Classic or modern

TD25 said:
Is the 20" a major issue inside 200 yards? Im leaning towards wood and blued which is the 20". Tikkas are frequent enough i wouldnt feel bad passing on one right now.
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No, you won’t see any real difference, both would be fine. That said I prefer the 20”, it’s the sweet spot in barrel length for me when it comes to handling or carrying out in the woods.


When I can’t decide over one or the other I usually end up buying both, I think that’s your only sensible option lol.
 
bearhunter said:
There isn't an animal out there that's going to notice 50fps less bullet velocity on impact.

OP, you've been lurking on this site since 2015 and have a feedback score.

How is it you've never purchased a rifle?

If you're a handgunner, you know that ergonomics is a major factor.

I have several rifles to choose from to hunt/shoot.

My go to hunting rifle is a stock, off the shelf, SS, Tikka T3, 6.5x55. It fits me like it was custom made for me and shoots better than I am capable of holding.

I also have a couple of Model 70 Winchester rifles.

A 338-06, 30-06 and a 22-250.

It would be hard for me to say which rifle fits or shoots better.

All of them shoot very well.

The Tikka is lighter and handier than the Model 70s, which are wood stocked.

They all fit me well, because I made sure the stocks had a length of pull that was tolerable with both light and heavy clothing.

I love the look and heft of the wood stocks and like the look of the Model 70 system overall.

The Tikka is just as attractive albeit more modern looking.

Go to your local gun shop and check out both. Whichever appeals to you, eyes and hands on, go for it.

You might even be able to get a better deal at your local LGS, from what I've seen in online prices, many of which are just online auctions.
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I just never had the need for a hunting rifle. I have a bit of everything just nothing for large game that isnt restricted. Being limited to a shotgun for deer isnt ideal and i have no interest is sabots or rifled barrels. Hence this pickle im in.
 
Whether animals notice the difference or not, a 20" 270 seems like a really good way to turn a bunch of 60 grains of good powder into noise for no discernable benefit whatsoever. If it made any difference in handling vs a 22 inch barrel that would be a surprise, but if it did I would be looking at a short action, more efficient caliber.

That's me though.

Since this question really boils down to personal preference....Get whatever you like! Get your mitts on as many as you can in store and see what makes ya feel good.

We all have certain things we like, but just about any rifle out there now is going to serve you well and do what you ask of it as a hunting rifle.

Have to say, I've only once felt my choice of rifle actually held me back in the field....and believe it or not it was a Mauser 98 that shat the bed on me. Not the action, but one of the trigger screws in the trigger fell out and prevented it from being pulled.

So, that time, a Remington 700 was actually more reliable lol
 
Joel said:
Whether animals notice the difference or not, a 20" 270 seems like a really good way to turn a bunch of 60 grains of good powder into noise for no discernable benefit whatsoever. If it made any difference in handling vs a 22 inch barrel that would be a surprise, but if it did I would be looking at a short action, more efficient caliber.
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My thoughts exactly.
 
I'm a huge fan of nicely grained walnut and deep rich bluing, they have character and soul, like functional art... but I do most of my hunting with stainless rifles. Starting out, if you only plan on a single rifle, the practical choice is a stainless rifle. To mitigate this choice, consider a stainless rifle in a Laminate Stock, rather than a synthetic stock. Laminate stocks give you the heft, feel and character of wood, while at the same time being far more impervious to moisture and inclement weather. I switched over a few of my favorite hunting rifles from Synthetic to Laminate stocks and prefer them this way.
 

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My go to deer rifle is a 270W stainless. Started as a synthetic stainless now sits in a laminate stock. Very durable, balanced and comfortable to shoot.
 
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I'm a classic guy. I love blued/walnut guns. I also prefer short barrels on my hunting guns. I prefer the portability as well as the pointability they offer over longer tubes. I attempt to match chamberings within optimal barrel lengths. Standard rule of thumb dictates short-action cartridges for short barrel rifles. This method works very well. Long action cartridges require a bump in diameter to pull off similar efficiency. My current favorite is a Winchester Model 70 Compact in 7mm-08. It has a 20" barrel, 13" LOP, and carries well. My next project is a 35 Whelen on a Model 70 Push-feed action with a 21" barrel. Good luck.
 
Im not set on the short 20 inch barrel, there is a M70 on EE that is carbine length aka 20 in. Having the short barrel wont make a difference in handling, i dont think that statement holds any merit. Im set on the 270 and will be taking a look for a 22in rifle. Valid points laminate stocks and just getting a wood stock gun after for heritage sake.
 
TD25 said:
.... Having the short barrel wont make a difference in handling, i dont think that statement holds any merit. ...
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Can't agree with you here: In brushy terrain it absolutely helps to have the shorter barrel.

And many people prefer the balance and swing of the shorter rifle (stock options also play a big role). Until you handle one, you won't know.
 
Try to shoot both if you can. To me tikkas stocks suck. They dont fit me well and a 270 seems to kick harder than the savage 300wm guns i had

Personally i prefer fine figured walnut and classy lines and deep rich bluing but i also love the look of modern chassis style rifles. I use and shoot both
 
TD25 said:
Im not set on the short 20 inch barrel, there is a M70 on EE that is carbine length aka 20 in. Having the short barrel wont make a difference in handling, i dont think that statement holds any merit. Im set on the 270 and will be taking a look for a 22in rifle. Valid points laminate stocks and just getting a wood stock gun after for heritage sake.
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Aesthetics can be extremely important to an individual in how you "feel" about a rifle initially. Good feels are generated toward ANY rifle when you have had the good fortune of harvesting game with it multiple times... gun nutters talk about "lucky" rifles all the time... logic dictates that they were just in the right place at the right time when they happen to be holding that particular rifle and the more you carry a rifle the greater the chance of it becoming "lucky." I don't really think it matters in the grand scheme of things which style of rifle you decide to go with... simply choose the one you are attracted to. Some pics to help you decide, but even better, get to a shop and handle different options... you will likely find that there is one you favour.
 

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If I where going to buy a tikka stainless, I’d just pocket half the cost for optics and buy a savage axis stainless. There isn’t enough practical difference between the two in accuracy or function to justify the price difference. The tikka might be a bit smoother or better refined, and have a nicer stock but either one will do the exact same job. Either will function as well as a Model 70 for Ontario hunting conditions. But a model 70 is a rifle you can be proud of. Tikkas and Salvages have no soul, even if they are accurate and well functioning. If you can get a US made blued model 70 circa 2008 to 2013, you’ll have one of the finest hunting rifles ever produced. And I’ve yet to own one that doesn’t shoot well. I’ve heard the Portuguese assembled model 70’s are also excellent but I haven’t handled any and tend to buy the South Carolina built rifles. A .270 is a fine caliber. My cash would go to the blued walnut model 70, and then I’d start saving my cash for a model 70 extreme weather for crappy days. There isn’t much crap that can’t be wiped off with an oily rag anyway.
 
hoytcanon said:
Aesthetics can be extremely important to an individual in how you "feel" about a rifle initially. Good feels are generated toward ANY rifle when you have had the good fortune of harvesting game with it multiple times... gun nutters talk about "lucky" rifles all the time... logic dictates that they were just in the right place at the right time when they happen to be holding that particular rifle and the more you carry a rifle the greater the chance of it becoming "lucky." I don't really think it matters in the grand scheme of things which style of rifle you decide to go with... simply choose the one you are attracted to. Some pics to help you decide, but even better, get to a shop and handle different options... you will likely find that there is one you favour.
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I love it when you show off your Rugers! Impressive collection of that brand!
 
hoytcanon said:
Aesthetics can be extremely important to an individual in how you "feel" about a rifle initially. Good feels are generated toward ANY rifle when you have had the good fortune of harvesting game with it multiple times... gun nutters talk about "lucky" rifles all the time... logic dictates that they were just in the right place at the right time when they happen to be holding that particular rifle and the more you carry a rifle the greater the chance of it becoming "lucky." I don't really think it matters in the grand scheme of things which style of rifle you decide to go with... simply choose the one you are attracted to. Some pics to help you decide, but even better, get to a shop and handle different options... you will likely find that there is one you favour.
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Quite the collection... One can dream.
 
I've hunted with wood/blued in terrible conditions before, no big deal really. Clean them up and oil them down when you are done, they'll last forever. I prefer synthetic for peace of mind but the days of running up and down the Pembina Valley and banging my guns on trees and rocks are very few and far between nowadays.

Buy what you love, even if it's for someone else eventually. When they get it, knowing how much you loved it, they will love it all that much more.

hoytcanon said:
RUGERS EVERYWHERE
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Holy crap! Ruger isn't my jam (except the #1 and 10/22) but my word, that is a remarkable selection! And not a Ruger American in sight!
 
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