would be greatly appreciated. We are pretty well planning to do things self guided and are planning to be in the area between Big Sky and the north west corner of Yellowstone.

180 scirocco bullets worked great long and short range

 

[skipglo]

I am looking for any and all advice that I can get. My dad is 67 and last hunted in Montana nearly 40 years ago. He has gotten the itch again and is hopeful that our group of 5 gets drawn for a trip this fall. About 15 years ago I bought a factory Rem 700 Sendero 300 rum stainless fluted shortly after that I had a custom 700 in 300 rum built for him with a rock creek fluted barrel. Basically an upgraded Sendero. Both of these rifles shoot well. I have always leaned toward the polymer tipped bullets but he hates them. He likes soft point Spitzer's. I am looking for bullet suggestions for the rum. I would like to have something that is better in bc than his tried and true Spitzer's. He has also always complained about the weight of his rifle as well. It is right at 10 lbs with scope and sling. With the that in mind I am considering selling one of the rums and I am looking at something like the savage ultralight in 6.5 prc. I would have another custom rifle built but just don't have the money for a custom action and reasonable 700 actions are impossible to come by. My career in LE is great but not as financially rewarding as I would like. I am in TN and my local trusted gunsmith moved to Colorado a couple of years ago. He is pretty well retired. If I am able to go the PRC route I am also interested in bullet recommendations for that as well. I have never hunted out west so any other advice for this trip would be greatly appreciated. We are pretty well planning to do things self guided and are planning to be in the area between Big Sky and the north west corner of Yellowstone.

What game are you hoping to hunt?

 

[tgeavenson]

Keep that .300 rum and shoot the 200 grain TLR Edge bullets from Federal. It will kill elk drt. Got this one with a shot full body length.

 

[Ga6570]

What game are you hoping to hunt?

He said they put in for elk permits.

 

[dogz]

Please keep in mind that should have a wolf tag in their pockets in these units. I've called in 2 packs in this area

 

[dls guide]

You need wolf tags?

 

[jfolanddvm]

Brian---pretty darn cool that you get to hunt with your Dad, uffda what I wouldn't give for just one more hunt with my Dad!

I know the area you're talking about fairly well, I generally get the flight surveys from that area, if you wish pm me your email and I'll see if I have this years survey.

A couple quick comments on guns, bullets etc if you don't mind. First off, in that country there is absolutely zero reason to be toting a 10 pound rig, especially for the 350 yard ranges that you're comfy with. I sure as heck wouldn't saddle your father with a rig like that. I have no doubt it's fun to shoot at distance and with that weight even the RUM's are easy to deal with recoil wise sans brakes.

For bullets, if your Dad isn't a fan of plastic tips again I sure wouldn't push them on him. And once again at those ranges there isn't a clear need for the highest BC bullets going.

For bullets for the PRC, I'd look at the 139 Scenar, 140 Horn sp, 140 Accu or the 140 Partition.

Lastly, and forgive me for saying it but instead of a 10 pound RUM, and instead of a PRC I'd simply buy him a Tikka T3 Lite in .308, 7/08, 270, 6.5 CM or the plain oldy but goody 06. Cost effective, easy to tote around, they generally shoot balls out and really for sub 500 (and more) it's all one needs. Fit it with a decent sling that doesn't slip around when slung and doesn't weigh over 5 ounces with the swivels. If you just put a decent 1" tube scope on it you'll be around 7 lbs give or take a quarter pound all up and ready to rock!

Just a thunk or two.

Hard to go wrong with a Tikka. I don't think I've ever heard of one that wasn't a shooter. If you want a little more quality, look at the T3 lite veil. Fluted barrel, nicer stock and cerakoted. My FIL recently bought one in 6.5 CM and it may be the best shooting gun I've ever pulled the trigger on (including a lot of custom or semi-custom rifles that cost from 3-8 times as much). Not sure I would choose that caliber for elk, but they also come in 300WM, 300WSM, 7RM and others. However, if you're keeping shots under 350 yards and with good shot placement, it would definitely be adequate. Good luck on the draw and enjoy Montana - I miss it up there - especially in the fall!

 

[Ga6570]

You need wolf tags?

Yessir! $25 for NR Wolf tag.

 

[406muley]

If I were you I'd pack your custom RUM and give your Dad the .260. Stuff both with Hammers and kill elk. 406muley

 

[Mike Matteson]

You need wolf tags?

SSS
Shot, shovel, & shut up. They are talking about private parties putting up bounty on wolfs in Montana. I haven't heard anymore on it. Maybe they are getting smarter about it. Wyoming no licenses required for wolfs.

 

[406muley]

SSS
Shot, shovel, & shut up. They are talking about private parties putting up bounty on them in Montana. I haven't heard anymore on it. Maybe they are getting smarter about it. Wyoming no licenses required for wolfs.

A private party bounty? By who? You can't even kill enough wolves with legal tags to make a bounty make any sense. If SSS had any prayer of working we wouldn't have the wolves we do. Wow. And if it takes a bounty for Montana hunters to get off their butt to hunt wolves, that's pretty fricken sad. 406muley

 

[skipglo]

I have a number of 6.5 140 amax's and .308 212 eldx's on hand to begin some load development as well but there are possibly better bullets out there I plan to have whatever rifles we take zeroed at 300 here before we leave.

You won't go wrong with the ELD xs