I was very happy with my Rem 700. Shot very well. I liked 120 gr for deer. There is often a lot of blood shot meat though. The 100 and lighter bullets were fast killers of coyotes but ripped the hides . I shot many deer and a few bear as well as 1 moose. Only game I ever lost was a mulie with 117 gr hp. My fault as I believed some gun writers that raved about the bullet.
Searching for 25-06
- Thread starter mike t
- Start date
Thanks for all the advice and opinions. Still on the hunt, trying to narrow down what rifle to go with. Torn between the Weatherby vanguard and Tikka. Been a Tikka fan for a while but really interested in the vanguard with all the positive feedback and reviews.
I have both - 2 of each - and it has been much easier to find a good load for the Tikkas. In fact, it has been almost hard to find a bad load for them. They are also much lighter. The Vanguard has a 2 stage trigger, if you prefer that.
when I was looking for a .270 the 24" barrel is what sold me on a Vanguard, The Tikka's slick bolt and lower bolt lift and lighter weight made a Tikka attractive, if I was choosing a rifle other than a Vanguard I would probably get an X Bolt. I own two Vanguards both in Bell and Carlson stocks and a Howa Superlite, My wife's rifle is a 7 08 Tikka. Both the Vanguard and T3 are good quality, usually accurate rifles, you just have to decide what you want to give up. I also prefer the Vanguard synthetic stock over the Tikka's.
I also prefer the vanguard synthetic stock over the Tikka. I like the smooth action of the Tikka as well as the 70° bolt lift. I also currently have a stainless Xbolt in 6.5 creedmoor. I like the 6.5 but would swap that out for a 25-06 in a heartbeat.
My wife has a Tikka T3 in 30-06, I have an old (1980’s) Smith and Wesson 1500, in the same caliber. The S&W shoots just as good as the Tikka. The Tikka bolt is a bit smoother. I am now looking at a Vanguard Obsidian in 308… the Howa 1500 platform is remarkably under appreciated. Great value. They are a bit heavy though.
I have held one. I liked the feel of it. Never shot one yet. The stock feels much more “sturdy” than the CZ 600 Alphas. I preferred the Weatherby stock to my wife’s Tikka T3. My wife likes her Tikka. Her Tikka has the Tikka synthetic stock. Precision Optics has one in stock in 25-06, on sale for $779. About the best deal out there
It did arrive today. I don’t have a scale but it’s quite light… mainly the #2 profile barrel, I was shocked how thin it appears. Did not have a chance to measure the OD at the muzzle. Feels lighter than my wife’s Tikka T3 and my S&W 1500… but both of those are in 30-06. Fit feels good, bolt is smooth and the stock feels good, nice stickier soft rubber inlets where you grip the rifle. Finish is what you expect on a $700 gun. Not as nice as my wife’s Tikka or my old S&W 1500. Thread protector on the muzzle fits the barrel very well, don’t really notice it. Main aesthetic issues are the safety tab and bolt release tab feel and look cheap. Very utilitarian in looks. I don’t have a scope or mounts for it yet, might be a while before I get to shoot it.
It was a little bit of a disappointment, but then I realized that I only paid $700 for it. As long as it shoots, I will be happy. The finish does show that it’s a $700 gun. I would not pay $900 for it. It’s going to get beaten up, it will be my main hunting gun. My S&W 1500, I am going to restore the stock and turn it into a bit of a safe queen. If I go and hunt Moose or Elk I will use it, but for deer the Obsidian in 308 Win will be sufficient.
