Non-Tikka Hunting Rifle Recommendations

[CoHunter1991]

Another vote for a little extra cash and get a Seekins. You can probably find a good used PH2 in your range soon with the release of the PH3

The PH2s are currently onsale for 1550

 

[hereinaz]

With several folks on here recommending chopping barrels down or running rifles like the Sig Cross, I may go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate what I was looking for. A .243 chopped down to 16”-18” in a nice stock would be pretty interesting. Although I am wondering if I am better off buying an action to build off of at this point and getting something like a 6mm creed.

Inside 400 yards, a .243 will typically have more velocity than a 6 creed and match exterior ballistics. Bullets weigh less and have less bearing surface.

If I had a budget, I would have no problem running a 16-18” .243 as a woods gun with occasional western hunt out to 400ish.

Most conversations about rifles are about optimization at the margins. This is especially true for the 6creed discussion. Inside 400 yards it’s hard to separate ballistic performance.

It seems that western hunting tends to dominate on the “which rifle cartridge is best” discussion.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Inside 400 yards, a .243 will typically have more velocity than a 6 creed and match exterior ballistics. Bullets weigh less and have less bearing surface.

If I had a budget, I would have no problem running a 16-18” .243 as a woods gun with occasional western hunt out to 400ish.

Most conversations about rifles are about optimization at the margins. This is especially true for the 6creed discussion. Inside 400 yards it’s hard to separate ballistic performance.

It seems that western hunting tends to dominate on the “which rifle cartridge is best” discussion.

Yeah I think that's because most folks agree you just don't need much to take a medium sized white-tail at 100 yards or less. When most folks think of west (myself included), it is hard not to picture 600 yards and elk/big bears.

I am going to do some research into the .243 win and look at some rifle options that might would work well with it for me. Still not 100% on leaving the 6.5 creed but definitely a strong possibility. Especially since I do have a wife who likes to occasionally hunt and 2 boys getting closer to hunting age every day.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

If it were mandated that you could only hunt turkeys with a 3.5 inch load, that would most likely end my turkey hunting career! There’s not a turkey walking the planet that can’t be taken with a 3”, or even 2 3/4 “, properly patterned load at ethical ranges.

I got rid of my 12 about a year ago and now use a 20 gauge for turkey and my old H&R .410 for small game. It has really made shotguns more fun to use. I have been working on talking my dad out of his 12 gauge and .35 whelen as he also has a severe flinch.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I don’t know much about using match bullets for hunting. How is the ELD-M working for you? Are there limitations you work around?

Why Match/Target Bullets For Hunting

This is going to be a barrage of questions. It will help to view me as a skeptic relative to the matter at hand. I am going to do some load development for my new 6mm Creed. I live in the southeast where shots are rarely taken at more than 100 yards. But, I fancy that I will take a trip out...

rokslide.com

 

[ResearchinStuff]

there is so much information on this site:

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix. Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

rokslide.com

 

[JDT1982]

Another vote for browning x bolt

 

[hereinaz]

Yeah I think that's because most folks agree you just don't need much to take a medium sized white-tail at 100 yards or less. When most folks think of west (myself included), it is hard not to picture 600 yards and elk/big bears.

I get it. What you picture is a lot like the motivations that drove the idea you needed 3.5 inch shells…

As someone who loves long range shooting and hunts in the west, a limit of 450 yards will fill the majority of tags, and that is a realistic distance. And, the 6mm/243 bullets I would choose will kill out of a .243.

You downsized from the 12 gauge, you can do it with rifles too.