First hunting rifle

D

dbadash

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi all,

Looking at purchasing my first hunting rifle.

I have looked at some of the older posts and thought I'd see if there are any updates on recommendations. It'll be an all round general hunting rifle meant to be used in BC. Is the tikka t3x lite still the go to? 308? Budget would be around 2500-3500 including scope.

Thanks in advance for the opinions.
 
I have a Tikka T3x in 6.5cm and it shoots darn good. I assume you would be hunting all big game critters so nix the 6.5cm for Elk and Moose.
Some will say the creed is good for elk and moose but there are much better choices out there. The .308 would be a much better choice.
 
There's so many good calibers out there.
It really depends on what you want to hunt, distances etc.
6.5creed, 308, 7-08 are all very capable and great choices.
Ever plan to reload?
Also do you only ever plan on owning one rifle? The answer to the last question almost always ends up as no.
My first was a 30-06 and still have it. Can handle anything including big bears and ammo is everywhere.
I thought that would be a one and done rifle.
Not even close. I have a couple dozen more now lol and reload for all.
Take your time and do some research.
Good luck choosing!
 
Tikka 100% yes. IF you can find a Roughtech with an R18 barrel profile, you should absolutely grab one.

Caliber choice is such a personal thing. The 6.5 is the easy button. Although it is a touch light for the really big stuff. I like short efficient calibers that are readily available, which is why 6.5 and 308 get the nod from me. 7mm-08 is also great but only if you reload, as availability is not as wide spread.
 
dbadash said:
Whats the cost of ammo like compared to the 308? And availability.
Click to expand...
You being in BC have (maybe even Metro Vancouver) are lucky to have several site sponsors and even a former site sponsor who have large inventories of ammo.
Italian Sporting Goods with two stores and Reliable Gun (former site sponsor) that both have well run web stores and easy to navigate.
Then there is BassproCabelasdotca (big box store with roots in 'Merica.
Check them out and do not forget the many other site sponsors who have a large web presence that you can see by just clicking on them from the top of Canadian Guts home page.
Your mind will be blown by the choices and the rabbit hole that will open up a plethora of information and choices of availability and prices.
Give them a click .
Tight Groups
Rob
 
If recoil is an issue look for something with a factory threaded muzzle brake tikka and browning both offer them but I would look 30-06 as a starting point if you plan to hunt a good amount of moose and elk partially because they are tough and can’t be too dead and partially because there is also bears in the woods
 
That entire class of cartridges (6.5 CM, 308, 7mm-08 etc) are all way more alike than they are different when it comes to effects on game. Pretty much same with 30-06, 270 etc.

Theres a ton of great rifles on the market. Personally find the Tikkas a bit hard to keep still but mechanically/design wise, really love em, if weight and terrain are things you have to deal with, even better.

Gonna be hard to go wrong with a lot of rifles on the market. Could make that something like a Browning X-Bolt or X-Bolt II and never be sorry for it, etc etc.

If weight isn't a huge concern, the Weatherby Vanguard/Howa 1500 series is an awesome, all steel rifle thats robust and serves well here.
 
I never owned a tikka but they are kind of the benchmark when it comes to “affordable” reliable hunting rigs. Browning a bolt or xbolt would also be good, I heard good things about the vanguard models from weatherby… I mean so many brands offer great guns now a day!
As for chambering, hard to go wrong with 308 Winchester or 30-06, it really depends on what you are after, but really the 100fps difference won’t be noticeable on game inside 300m.
Oh and I’m positive that you will have more choices ammo/bullets in 308 than 7mm08. Same with 30-06 over a lot of other cartridges.
If you plan on hunting only deer 🦌, 6.5 cm would be a good choice, lots of ammo/bullets combination out there and low recoil rifles!
 
Last edited:
DGY said:
Oh and I’m positive that you will have more choices ammo/bullets in 308 than 7mm08. Same with 30-06 over a lot of other cartridges.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. But if there's 35 308win options, how many of those are you REALLY going to try? Most people I know shooting factory ammo bought one type and if it shot decently called it good. Some tried a few options before picking one. Nobody i know IRL has tried 35 options lol (yes I'm sure someone here on CGN has, but we're the exception not the rule)

So if you're only going to try 2, 3, maybe 4 options, does 308win having 35 options really mean all that much?... just some food for thought for the OP.
 
Smis Five Creedmoor said:
Ruger American Gen II is good too if you're a bit short on budget.
Click to expand...

Pretty much the same price as a new or used tikka and much more chance of hit or miss quality control and weird design stuff

And this from a Ruger American fan haha.

That action screw underneath the mag catch assembly and having such stiff springs its actually hard to push the bolt all tge way forward to be able to close it were big misses for me

Prefer the Gen 1 if a good deal can be had. $575 or so for a Glenfield at I Run Guns etc
 
  • Like
Reactions: DGY
Suther said:
Absolutely. But if there's 35 308win options, how many of those are you REALLY going to try? Most people I know shooting factory ammo bought one type and if it shot decently called it good. Some tried a few options before picking one. Nobody i know IRL has tried 35 options lol (yes I'm sure someone here on CGN has, but we're the exception not the rule)

So if you're only going to try 2, 3, maybe 4 options, does 308win having 35 options really mean all that much?... just some food for thought for the OP.
Click to expand...
I totally agree, I just mentioned that in case it makes a difference in making his decision.
Like you most people I know that shoot to hunt will buy one or two box and if it shoot around 2”@100 they call it good!
My self I always tried at least 3-4 different “brands” But seldom seen a noticeable difference. As much as I like 7mm I like 30cal more for no real good reasons. Just personal preferences!
 
Joel said:
Pretty much the same price as a new or used tikka and much more chance of hit or miss quality control and weird design stuff

And this from a Ruger American fan haha.

That action screw underneath the mag catch assembly and having such stiff springs its actually hard to push the bolt all tge way forward to be able to close it were big misses for me

Prefer the Gen 1 if a good deal can be had. $575 or so for a Glenfield at I Run Guns etc
Click to expand...

Theres options for anything besides Federal blue box? ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DGY
DGY said:
I totally agree, I just mentioned that in case it makes a difference in making his decision.
Like you most people I know that shoot to hunt will buy one or two box and if it shoot around 2”@100 they call it good!
My self I always tried at least 3-4 different “brands” But seldom seen a noticeable difference. As much as I like 7mm I like 30cal more for no real good reasons. Just personal preferences!
Click to expand...
And I'm the opposite - 30cal can get bent, unless it's the Euro trash version (303brit) lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom