Newer shooter with questions

[Pinchecharlie]

Hey all, trying to decide on a rifle and have questions. Iam a newer hunter/shooter and I’d like to learn to shoot further distances for target practice and to become a better hunter. I’d like to eventually try a nrl match also (looks fun) . I’ve been using my only rifle a .270 and I’ve been successful hunting but it’s a bit much for me to say it’s a “pleasure” to shoot. I actually have a flinch that may be a problem. So I’ve been wanting something that’s less recoil and maybe considered accurate that I could learn with and still hunt deer and antelope. I’ve had it in my head so much now iam lost and unfortunately I can’t buy two or three rifles at the moment and have a happy wife. I have a tikka t3 now I bought off classifieds a few years ago for next to nothing lol. I thought I’d use the action and do a do but now I think I should do something else. I have a good budget but was raised to be frugal lol.
So I’d like to learn to shoot to 500 under an inch moa (or be very consistent lol) . I set a goal of shooting a hundred rounds a week. I have all the equipment to reload but have never done it it Iam looking forward to it. I’d like to maybe someday try a nrl hunter event just for fun. I’d like to shoot an antelope or mulley with it just so I don’t feel stupid for spending a lot on a target rifle. I had originally wanted a 22 creedmore. Then I wanted a 6mm creedmore then a 6.5x47 lapua and then a 25 creedmore then a 7mm prcw. Then a 6.5 prc so no would accidentally see a big bull when iam out east lol. I wanted all of these because I knew jack shit and cool kids buy them it would appear. I do actually want a rifle that doesn’t kick to bad.
I could with no problem and enthusiasm do a custom action build or I could do a rebarrell style too. I allways feel a bit dumb buying a 1000 dollar rifle just to discard most of it. I d rather not do a cheap rifle just to be cheap though . I’ve researched coup de grace and some after market tikka actions as well as the upper end but didn’t consider the most expensive. I’d do something like that though? I’d also be willing to do a “system “ where I had a chassis that could do double duty? Open to what others who know do.
I can say that I’ve never seen one of my shots land but usually see blue sky lol. I’ve only killed a few deer and a couple antelope and three elk (only one bull lol) in my entire life so iam pretty green. Even more embarrassing I started hunting a few years ago at 53 so iam old too. Yeah embarrassing but at least iam honest lol! So if you felt this way what caliber and cartridge would you consider? If you have patience please state barrel length and twist because I don’t really understand that just yet. I also understand I need a good scope and iam willing to spend on it also. Sorry for the long post thanks if you care to reply.

 

[Ajsomp]

lots to take in here. If you want to get better at shooting long range, take a class from vetted instructors. Some will let you rent equipment. Get yourself a rifle you will train a lot with for cheap (tikka 223). Get a main rifle you actually like shooting (6.5 creed or similar).

If you’re looking for suggestions- here’s what you should go buy -
Tikka t3x in 6.5 creedmoor with Swfa 3-9 scope (still on sale today btw)
Tikka t3x in 223 with Swfa 3-9 scope

Buy (or load) lots of ammo and go shoot. The rest is noise. A lot of threads here to search through but focus on the ones with training tips. Nothing magical behind long range these days - just need to get out there.

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Yeah sorry for the long winded post. I d like the next level of tikka t3 if I could. I like my rifle and it’s perfect for the mountains and it works good but it feels cheap and the stock is wonky. I’d just like to experience a nice rifle just once even if it’s wasteful a little. Maybe if I lose interest I’ll buy a 6.5 tikka and put it in a chassis or stock just to say I did . I can’t find the other rifles chambered in anything reasonable locally but I’ll keep looking. If anyone knows a firearms instructor in the Bozeman mt area let me know. A quick search and all I found where some very expensive at-style training programs. I just need fundamentals not tactical or past 1000 sniper stuff lol’ thanks for the reply. I also enjoy just talking about stuff with people so I appreciate you helping.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Yeah that's a lot to unpack. For some background, did you begin shooting with a rimfire or small bore like a .223 or .243 and then developed the flinch with the .270 Win as you moved up after trigger time with the smaller cartridge rifles?

Shooting well at any range with rifles is not going to do anything for your hunting skill per se. Those two are separate things although there could be an opinion or experience that shows shooting the rifle and hunting (finding/locating game to be in position for said shooting of the rifle) have some overlap, so I don't want to say never.

You didn't mention removing the .270 from your repertoire, don't. You need trigger time with a lighter recoiling rifle/cartridge. The .270 is not a heavy recoiling rifle or one most folks consider flinch inducing unless introduced to it in a way that put you in a bad spot to learn from the get-go.

With your desire to reload, its easily within your ability to load reduced recoil rounds for the .270, get the right practice and use the .270 easily and confidently.

With that said, no flies on getting another rifle but I don't know that is the answer.

Things need to get unwrapped and peeled back to find the root cause of how a .270 Winchester has caused a flinch to the extent you are considering a complete retool.

 

[codym]

Do a zermatt origin action. They are the cheapest most feature packed action out there. Do a 6 dasher prefit. It will be low recoil, highly accurate, incredibly easy to load for, long barrel life and more than capable of taking deer and antelope at any reasonable range. For whatever reason you choose not to do the dasher go 6.5x47. Both of these are ridiculously easy to load for. I would then get a trigger tech trigger and an xlr element chassis. That system will serve you well for hunting, add a few weights for comps. Then shoot shoot and shoot

 

[TaperPin]

The 270 is a great hunting cartridge but no fun to practice with to get over that flinch. I see a used 243 for $250 every once in a while and it’s the cartridge everyone around me shoots for practice. I used to pull the scope off my 270 and put it on the 243 for most of the year until hunting season.

 

[TaperPin]

If you reload, making up 270 reduced loads with no more recoil than a 243 is a piece of cake.

 

[35WhelenAI]

If you reload, making up 270 reduced loads with no more recoil than a 243 is a piece of cake.

Yep, just what I was saying in post #4. The cart is in front of the horse with everything I've read so far. There's an issue that has reared its head and the root cause needs to be found out and worked through.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Concur that if you want to shoot, you want none of what you listed.

6.5C or less is what I would go for. If you don’t want to reload then 223 is cheapest way to shoot a lot. Anything more recoil sucks a bit.

If NRL is on the list. Really between 25 creedmoor and 6.5C because of power factor.

You “could” use your 270 though for that and use the whatever else tikka as a trainer.