BLR or Tikka T3 - Light?

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Skippercyr

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Hello everyone,

As a lefty, I am limited in choices of riffles actions. I presently looked at a BLR pistol grip and a Tikka T-3 Light (blued barrel, synthetic stock). I am unsure of which cal. to buy for Northern Ontario moose and bear hunting. The T-3 is a 30-06 and the BLR comes in a 300wsm. This brings me to my next question? What calibre, a 300WSM, 30-06 or 7mmWSM. Ammunition is cheaper in the 30-06 but it would not make or break my purchase. I buy stock ammo.

Thank you all for your input.
 
My comment would be to stick to the 30-06 or 300 WSM unless you handload. The 7mm WSM hasn't caught on like the 300 or 270 WSM. The truth is that the 30-06 or 300 WSM will both kill moose quite easily, the 300 WSM doesn't offer a lot of practical difference over the ol' 30-06. The moose will never know which caliber you decide on.

Rifle choice is a matter of your own preference, but the Tikka is likely going to be the more accurate of the two rifles you are considering.
 
If you haven't handled both rifles, it would be best to do so. That may help you make up your mind. If it were me, I'd get the bolt action rifle. Simple, compact, reliable. Its easier to take apart and clean, inspect, troubleshoot. You'll probably won't need a rapid second shot.
 
Have you looked at the left handed hawkeye's from Ruger? I have one and am quite happy with it so far. As for caliber, the 30 06 has taken it's fair share of moose and bear and will continue to do so for many more years.
 
I've been to our local shop and had both riffles in my hands, the BLR feels more comfortable. I'm thinking it's weight my help with the recoil more the then lighter T-3. I am 75% sure I will go with the 300WSM even though the ammo is more expensive. I want to down that moose or bear or the first shot. I will be going to our local range as much as possible prior to our Sept moose hunting season so the riffle feels like an extension to my arms. Thank you all for your input. I will post a pic once I purchase the rifle and add my scope to it.
 
I would go with the rifle that feels best in your hands. That said, if you choose the T3-Lite, both the Lite and the Lite Stainless are available in left-hand configurations in 30-06 and 300 WSM. I would get the rifle that fits and matches with your dominant eye and orientation.

ht tp://www.tikka.fi/pdf/datatable.pdf
 
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I like your choices of rifles, both the BLR (my pref is the straight stock in short actions only) and the T3 S/S are mighty fine. Don't know anything about the short mags, so given only these choices to choose from, I'd go good old 30-06 in the T3. Try 'em on for size before you buy.
 
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Skippercyr said:
I am 75% sure I will go with the 300WSM even though the ammo is more expensive. I want to down that moose or bear or the first shot.
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Ugh! This is exactly why used gun racks everywhere are full of magnums, wizzums and ultras. The fact that you are shooting a 300Wsm does not mean you will kill the animal any faster than with a 30-06. I have owned both guns and I guarantee you that both of these ultralight platforms will be uncomfortable to shoot in WSM and Magnum calibers. Your comments suggest you have not done much rifle shooting, get a regular caliber, shoot it often and you will be far more capable of one shot kills than by simply using a WSM.

My T3 was in 30-06 and my BLR was in 308. They were both great carrying and accurate guns, but not much fun off of the bench. If you shoot a light gun in a magnum caliber, you need the experience and practice to not develop a flinch, to be able to shoot it well. Practice with a lighter recoiling gun and you will get better much sooner. Shot placement is what does it, magnums extend your range and flatten out your trajectory, they don't make up for poor marksmanship, nor do they level everything in their path.

But this is usually a lesson people have to learn for themselves,

Patrick
 
I would pick the one with a good trigger ,you know the one thats not a BLR.
Good sights and good triggers make shooting easier when shooting from unsteady positions.
BTW I have a BLR and I think it's pretty handy too.
Browning,Remington,Savage and Ruger currently make competitively priced hunting rifles (with fixable triggers) .
 
If your choice is a Tikka T-3 Lite in 300WSM,shoot one before buying...
You won't like the recoil I am sure.It's ok for hunting but shooting several
rounds at the bench is a big pain at the shoulder.

Had one and I fired 9 rounds at the range...Sold it after...Ouch:eek:
 
I am also a lefty but I have always owned right handed bolt rifles.... but that is a story for another day....

Of the choices I'd go with the Tikka T3 in .30-06.... I've had at least three BLR's, all in .308 Win, while they were handy and accurate enough I always found that after shot #2 the barrels heated up and shot #3 was a bit of a flyer. Not that you should need more than one shot.... ;)

But Tikka bolt rifles are very nice.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Winchester 1886 said:
If your choice is a Tikka T-3 Lite in 300WSM,shoot one before buying...
You won't like the recoil I am sure.It's ok for hunting but shooting several
rounds at the bench is a big pain at the shoulder.

Had one and I fired 9 rounds at the range...Sold it after...Ouch:eek:
Click to expand...

I do thank you for your post, I knew nothing about the short mags, now I do know that I don't need one and I sure don't want one. Not a fan of huge recoil! I do shoot some of the heftier cals in our group of guys, but just one shot for the day is good enough!
 
Winchester 1886 said:
If your choice is a Tikka T-3 Lite in 300WSM,shoot one before buying...
You won't like the recoil I am sure.It's ok for hunting but shooting several
rounds at the bench is a big pain at the shoulder.

Had one and I fired 9 rounds at the range...Sold it after...Ouch:eek:
Click to expand...

Is that due to the short mag, or it being lite?

Im in the same boat as the OP, looking at the 300WSM in a BLR. But thats by no means in stone, that was simply what a cousin of mine who is a gun enthusiast pointed me towards.
 
rob350 said:
Is that due to the short mag, or it being lite?

Im in the same boat as the OP, looking at the 300WSM in a BLR. But thats by no means in stone, that was simply what a cousin of mine who is a gun enthusiast pointed me towards.
Click to expand...

A lot of people i know say the short mags have worse recoil than a normal 300 win mag.The light weight 270 wsm that i had booted pretty good.
 
I wouldn't buy the Browning BLR in anything but a short action. Look at the .308 or if you want more punch the .358 Win outta do the trick. As you know the BLR is a lever action and these guns are just slicker, smoother and have a shorter lever throw in short action. Just my opinion but good luck!!!
 
Winchester 1886 said:
If your choice is a Tikka T-3 Lite in 300WSM,shoot one before buying...
You won't like the recoil I am sure.It's ok for hunting but shooting several
rounds at the bench is a big pain at the shoulder.

Had one and I fired 9 rounds at the range...Sold it after...Ouch:eek:
Click to expand...


You obviously didn't put a Limbsaver pad on it. Oh yes they make a huge difference.;)
 
Well, I went back to the gun shop today, took a closer look at both the BLR and Tikka. I'm leaning towards the Tikka T3 Light, blued barrel 30-06.
 
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