Final (?) Rifle to Buy for Mid/LR Hunting/Target

[skimmer]

Hi Everyone, this is a duplicate of my post in the general discussion forum.

I have a Marlin 336C which I use as my close range gun. I'm looking to purchase a rifle for all other ranges and game. It will be used mostly for target as I practice with it and any time I can draw a big ticket I'll take it out with me.
My father has a .308 Win and reloads all my rounds so I'm not interested in that caliber and ammo prices aren't a *huge* deal to me.

I'm looking carefully at 7mm RM and .300 WM. The .30-06 isn't too much better than the .308 which we alrady have the reloading equipment for so if I don't get a mag it'll be a .308.

Brands: I've narrowed it to either the Tikka T3 or the Weatherby Vanguard S2 blued bbl. The Tikka I held and the stock felt flimsy and I'm not sure its heavy enough for a mostly range gun in a mag caliber. The .300 WM might be too expensive or heavy recoiling for me/my purposes.

I'm 5'7" and 165 lbs. I've been shooting since I was 6 and I don't consider the .308 to have any sort of meaningful recoil; whether that means I'm sensitive or not I'm not sure but it was worth mentioning. I live in BC.

I also run a Target Shooting Club at my university and other people will likely be shooting this.

What do you think?

 

[Ben from SK]

I'm 6' 165lbs (a stick) and a 300wm is too much gun for me.

I've shot a 7mm RM in a T3 and it wasn't as bad, but it's still not a calibre I'd own and go "wow, its a nice day out, I'm gonna go put a box of shells through my 7mm!~"... .308 is much better for that.

So, personally I'd go with the 7mm RM over a 300WM for what you're wanting to do. I think the 7mm is a more efficient bullet too. is there a way you could shoot both calibres to see which one you like better?

Tikka's have a very low lemon rate, not sure about the S2.

ps: the S2 isn't really a range gun either

edit: didn't read the 'other people will be shooting this'... get a .308, unless they're paying for the ammo, plus longer barrel life compared to magnums.

 

[skimmer]

Thanks Ben. I don't think I'll be able to shoot both and compare before I buy. It's unfortunate.
The S2 is accurate, and this will be a hunting gun whenever the opportunity arises but I'm sure most rounds will be spent on the range. No point to going hunting until I know the gun. I'm looking to get a very accurate gun which meets my needs while spending as little money as possible. The S2 and Tikka seem to be the only options I have where I live.

Did the 7mm RM you shot have a good recoil pad? I've heard the S2's decelerator can reach 30% reduciton. At 22 initial pounds that's a drop to 15.4, which is comfortable

 

[Ben from SK]

Thanks Ben. I don't think I'll be able to shoot both and compare before I buy. It's unfortunate.
The S2 is accurate, and this will be a hunting gun whenever the opportunity arises but I'm sure most rounds will be spent on the range. No point to going hunting until I know the gun. I'm looking to get a very accurate gun which meets my needs while spending as little money as possible. The S2 and Tikka seem to be the only options I have where I live.

Did the 7mm RM you shot have a good recoil pad? I've heard the S2's decelerator can reach 30% reduciton. At 22 initial pounds that's a drop to 15.4, which is comfortable

it was the stock T3 pad, so no.

are there sako a7's where you're at? that might be another option, they're usually sold as a combo for around $1250-1300 with an OK scope and come in the cal's you're looking at.

you and I are doing the same shopping right now, since I sold an X-bolt stalker I've been shopping the market for a cheaper, accurate gun that doesn't feel trashy. (I didn't like the X-Bolt's bolt, or mine was one of the lemon's that needed to be perfectly cycled to not bind, everything else about it was awesome!)

 

[skimmer]

Honestly I need something half that price. My school is extremely expensive. If not for reloads I'd be getting a .308. What are you considering

Anyone else have any ideas? C'mon CGN!!