Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Am I Overthinking My Elk Rifle?

OK... Now I have more to say! :0
If you can afford 4 bikes, RC cars and planes, as in plural, and woodworking as well as dabble in backpacking & hunting, you can afford to buy exactly what you should.
You Need Swarovski EL's, a Zeiss spotter, and a custom built .338 Edge with a NF for open areas, and a lightweight .338-06 with a nice low power scope for the thick stuff. You should probably also get a custom knife as well!

All kidding aside, you gotten good advice.

13 pages of overthinking your elk rifle.

The most important things I have had for any of my elk hunts is a permit in hand and an airline ticket.....I can figure out the rest but I ain't going anywhere without those.

Yep, I've heard the same.

Yeahhhhh. I'll run this one by the wife

Anyone interested in buying some RC cars and planes?

Ironic, isn't it? I thought the same thing last night

There's wisdom in those words right there

Recruit: There's lots cartridges that work good on elk....the reason there is so much anguish and discussion.

We should give what we use some thought,of course,but concentrate on getting yourself there,shoot something reasonable, use good bullets and shoot straight,and you will be successful.

Bingo!!

I didn't read a single post, including the authors original, but I can say with confidence the answer is "yes" to the original question.

Put your money into good boots and glass. The rest is just fluff.

Dave

I always thought glass was fluff. Still do.

That's silly talk.

Depends on how you hunt. I don't use any, so it's not absolutely necessary.

Underwear aren't necessary either.

Bob is one of them guys that IMO, post useful, accurate info.

Took the M77 on her maiden voyage to the range today. Or perhaps more accurately our maiden voyage. Anyway, shot about 50 rounds and bottom line is...I like! My relative graciously loaned me his Bushnell Elite 4200 3x9. Weather was a sunny 20F with low-medium wind.

Started at 25 to get the scope close, then to 50 and finally to 100. Everything went as expected until at 100 yards. Was shooting way left for some reason. Thought about adjusting windage but could tell something just wasn't right. How could I be right on at 50 and 8-10" left at 100? Looked through the scope again and noticed the cross-hairs were no longer horizontal/vertical. Sure enough a loose scope. Next time I'll be using blue loctite. Tighted it back down, took three shots, adjusted windage a smidge and I'm back in the ball park. Half dozen more shots into a 5" group and yes, it's apparent I have plenty of practice to do

Now the overthinking part. I know part of reason for the large group is me...no question. But the barrel was smokin hot at this point and also wondered about the early barrels on M77's with long throats.

For those than hunt only, do you go to the pains of bedding, trigger work, reloading at the appropriate OAL for your rifle, let the barrel cool, etc? I'm not looking for a competition shooter but at the same time want it accurate enough to consistently hit the boiler room on an elk and not wound it. Again, I have lots of room for improvement. The gun, maybe not so much...or maybe so?

Yes.

Yes x2.

I already covered EXACTLY what you really SHOULD DO in order to obtain what was designed into your rifle. I suggest having this work done, buying a Leupy 4x and having it professionally mounted, THEN, shoot 3 shot groups and LET IT COOL completely between each group.

This, is NOT especially "difficult" and some here may disagree, but, this approach WORKS and will also keep your bore in good shape for the longest possible time.

BTW, did you CLEAN your rifle, thoroughly when you got home?

Thank guys. I consider myself pretty handy so could likely do a few accurizing items myself leaving tougher ones for a gunsmith.

You know Kutenay, I intended to clean the rifle tomorrow as today has been a full day. However, after reading your post, I got off the couch and took care of it this evening. Thanks for the motivation