I own a 223, 375 H&H, and 416 rigby. I am selling the 375 to buy something to round off my calibers better. I want a big game rifle that doesn't kick quite as heavily as the 375.

Here's the deal. There is two types of rifles I'm looking at
1)Tikka T3 lite / maybe sako if you could convince me they are that much better than tikka
2)Cooper
(A guy at the store owns a cooper and tikka and says his tikka shoots almost as well as his cooper.)

I could spend a little extra and get the cooper, or get the tikka and use the left over to get scope and pay on credit cards.
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Now, the Calibers
If I go with Cooper, I can't decide between 270 win, 280, or 280IA, maybe the 30-06

If I go with Tikka, I can't decide between 270, 7mm Rem, maybe 300wsm (If tikka chambered 280 I would have my mind made up.)
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1)So, if it were you and you were buying the tikka, which of the calibers would you go for?
2)If you were buying the cooper, which calibers would you go for?
3) which rifle would you go for in general?

You could do worse than the 30-06.....it is becomeing my favorite in the last couple years

HotCore will flip to here that from a .270 guy.

300 Winchester mag.

Sako in .338 Win mag or 30-06.

I own both sako and tikka rifles and I'd much rather carry the Sako than the Tikka. It's just better. All of my Sako's are the older L61R finnbear types.

The Tikkas are also very nice, but you can pick up a used Sako for the same price as a new Tikka.

quote:

You could do worse than the 30-06

I've owned a 338 win, and it was a great rifle, but I don't need it and prefer something with lighter recoil no more than 300wsm for recoil.
There is a used sako A7 stainless with the weird jurassic park looking stock for about $600.
This will mainly be a deer, pronghorn rifle. it doesn't need to cover bear or huge animals because that's what my 416 is for(If I ever get to hunt the big ones), but possible elk once or twice may be in the picture. I know the 30-06 is a do all, but i am still desiring something in the 270 or 7mm range. just a little bit flatter shooting and slightly less recoil. 30-06 is not out of the question though.

I'm really in the undecided phase right now though. Keep the suggestions comming.
Thank you

Don't count out the CZ in 9.3x62 or the 35 Whelen.

Gohip:
Of your suggestions, I would go with the Tikka in 300 WSM.
They are inexpensive, and typically shoot one hole groups. Load it with 180gr BT's and you are good to go for everything bigger then a yote until you are ready to pick up the .416.

If you don't decide on a 30-06, then I vote for a .280 standard. That is if you reload. If you dont' reload, then it's got to be a '06.

Tell me about your .375.

You may have a buyer.

My 375 h&h

It's a winchester stainless M70 CRF
HS-Precision stock (olive black webbing)
Trijicon 3-9 red triangle scope

Gidday gohip2000,

Get a Tikka T3 lite in 30-06 and shoot half inch groups all day and spend the extra on a decent piece of glass.

I just got a T3 in 222 rem today and with a 4-14 scope it will do everything from bunnies to red deer.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

yeah, my 223 is a tika varmint and I'm very pleased with its accuracy. Accuracy on this rifle is a big deal to me, that's why I'm thinking tikka, maybe sako, and cooper

Take a Tikka T3 in 8x57JS !

My 2 cents

I would look for a Sako 75 in 270, 280 or 30-06.

I'd say 280, 30-06, 35 whelen all would do what you want it to. Their might be a few others but you couldn't go wrong with any of these.

quote:

Originally posted by gohip2000:Here's the deal. There is two types of rifles I'm looking at
1)Tikka T3 lite / maybe sako if you could convince me they are that much better than tikka
2)Cooper

Personally, a Cooper would never been in the running for me since I don't wish to purchase something marketed by an Obama supporter.

Of the cartridges you mention, if I had to pick one, it would be the 7mm Remington Magnum because of excellent long range performance and brass availability.

As for the 300 WSM; I wouldn't get it because of brass cost/availability unless it was to be chambered in a handgun. I've been drooling over HS Precision's bolt action handguns for awhile now and if I buy one, it will be in 300 WSM.

I probably wouldn't buy a 280 AI since I don't think the bother to fireform brass is worth it considering the marginal performance gains that would accrue. As for the 270 Win., 280 Rem. & 30/06 Springfield; they're all good.

I have a 280AI and I find that it works great for me. Since Tikka doesn't chamber the .280 I think I would pick the 7MM Rem Mag. It's a proven round, vast bullet selection, Brass is abundant and recoil is on par with the 30-06 in the same size rifle. The 30-06 of course is probably the most popular hunting cartridge in North America as i'm sure you are well aware of. It is certainly more than capable to handle anything you want to hunt.

A Tikka T3 in the Laminate Stainless in 270WSM would be a great caliber. I have 2 but I do have a couple 300WM / WSM in the Sako m75 rifles (SS and Greywolf). My Tikka rifles are great shooters along with my Sako of course.

A Tikka in 270WSM, 300WM/WSM get my first votes then the 7mmRM.

The newer model released in the Sako A7 would be another to consider if you want to save some $$$ over a Sako m75/m85 rifle.

The new Sako Kodiak or Brown Bear in a 338WM would be a sweet one too!!

Can't comment on Tikka or Cooper, no experience with either. As to caliber: 30-06. you want to reduce recoil, why fool around with any magnum. Go with old faithful and if it's too big or dangerous for the 06, you have the 416.

I reckomend the 270, there has been many an elk taken with it esp with 150 gr NP. then you can go clear down to a Barnes 110 gr for things like antelope.

SSR

I, too, would suggest a .30-06, but if you want to even go with a little less recoil than the .30-06, then go to a .308

Gohip:

Don't know if this makes any sense to you but I am probably going to pick up a .338 Ruger Compact Magnum in the near future simply because I don't have a .338. You might consider the .300 Ruger compact magnum. The .300 WSM is indeed a good choice but Ruger Compact Magnum rifles are light and short and built around the caliber.

7mm Rem Mag
or
.30-06
would be my pick...

but if you're open to suggestions not on your list and it is really to replace a .375, then I would consider a 9,3x62 or .338 Win Mag

A .270 WSM would be my pick. Mine puts a 130 grain North Fork or Nosler Partition out there at 3450 fps and a 150 grain in both bullets at 3100 plus. Compare that to all the .270-280-30-06-308's and see what you get. An awesome round that is gaining more recognition as we speak. The Tikka makes a real nice on as well as the Winchesters-Remington-Rugers. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
You could do worse than the 30-06.....it is becomeing my favorite in the last couple years

HotCore will flip to here that from a .270 guy.

Even an old dog.... Now if gohip just picked a better rifle

Why not 7*64?

"help with caliber and rifle decition "

You're asking strangers to tell you what you want? Perhaps an astrologer would do better.

Have to side with the 30-06 in either gun. Kinda always felt like the 30-06 is the core of any arsenal. If I changed anything, it would be to the .308 or 7mm-08. Great all purpose calibers, and easy on the shoulder to boot. Accurate, and easy to load for. Are you trying to stay with long action, or do short actions interest you?

"Come a runnin Woodrow"

Keep the .375 for Elk/Bear, sell the .416 and get a .25-06 or .257 Weatherby for the Antelope/Deer. Or, if still available, get the Tikka in 6.5x55 and be done with it.

quote:

"help with caliber and rifle decition "

You're asking strangers to tell you what you want? Perhaps an astrologer would do better.

I'm not really asking people to tell me what i want. I'm asking for their experience on the rifle's and calibers I've narrowed down to. The whole objective is to hear bits of information I maybe haven't heard before on calibers and get reviews on the 2-3 types of rifles I'm looking at since I haven't really thought about medium bores for years. Ultimately I will weigh what is important to me and make a decision.

Sorry I'm keeping my 416 joe. I Like it too much. I know the 375 is a good all arounder though.

I wish I had never seen this post. Send me a PM if you haven't sold the .375 (I hope you have).

Don't know anything about Cooper or Tikka, but I can comment on the calibers. And you don't say what game you intend to hunt with the rifle, which does matter.

To give you a point of reference, I dearly love my .416 Rem. and have killed everything from Buffalo to Turkey with it. It was my primary rifle, whitetail included, for a few years. (Never let me down -- never felt undergunned).

I've always been a big fan of the .30-06 for small game, certainly up to deer. I've never shot an elk with one, but I suspect it would work just fine.

That said, recently, I started listening to a few hair-brained friends I hunt with who thought that a .416 might be a bit excessive for deer. So I bought a virtually identical rifle from the same smith in .300 WSM. Great cartridge and it's the first time I've seen the actual bullet impact in years. Shot five deer with it thus far and only one took as much as a step, and that was a short trail.

I really like the .300 WSM as a cartridge.

gohip, I have a few Coopers, and really like them. 280 AI, 6.5-284, and .308. they are all a little pricey. I also have a Sako 75 Finnlight / 7mm-08, and a Sako 85 300 WSM. Both great shooters, and again a little pricey. I have handled a great many Tikka's, and the Sako A7. If your looking for dependability, and quality, I think your fine with any of them. When it comes to bang for the buck. Tikka, or A7 would be great choices unless you find a used gun that has a bit of the $$ sting taken out of it. I didn't put the 300 WSM in my prior post, but I do like it a lot. Still think the 06, .308, and 7-08 are the do everything, lower 48 cartidges of choice for me.

Good Luck with your choice.

'06 or 280. Cant go wrong with either one. Especialy if you handload, you can taylor either one for loads suitable for anything needed inbetween your other rifles.

If it were the tikka I might actualy be compeled to give the WSM a go. After all is said and done, the WSM to me, has a real practical powder capacity, moreso than most other magnums. The downside is the fat little bastards reduce the magazine capacity. But on the other hand if you do your part you only need one shot anyway, right?

No flies on any of the ones you mentioned though. The 270 has done such great work for so long it seems somewhat forgotten, but in the field it still rocks..

quote:

The downside is the fat little bastards reduce the magazine capacity.

Tikka's only hold 3 any way, so I don't think you loose any magazine capacity with them.

I would go Tikka, A good scope, in 30-06.

Never been a fan of the 7mag.

If I wanted a short mag it would be the .270WSM.

Consider the Nosler M48 in 35 Whelen.

JD338

quote:

something to round off my calibers better.

Round off too what ?.

quote:

Sako in .338 Win mag or 30-06. 7mm Mag

Either one works for me . Kind of depends on the primary goal of cartridge selected .I prefer the 7mm Mag as it's far more versatile least wise IMO . 100-180 grain pills mild too wild . Varmint'r too Elk medicine .

I have a Sako an 3 Tikka's the Sako is an older model the Tikka's are newer of course .My particular Tikka's Shoot far better ,though the Sako is prettier to gawk at .

well, I think I've narrowed it down.
It's between the 30-06 and 280 for cartridges.
Now for the rifles:
I threw in a new twist. It's between tikka, or remington XCR.
I've had 50/50 luck with remingtons being accurate, but all the personal reviews I've red on the xcr have said it is an accurate rifle. The XCR comes in 280 and has an awesome weather resistant finish.
I know 280 ammo is less plentiful, but I can find it in almost any shop i go into. I do reload too...

Buy a Blaser, Sauer, Sako or Tikka in 30-06
Then you don't need to worry about accuracy.
m