New rifle help .... input needed

[GHETTO GUIDE]

 I have gone rounds with myself for long enough. I have been beating this around for ~ 2 months as I have saved and saved.  Its now time and still undecided .  I am a cheap *censored* and always will be. But something that will perform exceptionally and be passed to my kids could be worth a little extra.

TOPIC:        Lightweight rifle in 300 WSM is the topic.   

QUESTION: Is it worth the extra money to go from a $600 Tikka to say $1200 rifle.
Sako?  X-bolt/ A-bolt?  Kimber?  Redhawk custom? Browning?

[HighCountryHunter88]

my  , the tikka can shoot better than you or i can. its light. and around 600 buck, what more do you need? i say save the extra money and put it towards optics. i plan on buying a tikka 300 win mag and planning on spending at least the same amount on a scope.

[JLS]

The Tikka is a very nice rifle.  I have an older one in a 30-06 and it's a shooter.  The new synthetics are really light, not sure I'd want a magnum cartridge in them.

[jackmaster]

ruger #1 single shot falling block, a little heavy, but well built, it will last forever

[Bob33]

I have a $500 Tikka 30-06 and an $1100 Browning X Bolt 300 WSM.  I like them both and accuracy is very good on both.

The Browning is nicer, but to be honest I don't think the deer or elk know when they've been shot with the cheaper Tikka.

[wapiti hunter2]

Which one would you rather trapes around with in the wet, soggy muddy weather all day?  Something that you will worry about the finish on or a simple rock solid shooter.  If your focus is on what you look like get the Sako, if not, there are lots of great rifles for $400-$600.  Put the difference into a better scope. 

[predator guy]

I learned my lesson on this one. A fey years ago I bought a Remington 700 XCR in 7mmRUM, pimped it out with a Zeiss scope, and had a Vais muzzle brake installed and a trigger job. Total cost before buying ammo was around $2100.00. I couldn't shoot that rifle worth a crap. I have since sold it for 1/2 of what I invested. Last year I went to Cabela's and bought a Stevens in 22-250, paid $250.00. (Rifle was on sale and I used my gift card.) I have a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5x14 on it, cost around $250-$300.00. I rarely miss with that rifle and if it gets a little scratched up I don't worry about it. In my opinion its' all about the optics you mount on it. My Winchester Model 70 shoots real well also.

[arrowflinger]

Which one would you rather trapes around with in the wet, soggy muddy weather all day?  Something that you will worry about the finish on or a simple rock solid shooter.  If your focus is on what you look like get the Sako, if not, there are lots of great rifles for $400-$600.  Put the difference into a better scope. 

 

[CAMPMEAT]

Maybe think about a T/C Encore. I've got a SS frame with a trigger job and Bergara barrel in 300 mag. Pentax scope on top. The complete gun was nearly $1000. Composite stock too. You can buy any barrel for $225-$350ish depending how hard you look online. Shillen has something to do with the Bergara barrels. They are made in Spain and shoot very well I might add.

[GHETTO GUIDE]

Sounds about right.  I would baby the hell out of a $$$ rifle,  pack in hunting I would have to bring its own sleeping bag. As long as the Tikka can shoot like the reviews say then I should be happy.

[jackelope]

Those Tikka rifles definitely have their fans and they definitely shoot. I don't like the look of them, which certainly doesn't hurt the functionality of it of course.
functionality is utmost for sure, but if you don't like the look of the gun, that'd bother me personally.









With that said, I also shoot T/C Encores and they are the same for a lot of folks...wierd looking rifles. I dig them though. If you like the Tikka's then get one....you likely won't go wrong.

[Curly]

I'm cheap too, but I think I'd go for the X-bolt............it is only a couple hundred more bucks.  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=233618734

[Buckmark]

You can get a brand new A-bolt stalker in 300wsm for $640.00

[carpsniperg2]

I am a huge sako and tikka fan. You can't go wrong with either one in my mind. If you want a good light weight shooter that can drive tacks buy the tikka and put the other 600 you would spend into a good scope like a Leupold vxII.

[Alchase]

I am a huge sako and tikka fan. You can't go wrong with either one in my mind. If you want a good light weight shooter that can drive tacks buy the tikka and put the other 600 you would spend into a good scope like a Leupold vxII.

I agree, I have owned a tikka, and now own a Sako finlight. Both shoot extremely well. What it boils down to is what you prefer. Both will kill elk. The Sako is allot more refined then a Tikka. My Finlight is the best rifle I have ever owned. Neither of my Brownings, Winchesters, Remington's, Tikka or Rugers I have owned, are as good a package as the Sako. Yet all of those shot well, just not as well as the Sako.