About to buy a new rifle. Have around $1000 for the rifle only. I'm an experienced shooter. Rifle will be my one rifle do all as that's the way l roll. Will use it for moose, bison, caribou and on occasion sheep or bear. Preference for stainless, synthetic, removable magazine. Leaning towards a T3 Superlite in 300 WSM. Thinking over time l can upgrade stock (B & C), replace bolt shroud, and have something still fairly light and accurate. Any input on other make model or caliber / cartridge to consider would be greatly appreciated.
New rifle suggestion.
- Thread starter YukonBrett
- Start date
A Browning X-bolt stainless stalker in 338 win mag would do everything you want. It would likely be a hundred bucks or so over your price range.
If you were ok with not having a removable magazine, I would recommend a Weatherby Vanguard synthetic stainless in 300 Wby. Very reliable and accurate rifle.
If you were ok with not having a removable magazine, I would recommend a Weatherby Vanguard synthetic stainless in 300 Wby. Very reliable and accurate rifle.
Xbolt stalker in 300WSM. Since you included sheep and bear. No need for the stainless version and stainless rifles rust anyway if not looked after contrary to popular belief. And who needs shiny #### glinting in the sun during a hunt of any kind.
All Tikka's are the same weight/length so that platform offers nothing for the WSM.
By your post you seem sold more on the gun than the cartridge; the T3 is nice.
If your sold on the T3 and want a fast 30 just get the 300WM -it will launch the heavier bullets better (light ones are moot).
I wouldn't bother with a superlight on a magnum...
By your post you seem sold more on the gun than the cartridge; the T3 is nice.
If your sold on the T3 and want a fast 30 just get the 300WM -it will launch the heavier bullets better (light ones are moot).
I wouldn't bother with a superlight on a magnum...
- Location
- Jameson, SK
A superlite .300WSM or .300WM will beat you up. I'd say a brake'd lite, or even a varmint, would be a better choice.
The T3's are tremendous value, IMO. Very accurate, very smooth, good choice of aftermarket options available. The trigger is great from factory. The stock could be improved. Shroud, etc are small changes.
The point about all T3's being "long action" is a good one. .300WM will put more energy on target in the same rifle, but at the expense of your shoulder....
-J.
The T3's are tremendous value, IMO. Very accurate, very smooth, good choice of aftermarket options available. The trigger is great from factory. The stock could be improved. Shroud, etc are small changes.
The point about all T3's being "long action" is a good one. .300WM will put more energy on target in the same rifle, but at the expense of your shoulder....
-J.
Thanks. Only reason l was favouring WSM over wm was due to being told it had slightly less recoil for near identical ballistics, up to 180g. Not set on anything and open to advice...currently have the x bolt, carbon fluted in 30 06. It's been great. Thinking of going up to a 300 just for increased range and knockdown power. That said, the 06 has never let me down on moose or bison...
I think your 30-06 is already a one rifle do all, especially if you handload. You could either try a lower recoil cartridge like a 7mm-08 or a .270 win. or go to a higher energy rifle like a .338 win mag or .375 win mag. The only issue is you can't hunt bison in the Yukon with less than .30 caliber. Personally I think you should go for a 7mm and keep your 30-06 for bison. All depends what you do. I just got a 6.5 by 55 SE and it is very accurate and fun to shoot. And Tikkas are a good rifle for sure.
Norm
Norm
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 or 30-06 gets my vote. Replacing the shroud is cheap and not really necessary.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
This. Unless you are near Whitehorse, then you must get a 9.3
Sage advice from out man who's 30 minutes ahead of the rest.
Actually, he should get a 9.3 anyway.
Thanks again. Good advice...well, except l don't get the joke about the 9.3... I did find an x bolt in 300 wsm...think I'd gain much with that? Not keen on a wm in the x bolt,vas ut has the 26" barrel, and that's just longer than I feel like hauling around. Merry Christmas all.
- Location
- Jameson, SK
Don't think it'd be a tremendous gain. You have a pretty sweet rig already - I'd not be looking to "improve" unless you were looking to go to a .338 or even a .375.
The 26" barrel is good (very good) to gain you velocity and range, but it comes at the cost of weight and convenience..... that's something you're not going to be able to get around.
Your next question will be brake or no brake - and then you'll hear all of the opinions on noise vs. recoil......
I sometimes think about a "sheep gun" - likely a T3 lite in .300WM and a carbon stock, or something similar in .338LM. Something that weighs under 8lbs with a scope, is a dream to lug around on a backwoods mountain hunt, yet can reach out to 5-1000 yards. Then I realize how hard that SOB would slap me and I wonder if I could control my nerves enough to not f-up the shot!!!!
-J.
Would be tough to do much better than what you have already. Recoil to me always seems hardly noticeable when a guy hunts. Unless your really set on the short stroke, I'd probably go plain old 300wm, or if you want to step it up a rum or .338win maybe if it was easier to get a hunting weight .338lm I'd say that was a possible answer. But in all honesty unless it's really a new gun your after your 06 does it all.
LOL!
Of course you need a new rifle, you don't have enough, nor the proper ones for your needs!! Right?!?
Handle a few, take the one home you yourself like. Then go get another for a different purpose!!
