New Gun

[MTstringer]

I'm looking for some opinions on some of the WSMs out there. I'm in the market for a new gun (gave my .243 to my son) and I'm waffling on what caliber to buy. I'll be mostly hunting Whitetail in MN, but would like to possibly do some Elk and Moose in a couple of years. I'm leaning towards the .300WSM, but I used to own a .270 and like it too. Any comments on make would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance.

[Whelen35]

Are you set on the short mags? If so, the 270 and 300 will both do what you want as long as you pick the proper bullet for t he job. If just a short action is what you want, then the rem 350 mag would also be a great choice. Good out to 250-300yds when loaded with 200 or 225gr bullets, and 250's for elk and moose. Lots of smash and still enough range for 99% of your hunting needs. I have a 358 win and a 35 Whelen improved both bracket the power level of the rem 350. Also, if you like a bit more oddball stuff, find yourself a 284 win and split the differance of the 270 and 300 short mags and go with a 284 with simular balistics.

[The Bronco Kid]

H & H Sport Shop in Maple Lake has a Savage 300WSM in the synthetic with a stainless barrel and about a $100 Tasco scope for $449.99. They also have 300WSM and 270WSM in Browning and Remington.

[Guest]

The advantage of the WSW is they are lighter on recoil. It burns power more efficiently (less muzzle blast-recoil). To go along with that, better accuracy but that ultimately that comes down to the rifle you shoot.

270 or 300 ? How far will you be shooting? If you are going OUT west, 270wsm. If you stay in Mn 300 wsm.

The thing is, I don't care much for the rifle Win makes for those rounds. It's just plain and homely. All other makes are standard (30-06) or short actions (308 size).

I wouldn't mind having a rifle for any of the 35's round mentioned earlier. They're All hard hitters and won't blow alot of meat away.

[jlm]

I would not limit myself to a short mag either. They are great guns, no doubt, but keep your options open. Short mags really provide no advantage over the normal mags with exception to a small weight difference due to the shorter action (factory built guns...custom guns can be much lighter). Ballistically, they are pretty close. If you want to stick with a .270, I would take a look at a .270 Weatherby mag. Ammo is a bit spendy but these guns are guarenteed to shoot well out of the box and this is a sweet round. I also am a big fan of the .300 Weatherby, you can NOT go wrong with this round. The poster above also provided some great rounds to consider. I too love the odd ball rounds out there! Good luck!

[MTstringer]

I appreciate all of the responses. I'm going to be looking at two Tika rifles today chambered for .300WSM and the .270WSM. Does anyone have any experience shooting with, or hearing anything concerning Tika rifles? I've heard that they make a quality rifle.

[bklimek]

I was in the same boat as you last year. It was looking to buy my first rifle after using my Dad's for so many years. I knew I was going elk hunting this fall but for the most part I would be using it for whitetail in MN. I worked at Gander last fall and hands down the hottest rifle on the market was Tikka. They are quality made rifles, accurate out of the box, and for a good price. I went with the Tikka T3 Hunter (mainy because I am old fashioned and hate the look of synthetics) in the 300WSM. Granted I have yet to make my first kill with this rifle but I love it! I threw a Nikon Monarch 3x9 on top and it is one sweet package. I can't wait to go elk hunting!!!!!!!!!!!

Butch

[Guest]

I'm Picking up a Tikka T3 soon myself. Tikkas are made by Sako (The barrel). Bretta owens Tikka and Sako.
I have only heard good thing about the Tikka T3. Vary good shooters (The Sako barrel).
The one thing is they only have one length action, standard (30-06) for all rounds. I think the magazine has a stop to keep down over travel of the bolt.
Like you I have to decide what caliber. I will be hunting Mt, Milk river area. So I'm looking at 7mm or 270. If the 7mm has a quicker twist rate I think I'll go with the 7mm.

[This message has been edited by Red_Ball (edited 09-03-2004).]

[Whelen35]

I have a tika in 25-06 the lite modle, and like it very much. I still think the rem 673 in 350 rem mag would be better. More smash, and 300yd range if 225gr bullets are used. The short mags just don't impress me that much. They only offer slightly less power in a slightly lighter pachage. Any accuracy advantage from the shorter stiffer action is not going to be noticed in the hunting field if there is any. The advantage of the standard lenght action 300's and 270's and 7mm is that for now they are found most every place that hunting is found. The short mags may not be found every place you look right now. This may change, but not right now. I love the oddball stuff, but if hunting away from home where I know I have ammo, I hunt with boaring stuff like the 30-06 and 7mm rem mags. I don't know is the short mags are here to stay or not, that has yet to be seen, but for now, if choosing a gun that I was going to hunt with abroad, I would pick a standard loading that I knew would be available most anywhere I was likely to hunt.

[Jim Hudson]

I also am a fan of TIKA, I have three of them for my collection: 22.250, .308, and the .300WSM. These guns are nail drivers out of the box and only continue to get more accurate with the more rounds you put through the barrel. And oh how smooth their bolts are. I also own SAKO, Browning, Winchester, Marlin and 1 Weatherby with my TIKA's getting the nod when I want absolute accuracy.

Anyways, to the question at hand. I believe the .300WSM would suit your efforts for the best all around gun for what you plan to hunt for. The biggest concern I see is the types of ranges you could be shooting for these different animals and I believe the .300WSM would give you that range in all situations with enough power behind the bullet. Just with each caliber, switch rounds for different situations. Also, with the WSM's the weight differnce between them and the true magnums will prove beneficial to you in rough terrain elk hunts.

But all in all its up to you, what you are capable of shooting and what feels the best for your body. I know of people that would be happy just using a 30.06 for all three species mentioned, its just you as the shooter feeling comfortable with the caliber.

So look around, get a feel for the gun, how it operates to your body style and go from there.

[MTstringer]

I really appreciate everyones responses. I bought a tikka T3 Hunter chambered in .300WSM topped with a Leoupold VARI-X II 3x9x40mm. I didn't get to shoot it right away (darn business travel), but I got out yesterday. Everyone is right, it drives tacks! 3 shot group 1" high was less than an inch after I got it dialed in after boresighting. I'm shooting accubond 180g. bullets and I'm pretty pleased with the performance so far. I can't wait to get out into the woods in November. Thanks again for your feedback.

[Jim Hudson]

Good Choice