- Location
- Saskatchewan
If you are committed to one rifle, get the best one you can afford. I believe the Sako M85 is a better rifle in every way than the Tikka. But it costs more. Cartridge choice doesn't matter unless you are mainly hunting the biggest animals. For elk and moose I personally would prefer the 7mm Magnum. but it's a tiny difference. Weight of the rifle is a debatable point. The market trend is always towards lightweight rifles. But that ignores the fact that heavier rifles are easier to shoot well in the field. Recoil less, and hold steadier in the hand from field positions. Heavier barrels more often shoot well with a variety of ammunition. If you spend all your hunting days climbing mountains, by all means buy the lightest rifle you can. But for shooting, light is not always right.
