Sell Me On A New Rifle/Caliber

Ikeepitcold · Feb 7, 2017

Do you have a muzzle brake on the Tikka?

I have the same in 300 win mag with a brake and it's not bad to shoot at all.

Ikeepitcold · Feb 7, 2017

Also I would look at a 300 win or 308 for western hunting. IMO

xtreme · Feb 7, 2017

There is only one do all caliber and that is 7mm. IMO. I use Browning, Remington, and Savage. My friend and hunting partner has a new Tika Lite same caliber as yours, I really liked it but did not shoot it. My Browning has the BOSS. That works, it allows you to be accurate with different bullets. I am pretty much using only one bullet for everything and that is Berger 168 gr. by MSM . I can't explain but recoil seems less with these bullets. No reason to reload. Probably the most important item is the scope. Do your research and consider weight and reticles, however I like your scope.

Tim McCoy · Feb 7, 2017

Ikeepitcold said:
Do you have a muzzle brake on the Tikka?

I have the same in 300 win mag with a brake and it's not bad to shoot at all.

Older Tikka's have terrible recoil pads, might try a better one and see how it works.

wy-tex · Feb 7, 2017

7 mag would be a great choice for a western caliber. Flat shooting and lots of knock down power. Good selection of factory loads to start. That being said I love my 300 wsm. Also flat shooting and many bullet options for reloading when you get there.

Tim McCoy · Feb 7, 2017

I'd ask you a question, what is your max range for this new rifle? Your 06, set up like you have it, is very capable to 500-600. That's a long shot. I've hunted the west extensively for many years, only one shot at game over 400, was 415 ish at a muley. The 308/7-08 and 6.5 CM are not really going to offer anything your 06 can't do for hunting. 26 Nosler is expensive, but very capable for LR work, depending on how it is set up, it may recoil a bit.

Take a look at Howa, very affordable and accurate, some come cerakoted. Browning X-bolt, their hells canyon line is more like a semi custom gun. Of the rifles you mention, the Ruger Am. has a poor stock for LR work, but they are accurate. The others are fine guns, but I do hear more rumblings about Kimbers than I'd like to hear. They may have worked out the kinks, but they were hit and miss on accuracy last I checked.

I use a custom 280 for any hunt where I want the ability to shoot over 400, otherwise I'll carry pretty much any of the 308/30-06 family of cartridges. I do have 2 Tikka t-3 lite's in 270, they go on lots of hunts. Also have two Rem 700's that go hunting often, one in 280 and my fav for antelope/deer, the 25-06.

MAKAIRA · Feb 7, 2017

I really enjoy two rifles for out west.The 300wsm shooting HSM 168 Bergers and a 257 Weatherby shooting 100 grain Barnes TTSX in hand loads.The 300 has only been shot out to 450 on a antelope and everything else including a big bull at 350 and the 257 to 650 on a doe.
Nothing wrong with the 06 especially if you run a turret style scope and in range to keep the velocity to get your bullet to expand.

QuazyQuinton · Feb 8, 2017

Everyone wants a do-all rifle when they buy their first one, just like your '06. And there is nothing wrong with an '06. The problem comes when you want a second rifle. You either have to get something big enough to be significantly bigger, like a .338 Win Mag, or something significantly smaller/faster/lower recoil. Whichever you pick can only cover half of the possibilities. How about selling the '06 since you sound like you don't like it anyway? Then use the additional cash to buy two guns: a bigger gun like a .300 Win Mag and a lighter gun like a 7mm-08.

Next we'll talk about choosing your third rifle.

QQ

Horsenhike · Feb 8, 2017

I wholeheartedly support your new purchase. You should definitely buy a new rifle.

Stainless 7mm gets my vote.

New recoil pad on the Tikka may make all the difference.

Colorado Cowboy · Feb 8, 2017

I'm an older guy (75) and have been hunting since I was 7 or 8 years old. I started reloading when I was 15 or so, with my Dad's help. I have built custom rifles and shot a lot of factory stuff too, everything from .22 centerfires to .375s. I now have 2 basic hunting rifles, one for elk and larger and one for deer and smaller. My elk rifle is a custom commercial Mauser in .300 Wby and my deer/antelope rifle in an older Ruger M77 in 25-06. Like I said earlier, I reload, so I can customize what I am shooting for optimum efficiency. Like extreme said, optics are critical also. I use only Leupold and have for years. Great value for the $$$. I also have rifles in .220 AI Swift, .22 Hornet, .243, 30-06 and 45-70.

I have shot over 100 deer & antelope with my .25-06 and have settled on one load for both animals. I shoot .117 spbt Sierra bullet and 4831 sc powder. My pet load has a mv of 3125 fps and does great out to 500 yds, the longest range I have targeted it. I also have a custom Leupold ballistic turret for my load for the VXIII 4.5 x 14 x40 Leupold on the Ruger.

I have taken elk, deer & moose with my custom .300 Wby. My reloads use 180 gr Nosler partitions with RE 25 powder and has a MV of 3200 fps. I also have a ballistic turret on the VXIII 4.5 x 14 x 40 Leupold on it.

These 2 rifles/calibers will do everything I need for any game we have here in North American. The only exception for me would be brown or grizzly bears. I would use my .375 for them.

I really think that not reloading and depending on factory ammunition is only half the fun. I liken it to have having a high performance race car and going to a local garage to have it tuned every time you want to try something different. It's really not that difficult and not really that expensive to get started, especially when you can easily spend 2000.00 for a good rifle, optics and extras. I also try to shoot every week at my local range, weather permitting. That's the fun part and the range time makes me a better shooter for sure.

Have FUN..............

Timberstalker · Feb 8, 2017

I just bought a new rifle, Kimber Hunter in 280AI. It was not super expensive, it's very light, low recoil and I already have it shooting 160 gr nosler accu-bonds sub MOA groups and I just started working up loads for it. I put a Leupold VXI 4x12 scope on it. So far I'm happy with it. It is way lighter than my Winchester M70's and already shoots nearly as good. I have zero doubt once I find the sweet spot with handloads and a little trigger adjustment it will shoot 1/2 groups. It's ballistics are just shy of the 7mm without the Big Bang of a magnum.

RICMIC · Feb 8, 2017

I have a similar vintage Tikka T-3; in my case a "ultra-lite" that comes in at 5.8# in 30-06. I don't find the recoil to be oppressive at all, but I suppose that is an individual assessment. My bro-in-law bought the same rifle in 300 WSM, and complained of the brutal recoil. A new recoil pad and ported barrel took care of that issue. I use a .338 for elk, and a .243 for antelope because I have them, but would be completely satisfied to used the .30-06 for everything. That said, anytime you can find the $ or an excuse for a new rifle, you should go for it.

Hilltop · Feb 8, 2017

I shoot a 30-06 for all Western hunting. It is a very capable long range caliber. If you want a new rifle, by all means shop. There are a ton of "right" answers out there in different calibers. I love Ruger, Browning, Remington, etc.. Most middle to upper end rifles on the market are very accurate and well built. Just have to find the one that feels right in your hands.

If you are on the fence, take your rifle to a gun smith and have a good recoil pad put on it. Then buy a cheap Past recoil pad to wear at the range. That 30-06 will feel like a .243 with the combination of the two. When hunting, you won't need the past pad and you won't feel recoil when shooting that animal.

Hilltop · Feb 8, 2017

Here is a recoil table that will help you see the differences- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi2p93W24DSAhXlyVQKHUk0B_IQFggaMAA&url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm&usg=AFQjCNHNKCmNI3j-q4dQou9vZ591xznUhg&bvm=bv.146094739,d.amc

Slugz · Feb 8, 2017

2 gun calibers in the family......7mm-08 and 30-06......we hand load them both......All Nosler Accubonds/Partitions.......don't shoot much over 450......elk, deer ( whitetail/muley) and antelope.

I light loaded the 7mm-08 for the kids when they were little and worked them up.

Elk hunting in the dark stuff I like the 7mm-08 with shorter barrel as it swings nicer.

shootbrownelk · Feb 8, 2017

Save some money, keep the 30.06. Install a good limbsaver recoil pad and you're good to go.

Colorado Cowboy · Feb 8, 2017

Hilltop said:
I shoot a 30-06 for all Western hunting. It is a very capable long range caliber. If you want a new rifle, by all means shop. There are a ton of "right" answers out there in different calibers. I love Ruger, Browning, Remington, etc.. Most middle to upper end rifles on the market are very accurate and well built. Just have to find the one that feels right in your hands.

If you are on the fence, take your rifle to a gun smith and have a good recoil pad put on it. Then buy a cheap Past recoil pad to wear at the range. That 30-06 will feel like a .243 with the combination of the two. When hunting, you won't need the past pad and you won't feel recoil when shooting that animal.

Hilltop is spot on when he talks about correct fit. I used to make stocks and a well fitted stock will definitely cut down on felt recoil. Also the angle that the recoil pad is cut to will also make a lot of difference. Most commercial stocks are designed and made to fit the "average" sized person.....whatever the hell that is! Go to your local gun shop or shooting range and ask to hold, feel and mount different rifles (shotguns too) and you will see what I am saying.

robsev · Feb 8, 2017

Here's my 2 cents. I shot a 30-06 for several years. liked it, killed a lot of stuff with it. A few years ago I got a wild hair and wanted to try something different. I picked up a Remington 700 stainless 270 WSM. Put a Sims recoil pad on it. I will never go back to a 30-06. My wife has a Sako 270 and she hasn't shot it in 3 years. She likes the 270 WSM much better. Last fall I put a suppressor on it. That even makes it better. I handload Barns TSX 130 grain and it is a nail driver. And the kick is hardly noticeable.

Sell Me On A New Rifle/Caliber

Active Member

Administrator

Administrator

Very Active Member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Active Member

Active Member

Very Active Member

Super Moderator

Veteran member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Veteran member

Super Moderator

Member

Active Member