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.

[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

[Short Round]

Originally Posted by Homesteader

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

That. Or an A Frame.

[bb356]

Buffalo Bill Cody used a .458 Winchester Magnum ... after his first encounter with a bull elk

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by 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

And clean out the grease etc in the bolt.

[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

[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?

[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.

[dave99]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
A buddy will lend me his 300win for the hunt, shooting 200-220gr bullets.


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[sikwhiskey]

Originally Posted by dave99

Thanks for the replies fellas.
A buddy will lend me his 300win for the hunt, shooting 200-220gr bullets.


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A 200grn partition or 180-200 tsx would be my pick in a 300wm. Will serve you well.

[Tactical Lever]

I'd use the heaviest bullet the rifle would stabilize. You can load some 250 gr. in there, that might be the ticket. 250gr. for the .300 anyway, or maybe a 220 for the 30-06. Degrease the bolt and give is a little shot of graphite.

JMO, but I would pass on "light" 180 gr. bullets and Nosler Partitions. With due respect to the partitioned bullet; they have killed a pile of game, but the whole front end is constructed light so that they will expand on smaller game at long range. And designed so that the whole front end can separate from the back, and leaving it do penetrate. The game you're after is big and tough, and likely fairly close, so it's a certainty that the whole front of the Partition will be shed.

[Dean2]

Bison are big and tough, and they can absorb a lot of lead, especially if they are excited when you start shooting. That said, a 30-06 is more than enough gun to kill a Bison. Millions were killed with low power Blalck Powder rounds, but chasing a wounded Bison is a definite issue. Keep shooting till it drops. Loaded with Barnes 180 grain TSX you will get lots of penetration, and that is the key. Just make sure you study the layout of a Bison's vitals. They are built somewhat different to deer and moose.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

I'd use the heaviest bullet the rifle would stabilize. You can load some 250 gr. in there, that might be the ticket. 250gr. for the .300 anyway, or maybe a 220 for the 30-06. Degrease the bolt and give is a little shot of graphite.

JMO, but I would pass on "light" 180 gr. bullets and Nosler Partitions. With due respect to the partitioned bullet; they have killed a pile of game, but the whole front end is constructed light so that they will expand on smaller game at long range. And designed so that the whole front end can separate from the back, and leaving it do penetrate. The game you're after is big and tough, and likely fairly close, so it's a certainty that the whole front of the Partition will be shed.

Guy just shot a huge bull down here in West Yellowstone using 200 he partitions. I’d estimate weight about 1800 absolutely huge bull. One shot in the ear dropped it as it was charging him. Lucky lucky guy.

[amosfella]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Guy just shot a huge bull down here in West Yellowstone using 200 he partitions. I’d estimate weight about 1800 absolutely huge bull. One shot in the ear dropped it as it was charging him. Lucky lucky guy.

How did he shoot it through the ear while it was charging him??

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by dave99

Thanks for the replies fellas.
A buddy will lend me his 300win for the hunt, shooting 200-220gr bullets.


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Just saw this, I still suggest you use Barnes TSX, except in 200 grains for the 300 Mag. A 300 Win mag is not going to give you significantly better killing power at 200 yards or less but more omph never hurts. Big consideration is can you shoot the 300 Mag as good as you do your 30-06. Where you put the bullet is still far and away the biggest concern.

If I could have my pick I would be using my 375 Ruger with 270 grain TSX or just because I have it too, the 460 Weatherby. Earlier I was trying to provide advise on using what you had.

[bowshot]

I was drawn a while back and used a 7 wsm. 160 grain partition bullet. From the choices, I would not hesitate to pack the 280 AI loaded with 160's. Figure out your distance that the bullet will still have the energy required and limit your shots to that. Buffalo have an incredibly slow metabolism. Heart rate in the 45-60 bpm range and large amount of circulating blood. Takes a while for them to use up the oxygen in their system. Shoot them right and they will die. Mine took a while with 2 through the lungs. I had the opportunity to weigh him down but didn't see the point. Shot distance was less than 40 yards for both shots, I knew where he was hit.
Be prepared for a bit of work after that. Took me 10 hours to dismantle my bull and get him into the truck. 800 # of boned out meat cut and wrapped.
He did not get shot out of the truck.
Have fun!
Terry