Non-Tikka Hunting Rifle Recommendations

[Matt5266]

Is there a Rokslide consensus on what is the best recoil pad to replace the Tikka factory one with? Limbsaver Airtech?

Yes, that

 

[Skydog]

Yes, that

Is that just a simple process...unscrew the old one and screw on the new one? Any fitting required, etc.?

 

[wind gypsy]

Is there a Rokslide consensus on what is the best recoil pad to replace the Tikka factory one with? Limbsaver Airtech?

I'm sure that's a good option to start with. I never keep factory stocks on tikkas long enough to have tried any.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

If you don't reload, go with the 6.5 CM. Going back forth on all the cartridge options is mental ping-pong, they will all work. The 6.5 CM is the easiest to get and has the most choices on ammo. Don't overcomplicate things.

If Tikka is out, go with a Seekins PH. It's probably the most rifle for the least $ right now. If you'd like to shoot one, reply to the PM I sent you.

6mm cartridges keep Alabama tracking dog handlers in beer money. If you are the well-practiced, self-disciplined type who doesn't take the shots that challenge 6mms, then you can just use a .223.

The most important thing about an Alabama deer rifle is the scope. A Seekins rifle with a Vortex on it isn't half the rig a Ruger American with a Schmidt & Bender is.

If you don't have plenty of time on your hands to reload, or a trust fund, choices for shooting a lot are 6.5 CM and .308. Whitetail hunters who change from one of the old deer cartridges to 6.5CM are often disappointed because they use the ~140 instead of ~120gr.

Pick your scope and mount, then find the 6.5 or 308, with the sturdiest stock you can afford, with whatever is left in the budget.

Is there a Rokslide consensus on what is the best recoil pad to replace the Tikka factory one with? Limbsaver Airtech?

So far I have tried a pachamyre decelerator and the screw on limbsaver on the tikka 30-06 I used to have. I think the limbsaver worked better between the 2. My father uses a slip on limbsaver on his .35 whelen, and I can confirm it did make it less abusive. I have been tempted to try the backfire recoil pad, but it is fairly pricey for something that I am skeptical of. Supposedly it is custom built for your brand, model, caliber, type of muzzle device, etc. Interesting, but I have zero first hand experience with it and have not seen any reviews.

***Adding installation since I saw your question regarding the install after posting. Look up a quick youtube video on how to install it. You quite literally just take a phillips head screwdriver and push through the rubber to the screws. They are pretty long and take a lot of turns but it is something anyone can do without any special tools or skills.

 

[Matt5266]

Is that just a simple process...unscrew the old one and screw on the new one? Any fitting required, etc.?

Yes as long as you buy the correct pad for the gun. 2 screws and its done.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I always try to come back at the end of a thread (or at least provide a conclusion to my initial question/statement for future viewers to see so here it is.

I did decide to drop down from a 6.5mm to a 6mm. I am currently reviewing 3 options and probably will take quite some time to make a final decision. I am listing them below in order of what I believe is going to be my final preference.

1.) Howa Mini 1500 barrel action from Brownells that comes with a 20" carbon fiber barrel OR maybe the standard 20" barrel model. Would buy the Jefferson Outdoors closed/hinge floorplate instead of using the detachable magazines. Would then buy a Stockys vertical grip stock. I would get the non-carbon barrel if I really decide I want a 16 inch barrel since my gunsmith could chop it from 20 inches to 16. Cant do that with Carbon.

2.) Bergara Sierra Wilderness 6mm Creedmoor 20 inch barrel. Would add a Grayboe stock and their M5 hinge floorplate.

3.) Swap out the barrel, bolt, and scope on my current AR and convert to 6mm ARC.

Likely will just come down to which action I prefer at this point although I am heavily leaning towards a 6mm ARC due to the ammo being super affordable so I can get out and shoot more. Also would probably be nice to have a potentially sub 6 lb rifle fully scoped that has extremely low recoil for me, my wife, and my boys. I will try to remember to come back to this thread and post a picture of whatever I wind up getting.

Thanks everyone for all the input and for taking the time! Rokslide is great place for information. Terrible place for my bank account.

 

[NSI]

1 and 3 make sense. Don't play Bergara roulette.

If 3, build off an ICAR lower.

-J

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

1 and 3 make sense. Don't play Bergara roulette.

If 3, build off an ICAR lower.

-J

More than likely will be 1 or 3, but for curiosity sake, what is wrong with Bergara?

Main con of the AR is weight, but I get the ability to adjust LOP and general modularity. Plus I just generally like the form and controls of the AR platform. Also can get a shorter barrel easily. I may just swap a few parts and

Main con of the Howa is I don't just love their action and trigger. They are just "okay' compared to other brands I have shot. (tikka, savage, ruger, etc.). However, I could probably keep it under 6 lbs scoped which is pretty crazy for a rifle that wont break your shoulder.

 

[Matt5266]

More than likely will be 1 or 3, but for curiosity sake, what is wrong with Bergara?

Main con of the AR is weight, but I get the ability to adjust LOP and general modularity. Plus I just generally like the form and controls of the AR platform. Also can get a shorter barrel easily. I may just swap a few parts and

Main con of the Howa is I don't just love their action and trigger. They are just "okay' compared to other brands I have shot. (tikka, savage, ruger, etc.). However, I could probably keep it under 6 lbs scoped which is pretty crazy for a rifle that wont break your shoulder.

Speaking from personal experience I have sent back 2 for warranty work and now own neither. I wouldnt buy another again. QC , feeding and burrs inside the chamber and barrel were my experiences. Much better guns for the same price.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Speaking from personal experience I have sent back 2 for warranty work and now own neither. I wouldnt buy another again. QC , feeding and burrs inside the chamber and barrel were my experiences. Much better guns for the same price.

That is sad to hear. They have what looks to be really nice feature set's and caliber offerings in several price points.

 

[treydfoster]

My choices
Model 70 (New Haven)
Ruger Hawkeye

Tell me more about the New Haven qualifier. I was under the impression the New Haven rifles weren't of the same quality as the Miroku's.

 

[Matt5266]

That is sad to hear. They have what looks to be really nice feature set's and caliber offerings in several price points.

Agreed. For reference mine were both in 6.5 creed. One was a HMR Wilderness and the other was a HMR Pro.

 

[rickyw]

Tell me more about the New Haven qualifier. I was under the impression the New Haven rifles weren't of the same quality as the Miroku's.

I have never heard anything about miroku Winchester model 70s but the New Haven model 70s can be had in stainless, with the pre 64 trigger and action. I like mine very much. And they fit five in the magazine

 

[Bowfinn]

Is there a Rokslide consensus on what is the best recoil pad to replace the Tikka factory one with? Limbsaver Airtech?

The Limbsaver Airtech seems to be the nearly unanimous choice for replacement.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Final update: I am going to change my AR to 6mm ARC instead of buying a separate rifle. Since I just need a barrel, gas tube, bolt, and magazine, I will have plenty left over for my first suppressor. It will not be as ultralight as the Howa Carbon Mini would be, but it will be more compact, more modular, and adjustable LOP for the family to use. It will also let me get way more use of out a rifle I have put lots of money into already, but have not used as much as I would like. Will likely use factory Hornady match or precision Hunter and save the brass. Will likely get into reloading late this year or early next year and will have a nice supply of brass to start with.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Question about this...just for clarity and gaining a better understanding...is that bolded part actually true? I thought one of the premises to the small caliber/light, fragmenting bullet school of thought is that an increase in velocity* (or even an increase in caliber size) doesn't necessarily result in "more damage". It's all about optimizing the bullet design to get the ideal wound profile. So, in some cases, a 6.5 Grendel may create a better wound channel, more permanent tissue destruction/tearing, etc. than a 6.5 PRC...depending on bullet choice. Even an increase in caliber - for example, 6MM vs. .308 - won't necessarily create a wound channel with a larger diameter...again it depends on bullet choice. And even if it did...a 3.5-inch wound channel through the vitals won't kill a deer any deader than a 2.5-inch wound channel.

Do I have this right?...just looking for clarification/confirmation that my understanding is correct.

*Assuming the velocity is at the 1800 FPS - or whatever minimum threshold is required - to expand/fragment properly.

There are some qualifiers. Again, you are missing the rest of the statement, specifically "which isn't really necessary due to the fact that it comes with increased recoil".

When distances are equal, a 140 grain 6.5 caliber bullet shot from a 6.5 Grendel will be moving slower than the same bullet shot from a 6.5 PRC. Therefore it only makes sense that the bullet going faster is going to do more damage.
The point of contention comes in when we ask ourselves the question is it actually necessary to have that increase in damage and the subsequent increase in recoil that comes along with it. If the increase in damage results in death 2-3 seconds faster, is it worth it? Does your mind change if your chances of hitting exactly where you aim decreases by 10-15%? These are the questions that you have to ask yourself.
Then there is the "meat damage" discussion. I know a lot of guys who have changed to bonded/mono bullets because cup and core/match bullets were causing "too much meat damage". When asked why they just didn't put the 7RM away and use a 7-08 considering they are shooting pigs and whitetails at 200 yards and in, they react like you just tried to cut their nuts off.

As a confirmed Fudd I can’t agree with you more! The faster cartridge is a better killing machine. Physics! *chuckle*

Again, you left out the rest of the sentence. And it isn't about "better", it is about what is most effective and that has to take into account all the variables.

 

[juju]

You'd be better off just leaving the AR as is. But anyhow: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alabamabloodtrailingnetwork

 

[z987k]

You'd be better off just leaving the AR as is. But anyhow: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alabamabloodtrailingnetwork

Lol. If you think a 6arc can't effectively kill those small dogs you call deer in AL, i don't think you understand how bullets kill things.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

You'd be better off just leaving the AR as is. But anyhow: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alabamabloodtrailingnetwork

In fairness, the buck I shot with the AR 2 seasons ago was 1 of the bloodiest 40 yard sprints I have ever seen. However, it is the only one I have ever shot with .223, it was at probably 60 yards, broadside no quartering, heart shot, and an inexpensive lead soft point from Hornady. Main thing about changing the caliber is I would like a little more wind resistance. .223 does get bullied a little bit in stiff wind. And, in all reality, I just think the 6mm ARC is cool.
Edit
***Forgot to add last sentence. Some states don’t allow .22 cal so I figure the .24 cal will help avoid a headache later down the road since I do like travel out-of-state.