6.5 PRC or 270 for first deer rifle?

[Q_Sertorius]

easy to change grip out for vertical? Would investing in say a swarovski scope be good with t3x lite?

I would happily buy a Swarovski telescope, but not a rifle scope.

If you want to dial for elevation, a SWFA fixed 6x, 3-9x40, or 3-15x40 will solve all your problems for $350-600-750.

If you don’t want to dial, the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 is another excellent option at around $600.

There’s zero reason to spend more than $1000 on a scope for deer hunting. Especially if you are part of the vast majority of hunters who have no business taking at shot over 300 yards. Assuming you practice a lot, a 6x scope will easily work for you at 600 yards.

 

[Deere_Man]

A Tikka 270 Win and a Trijicon Accupoint
3-9x40mm solves a lot of problems and checks almost all the boxes.

 

[North of 60]

Whatever brand/cartridge you get, consider a suppressor and a quality optic.

We are fortunate to live in an age of easily accessible lightweight suppressors for shooting/hunting.

 

[Mountainrancher]

6.5 prc is honestly a hindrance for what you want. It has to much recoil and to expensive of ammo to be a rifle that many want to shoot much. 6.5 Creedmoor will do everything you want to do. If you want a simple easy button package buy these.

Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 Creedmoor Synthetic JRTXE382 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 Creedmoor Synthetic JRTXE382 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

https://www.eurooptic.com/nightforce-shv-3-10x42mm-250-moa-illuminated-forceplex-c611

UM Tikka Rings - Unknown Munitions

UM Tikka rings are not recommended for cartridges larger than 7mm PRC Tikka level sold separately HERE These rings attach directly to the Tikka Dovetail on the top of every Tikka T3 and T3X action, no need for a rail (scope base)! Each package comes with: 2 Scope Rings, 9/64″ Driver Bit, Blue...

www.unknownmunitions.com

 

[AntelopeEater]

Do you know how much your friend's rifle that you shot weighs?

I ask because if you shot a .270 and the recoil didn't bother you, that is great, but if it didn't bother you out of, say, a 9 pound rifle, it might bother you a lot out of a lighter weight rifle like a Tikka T3x lite.

If you don't mind the recoil from a lightweight rifle, look at Europtic's website, they have some close out Tikka's at great prices.

There is a brand new Tikka T3x lite in 6.5prc for only $569 right now:

Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 PRC 24" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 PRC 24" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Or, if your friend's rifle in .270 that you liked shooting was a heavier rifle than a lightweight Tikka, I'd recommend you try to find a Ruger African in .270, that is a solid, beefy, classic hunting rifle that just also looks classy with its classic wood stock and styling.

Though personally my two favorite rifles are chambered in .308, cheaper ammo for practicing with but still capable of 500 yards, though at this point I don't think I should take shots at living animals beyond about 300 yards, no matter what caliber/gun I'm using, lol.

You'll find at 300 yards or less with a quality .270 or 6.5PRC and ammo you can just zero your scope at 200 yards, and then you won't have to dial up or down or do much holdover to shoot "minute of deer" out to about 300 yards, and up to 300 yards unless the winds are unusually strong you probably won't need to worry about windage to get a bullet in the zone of the vitals.

But much farther than that, especially at 500 yards, now you will have to holdover or dial...and wind starts to become a much bigger issue, no matter which caliber/cartridge you are using.

So consider a .308 as well, cheaper ammo and as anew hunter you probably want to start off limiting your shots to 200 - 300 yards for awhile anyways.