Convince Me Which Caliber to go With

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jmill

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Looking to replace one of my current rifles, a T3X Lite .308, to get into a setup that will be more suitable for longer range shooting and mountain hunting.

In practice, I'd like to shoot 600-700 yards, hunting would probably be a more realistic max around 500 yards. The ideal rifle would be fairly light (6-7lbs bare rifle would be reasonable), I'm not partial to any caliber, really just one that's not going to break the bank to shoot, and is readily available.

In terms of price, it would be ideal if the rifle itself were under $1500, probably $2000 max. I know this will be the limiting factor.

Give me a good reason why a particular caliber would be better than others.
 
Depending on how you quantify your parameters there are too many contradictions to suggest one cartridge.
Target shooting and 308 makes me believe you intend to target shoot it a lot.
Needing it to be cheap to feed supports this.
But then effective on game at extreme hunting distances (for most) would suggest something fairly expensive to feed with marginal barrel life…
So it’s really hard to suggest one unicorn.
Although keeping your 308 for target shooting and getting another rifle for hunting (such as a 7RM, 300WSM or many others) is likely a solid plan.
 
As much as I absolutely HATE a 308 and it kills me to say this but you have the rifle id recommend already. Tikka's are light and a 308 will kill almost (within reason) anything in N.A. at 500 yards. Ammo can be found in bulk on the cheaper side.

When your practicing long range shooting, recoil is what wrecks most shooters. You develop bad habits in a hurry. You wont get any better by shooting 3 shots a month and calling it a day. You gotta shoot LOTS and OFTEN (all conditions, windy, rainy, cold etc) so to me a light weight (6-7lb) rifle in a larger caliber isn't an ideal "plinking" rifle.

Take your cash you have saved up for a new rifle, slap a GOOD scope on it and enjoy.
 
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New gun time!!

Mountain gun sits in that 270weatherby, 280ai, 7mm rem or try the new fancy 7mm backcountry. Watched some ballistics on it - pretty crazy. Pushes a 175gr bullet 2950fps.

Do yourself a favor and buy a strictly mountain gun. And buy a hammer gun like the other state like the 300 or 338... Cause I guarantee they have one of each. Every man needs a gun for each application. Gopher, yotes, deer/sheep, elk, moose, grizz... Lol. Why own a Swiss army knife and try to make it do all the things when there's a caliber for each application!!

Happy hunting
 
OP; Any of the five standards will do you just fine within the yardages you’re stating.

308Win
.270Win
30-06Spr
7mmRM
300WM

Boring? Yes
Readily avail Ammo, even in the most backwater towns? YES (try that with some of the newer Cals).

Rifle? find what fits/feels comfortable for YOU! not what any of us are fond of.
 
Buy a wildcat stock for your tikka 308.
That will shave off 6 to 8 oz off your setup.
nothing wrong with what you have.
I have a Tikka 300wsm in a wildcat for my mountain set up. My t3x (non-superlight) stainless with 24 inch barrel, muzzle brake and rings is 5.8 lbs.
 
Bretzky08 said:
New gun time!!

Mountain gun sits in that 270weatherby, 280ai, 7mm rem or try the new fancy 7mm backcountry. Watched some ballistics on it - pretty crazy. Pushes a 175gr bullet 2950fps.

Do yourself a favor and buy a strictly mountain gun. And buy a hammer gun like the other state like the 300 or 338... Cause I guarantee they have one of each. Every man needs a gun for each application. Gopher, yotes, deer/sheep, elk, moose, grizz... Lol. Why own a Swiss army knife and try to make it do all the things when there's a caliber for each application!!

Happy hunting
Click to expand...

I do like this approach! I already have another .308 I can use for most of my hunting needs, this is the main reason for looking for another caliber to use for the mountain stuff.
 
9-ball said:
Buy a wildcat stock for your tikka 308.
That will shave off 6 to 8 oz off your setup.
nothing wrong with what you have.
I have a Tikka 300wsm in a wildcat for my mountain set up. My t3x (non-superlight) stainless with 24 inch barrel, muzzle brake and rings is 5.8 lbs.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendation, even better they're a Canadian company. This is a route I have considered going
 
jmill said:
Thanks for the recommendation, even better they're a Canadian company. This is a route I have considered going
Click to expand...

I tossed a limbsaver on mine so it was a little heavier in the end, but the recoil has tamed way down. I belive unfinished without pad was 17 oz.
But with the limbsaver and the brake I pounded 50 rounds through it last week in 1 session, it feels way better then the original stock.
I highly recommend them if your end goal is a nice light package.
 
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jmill said:
I do like this approach! I already have another .308 I can use for most of my hunting needs, this is the main reason for looking for another caliber to use for the mountain stuff.
Click to expand...
I've upgraded to a 257weatherby this year for mountain hunting, it's coming with me on a fly in this Aug. I'm pretty excited about it, although at 500m a 1:7 barrel may be better or something chambered in 6.5
 
I'll suggest the Tikka T3x Veil Alpine in 7mm Rem Mag.

I put a 2.5-10x40 Bushnell Elite 4500 on mine in Leupold Backcountry medium height 30mm rings. It’s the middle rifle…

Love it!
 

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bunny said:
For decades the300 WM has done a fine job of of converting potential good shooters to flinchers who now can’t shoot accurately at long ranges anymore.
And people wonder why there are so many Tikka T3’s in 300WM on the used gun market!
Click to expand...
Too many 300WM on the market because too many men have pronouns now 🤣
 
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