• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: What’s the dumbest shooting myth you’ve heard?

    View thread

Caliber selection

LeftyJason

LeftyJason

Thumbnail-les
Full Member
Minuteman
Supporter
    • Mar 8, 2017
    6,195
    10,521
    38
    Kaysville Utah
    #1
    I've decided that I want a stainless left handed tikka. Firm on that. Was considering getting it in 300 win mag but I've been told that's a little much for prs type matches since its hard to call your own shots.

    From what I've seen on eurooptic they can get it in these calibers here in the US. (No particular order)
    243 win
    270 wsm
    300 wsm
    308 win
    22-250
    30-06
    7mm rem mag
    270 win

    I want to eventually rebarrel it, maybe after 1000 rounds or so, since the t3x lite is not much barrel. Maybe caliber change then maybe not.

    Also want it to feed from aics pattern mags. Sooner on that change.

    I want to be able to comfortably be able to hunt elk, shoot matches eventually (1200 yards), and not worry about ammo not being available since I don't reload yet.

    So what I'm asking is which should I go with and why?

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

     
    #2
    I can't believe I'm saying and recommending, 243 win! The PRS shooters are using 6mm bullets these days. 6 creedmor, 6mm dasher, 6mmXC. Just start with the 243 win, you can buy ammo off the self and keep the brass for when you actually reload. You made a wise choice choosing A tikka rifle. Barrel might last to 1500 rounds? Not really sure. It's the most appropriate caliber on your list for the task at hand.
     
    #3
    Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a 2900fps limit in PRS matches? Most people shoot something with a lot less recoil than a 300wm for matches too. You can load 200gr bullets at 2900fps but it's going to beat the crap out of you.
     
    #5
    MachoKing said:
    Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a 2900fps limit in PRS matches? Most people shoot something with a lot less recoil than a 300wm for matches too. You can load 200gr bullets at 2900fps but it's going to beat the crap out of you.
    Click to expand...

    No it's usually between 3150-3200 depending on match,

    OP the .243 is the best in that list but only if it has a faster twist than around 8.5 so you can actually load some 105+ weight bullets which are what is used in the 6mm for PRS matches. That said if you don;t load then the .243 isn't a good choice. Go .308 out of that caliber choice.
     
    #8
    Machoking the biggest thing that I'm looking for is left handed. And I like the looks of the stainless plus the durability. I'm a cnc machininist for aerospace by trade who regularly works with stainless and tougher materials.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

     
    #11
    Thats a bummer about the twist rates? You could consider some of the Savage FCP-SR rifles right now with the $100 rebates. It ends up being $450ish or less. Sportsman superstore warehouse? Or you could go the Ruger RPR 6.5, 308, or the new 6 creed. You would be ahead of the game and could compete in the production class? I do think tikka is a nicer rifle than the two mentioned. Shoot it out, rebarrel with a quality barrel in the fast twist rate. Check out XLR industries stocks(chasis).
     
    #12
    Out of the listed options, I think that I'd go with the 30-06. On the Tikka platform, there's no penalty to 30-06 over .308, save a bit of stroke on the bolt to accommodate the longer cartridge. Compared to the .308, it'll have a bit more oomph for those elk hunts, and ammo availability will be second to none. It won't beat you up too bad during matches... certainly it will be more comfortable than 300WM or 7mmRM.
     
    #13
    Ian great options but rpr isn't available lefty or stainless. The savage isn't available stainless. These features are why i chose the tikka vs others. Ive looked at them all. I had it narrowed down previously to the tikka or the ruger gsr. That's when I started asking opinions of ruger vs tikka and it always came up tikka. And the tikka seems much smoother than the ruger and better built.

    I am left handed and left eye dominant (hence my name here - LeftyJason). I want a left handed gun.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

     
    #14
    consider bolt face diameter (more so than action length) for tikkas as you won't be swapping that out for less than $400, if you're looking at eventually rebarreling.
     
    #15
    Even though you can get 243 factory ammo anywhere you should make reloading a top priority. The sooner you do it the sooner you start saving money over the long haul and the other advantages are continuous.

    I'd go 243 also. Sending 95 SMK's or TMK's at 3100 fps will do nicely for long range and with very low recoil. I was hitting a engine block no problem last week at 1122Y with 95 SMK going 2870 in another chambering.

    Since you are a machinist you can pick any cartridge later on or you might just stay with 243 because it has always been a capable chambering.
     
    #16
    Is 243 enough for elk? I'm wanting this as a do anything gun without having to buy another gun for more later. Havent really done any hunting yet. Im located in northern utah. First centerfire bolt gun. Probably only bolt gun for the foreseeable future.

    Rebarreling is going to be for heavier profile. Might not change caliber. Somewhere in the range of a #7.

    Looking at the offerings that they have, I'm only seeing 2. .473, and .535. So 3006 bolt face or similar, or magnum. About the only ones I couldn't go for are the .223 rem or the 338 lapua families.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

     
    #18
    Personally I would go with either the 30-06, or the
    7 mag.
    If you decide down the road to rebarrel you would have more choices.
    With the 06 you could do a
    308
    243
    270
    25-06
    And with the 7 mag you could step up to the 300 win mag still if you wanted.
    If you are wanting to use it to hunt elk with as well,I would again stick with the 06,or the 7 mag.
    As said earlier think bolt face and not S/A, L/A.
    Stick with a long action with the bolt face you want.
     
    Last edited:
    You must log in or register to reply here.

    Similar threads

    C
    Anyone running a 25-300 wsm
    Replies
    5
    Views
    343
    powdahound76
    powdahound76
    B
    who likes the 300 wsm ?
    Replies
    33
    Views
    1K
    Robert4
    R
    P
    Howa short action .540 bolt face
    Replies
    3
    Views
    212
    gopherslayer
    G
    PRCslut
    Determining Caliber Coefficient (Not Ballistic coefficient)
    Replies
    19
    Views
    782
    babyguppy
    B
    D
    Favorite Chassis choice
    Replies
    39
    Views
    2K
    Dead Eye Dick
    Dead Eye Dick
    Top Bottom
    Back
    Home
    Forums
    Merch
    Alerts