Recommendation on first rifle?

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Aug 14, 2025
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I am a muzzleloader hunter but I drew some multi season tags this year in Washington. In the past I just kept on using the ol muzzy but I’d like to get a bolt action and push out to maybe 400 max (if the stars align). I hunt western Washington and realistically wouldn’t shoot past 250 on 99% of shots.

Want this rifle to hunt deer/elk/bear or any tags I might draw here in WA moving forward. I’m pretty set on 6.5 creedmore as I don’t want heavy recoil.

The model 70 extreme weather had my interest but a bit out of reach for the budget. The euro optic tikka superlites were recommended but they don’t make my heart flutter at the top end of the budget.

A local store is selling these so I could pay cash and have money left toward a suppressor.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282744
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282749

thanks for any input!
 
Plenty of first rifle recommendation threads, but specifically:

Those Hogue overmold stocks are not my favorite. While comfortable, they flex too much and can contact the barrel. That rifle looks sexy but is close to the price of a Tikka. I have both Howa and Tikka, and while I like both, the Tikka definitely wins for smooth action and quality.

I like 6.5 CM. A suppressor definitely helps tame the recoil though. (It’s not about pain, it’s the ability to spot and follow up shots quickly.)
 
I love my Tikka T3X stainless steel lite in 6.5 CM. I had the barrel cut to 20”. The cost of the cutting job and the secondhand rifle came to $650. I put a lot more money into it after that to customize it to my aesthetic (wooden stock and stainless steel bottom metal) and functional (RokStok) desires, but the basic rifle was quite affordable. I have handled many Howa rifles and I don’t think they are nearly as nice. The aesthetic and functional changes would have cost me the same amount. But my starting point with the Tikka - great action, great trigger, great barrel, overall quality feeling - is much higher than the Howa.

You also have a lot more room for customizing the Tikka to make it into a true “one rifle for life” purchase.

The $150 scope on your first build is almost certainly inflated. It is a $150 scope that is just not very good. You really need a reliable sighting device on your rifle. Not a superb piece of glass, but a reliable sighting device.

The price on that first package is inflated. It has cheap add ons that have little or no real value.

A new or secondhand SWFA 6x would set you back $350, but get you a quality optic with excellent resale potential if you wish to upgrade. A pair of decent rings (Sportsmatch or UM) are another $60-130 (assuming you don’t wait for a sale).

If you really want a cheap rifle, get the absolute most basic Howa and then put an SWFA scope on it. The second Howa is the better deal of the two you linked. But I recommend spending the extra couple of hundred bucks to get a Tikka.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
Thanks! I was looking for input of those two rifles linked specifically.

I didn’t realize how cheapo that scope was already mounted. Agreed no value added. And I was assuming it was the carbon stock so thanks. I can offer 600 cash no scope ;)

Tikkas are easy I know. If I could find one in stock nearby that was stainless, 22” or less, and threaded then I could be done!
 
^this is the easy button answer, toss a Swfa, trijicon, or nightforce and call it a day. Huron or ascent triji’s can be found very reasonably probably 1600 all in with rings and scope would never need another rifle …
 
I'll second @Q_Sertorius and @cowdisciple and others here, there are several EuroOptic sale price Tikkas that fit your criteria. Wood stock and stainless, Roughtech cerakote, etc that hit that $1k/under mark (even if you have to send it off for a cut/thread on some of them)

I own Howa and Tikka, and the Tikkas are definitely the better built rifle. More reliable feeding, better mags overall, much smoother, less binding running the bolt. If you like 2-stage triggers the Howa is fine after some tuning (I cut about half a coil off the spring), but the Tikka trigger is definitely my preference. The Howa I have is fine from an accuracy standpoint, but my Tikkas are head and shoulders better functioning rifles. The Tikka factory plastic stock is nicer than the factory Howa Hogue stock, though if you're adventurous you can drastically improve the Howa stock with a block plane, chop saw, carbon arrow shafts and epoxy if you like to tinker with stuff. I think I have about 6-ish hours into mine.

SWFA 3-9 is in stock and at $599 there's not a better value that is readily available.
 
A local store is selling these so I could pay cash and have money left toward a suppressor.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282744
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282749

FYI you can search gunbroker by state. Start saving everybody that is within driving range. Being able to window shop most of the nearby gun dealers while drinking my morning coffee is rather nice. Found some good deals that way as well

What is the budget?

A boring ass blued t3 lite is $650 before shipping. Thats pretty hard to beat.
 
Can you cap the windage on the SWFA 3-9?
Nope, but a couple wraps of electrical tape helps it stay put if you're worried. I haven't had mine (or my 6x for that matter) turn by accident, but I do like capped windage (my LRHS 3-12 is probably my favorite all-around scope I've ever used)
 
Thanks! I was looking for input of those two rifles linked specifically.

I didn’t realize how cheapo that scope was already mounted. Agreed no value added. And I was assuming it was the carbon stock so thanks. I can offer 600 cash no scope ;)

Tikkas are easy I know. If I could find one in stock nearby that was stainless, 22” or less, and threaded then I could be done!
Ick, already caving in to Tikka fanbois. You should be ashamed
 
I am a muzzleloader hunter but I drew some multi season tags this year in Washington. In the past I just kept on using the ol muzzy but I’d like to get a bolt action and push out to maybe 400 max (if the stars align). I hunt western Washington and realistically wouldn’t shoot past 250 on 99% of shots.

Want this rifle to hunt deer/elk/bear or any tags I might draw here in WA moving forward. I’m pretty set on 6.5 creedmore as I don’t want heavy recoil.

The model 70 extreme weather had my interest but a bit out of reach for the budget. The euro optic tikka superlites were recommended but they don’t make my heart flutter at the top end of the budget.

A local store is selling these so I could pay cash and have money left toward a suppressor.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282744
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1121282749

thanks for any input!
Seems like you're sort of specifically picking 3-position safeties. Just wanted to drop a note in favor of that feature.

In many or perhaps most ways a 700 clone or tikka would be better/simpler, especially if you ever have interest in tinkering: stock availability later on, pre-fit barrels, other aftermarket support.

But I personally really enjoy a 3-position safety. I like that it locks the bolt when thrashing through the brush with the gun on the pack. I like being able to run the bolt with safety on. I like the bolt lock when still hunting with a round in the chamber, transition to middle position when setting up for a shot. It's certainly not for everyone but for me and the way that I hunt it's a nice feature. Ruger M77 & kimber also have it so could be worth considering if you see one on the shelf for the right price.

Also you might consider .243 win or 7mm08 as well if you see one on the shelf. Still low recoiling although you do probably give up some ammo availability to the 6.5creed these days.

I do see a fair bit of used rifle traffic on the Washington state forum classifieds well, it's worth keeping an eye out: https://hunting-washington.com/
 
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