New hunting rifle
- Thread starter Champjwest
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
A while back, I got and took an opportunity to
add a little colour to the gun safe. I acquired a pair of Weatherby Vanguard S2 blaze, one in .270 Win and the other in 300 WM.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have to put my vote in for a Tikka T3X. The Hunter model, the Lite model (mine, in .270), maybe the Superlite model? There are multiple options.
You get around 90% of the performance of an upper-end Sako at about a 1/3 of the price. I plan on keeping mine forever.
Nice Crossfire II in 4-12X44, and she's a keeper. A bit of polishing to the stock trigger brings it down to about 3.75 which is nice, crisp and reasonable. Super slick bolt, nice quality everywhere you look. The Finns know a thing or two about hunting rifles.
Can't go wrong. Never heard a bad word about the new Tikkas....
Mr. Ted
You get around 90% of the performance of an upper-end Sako at about a 1/3 of the price. I plan on keeping mine forever.
Nice Crossfire II in 4-12X44, and she's a keeper. A bit of polishing to the stock trigger brings it down to about 3.75 which is nice, crisp and reasonable. Super slick bolt, nice quality everywhere you look. The Finns know a thing or two about hunting rifles.
Can't go wrong. Never heard a bad word about the new Tikkas....
Mr. Ted
I could agree with that.
Merry Christmas Phil.
Merry Christmas Paul and for the whole family.
A forever rifle is not an “adequate” rifle in my interpretation. A vanguard is “good value” but not a premium. But then again how something handles in one persons hands is relative to those in whose hands the rifle sits.
Maybe a tikka scatches the itch, I’d try one though, and a Steyr model M if you can, maybe a Sako or winchester model 70 or a blaser.
Maybe a tikka scatches the itch, I’d try one though, and a Steyr model M if you can, maybe a Sako or winchester model 70 or a blaser.
I’ve never handled one, perhaps my mention of them was unnecessary.
I’ve had a few rifle, but they Steyr model M I have I am smitten with and would recommend, short bolt throw, rear bolt lugs so shorter barrel between mag and chamber (more condensed action) 5 round rotary drop mag with clear back to see how many rounds in it, a proper shape for a bolt handle, and really slick to cycle.
I went with a new Zastava M70 Mauser. I grew up with sporterized surplus Mausers, and have owned many rifles since, but missed both the "real" Mauser action with it's control feed, and super positive extraction. I also missed the 6.5 x 55 since I sold my last one almost 40 years ago. Why this rifle and not something else? Regardless of Caliber, the Mauser action is number one. The finish and bluing is on par with custom rifles costing thousands; the adjustable trigger is particularly good, and while the wood to metal fitment is on par with just about every other common off the shelf rifle, mine came with a particularly highly figured European walnut stock. I would post a photo, but for some of us that does not work particularly well. If anyone wants to see a picture send me a PM and I can send it to a phone or email. My rifle will be shooting mostly paper and the odd ground-hog; the next owner can use it on something bigger!
If I were to choose a new rifle this is how I would proceed.
First I would choose the caliber. This would be based on what and where I would like to hunt and what my other rifles can do. The new rifle/caliber would complement what I already have.
Second, I decide the price range I am ready to pay for this rifle plus mounts, rings and optics.
Third, I choose whether I want a bolt, a semi or a pump. Fourth if I want a wood stock or synthetic. Fifth, what is available where I live so that I can shoulder the rifles and see how I like the bolt and trigger. Usually with that my choice is narrowed down to 2-3 rifles.
All the rifles/brands cited in previous answers are good rifles. One can not go wrong with any for general hunting. A caliber from 6.5 up to 0.308 is appropriate.
For Chuck Hawks a complete rifle battery would include a 22 LR, 223, 6.5x55, 30-06, 9.3x62 and 458 win mag. This makes sense. I have 4 out of these 6 as I do not need the 223 nor the 458 win mag. Plus a 270 win.
First I would choose the caliber. This would be based on what and where I would like to hunt and what my other rifles can do. The new rifle/caliber would complement what I already have.
Second, I decide the price range I am ready to pay for this rifle plus mounts, rings and optics.
Third, I choose whether I want a bolt, a semi or a pump. Fourth if I want a wood stock or synthetic. Fifth, what is available where I live so that I can shoulder the rifles and see how I like the bolt and trigger. Usually with that my choice is narrowed down to 2-3 rifles.
All the rifles/brands cited in previous answers are good rifles. One can not go wrong with any for general hunting. A caliber from 6.5 up to 0.308 is appropriate.
For Chuck Hawks a complete rifle battery would include a 22 LR, 223, 6.5x55, 30-06, 9.3x62 and 458 win mag. This makes sense. I have 4 out of these 6 as I do not need the 223 nor the 458 win mag. Plus a 270 win.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
But if you had a .223 and a .458 you would need little else, perhaps a .300 magnum of some description to reach out past the great beyond. I think most of the holes in my battery are filled, although I seem to be lacking a .243 at the moment.
In general terms, I don't put a great deal of emphasis on which cartridge a rifle is chambered for unless I'm already invested in dies and components; the rifle would be purchased to fill a particular niche. I wouldn't settle for a .444 Marlin if I was looking for a long range target rifle, but of the rifles available, any that were chambered for a cartridge that could make 3000 fps with a slippery bullet would be contenders. My most recent purchase, a .280 Remington, was selected mostly due to the fact that a great deal of space on my bench was taken up with boxes of 7mm bullets, and loading right now involves decapping with a .458 die, neck sizing and bumping the shoulder with a 7-08 die, and bullet seating with a .280 Ackley die. Its keeping me entertained to say the least.
Boomer, agreed. I do not hunt dangerous games nor varmints. That's why I do not have a 223 nor a 458 win mag. I have tried a very accurate 90 grain sierra in my 270 win. It went at 3200 fps for a 250 mpbr +/-2 inches. I could use it for the occasional coyote. Handloading is an amazing hobby for sure. Addictive.
