First rifle help

[durangobrad]

Tikka 30-06 T3X Lite in 30-06. Whitakers guns online has great prices on them and they are an awesome rifle. Ive got one, swapped out the recoil pad with the new limbsaver airtech. For me my shot distance is limited to 300 yards but thats just because I have nowhere to practice out further than that. Killed a deer and an antelope with it, pushing Barnes TTSX 168 grains. The bucks dropped in his tracks and the antelope went 10 steps.

 

[AdamW]

A T3X in .30-06 would be high on my list of first rifle choices. Scope selection is very personal so you’re the best judge there.

 

[howl]

Having a gun that fits and a quality, properly mounted stock are more important than the cartridge. Lots of cartridges will do. A good stock and sighting system and plenty of practice ammo are more important.

The list of cartridges you can get in match ammo under $1/round is pretty short. That Vortex LH is on special some places around the web these days.

 

[MTBOWHUNTER542]

Update.......
Thanks to all the members who posted on this thread! I just picked up a Tikka T3X chambered in 308 with a Leupold vx2 3-9×40 CDS scope from the awesome classifieds on this forum.
Thanks again Rs3003!
Time to practice, practice, practice!

 

[deerhunter628]

If i were in your shoes i would look at the Kimber Hunter in a .308 with a leupold vx 3. Thats a nice hunting/shooting package in a good price bracket.

 

[Drake Johnson]

If you want to kill deer long range, and want good clean kills, a Ruger RUM77GS308WIN is the way to go. This rifle has some of the very best selection of long range deer suitable factory ammo one could ask for. Though, you can try to find the best scout rifle here.

 

[sdupontjr]

I had a post earlier asking about the CTR as a hunting rifle. I went out this last weekend with a borrowed Savage scout rifle In 308 with a detachable mag and a heavier barrel. After lugging that thing around for a couple days, I no longer wish for a detachable mag heavy barrel rifle for hunting. I learned a lot talking with other rifle hunters about their setups while on this hunt.

Rifle thoughts / choices:
I am now leaning towards rifles like the Christensen Arms Mesa, Tikka lite or Superlites,Kimber or maybe a Barrett Fieldcraft.

Scopes:
I'm thinking to top it with a Vortex Razor LH, Nightforce SHV, or a Sig Whiskey 5, or a used Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42

Caliber:
My goal is still to practice as much as possible this next year, so caliber and ammo cost is a big concern. I learned shooting bows that it's best to avoid starting bad habbits, so Im looking at 6.5 creedmoore, 30-06? Open to other suggestions as well. What is a good longer range performer (400-500) yards for Elk, Muley, Antelopes that won't break my already surgically repaired shoulder or pocket book?

Update.......
Thanks to all the members who posted on this thread! I just picked up a Tikka T3X chambered in 308 with a Leupold vx2 3-9×40 CDS scope from the awesome classifieds on this forum.
Thanks again Rs3003!
Time to practice, practice, practice!

I ended up doing the same thing for just about the same reason. As a former college athlete turned pro, my Pitching shoulder cut my career short before it ever got going and to make matters worse, its my shooting shoulder. I was a 7 mag guy since I was 15 and now 32 years later, this shoulder can't take the pounding. I too picked up a Tikka t3 in .308 however mine came with a limbsaver which helped tremendously. Can shoot it all day. I believe the T3x comes with a different recoil pad. You'll like it. Mine shoots federal blue box 150's very well for deer. Still working on long range practice though. And the blue box stuff is about $12 a box a walmart.

 

[kentbarter]

Definitely settle on a caliber, first.

I don't think that anyone in the world has a bad thing to say about a .308 or a 30-06 (other than me, maybe), but I think that it is reasonable to place those calibers in a proper category. I might label that category, "Traditional Hunting Calibers." I have a 30-06, and it is a tack driver, but in a heavier Ruger M77. That, in conjunction with the marginal ballistics, keeps it in the safe more than the field. I love it, but am just not thrilled to hunt with it. Looking at a ballistics chart will likely make you question a .308, too. But, the .308 has a well earned reputation as a hard hitting accurate round. For me, it is hard to get past the marginal ballistics, though. I just don't get it. It is not enough to say that "hey, the .308 has been around forever, and I have killed X with it." Some logical reasoning would be nice once in a while as to why people love it, other than to say that they were taught to love it by their dad or grandpa, etc. Frankly, the ballistics suck. See any chart online for nearly any standard hunting bullet weight (150-180 for the .308) and you will be surprised it is still being sold. Reloaders can push those numbers, but not enough to make it enticing for me. Ammo is cheaper than most calibers though as there is a ton of it out there, for obvious reasons. That, and the AR platform application, are the only logical reasons I can come to as to why it is still around and popular.

If you are able to move past the traditional calibers, you will find that there are a few really attractive options in the 7MM category that won't break the bank on ammo purchases and will give you better ballistics (see, 7MM-08--based on .308 casing--, .280 Rem, etc.). There is a very good recommendation above for the .270 WSM. That is an outstanding all around caliber and ammo is readily available in most areas and mid range in terms of cost. My hunting partner shoots a standard .270 and loves it, too. Nothing wrong with that selection if you are looking for a readily available caliber that shoots flat. I am not a huge fan, but I respect the hell out of a lot of guys who are, so what do I know.

If you like the 6.5's, there is nothing wrong with the creedmoor. I've seen what the 120 grain Super Performance GMX rounds do to big, tough, CA mountain boars and have been very impressed. Accurate, easy on the shoulder, and enough punch to kill almost anything in the lower 48. Plus, ammo is getting cheaper and is available anywhere. If you plan on shooting a lot, this might be the best selection.

I think that I have posted a few times that I am a .280 Rem guy. If you buy ammo online, like I do, the cost is about average for hunting calibers and you are on the top end of standard caliber ballistics (close to magnum numbers). There was a post above about the .280 AI. I firmly believe that the .280 AI is the best all around north american hunting round (EXCLUDING BIG BEARS) IF YOU RELOAD. I do not reload, so I stick to the .280 Rem and have killed a spectrum of game with it with zero bullet failures.

As far as rifle choices, you seem to have a good grip on that part. I opt for lighter rifles as I hike a lot. Some folks, like my brother, can handle a heavier rifle on long hikes. I feel the extra 1-3 lbs after day 1, so I try to keep my hunting rifles in the 7.5LB+- range. Obviously, it is best to go and handle a few and see what you like. Settle on a barrel length/type, weight, stock, etc. I got lucky and bought a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle .280 that shoots straight. From what I read, some of them don't. Tikka is a GREAT selection, too, for all the same reasons. Lots of Tikka guys on this site. That there are so many really speaks to the direction that company is headed in. Plus, you'll save a bunch of cash on the rifle purchase that you can use for ammo or upgraded rings/scope.

Long, windy post. I love this stuff, though, and really enjoy reading posts on this site on the topic so I thought I might chime in and offer some marginally useful content. Obviously, I stayed away from the bigger mag calibers and the expensive smaller calibers. Best of luck with the purchase. More importantly, best of luck in the field with your new purchase.

Humble opinion but .280 as stated above or 7-08 would be my choice over the 30's. recoil and ballistic being my reason's. And 6.5x284 over Creed all day.

Kent