RE: New rifle and scope?
 

idaho, use the Leupold you have until you have enough money for whatever you decide you really want. And by that time you may decide the Leupold is just fine. Congratulations on the nice rifle. I hope you have a stronger shoulder than mine to handle the recoil from all that practicing.
My boy is also two years four months, and has some medical issues (fortunately nothing too serious), so I know your pain. I am patiently waiting for a custom rifle in .300 Win Mag. It may take years, but this is my dream rifle. I hope to get one made by Kenny Jarrett, if he isn't retired by the time I can afford it.[:'(]

RE: New rifle and scope?
 

I want to thank everyone for their replies. The info has been great. I can't wait till october for my rifle elk hunt. I will be hunting elk in september as well using my proven and trusty bow. But this year I think I am more excited about using my new rifle to hunt elk with. This is unusual for me, because it doesn't get any better than a bugleing bull at twenty yards or under. I will keep everyone posted as to how the hunts go. Thanks

RE: New rifle and scope?
 

You are right idahoelkinstructor there is nothing better than bow hunting rutting bull elk. I think you are making the right choice in putting the Leupold Vari X-II 4-12x40mm scope on your rifle to start with. I really like my Leupold's. You can save up and buy any scope you want in the future. I shoot only full power loads in my guns.
Heck who knows you might not get a chance to shoot a bull this year with that new rifle? You might just fill your elk tag with a bow?
I try every year to fill my elk tag with my bow, just so I can hunt deer with a rifle.:)

Good luck,

WK

RE: New rifle and scope?
 

Sounds perfect to me as long as YOU like the setup and are accurate with it that is all that counts!

RE: New rifle and scope?
 

Wolf killer (by the way I like your name, for the only good wolf is a dead wolf) I will have the chance to kill two elk this year. In Idaho you can buy a extra non resident Elk or deer tag as long as the Quota on the tags have not been met. I will hunt (1and 1/2 weeks) bowhunting my normal spot in central Idaho Salmon/Challis national forest. You are from Montana correct? Do you hunt western montana just over the boarder from central Idaho, just courious. Anyway I will also rifle hunt 1 week, Oct 15 through the 21, with the extra tag in East Idaho. The hunt will be with my with my inlaws in the Palisades area not far form the wyoming boader. We will take the horses and pack in 3 miles and hunt form there. Last year my inlaws saw and took video of three big bulls that appear to be in the 330-350 class range. They saw several other 6 point bulls while on their annual cow elk (meat) hunt, that opens October 22 the day after bulls close. In central Idaho it would be no big deal to see 6point bulls in the 350 class range. But in east Idaho, though there lots of elk, because of hunting pressure you are lucky to see better than a five point. My in laws have rifle hunted (cow hunts) this area since 1990 so ther knowledge of the area will be precious. Also having the horses we will have a advantage of being able to hunt farther in and hopfully be able to harvest some of those big bulls that they filmed last year. I have never killed 2 big bulls in the same year. I know I have a good chance of killing a 6point bull during the archery hunt, based on previous experience. But I honestly I can't say how the rifle hunt will turn out. Hopefully of course of big bull. Like i said before I will keep everyone informed, and if I learn how to post a pic. I'll do that too. Sorry for the book, good luck for your own elk hunts. Thanks
P.S. Big Al c I hope and pray that all goes well for your son and family!

RE: New rifle and scope?
 

idahoelkinstructor I do live in Montana. I do hunt near the Montana/Idaho border. I hunt near Wisdom, Montana to be exact.
Just a side note my wife shoots a Remington Model 700-LSS 300-win mag. Her rifle also has a Leupold Vari X-II 4x12x40mm. She also shoots a 7mm Remington Ultra mag. Both rifles are fitted with muzzle brakes. She told me you have good tastes in rifles.:)