NitroX,

I have hunted elk in the high elevations of Colorado in cold, snowy, and wet weather using my Winkler DR in .300 Mag.

No problems at all, except I didn't get a shot!

I don't believe your Tikka would freeze up. That's crap.

For years I had a Valmet 412 in double .30-06. Those guns are built like a tank and will take anything.

If it's cold enough to freeze on the gun, there isn't going to be wet weather - just snow. If it's warm enough to rain, it's not going to freeze on your rifle. I believe the outfitter doesn't know what he's talking about in regard to DR's.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Curl