Why? Go shoot one, they're pretty fun....well they are for guys that don't own a fleet of rugers anyways.
Vanguard S2 vs Tikka t3
- Thread starter mike t
- Start date
Why? Go shoot one, they're pretty fun....well they are for guys that don't own a fleet of rugers anyways.
I retract my statement that the Tikkas I've had outshot the S2 I have. Fine tuning zero today and it consistently shot very well. Sierra 140 BTSPs and IMR 4831 seem to do the trick. It definitely opens groups up after 15 rounds or so but if the deer give me that much trouble I probably brought the wrong gun.
I retract my statement that the Tikkas I've had outshot the S2 I have. Fine tuning zero today and it consistently shot very well. Sierra 140 BTSPs and IMR 4831 seem to do the trick. It definitely opens groups up after 15 rounds or so but if the deer give me that much trouble I probably brought the wrong gun.
I only have one 270, Browning AB3, different gun entirely then the Vanguards, but I did find it finicky to load for, but learned something in the process. I didn't know if it's a 270 thing, or the slower twist rate, but I tried a pile of bullets (Sierra 130 FB&BT, Winchester 150gr FB, Nosler 110AB, Speer 150gr, Barnes 130TSX) and 3 different powders (H414 & both 4831's).
The 414 with the 110AB were good, and the Speer 150's with IMR4831 were great, but I had to load them up there pretty warm. Then I ran Max loads over the chrony and they were 200fps slower then published. I wasn't getting any accuracy because pressure was too low/inconsistent with these slower powders.
That's frustrating. Loading for the S2 was as drama free as you could hope for. 15 rounds using the OCW method, the one below max shot the best. The first 15 to maybe 20 rounds out the barrel are all .5 to .6 consistently, then it opens up to MOA, at least over the past three range trips. Only funny thing was my CCB shot the second time printed three inches high, and took two more foulers to hit POA. But it didn't do it today or the first time, and I clean the same way down to the same number of patches every time (two applications of Wipe Out with five to swab each time.) More validation is needed I suppose. Actually the last two foulers are the holes at top center covered by the green tape, you can see them working down the paper, the first one is another inch up. Not much help, this is the first .270 I've had or loaded for. But pretty amazing for a $500 rifle. I'm trying to talk myself into a mini action in 6.5 CM but I need another medium bore to load for like a snowman needs a space heater.
thatmikeguy
Regular
- Location
- Steinbach, Manitoba
I tweaked my 75 grain V-Max load one more time. Now they're overlapping at 100 yards. Here a link to my target.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pqasismho83bl63/IMG_20171014_145111.jpg?dl=0
I also just bought Federal Fusion 95 grain for deer hunting and they shoot great out of my T3. Here's a link.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c50tk6z42hpy9a6/IMG_20171028_153953.jpg?dl=0
Both targets have 3 shots from 100 yards.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pqasismho83bl63/IMG_20171014_145111.jpg?dl=0
I also just bought Federal Fusion 95 grain for deer hunting and they shoot great out of my T3. Here's a link.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c50tk6z42hpy9a6/IMG_20171028_153953.jpg?dl=0
Both targets have 3 shots from 100 yards.
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I was in your positition and I went to the store to see what I thought of them. The Tikka is unquestionably well built. You can tell just by looking at it. But when I held that little synthetic stock i found that if I squeezed it hard I could make it visibly deform. Same if I twisted a little. That type of pliability ruined it for me.
I got the Vanguard S2 in 308 and the stock is rock solid, the rifle shoots better than I do, and the stock not only feels good (griptonite is a great material) but fits very well. I AM a bit unhappy with the bolt wobble on the Vanguard when the action is open and it's being carried (anyone have thoughts on this) but otherwise it's a great gun.
I got the Vanguard S2 in 308 and the stock is rock solid, the rifle shoots better than I do, and the stock not only feels good (griptonite is a great material) but fits very well. I AM a bit unhappy with the bolt wobble on the Vanguard when the action is open and it's being carried (anyone have thoughts on this) but otherwise it's a great gun.
Jordan Weber
Member
- Location
- Elmira Ontario
Its funny that you mention that skimmer because i thought of it as soon as i picked up my rifle off the shelf. Felt extreme. Then when i mentioned it to the salesman he pulled a browning x bolt and a sako (not sure on model sorry) off the wall. They both had some wobble aswell. So its a common thing i think.
Probably the reason it bothered me so much is that it reminded me of a buddies remington 770 that had such bad wobble the bolt would bind up and not move forward. That was a horrible rifle.
The funny thing is that same buddy picked up my Weatherby and the first thing he did was upen the action and wiggle the bolt like a rammy todler. Its the first thing both of us check on a rifle now lol.
But the fact is that the wobble isn’t noticeable for me 99.9% of the time. Just gives me periodic Remington 770 flashbacks....
Probably the reason it bothered me so much is that it reminded me of a buddies remington 770 that had such bad wobble the bolt would bind up and not move forward. That was a horrible rifle.
The funny thing is that same buddy picked up my Weatherby and the first thing he did was upen the action and wiggle the bolt like a rammy todler. Its the first thing both of us check on a rifle now lol.
But the fact is that the wobble isn’t noticeable for me 99.9% of the time. Just gives me periodic Remington 770 flashbacks....
I've had my V2 .300winmag for 3 years now, it's consistently under .75 moa with my hunting loads. It even shot >1 moa with the winchester rounds I bought for it before I got my own reloading press. I paid $515 for it brand new at Prophet before the dollar took a dump and prices jumped. At the time it was a no brainer. While I don't own a T3, my dad does, and I've helped him work a couple hunting loads up for it. Both are more than Hunting accurate, the Vanguard is heavier and has a polymer stock, the T3 is lighter with a wooden stock. Fit and finish on either is good, no huge gaps or misalignments. With the Vanguards at a $800 price point now it will come down to how either feels.
One could argue however, that the extra couple hundred saved on the vanguard could be used for better glass.
My vote is for the Vanguard with a Nikon Monarch somethingsomething on top.
One could argue however, that the extra couple hundred saved on the vanguard could be used for better glass.
My vote is for the Vanguard with a Nikon Monarch somethingsomething on top.
- Location
- Steel Town
I have both and love both. Tikka is lighter but Howa is more durable--battle rifle durable. Both are very accurate with most commercial ammo. The factory Howa and Tikka plastic stocks aren't great however. I opted for Tikka factory walnut and B&C for the Howa.
Update:
Spent a few hours breaking in the Tikka today - went through forty rounds - the groups were about an inch a couple touching in the beginning - I shot a few groups (4 shots) that you can cover with a canadian penny at 50 yards - yes am impressed with the accuracy - didn't have any ammo left to move up to the 100 yard - as some have said my Weatherby shoots under MOA at 200 yards with hand loads - like them both. More to come.......
Spent a few hours breaking in the Tikka today - went through forty rounds - the groups were about an inch a couple touching in the beginning - I shot a few groups (4 shots) that you can cover with a canadian penny at 50 yards - yes am impressed with the accuracy - didn't have any ammo left to move up to the 100 yard - as some have said my Weatherby shoots under MOA at 200 yards with hand loads - like them both. More to come.......
The only reason for carrying with the bolt open is to "prove" its unloaded. Carrying open while hunting is just asking for headaches. Dirt, branches, moisture in the action. And worse yet, accidentally pushing the bolt release button. And, yes, ALL bolt actions have bolt wobble when open.
Good points. Yeah I guess if it's something you notice then it's pretty annoying. The other guys here don't seem to mind but I notice it every time I pick up my rifle. I guess we're the weirdos
Yeah of course when I'm actually doing the hunting bolt is closed, but never in the truck.
I guess it's just something that bugs me
The Vanguards use the HOWA action and barrel so if you want an accurate yet light sporting rifle, just order a Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle. They are light, tend to shoot well under 1 MOA and many are better than that so for a factory rifle they are a bargain.
That being said, I would not complain about weight, since more people should probably be shooting hunting rifles weighing in around 8 pounds or a bit more with scope, mounts etc. in order to effect optimal accuracy. The trend to lighter weight rifles in my mind has resulted in a lot of poor shooters among the more recent entrants to the hunting sports. More of these people should be told to man up and do it right, shoot more as well.
Just my personal view.
That being said, I would not complain about weight, since more people should probably be shooting hunting rifles weighing in around 8 pounds or a bit more with scope, mounts etc. in order to effect optimal accuracy. The trend to lighter weight rifles in my mind has resulted in a lot of poor shooters among the more recent entrants to the hunting sports. More of these people should be told to man up and do it right, shoot more as well.
Just my personal view.
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