Getting a rifle, help me choose!

[Okanagan]

You gotta get what YOU want.   I opened this thread partly to see what a young man might want ( lever action?, semi-auto?, black rifle? etc.) and am pleasantly surprised at the choices you mention, both in caliber and bolt rifles, eminently practical for the game you mention.   Bravo.

But you asked…

Mega dittos to synthetic stock and stainless metal IF you are hunting western WA.  Many practical reasons. Some night when you come in exhausted after a day in the rain you will be glad your rifle does not DEMAND as much immediate maintenance.   As to looks, do you want to gaze at it or hunt with it?

Caliber:  The all time wizard guru of the .270, Jack O’Connor, who made the .270 as popular as it is, near the end of his life advised his gun writer replacement, Jim Carmichael, to get a custom rifle he was building in .280 rather than in .270.  IF you handload, there are many more options for bullets in 7mm/.280 than there are in .270.  Basically the same brass cartridge, almost identical ballistics. 

If you really really want a .270, get that and go forth and kill stuff.  Don’t spend all your days with this rifle wishing you’d gotten it in .270 but got talked into something else no matter how good the reasons.

Re brand:  I’d consider a Tikka in that good list.  Butter smooth, excellent rifle.  I had a Savage in a cheap model that shot bullets into tiny groups.  Two of my grandsons have Begara’s and like them, and we have six SS Tikka lites in my family.  All good.

I drive a Leupold 2.5-8x36 on my main big game rifle and have a 2-7x33 on my predator calling and sometimes big game rifle.  Went to a 50 mm and to higher magnifications and returned to the 2-8 categories as FAR more practical for my hunting style. YMMV

[actionshooter]

 All of the guns you listed are solid... but as previously said.... look at a Tikka also. I bought T3s for my kids and they are great rifles!

[HunterofWA]

Thanks all for the input! And yes, I will ultimately buy what I like best...

That said, I particularly like that you brought up the stainless barrel - that makes a ton of sense. The rifle I have been using is my brother's a 30.06 Remington 700 and the blueing around the chamber needs redoing due to the weather wear. It was already on the gun before my brother bought it though.

To summarize what I've heard:
- Synthetic stock (I hear ya, but I like the look of wood too. I'll figure this one out.)
- Stainless steel barrel
- .270 is a good caliber (my research proved correct!)
- Handle some guns (sounds good! Hopefully, stores have some in stock  )

I'll keep looking but I like what this looks like. Only 3 rounds is a drawback though. Not because I need that extra round in the animal, but just in case I miss.

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Bolt Action Rifle .270 Win 22.5" Barrel 3 Rounds Black Synthetic Stock Stainless Steel Barrel
https://bucksandjakes.com/products/tikka-t3-lite-stainless-bolt-action-rifle-.270-win-22.5%22-barrel-3-rounds-black-synthetic-stock-stainless-steel-barrel

[Mike450r]

I have Meateater rifles in .257 wby and 6.5-.300 wby.   I think they are beautiful rifles and handle/shoot really nice for me.

[OutHouse]

I just bought a Tikka in .270. Has a muzzle break and the recoil is very tolerable and I love the factory trigger. Trigger was the first thing I wanted to see about changing but after a range day I won't be changing the trigger. There's a Tikka model that I think retails around $800 that has stainless with synthetic camo stock. Good luck!

[Bob33]

" Only 3 rounds is a drawback though. Not because I need that extra round in the animal, but just in case I miss."

I wouldn't worry about a 3 round magazine. Hunt with one in the chamber and that's four rounds. I figure if I haven't killed the animal in two or three shots what makes me believe the next one or two will be better. If you really want, buy an extra magazine. I think you can even buy extended magazines for the Tikka.

[Iveexcaped3]

For starters I’m 6’0 155# athletic build to help with comparison. I run the savage xp hunter 30-06, with the intention to hunt deer and elk with one caliber. I got the sig BDX scope and while zeroing in and testing inaccuracies in a warm/hot barrel maybe 10 rounds at a time my shoulder would start getting sore. It has a stainless bolt but I noticed some surface rust from hunting in the rain on eastside closer. Just because it’s touted stainless doesn’t mean anything. Has everything to do with how much nickel is in the steel so keep that in mind. Just got a franchi magnum elite in 6.5 creedmoor, to my surprise franchi is made by benelli. It’s ceracoted with synthetic stock. Durability is to be determined on the paint but I’d imagine quite good. Haven’t even shot it yet so I guess I can’t be apart of the “brace yourself” joke can only tell you why I went the route I went.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'd Google savage axis misfires before considering one, then scratch it off your list.  Recently snagged one in .243 for a nock around coyote gun and its pretty bad. I know of a few guys now that have had same issues.

Bergara hmr really impressed me. B14.....not so much.

[Buckhunter24]

I'd Google savage axis misfires before considering one, then scratch it off your list.  Recently snagged one in .243 for a nock around coyote gun and its pretty bad. I know of a few guys now that have had same issues.

Bergara hmr really impressed me. B14.....not so much.

I had this issue with my axis 30 06 several times when it was new. I had chalked it up to being a bad box of core lokt. I cleaned/oiled, bought new bullets and haven't had an issue since but its always been on my mind.

[Zag11]

I have a tikka t3 lite in .270  stainless barrel and a stainless Leopold scope. I spent a little $$ to get a bigger scope (50mm) and it makes a big difference in the golden hours. It had pretty decent kick but put on a bipod and limbsaver and now it’s real smooth and super consistent with pretty much any bullet. I use Winchester power point 135

[Stein]

My daughter has an Axis, my so borrows it and my nephew has one as well.  I think I know at least 3 others that have one.  Never had a misfire or heard of one.  For $3-400, they all have shot sub moa out of the box with factory ammo once the trigger is lightened a bit.  It isn't the finest machine ever made, but they make holes close together for not much money.

Looks like many of the reports are with the Axis II.  Not sure what the difference is.  All the ones I have seen are 4-5 years old and the original model.

[Karl Blanchard]

Well its definitely a reoccurring issue.  This will be my one and only. Luckily savage didn't bat an eye and acknowledged its a common issue. Its back in their hands now. Hopefully I see it back in a timely fashion.

[Stein]

Glad you posted that, I and several others around here regularly recommend them for people looking for a budget rifle.  I had no idea, only the experiences I mentioned.  Hopefully they get it straightened out, it's a great rifle for the money when they work.

[spin05]

i would add a Tikka to your list. My son and I both shoot Tikka .270

[JakeLand]

I have several Tikkas and they are a great rifle ! With that being said upgrade the stock as they’re nothing to talk about for sure but you can do that at a later time buy good optics and you will have a rifle for generations to come