Rifle for backup on Bison

[dave99]

My father in law was drawn for bison this winter, and we're planning a February trip. I'm partnered up on his draw, and wanted some advice and opinions on what rifle to bring.

The license holder is going to run a 30.06 with 165gr factory GMX.

I have a choice of a Tikka 30.06, Kimber .280AI, and a Sako 85 7-08. I currently handload for all three.

I'm wondering which of the above is best suited, and which cartridge and bullet combo you'd be leaning towards. Remember that I'm the designated partner and would prefer the main licensee do the shooting, unless necessary!

Also, in temperatures below -35, I have experienced a few light strikes on the firing pin by the tikka, so I'm kind of biased against it, especially if it's very cold. Those light strikes have caused a misfire or two on coyotes. Neither of the other two rifles has been tested in the extreme cold.

I'm leaning towards .280AI with 150gr TTSX or 7-08 with 140gr TTSX.

Am I on the right track? Is this enough gun to put down a bison? Advice is appreciated.


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[Echo-Gecko]

30.06 with 180gr partitions, 200gr bullets will be even better

[Flight01]

Hmmm. Never had issues with my Tikka in cold weather

I’d suggest the 30-06 with hand loaded 180 or 200 partitions
Or Barnes ttsx

[Homesteader]

Tikka with 200g partitions @ 2650. Strip the bolt, and clean it.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by Echo-Gecko

30.06 with 180gr partitions, 200gr bullets will be even better

At the distance you will likely be shooting, a 200 or 220 partition would be my choice as well.

[fordtruckin]

If you hit them in the right spot they will go down even if it don’t kill them. Make lines between eye ear and horn. Pop them there and it will hit the vertebrae and they won’t go no where. If you try a body shot their heart is the size of a basketball, lungs way bigger then that and they have to lose an incredible amount of blood before they will die. I’ve only had to shoot one bison at work but coworkers who have shot dozens have never had one get away if you hit them between the eye ear and horn. FWIW I’d go 06 with at least 180s in a accubond or partition.

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

30-06 with 200gr Accubond or TTSX would be my choices. Unless you want to buy a new rifle. Then I would use the chance to say a 338wm if you don’t have one or go get or school with 45-70

[YYC338]

Originally Posted by Homesteader

Tikka with 200g partitions @ 2650. Strip the bolt, and clean it.

X2, any bolt action rifle that is destined to be used in frigid temperatures should have it 's bolt stripped, cleaned and dry lubed lightly. Put a little prep work in now and eliminate the tears and curse words later.

[3blade]

30-06 with the heaviest ttsx it'll shoot, but get that bolt remedied, and test it until you are confident.

Or it's a great excuse to buy a 45-70

[sillyak]

I second the 30-06 with 200 + grain quality bullet. Strip and clean the bolt and run it dry or with a high quality low temp lube.

[oldgutpile]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

If you hit them in the right spot they will go down even if it don’t kill them. Make lines between eye ear and horn. Pop them there and it will hit the vertebrae and they won’t go no where. If you try a body shot their heart is the size of a basketball, lungs way bigger then that and they have to lose an incredible amount of blood before they will die. I’ve only had to shoot one bison at work but coworkers who have shot dozens have never had one get away if you hit them between the eye ear and horn. FWIW I’d go 06 with at least 180s in a accubond or partition.

You guys shooting them little plains bison?

These wood buffalo soak up a lot of lead if not hit just right. I put three 9.3x74r loads into mine before he went down. Two of the three shots were angling into the vitals and performed poorly. Three of them we have run across my shop scale (certified) all dressed in excess of 1000 pounds. While dressing my bull out, we also recovered a 180 gr. 30cal TSX bullet from the neck area. Expansion was fine, but it looked like the bullet had used all of it's energy getting through that 2" of hide!
dont mess around with any opportunity you get for one of these monsters. Shoot the heaviest gun, with the heaviest load you are comfortable using. And place your shot well!

[heybert]

If you have to use a 30-06, I also vote for a 200 grain Nosler Partition. Never had an issue with any of my Tikka's in very cold weather.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by oldgutpile

You guys shooting them little plains bison?

These wood buffalo soak up a lot of lead if not hit just right. I put three 9.3x74r loads into mine before he went down. Two of the three shots were angling into the vitals and performed poorly. Three of them we have run across my shop scale (certified) all dressed in excess of 1000 pounds. While dressing my bull out, we also recovered a 180 gr. 30cal TSX bullet from the neck area. Expansion was fine, but it looked like the bullet had used all of it's energy getting through that 2" of hide!
dont mess around with any opportunity you get for one of these monsters. Shoot the heaviest gun, with the heaviest load you are comfortable using. And place your shot well!

best answer yet
Great reason to get a new gun

maybe a 375 H&H?

[Rig 44]

Nothing less than 30 cal aloud thats what it says in booklet

[dave99]

Originally Posted by Rig 44

Nothing less than 30 cal aloud thats what it says in booklet

Thanks for the info -I wasn't aware of that.
Looks like it makes my decision easy then:
T3 30.06 with 180gr TTSX. The 7mm's will stay at home.






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[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by Rig 44

Nothing less than 30 cal aloud thats what it says in booklet

that isn't a thing for alberta. in bc you'll need more than 175grains of bullet in the yukon you need 30 cal or larger and at least 180gr bullets

[Johnny G1]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

that isn't a thing for alberta. in bc you'll need more than 175grains of bullet in the yukon you need 30 cal or larger and at least 180gr bullets

Would be best to be pakin a 375 or something with a little more power than an 06, recent story of a guy getting trampled because of that. Just my thought's, they don't alway's go down easy.

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by Johnny G1

Would be best to be pakin a 375 or something with a little more power than an 06, recent story of a guy getting trampled because of that. Just my thought's, they don't alway's go down easy.

i'd shoot a 6BR

[ghostguy6]

Originally Posted by Rig 44

Nothing less than 30 cal aloud thats what it says in booklet

I just looked through the entire reg book and it doesnt say anything about a .30 cal minimum for bison, just the .23 cal minimum for all big game

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Homesteader

Tikka with 200g partitions @ 2650. Strip the bolt, and clean it.

This is good advise.

I also saw you plan the 180gr TSX; this is also a good choice.

Buffalo hide, bones and general size would be enough to cause a prime bull moose to check into rehab for anorexia.

Their size and how they are built is AWE inspiring.

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by Johnny G1

recent story of a guy getting trampled

The bison seemed to be shifting his position, and Pilgrim knew that if the animal could get in a better position to stomp him, it was game over. Pilgrim grabbed handfuls of fur, and held himself right under the bison's chest.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/...grim-1.4398582

Would love to know more about this. What load was used, shot placement....

[EZM]

I agree with everyone here. The last thing you want to do is "pop" it with a small light round that sticks in it's hide. He's going to mad !!!!! and you could find yourself in for a real treat.

Based on your options - The 30-06 is the way to go, or borrow someone's bigger cartridge.

Like other said - ideally a 375H&H (or 378 WBY ) in my mind with a nice heavy well constructed bullet.

It's hard to compare a Bison to any other big game in North America - for the reasons mentioned about - they are like tanks.

[rugerfan]

Originally Posted by ghostguy6

I just looked through the entire reg book and it doesnt say anything about a .30 cal minimum for bison, just the .23 cal minimum for all big game

I think the minimum caliber for the bison is in the package they send you when you get draw. Pretty sure it specifies you need a rifle backup for archery hunters as well.

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

I think the minimum caliber for the bison is in the package they send you when you get draw. Pretty sure it specifies you need a rifle backup for archery hunters as well.

not legislated, not a law.

they may recommend it

[rugerfan]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

not legislated, not a law.

they may recommend it

Not being in the summary doesn't mean it's not law, you got a full copy of the wildlife act?

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

Not being in the summary doesn't mean it's not law, you got a full copy of the wildlife act?

Yes go to the queens printer

[Pioneer2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1v1nGMTNBo

[dave99]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

I think the minimum caliber for the bison is in the package they send you when you get draw. Pretty sure it specifies you need a rifle backup for archery hunters as well.

You're right RF. Here's what I was sent:




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[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by oldgutpile

You guys shooting them little plains bison?

These wood buffalo soak up a lot of lead if not hit just right. I put three 9.3x74r loads into mine before he went down. Two of the three shots were angling into the vitals and performed poorly. Three of them we have run across my shop scale (certified) all dressed in excess of 1000 pounds. While dressing my bull out, we also recovered a 180 gr. 30cal TSX bullet from the neck area. Expansion was fine, but it looked like the bullet had used all of it's energy getting through that 2" of hide!
dont mess around with any opportunity you get for one of these monsters. Shoot the heaviest gun, with the heaviest load you are comfortable using. And place your shot well!

Well I wouldn't say a 1600-1800# anything is small but whatever. Thus why I said if you don't hit them right advising the shot between the eye ear and horn. If you do body shots yes I've seen them absorb a half dozen 405gr 45/70 rounds. If you hit them right, I've seen someone shooting a 30/30 with 170gr slugs drop and kill one of the largest bulls I've seen in one shot.

Despite having a 375 H&H for work, this spring I used my SIG 716 in .308 using 180gr ammo in the method I advised and the buffy tipped right over. My gf father uses this method, his coworkers in the NPS use it, my coworkers in FWP and DOL use it. My tribal friends who hunt every year around Yellowstone use it...I could go on but what do they know. Combined all the above have taken well over several hundred of these "miniature" plains bison over their careers.

To the OP like I said, make a triangle eye ear horn and put the bullet right there. Your 30.06 shooting 180-220s will be sufficient to drop it. You may require another shot to dispatch it but you won't be chasing all over the countryside.

[sikwhiskey]

If i were you, I'd buy a nice HVA m98 in 9.3x62 with open sites from tradex.....