1st rifle for a new hunter

[thinhorn_AK]

Tikka 6.5 creedmoore or a 270 with a basic scope.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

I thaught all tikka rifles were long action with a different bolt face for the short action cartridges....am I wrong in thinking that?

308 & 30-06 based cartridges that use the same bolt face diameter. The difference is in the magazine length, since all Tikka's are long actions they have to work the magazine to suit the shorter cartridges.

 

[Desk Jockey]

FYI 270 is a long action chambering. What advantage would you gain in a Tikka shooting a short action cartridge? Just curious

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Yes. My post wasn’t clear.

While a 270, as recommend above and as a long action would be fine, I would go with a 308 or 6.5 cm. Slightly less recoil than a 270. Slightly Cheaper and possibly more widely available ammo, although I don’t think 270 is hard to find.

On a tikka, given their design, I am not sure long action vs short action matters much, apart from recoil until you get to magnum calibers, which add cost and weight. If he goes with another brand, it definitely makes a difference in the cost and weight departments and I am not sure any minor performance gain of a 270 over a 308 or 6.5 cm justifies the extra cost/weight of a long action.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

I hardly doubt anyone can tell the difference in weight from a short to long action when holding the same rifle models with same barrel lengths. Only when you compare and see a few added ounces on paper do people start to say it's a disadvantage or drawback. The weight is closer to the shooter, so it's not like adding 2" to the end of the barrel where it's more noticeable. Keeping an eye on your scope weight fixes that issue if it is noticeable since that's where the weight is anyways.

In truth, the 270 is a better preforming hunting cartridge than the 6.5 Creedmoor. The Creedmoor is a great cartridge, but for "hunting applications" the 270 pull's ahead. Both will work but overall the 270 is better, less drop, more down range energy & is still light recoiling enough for average shooters. Here's a link from someone who did the math between the two ---> 25-06 vs 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270

First time I shot a 270 I was amazed at how soft shooting it was, I expected it to be more due to the extra powder but that light 130 gr bullet doesn't offer much resistance going out the barrel. With copper/monolithic bullets out now the 130 gr bullets are capable of taking larger game so there's no reason to shoot 150 gr's anymore.

As per cost, the only time I see a higher cost is with magnum actions not long actions. I don't see ammo being any costlier for standard or premium hunting ammo between the 6.5 to 270. Only when you go into obscure rounds or magnum's do the prices go up.

Personally "if" i were to buy a 6.5 short action for hunting i'd most likely buy a 260 since it offers better performance with lighter weight bullets, it wasn't designed for the heavy target bullets to fit a short action magazine length like the Creedmoor so it holds more powder. I'm a fan of the 308 win cartridge design, I already reload for the 243, 308, & 338 fed, but I'd still choose the 270 if I could only have one rifle for the game the OP stated.

 

[Lionhound1975]

I think a 6.5 CM is a great caliber for a new hunter, he will enjoy shooting it and not develop flinching or recoil-induced habits that he might if he starts off with a bigger caliber. He won't practice if he doesn't enjoy shooting it. If he gets proficient the 6.5 will be enough for deer, antelope, and even elk at reasonable distances with a premium bullet.

 

[Rob5589]

My 13 y.o. daughter shoots a T3 in 7/08 and has no issues with recoil. .284; great selection of bullets, easy to load for, mild recoil. And the Tikka is a shooter to boot.

 

[archp625]

A buddy picked up a Tikka t3x in 6.5 Creedmoor and its a pussycat to shoot. Very mild recoil compared to my Tikka T3 in .270 Win.

 

[howl]

270 kicks more because of the larger powder charge. Powder weight is a big factor in recoil.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

Given that the guy is a teacher, I'm sure he's already researching what to get on his own & possibly chose something different from what we're all arguing over.

Good times.

 

[jonathond]

I agree with a 6.5 or 7-08 cartridge. Nice and easy. Will kill whatever you point it at if aimed well.