Which one?

Marlin xl7 · #1 10-16-2010, 09:42 PM

So I'm thinking of putting together a long range rifle. This rifle will mostly be used for targets, but I may want to take it on some hunts.

The three I'm looking are:

1. Tikka t3 varmint stainless in 300 wsm, or 7mm rem mag.

2. Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light in 300 wsm, or 325 wsm.

3. And finally, Browning A-Bolt Target in 300 wsm.

What are your opinions on these rifles? And if it were you, which would you choose?

Twisted Canuck · #2 10-16-2010, 09:57 PM

Remington 700 in 7mm-08....

Kidding. Actually, of the three you listed, I lean towards the Tikka (the action is sexy smooth!!), and then the Browning...in .300 just because.

But really, handle and if possible shoot all of them, and see which fits you best. They are all good quality rifles/actions.

Marlin xl7 · #3 10-16-2010, 10:00 PM

I've held the tikka and winchester, they both fit me well, only one left is the browning, my luck it will fit good to haha. I'm kinda leaning towards the browning because it is free floated and glass bedded.

Twisted Canuck · #4 10-16-2010, 10:17 PM

I lean towards the Tikka because of the action, and the quality of the barrel. It is essentially a budget Sako, laminate/stainless with a heavy varmint barrel....pretty hard to beat, and probably cheaper then the Browning. The Winny....meh.

Marlin xl7 · #5 10-16-2010, 10:22 PM

The tikka is a little cheaper, has detachable box magazine. Should I take a step up in the Tikka and get the Super Varmint?

Twisted Canuck · #6 10-16-2010, 10:50 PM

If it's in your budget....hell yeah! Keep in mind though, if you are going to take it hunting the xtra weight to pack around is going to matter, especially if you hike the coulees around Coalhurst/Lethbridge. Trust me, I've been there done that! The T3 light would be my pick for hunting, but for long range, go for the varmint. I also prefer the box mag, a little pricey for an extra mag ($70 or so) but you'll love the convenience. Don't get me wrong, the Browning is a great quality rifle, but I think you get more for the money with the Tikka.

mudbug · #7 10-16-2010, 10:54 PM

The 7mm would be my choice

Marlin xl7 · #8 10-16-2010, 10:55 PM

I just checked and the super varmint doesn't come in my preferred caliber. The extra weight doesn't affect me much anymore because I lug my 12 pound 223 around the coulees down on our farm with no problem. And like I said, it would be for longer ranges, so I'd set up somewhere and wait for the animal.

JustinC 2 · #9 10-16-2010, 11:17 PM

Out of the ones you posted tikka.But what I would do is go get a Sako A7 in what ever cal you want.It has a better action than a tikka and in my opinion is way better for almost the same price.

ishootbambi · #10 10-17-2010, 12:39 AM

they are all great guns. im a browning guy myself, but whichever....

you listed the 300 wsm in all guns, but 7mm as an option in one. for me, i might go 7mm over 300 in any of them if long range is what you are planning. let us know what you go with.

Marlin xl7 · #11 10-17-2010, 08:30 AM

I want to go with the 300 so I can shoot a heavier bullets. But I can go up to 175 in the 7mm. Performance is basically the same, here are some ballistics comparing the 2, the two loads are 5 grains apart but whatever.

7mm RM: shooting federal 175 SP
Velocity: muzzle/2860, 100/2660, 300/2120, 500/1700

Energy: muzzle/ 3180, 100/2626, 300/1745, 500/1120

Trajectory with 200 yd zero: 300/-8.2, 400/-24, 500/-50

300 wsm: shooting federal 180 SP

Velocity: muzzle/2970, 100/2730, 300/2280, 500/1880

Energy: muzzle/3525, 100/2975, 300/2085, 500/1413

Trajectory with 200 yd zero: 300/-7, 400/-21, 500/-43

with handloading I would be able to choose bullets that would enhance these numbers.

Twisted Canuck · #12 10-17-2010, 09:13 AM

Sounds like you've done your homework Marlin....now just for squirts and giggles, let's look at the sissy girl gun 7mm-08.

140 gr Federal Velocity

2800 muzzle, 2610/100, 2430/200, 2260/300, 2100/400, 1940/500

Energy

2440 muzzle, 2135/100, 1840/200, 1590/300, 1360/400, 1165/500,

Trajectory +1.6"/100, 0.0/200, -8.4/300, -25.4/400, -44.5/500

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/7mm_08_rem.html

So, at 500 yrds, my 7mm-08 is carrying more energy with a 140 gr HP than the 7mm Rem mag, even though it started with 570 lbs less, and still carrying more speed then either........who woulda thunk it, besides all the silhouette shooters? I chose the numbers for the Federal because that's what I shoot, but the Remington round has higher numbers yet. So, for long range, 500 yrd shots, it's carrying almost as much energy as the 300 wsm, with the kick of a .243. sweeeet.....

Oh yeah, it shoots flatter too, and ammo is cheaper....

Marlin xl7 · #13 10-17-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisted canuck

Sounds like you've done your homework Marlin....now just for squirts and giggles, let's look at the sissy girl gun 7mm-08.

140 gr Federal Velocity

2800 muzzle, 2610/100, 2430/200, 2260/300, 2100/400, 1940/500

Energy

2440 muzzle, 2135/100, 1840/200, 1590/300, 1360/400, 1165/500,

Trajectory +1.6"/100, 0.0/200, -8.4/300, -25.4/400, -44.5/500

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/7mm_08_rem.html

So, at 500 yrds, my 7mm-08 is carrying more energy with a 140 gr HP than the 7mm Rem mag, even though it started with 570 lbs less, and still carrying more speed then either........who woulda thunk it, besides all the silhouette shooters? I chose the numbers for the Federal because that's what I shoot, but the Remington round has higher numbers yet. So, for long range, 500 yrd shots, it's carrying almost as much energy as the 300 wsm, with the kick of a .243. sweeeet.....

Oh yeah, it shoots flatter too, and ammo is cheaper....

Food for thought thats for sure. But like I said, I like big heavy leads. I have looked at the 7mm-08, but where I am it's getting harder and harder to locate quality 7mm leads, and even 7mm-08 ammo or brass. As for recoil, the rifle will weigh upwards of 15 pounds by the time I'm done

, so I'm not to worried about it.

Twisted Canuck · #14 10-17-2010, 09:37 AM

I'm sure you'll put together a sweet rifle and load, and be happy with it. That's half the fun, playing with numbers, seeing what makes you grin....good luck pardner!

JustinC 2 · #15 10-17-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin xl7

I want to go with the 300 so I can shoot a heavier bullets. But I can go up to 175 in the 7mm. Performance is basically the same, here are some ballistics comparing the 2, the two loads are 5 grains apart but whatever.

7mm RM: shooting federal 175 SP
Velocity: muzzle/2860, 100/2660, 300/2120, 500/1700

Energy: muzzle/ 3180, 100/2626, 300/1745, 500/1120

Trajectory with 200 yd zero: 300/-8.2, 400/-24, 500/-50

300 wsm: shooting federal 180 SP

Velocity: muzzle/2970, 100/2730, 300/2280, 500/1880

Energy: muzzle/3525, 100/2975, 300/2085, 500/1413

Trajectory with 200 yd zero: 300/-7, 400/-21, 500/-43

with handloading I would be able to choose bullets that would enhance these numbers.

So if I were you I would go with a 300win mag or a 300 RUM.They both are way supierior to the wsm and have no problem with feeding. If heavy is what you are after.You can spit a 210 grain VLD over 3100 fps out of the 300RUM. with a B.C. over .6 you are good to go short range to longrange. I have a 7mm RUM and I know people with bolth of the 30 cals mentioned.both are very acurrate bullets.What is this gun going to be used for?

Marlin xl7 · #16 10-17-2010, 10:36 AM

I will be using this for targets, mostly, I may take it hunting if needed. I don't want to go with the 300rum because of recoil. People are saying that even in heavy rifles it kicks like a mule.

JustinC 2 · #17 10-17-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin xl7

I will be using this for targets, mostly, I may take it hunting if needed. I don't want to go with the 300rum because of recoil. People are saying that even in heavy rifles it kicks like a mule.

muzzle brake or mercury surpesors fix that.If you are not in to bang the mercury is the way to go.I know the 300wsm kicks no harder than a 300 win and the rum is not much more than that.Also a 15lbs gun will suck up alot of the recoil.so as a target gun i would say 300wimn or a 308. I still would stay away from a wsm in a 30 cal.Have you looked in to a .338 as they are way better than a .308 cal for target.

Marlin xl7 · #18 10-17-2010, 08:55 PM

I don't want to go 338 because everyone in the long range game has one. I know theres a reason for it, but I want something different. The 7mm RUM may be another way to go... decisions decisions.