Hunting Rifle Advice

lee canty · #1 09-17-2010, 10:20 PM

Good day all,
I am new to this site and new to hunting. Looking for the right rifle for hunting BC's mule, white tail and the odd Elk or Moose if I am lucky enough. I was looking at the Tikka T3 Lite, the TC Venture or the Browning X Bolt Stalker. In a .30-06 or a .308. Anyone have any adivce for me, or any other suggestions on a good all around rifle?
Thanks
Lee

mudbug · #2 09-17-2010, 10:23 PM

Hi Lee and welcome to the forum

I'd go with the 30-06 , better selection, price, availibilty of ammunition, and it is a great all around caliber for what you want to hunt

whitetailhntr · #3 09-17-2010, 10:36 PM

Any of the rifles you mentioned will be great to start with. I would get a 30-06 for sure speacialy if elk and moose are on the menu. Loaded with premium ammo shooting 180 gr bullets you will be set for every critter that walks in Alberta.

DUKE-1 · #4 09-17-2010, 11:18 PM

I own 4 Tikka's T3 lite .223, .308, .270 and .270wsm.. with a limbsaver recoil pad , handsdown i would go with a .270 wsm. I also shoot premium ammo. eithr of these calibers i have confidence to shoot any biggame animal Minus Mr Grizz

helluvahunter · #5 09-17-2010, 11:41 PM

AWSOME RIFLE
I have a T3 HUNTER in 300 win mag it kills everything I point it at.
And I would not be afraid to get in to a fight with a grizzly with this gun.
Good all around gun and calibre.

PS. In my opinion if you have a 300 win you already have a 308 and a 30-06 just load them down a bit if you reload that is.

Andrew · #6 09-18-2010, 12:04 AM

.30-06 is a great all around caliber, and ive heard alot of good things about the browning x-bolt.

hope this helps!

Jadham · #7 09-18-2010, 12:12 AM

Lots of old threads on this topic if you look around.

Basically any calibre from .270 to .338 Mag will do that job. What you're really examining is trade offs in recoil, loads available, availability, trajectory, etc. You'll find a supporter for every one of the calibres in that range on this forum, which probably means is up to your own preference in trade-offs (in recoil, load, trajectory, etc.).

My first ... a .308, but like I said it's personal preference.

Look at www.chuckhawks.com. Lots of free info and the authors are not industry sponsored.

eurekacreek22 · #8 09-18-2010, 02:07 AM

i shoot a 30-06, they kick a bit but I'm switching to a Tikka Lite in a 7mm/08. I made fun of these rifles calling them ''girls'' guns until i seen what they can do. Great gun, and light!

Mountain Guy · #9 09-18-2010, 04:10 PM

Do you have a preference for short or long action?
06' being long and 308 is short.
I like short actions so my choice would be the 308 for the 2 you mentioned.
It's slightly inferior to the 06' ballistically, but not enough for you or the animal to notice.... IMO.
And your choice of the Tikka is a good one.
I owned a T3 hunter in 300 WSM and also found it to be accurate and a killing machine. It's fairly light so there is some extra recoil, but not enough to be too concerned about, especially with the 2 caliber's your after.
MG.

harv3589 · #10 09-18-2010, 05:04 PM

Another vote for the 30-06, great classic round that will do all you want and more. Nothing in Alberta that I wouldn't hunt with mine.

EkoGuitar · #11 09-18-2010, 11:28 PM

One of the nicest rifles I've shot is my dad's Tikka T3 Hunter in .30-06. Definitely get that if you're going into grizz country, but you could drop down to a .270 win if you'll be in safer areas. Easy enough to drop pretty much anything with either calibre.

fordtruckin · #12 09-19-2010, 08:32 PM

YOu can never go wrong with a 30.06. Ammo is everywhere, and that can be a life saver if you have an accident and loose your ammo. Just head on down to the local hardware store etc....Having said that .308, .270, 7mm-08 on up in to the Magnums and WSM's will get the job done. Keep in mind that the more exotic the round the higher the $$. Personally I go with a 30.06.

Ryry4 · #13 09-19-2010, 09:05 PM

Shameless plug for the old 30-06.

Subaru297 · #14 09-19-2010, 09:56 PM

Wow. Lots of different responses when you are trying to decide between the 30-06 and the 308!

I would go for the 30-06. It has better ballistics and ammo is available everywhere for it. 308 is fairly plentiful too though so I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor. The lower recoil of the 308 could benefit you (shoot more accurately) if you are recoil sensitive.

As far as the choice of gun all three of those would be great guns. I own a tikka and love it, have shot and handled a X-Bolt and was very impressed, but have no experience with the TC but it is a good brand name. Honestly you need to go to the store and handle each rifle and see which fits you the best. That is the one you should get.

Cheers

elkfriend · #15 09-20-2010, 09:32 AM

tikka in 30.06...its light, reliable and you can shoot anything - a rifle for years to come that will be easy to sell, should you decide to.

smith88 · #16 09-20-2010, 10:24 AM

You might want to look at 7mm Remington Mag. It doesn't come with as heavy of bullet weights as the good old '06 but what you lose in a bit of weight you can make up in speed. So energy comes out about the same or a little in favour of the 7mm RM.

Tracker34 · #17 09-20-2010, 10:53 AM

My vote would be 308. I've used one for quite some time. My BLR has filled the freezer many times. 180 grain silvertip Winchesters do the trick every time for me.

Jadham · #18 09-20-2010, 12:41 PM

With regards to my earlier post...

One of the articles that help me decide on the .308 vs. 30-06 as my first time all rounder was this article, which I found well thought out ...

http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm

Really you are trading off a small amount of velocity for reduced recoil. There are more similar than different, despite what some people may tell you.