Help deciding on $2K and under whitetail hunting rifle

[Rich M]

I just bought a Ruger American Ranch Rifle w 16 inch barrel in 350 Legend and know it will hit good at 250. 300 should be doable once I get to a range that has more than 250 yards to shoot will be able to discuss. This gun shot 1/2 inch at 100 and 1.1 inch at 225 and 2.5 inch at 250 (my fault at 250). $500 Has a $200 Diamondback BDC scope on there that works nice too. Shot 2 deer with it about a month ago - punches a nice hole in em.

Can see $2,000 cause you can, but you don't gotta. Plenty of great rifles in the $1,200 and less bracket. Put some better glass on there with the cost savings.

 

[EmperorMA]

I agree with the assessment of the Tikka stock being terrible at mitigating recoil. We had three 6.5 Creedmoor rifles at the range one day ... a Winchester XPR and a Tikka T3 Lite and Superlite. We also had a Browning Hells Canyon Speed .270 Win and a T3 Superlite .270 Win.

The difference in recoil between the Tikkas and the Winchester and Browning rifles was astonishing. The little Creedmoors kicked the crap out of you in the Tikka rifle while the Winchester felt like shooting an AR-15! The .270 Tikka was honestly one of the most unpleasant rifles I have ever shot. I shot .300 mags that were easier on the shoulder. The Browning .270 was a pussycat in comparison.

All were without a brake.

The Tikka owners were actually thinking about selling off their rifles after shooting the Winchester and Browning rifles, it was so apparent.

 

[kevin11mee]

I agree. It was surprising how much recoil came from a mild cartridge like a 6.5 Creedmore. But Tikkas tend to be around $600-700 where Browning and Winchester tend to be double that, so of course there are a few issues. You can always put a Tikka in a new stock and have a great rifle, but then you're back at the $1200-$1500 price.

 

[vonb]

The Mauser M12 Impact in .308 at Standard Manufacturing for $499 was a steal. Not sure if they still have them but definitely worth a look.

 

[Elkhntr08]

A Winchester 70 extreme weather with a good leupold scope. You’ll be ready for any whitetail in any weather, anywhere.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I agree. It was surprising how much recoil came from a mild cartridge like a 6.5 Creedmore. But Tikkas tend to be around $600-700 where Browning and Winchester tend to be double that, so of course there are a few issues. You can always put a Tikka in a new stock and have a great rifle, but then you're back at the $1200-$1500 price.

I agreed that my tikka in 6.5 had a bit of bite. It was also my lightest rifle so that didn’t help.
A $30 air tech recoil pad made it a ton better.
My 2 cents it’s really tough to beat tikka for value a lot of gun for ~$700. I personally really like reloading for mine in 6.5. The throat is long and you can sneak some extra performance out of it.

 

[robtattoo]

Man, you really want ti drop 2k on an eastern whitetail gun? Literally anything will do..... my go to for the last couple of years has been a $249 walmart remington 700adl.
Admittedly I had it rebored from .243 to .358 & fitted it into a Brown's Pound'r stock, but it wouldn't have killed any less stuff if i'd left it as I bought it. I mean, if you want to blow 2 grand, hey, go nuts brother, but I reckon 90% of hunters would be far, far better served spending a third of that & dropping the other two thirds into range membership & disposable practice ammo.

 

[Kimber7man]

The original T3 has a horrid recoil pad. My pal’s 270 kicked like a mule. helped him put a limbsaver pad and that greatly reduced it.
The T3X has an improved recoil pad.
Ive found it better to put the T3X into a Mesa, McMillan, or Manners stock.
Although I did just get my T3X 6.5 creed back from Allterra bedded into their carbon hunter stock. I might like this one best.

 

[Buzby]

If I had to drop some serious money on a whitetail rifle, I’d probably look for a pre 64 model 70. At least you’d have an heirloom.

 

[kevin11mee]

If I had to drop some serious money on a whitetail rifle, I’d probably look for a pre 64 model 70. At least you’d have an heirloom.

Still my favorite rifle to shoot, but I will say that I just purchased a Fierce and it's probably going to replace the M70 as my favorite. Pre-64 M70 is still definitely still cooler than a new Fierce though.

 

[andrew j]

Is it a back country whitetail rifle!

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I agree with the assessment of the Tikka stock being terrible at mitigating recoil. We had three 6.5 Creedmoor rifles at the range one day ... a Winchester XPR and a Tikka T3 Lite and Superlite. We also had a Browning Hells Canyon Speed .270 Win and a T3 Superlite .270 Win.

The difference in recoil between the Tikkas and the Winchester and Browning rifles was astonishing. The little Creedmoors kicked the crap out of you in the Tikka rifle while the Winchester felt like shooting an AR-15! The .270 Tikka was honestly one of the most unpleasant rifles I have ever shot. I shot .300 mags that were easier on the shoulder. The Browning .270 was a pussycat in comparison.

All were without a brake.

The Tikka owners were actually thinking about selling off their rifles after shooting the Winchester and Browning rifles, it was so apparent.

Tikkas "kicking" is totally personal.

My bone stock T3X in 6.5 CM does not kick worth a damn. And my bone stock T3X in 300 WM does not knock me into next week contrary to what the Internet gods state (not directed to you personally, Emperor). The 300 WM does let me know that it is there but the recoil is not nearly as punishing as what is commonly conveyed.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I agree. It was surprising how much recoil came from a mild cartridge like a 6.5 Creedmore. But Tikkas tend to be around $600-700 where Browning and Winchester tend to be double that, so of course there are a few issues. You can always put a Tikka in a new stock and have a great rifle, but then you're back at the $1200-$1500 price.

Great is totally subjective. If I can shoot a bone stock Tikka very well and it does everything that I ask of it, then it is a great rifle. However, if the only positive about the Tikka is the action and everything else is garbage or needs "work", then it would not be a great rifle.