What rifle/scope combo for elk hunting?

Sounds good to me. I've never seen a tikka that wasn't accurate and I have been pleased with the Vortex Diamonds, plus, the old standby 30-06 will do whatever you need.

I had a Tikka T3 in 338 Federal. Didn't like the cartridge but I bought the rifle for a song. The rifle itself was accurate and a great shooting gun. I sold it, more of a blue steel and walnut guy, but in 30-06 I would buy one and never regret it.

I can't argue with that rifle choice. Tikka's are a great choice and the weight is reasonable. I've had some rifles too light, but Tikka seems to have found a good compromise.

I think you can do better for a scope. One of my favorites. This is the old Zeiss Conquest with Cabelas badging on it. That scope was always made by Meopta and has been sold under 2-3 different brand names over the years. That is a great price. At one time that scope sold for $550. The same scope without the Cabelas badging is $450.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-instinct-hd-rifle-scope

The Leupold VX-3i in a 3.5-10X40 can often be found discounted at around the same price. As long as you stay with a basic reticle and other features the cost is reasonable.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/leupold-vx-3i-rifle-scope

That's a very popular combo here in AK.

Tikkas because of their weight, accuracy, and affordability/value.

Vortex because of their warranty and general quality for the price.

I won't ever talk someone out of a Tikka, but I will say my eyes don't like Vortex. I think a good alternative is Burris for eye relief, clarity, and warranty.

I've never had one, but I've heard good things about Tikkas. And the grand old 30-06 cartridge is always a good choice for elk, or for that matter, just about every other type of big game in North America.
As far as scopes go, I always look first at Leupold - a 3-9X40 will serve you well for elk hunting. However, my 308 Norma Mag wears a Weaver 3-9X40 because I compared a 3-9X40 Leupold to it, side by side for about an hour, and there was no doubt about it, my Weaver 3-9X40 was a little clearer around the edges. My wife saw the same thing. Both the Leupold and the Weaver were right at $300.

Kyle Demoret said:

Thanks for the input! Any suggestions on scope size to keep a clear target out to 500yrds? Hunting in thick timber, then long open meadows here in WY.

Click to expand...

Ha! You posted while I was still typing.
As I said above, a 3-9X40 will serve you well in thick timber, or long, open desert country like we have next door here in Idaho.

I’d rather have a Leupold, Meopta or Burris.

Like JeeperCreeper my eyes don’t like Vortex, in normal light and double so in low light.

Like .308 Norma 3-9 is plenty IMO for animals the size of elk.

cdb1 said:

I’d rather have a Leupold, Meopta or Burris.

Like JeeperCreeper my eyes don’t like Vortex, in normal light and double so in low light.

Like .308 Norma 3-9 is plenty IMO for animals the size of elk.

Click to expand...

Third that....

I don't own a Tikka, but I've shot and worked on more than a few. They have all be universally accurate, and good solid rifles.
Ive also used a number of Vortex optics, and my experience is the same as above. Id choose almost any other scope manufacturer in that price range.
That isn't to say they are bad scopes, just that I don't see well thru them, or I find the eye relief a little short, depending on the model.

My personal preference would be different, but the tools chosen in the OP will work reliably and should serve you well.

I have a tikka t3lite in 30-06 for one of my elk rifles. I have a Leupold 3.5-10x40 on it I bought last year that is still clear in the woods till way past legal shooting light. I love it. Never tried a vortex scope outside of the gun store, but my eyes like the Leupold glass better. Most of my other scopes have been Nikon.

WHAT? No one has yet come along and stated that the 1950’s wants their caliber back? The 30-06 is simply not enough caliber for elk - I am tearing up as I type this - my hope and faith in mankind has just rekindled - I love you man!

Get a tough and reliable scope for elk hunting. A liberal warranty is nice but it will not help you if the scope has a problem during the hunt.

Steve S. said:

WHAT? No one has yet come along and stated that the 1950’s wants their caliber back? The 30-06 is simply not enough caliber for elk - I am tearing up as I type this - my hope and faith in mankind has just rekindled - I love you man!

Click to expand...

Just cause it's old and slow, dosent mean it don't still go!

Seamaster31 said:

Get a tough and reliable scope for elk hunting. A liberal warranty is nice but it will not help you if the scope has a problem during the hun

Click to expand...

^^^^^This. Most times you CANNOT go by brand name as an indicator of quality of a scope. Companies make cheap stuff for cheap people and expensive stuff for more discriminating buyers.

I’m a big Leupold fan, but they make stuff I consider marginal, and some I consider quite excellent. Personally, I’d see if I could get a Leupold VX-3 in 3-10x40 range.

Be sure to get good covers for your scope, not the crap bikini covers that are typically standard.

Nature Boy had a link for some that are supposed to be really good.

DON’T cheap out on the scope. I’d rather have a $200 rifle and $800 scope than a $800 rifle and $100 scope.

Kyle Demoret said:

Thanks everyone for the input! Being a younger hunter I always appreciate the wisdom and experience on this forum. Looking forward for next elk season!

Click to expand...

Yet another option:

Mossberg Patriot Synthetic - Vortex Scoped Combo in 30-06 (~ $400)



... and then $600 in marksmanship training and hunting ammo.

9>)




GR

Tikka is a great choice especially for a reloader. (I own one)

I have a fascination with ZIESS conquest HD -5 maybe one day I’ll own one.
Any reviews on these ZIESS scopes ?

South Prairie Jim said:

Tikka is a great choice especially for a reloader. (I own one)

I have a fascination with ZIESS conquest HD -5 maybe one day I’ll own one.
Any reviews on these ZIESS scopes ?

Click to expand...

The Hd5s are discontinued I believe. I got one a year or two ago and it's currently the favorite scope in my possession.
It's not as good optically as the best scopes I've used, and in certain condition it's not as good as some I own. BUT if taken as a whole it's beats everything else I've got.

If you can find one in the 7-800 range, which is what I spent, there's very little competition. Once they are up into the 1-1200 range which is what they listed at, they might not be my first choice.

My "elk gun" is a win 70 coyote in 270 WSM topped with a 12x Leupold. I have yet to go elk hunting though lol. Not many of em here in KS

A Tikka 30-06 would be an awesome elk gun. My experience with Vortex has been hit and miss though and all the warranty in the world won’t help you if something breaks in the field. I’d go Leupold, something in the 3-9X range would be perfect for brush out to 500y.