Tikka vs TC pro hunter

[Elkfitness]

Question for those who've used both. I'm mainly an archery hunter but use a rifle for cow elk and mule deer in colorado. My current rifle and the only one I've shot for the past 5 yrs is a ruger m77 all weather in 300 win mag. I've got a burris fullfield 3x9 on it and can get 3/4" groups at 100 with it. My 40th birthday is coming up this month and my gift from my wife is a new rifle. My budget for the rifle is about $700 without scope. I've handled both the tikka t3 superlite in 7mm mag and also the pro hunter. The pro hunter will come in the black powder mode and I will pick a rifle barrel in the spring. What would you guys choose? I like the feel of both. I'll put a scope in the $500 range on either rifle. This rifle will be my mountain rifle. I'm also in the process of having and older 30-06 built into a 6.5-06. Lastly would 7mm mag be the best choice given I have a 300 win mag and will have a 6.5-06? I know, lots of questions. Here's the only pic I have of the groups the 300 mag gets at 100 yds. It's a five Shot group. One little flyer to the right on the last shot.

 

[Shrek]

If your 6.5-06 is getting an 8 twist barrel then it will be all you need. With a 300 win mag already the 7mm mag is looking for a reason. The Encore is a fun system. I've had two and they are great with a trigger job and an interference fit pin. You can pick up extra barrels and have different toys for reasonable price. The killer is the need for extra scopes to put on the barrels. I've sold my encores but I'll have another one soon enough. Just too useful not to have around.

 

[Elkfitness]

I'm gonna go with that twist for the 6.5-06, but still looking another another rifle. I think I have ultralight envy that is the reason for the tikka and the 7mm mag. I know the ruger is more than accurate for me. Intrigued by the TC.

 

[tstowater]

I'm with Shrek on the Encores. I have one (not a Pro Hunter) with the muzzy barrel and have a 204 barrel. Put a different scope on it last weekend and resighted in. Damn, that thing can shoot. Versatility is great, but expensive by the time you buy the extra barrels and scope them up. I would give serious consideration with the Tikka as they are pretty darn'd good guns for the money. The only Tikka in the house shoots as good as we can ask.

 

[Shrek]

Tell us about the 6.5-06 ? Why not just make it an ultralight ?

 

[Jackelope]

The 7mag pro hunter barrel will be a heavy barrel and will put the rifle around 8.5-9 pounds i'd guess depending on what scope you put on it. I have one with a .300 win mag barrel, thumb hole stock and a vx3 4.5-14x50 scope and its ~9.5 pounds. Just a heads up. Not sure it's what I'd call a mountain rifle. If I put my .280 barrel, normal stock and little vortex scope on it, it goes under 8#. The .280 is not a bull barrel like the magnums are. Mine is an Encore I guess too, not a pro hunter.

 

[Elkfitness]

I'm using a Remington sportsman 78 (700 action) in 30-06 for my donor action. Currently deciding between hitech customs and mcgowen on the build. Still in the air on fluting or just going to smaller contour. Have a base model remington stock as the first stock. Will upgrade stock later. This rifle will be a project. Funding for the 6.5 is from gear selling. Never have had any custom work done, so it's kinda overwhelming.

 

[Shrek]

High Tech Custom is who worked on my 7mm wsm. I wouldn't use him again. Promised two to three week delivery and took three months. Miss throated it and I had to send it back for him to lengthen it. I don't care for the seven flute he cut and the bead blast was uneven. I use fine steel wool to knock down the bead blast to a satin finish so it kind of hid the bead blast irregularities but I still haven't warmed to the fluting job. He was inexpensive and the chamber was tight. Rifle shoots fine. If you have any questions pm me.

 

[rodney482]

I would use your trusty Ruger

 

[Elkfitness]

Shrek, good to know.

 

[Orchemo]

Tikkas are light weight and great shooters right out of the box. Lighter than the encore. I have several Tikkas and Sakos. Always sold the encores I have bought. Great idea but I find them too heavy for what they are.

Caliber is whole bigger conversation.

 

[Elkfitness]

I think I am going to go with the tikka t3 superlite in 30-06. That seems to be the largest non magnum round and from what I understand, all the tikka actions are long actions aside for the magnums. My dad just gave me his reloading equipment so I am found to start reloading over the next year. I'll have three rifles with the following calibers: 6.5-06, 30-06, and 300 win mag. I'm not going to Alaska at anytime I the near future so feel good with this combo.

 

[Shrek]

Do you already have a muzzle loader ? The 6.5-06 and the 300 win mag have you 100% covered for anything in North America really. The 30-06 does nothing but create safe queens out of two of your rifles. You can't have too many guns but if you have holes in your actual rifle needs then I'd skip the redundant ones. Tikkas are great rifles and the 30-06 is a great round but if you want to go muzzle loader hunting you will need to come up with the cash for a muzzie. Btw , imo the 6.5-06 is a much better performer than its parent.

 

[Elkfitness]

I've got an CVA hawken that is 25 yrs old! Does that count Got it as a gift and it's had probably 100 shots through it, all it the first couple of years. It was accurate with round balls back then, but has never had a conical through it. Been stored since then. My rationale for getting the encore would be to have a solid muzzleloader in case I ever choose to use it here in colorado for elk. I'm really just itching for a rifle and now have the okay. My 30-06 that will become my 6.5-06 was my only big game rifle for 20 yrs. I got the 300 five years ago. My 30-06 has sat since then because for me the 300 doesn't kick that back and is fun to shoot. My thought for the 30-06 is also due to the fact that reloading equipment from my dad is all set up for the 30-06 and (and the 357 magnum). Decisions!