I shot everything for 25 years with a .270 and handloaded 130 grain Sierra boattail spitzers. (54 grs of IMR 4350). Never lost anything with it from deer to moose including elk and antelope, sometimes way out there. Sure, there are lots of capable calibers that can do the same thing with arguments for and against all of them, but the .270 is in a very elite class, the one that has been proven over and over in a small number of calibers that are the best contenders out there for the "one gun for everything" title. You've seen that LH limits your choices and the Tikka is a great choice. If it's made in LH the laminate/stainless adds a little more weight to it which reduces recoil, minimizes the chances of shrinkage/fit/warping in cold or wet weather and looks great to boot. As mentioned a 3-9 scope will cover just about anything and get the best you can afford - within some reason you do get what you pay for when it comes to quality glass. Put a Conquest on it if you can ($500) and you'll have a setup second to none that'll last you for a very, very long time......good luck!
|