NES: Choose my new Hunting Rifle!

[peterk123]

I use one big game hunting rifle, tikka t3x lite in 308. It gets used almost every week. I'm one of the few that loves the "cheap" stock. It's light and I can beat the hell out of it. The bolt feels like it is running on ice. The barrel is just accurate. Trigger breaks like glass. It has been dragged through dirt and rocks while crawling on my stomach and it continues to be unphased. Only upgrade I did was the limbsaver recoil pad (highly recommended).

The one thing I miss? Threaded barrel. So much so that I have considered getting another tikka that has one. I could cut my barrel and thread, but I'm petrified from the possibility of screwing up the incredible accuracy of the gun.

I love a stainless steel barrel. Love it. But I would trade that for a threaded barrel in a second. Why? For the option of getting a can on it. Still trying to figure out if I need a can for my hunting rifle, but that's another story.

I'm not sure I like flutted barrels. But let me preface that. My barrel is pencil thin. Almost too much. I notice it at the range when after a few shots accuracy starts to fail. I would not want that barrel flutter. Now, flute a heavy barrel? Sure. It's my barrel a problem? Hell no. If I need more than two or three shots on an animal then I'm doing something wrong.

Tikka is adored by western hunters for a reason. If you want to learn more about how good a tikka is and what you need for a western hunt, I highly suggest you jump on hunttalk.com. Rokslide is another option but you have a bunch of wannabes on there talking some really stupid shit. Honestly, I feel like it's mostly knuckleheads talking about 1,000 yard shots and killing big game with a 223. Hunttalk.com has a lot of very knowledgeable guys on there. The discussions there are legit. It may take a bit for folks to take you seriously there, but I think there is a reason for it. Use the search button. Anything you want to know has been already talked about. Ask me how I know.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

I'm going to put my Browning stainless stalker in 30-06 up for sale. I also have the McMillan stock for it and the factory stock.

She is a sub MOA rifle with the right ammo. Shoots better than I can.

I want that 2020 Waypoint.

 

[Agnotology]

The previous/older M70 triggers were much better, they were they epitome of simplicity and utterly reliable, and also adjustable. It is generally considered the best hunting trigger ever. If you do a search, you will find that everyone prefers the older trigger.

Have you played with the new adjustable ones? They are amazing.

 

[Woodsloafer]

Have you played with the new adjustable ones? They are amazing.

Yes, I understand they are nice, I just don't like enclosed triggers, not in hunting rifles, but to each their own. My Kimbers have awesome triggers as well and they are just like the original M70s.

 

[Broc Tuah]

I have over 30 hunting rifles, (primarily Kimbers, Rugers, and Winchesters) most have wood stocks and have not had issues, even in inclement weather, and I've been hunting with them my whole life (now 57). Just seal up the barrel channels/inletting. Many are stainless, which I do prefer (I love the look of walnut and stainless but that's just me). I also have duplicates that are stainless/synthetic if I know the weather is going to be really shitty.

I have a bunch of these, which are my favorites, perfect for New England hunting. I do have synthetic stocks (not mannlicher though) on a couple (bought stocks from Ruger).

View attachment 955201

Those stocks are fap material. I love them.

 

[Broc Tuah]

I use one big game hunting rifle, tikka t3x lite in 308. It gets used almost every week. I'm one of the few that loves the "cheap" stock. It's light and I can beat the hell out of it. The bolt feels like it is running on ice. The barrel is just accurate. Trigger breaks like glass. It has been dragged through dirt and rocks while crawling on my stomach and it continues to be unphased. Only upgrade I did was the limbsaver recoil pad (highly recommended).

The one thing I miss? Threaded barrel. So much so that I have considered getting another tikka that has one. I could cut my barrel and thread, but I'm petrified from the possibility of screwing up the incredible accuracy of the gun.

I love a stainless steel barrel. Love it. But I would trade that for a threaded barrel in a second. Why? For the option of getting a can on it. Still trying to figure out if I need a can for my hunting rifle, but that's another story.

I'm not sure I like flutted barrels. But let me preface that. My barrel is pencil thin. Almost too much. I notice it at the range when after a few shots accuracy starts to fail. I would not want that barrel flutter. Now, flute a heavy barrel? Sure. It's my barrel a problem? Hell no. If I need more than two or three shots on an animal then I'm doing something wrong.

Tikka is adored by western hunters for a reason. If you want to learn more about how good a tikka is and what you need for a western hunt, I highly suggest you jump on hunttalk.com. Rokslide is another option but you have a bunch of wannabes on there talking some really stupid shit. Honestly, I feel like it's mostly knuckleheads talking about 1,000 yard shots and killing big game with a 223. Hunttalk.com has a lot of very knowledgeable guys on there. The discussions there are legit. It may take a bit for folks to take you seriously there, but I think there is a reason for it. Use the search button. Anything you want to know has been already talked about. Ask me how I know.

Tikka is just good. Great rifles, great actions, very nice triggers that can be made nicer with a $5 spring and very accurate.

Once in a while I am sure someone gets a bad rifle, but those are every rare and make me question the shooters ability.

Only way I am ever buying a non Tikka rifle is if Tikka doesn't offer the caliber I want.

 

[Fixxah]

Hi-Point for the win.

 

[Mudflap621]

The Tikka is a great choice. That would by my number one pic for a factory rifle for sure. They are somewhat utilitarian in some aspects but they are buttery smooth and the most consistent factory rifle I’ve seen capable of sub MOA accuracy.

Tikka is popular enough that they have great aftermarket support right behind the R700. There are multiple stock options as well as prefit capable. Their trigger is excellent right out of the box.

For a 300wm I would definately opt for the heavier gun that is threaded for a muzzle device. The factory tikka sporter profile in .30 cal doesn’t leave enough meat for proper threading of 5/8-24 thread tbh.

If you ever decide to thread the barrel later it would negate the price difference between the two.

 

[Tundra02]

Even though I am a Beretta fanboi when it comes to shotguns those Tikka rifles are ugly . Now heres a sexy rifle
Its a Sportsmans wharehouse Weatherby Vanguard .Look at makes me throb with lust .

 

[frenchman]

Tikka is a solid choice. Rough Neck would be my pick. Sight it in 2 rounds per string, or you’re going to chase zero because your pencil barrel heats up.

 

[Executive]

I would not call a new 700 reliable. 700 can be all over the place, you either get an awesome rifle or a piece of sh*t.

That may be true, especially since my recommendation is based on a sample of one. My CDL SF in .270 has been excellent.
If my copy is the exception rather than the rule, I stand corrected. Either way, I'm very happy with my rifle.

Chris

 

[Woodsloafer]

@Rockrivr1 Here you go, these are awesome rifles IMO, I have a few (not in 300 mag though). All machined metal, great balance, basically an improved M70.

For Sale - Kimber 8400 Montana

Nice Kimber 8400 Montana 300 win mag, 26" barrel , been a safe queen hardly shot. 1050.00 plus shipping

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[paul73]

I'm tired of looking and researching so I'm going to let NES choose my Hunting Rifle! I'm following @Woodsloafer advice and just getting a Tikka. Makes sense right? Though, which Tikka? For those that havent seen my other post, I'm going Elk Hunting out west with some friends in the fall. This rifle will be in 300 Win Mag. I know some have said to go down to 7mm Rem Mag or 270 but I've decided to stay with 300 Win Mag. Optics to be bought later and mounted. The options I settled on are as follows:

Tikka T3X Lite
View attachment 954939

Tikka T3X Lite RoughTeck
View attachment 954940

The lite comes in at 6.9 lbs and the RoughTech comes in a 7.1 lbs. One is a stainless smooth mid weight barrel without threads. The RoughTech is a cerakoted steel fluted barrel with threads and a break. Overall, the RoughTech cost $150 more but at this point the price isn't the deciding factor.

What say NES?

if you like tikka - get a tikka. it will shoot just fine. those toys go from $1k to $7k, so get one in the pricepoint that works for you and enjoy.

i still gonna say that a light rifle in a 300win will kick as a mule and it is totally unnecessary, but if you desire that caliber - get what you want. i would get .308 to be honest, as that is a caliber i have a shitload ammo made for with very good 175gr bullets.

btw i just went and looked at weight of my ruger sfar - it is 9lbs1oz now with a 1-6x lpvo scope. not a hunting rig at all, but even that kicks quite a bit compared to a 12-13lbs AR10 in .308.
and i am quite sure that under 300yds i can shoot with that sfar pretty much anything bigger than a rabbit with no real issues and 175gr bullet will have enough kick in it to get job done.

 

[PappyM3]

if you like tikka - get a tikka. it will shoot just fine. those toys go from $1k to $7k, so get one in the pricepoint that works for you and enjoy.

i still gonna say that a light rifle in a 300win will kick as a mule and it is totally unnecessary, but if you desire that caliber - get what you want. i would get .308 to be honest, as that is a caliber i have a shitload ammo made for with very good 175gr bullets.

For Tikkas, from messing around with just about every brand in stores, the Tikka seems like the best factory action around. Bonus is that the barrels are all shouldered prefits.

I had previously been interested in 300wsm loaded for long actions with the throat reamed a little longer for longer bullets.

But then I found out about the Barnes 212gr bore rider. You can use a normal 300wsm chamber and shoot normal 300wsm you find at stores, but also shoot that high BC 212 expanding copper bullet. No need for the longer throat.

Less recoil than 300wm, less powder, but nearly the same energy.


View: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hGMqyi5gVQw

 

[paul73]

For Tikkas, from messing around with just about every brand in stores, the Tikka seems like the best factory action around. Bonus is that the barrels are all shouldered prefits.

I had previously been interested in 300wsm loaded for long actions with the throat reamed a little longer for longer bullets.

But then I found out about the Barnes 212gr bore rider. You can use a normal 300wsm chamber and shoot normal 300wsm you find at stores, but also shoot that high BC 212 expanding copper bullet. No need for the longer throat.

Less recoil than 300wm, less powder, but nearly the same energy.


View: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hGMqyi5gVQw

'swizm'.

 

[SS1]

Even though I am a Beretta fanboi when it comes to shotguns those Tikka rifles are ugly . Now heres a sexy rifle
Its a Sportsmans wharehouse Weatherby Vanguard .Look at makes me throb with lust .

View attachment 955328

I'll take the OL'E lady
She's traveled on all the continent's
And guaranteed to make you smile ..