Good question, I've often wondered that too. Obviously I haven't yet had a chance to experiment with my own rifle, or I would already know the answer.
Good question, I've often wondered that too. Obviously I haven't yet had a chance to experiment with my own rifle, or I would already know the answer.
308, 708, 270 are good choices.
6.5 not so much imo
Only thing I would say, having owned three Tikkas, is they seem to produce more felt recoil than other rifles of the same calibre/weight in my opinion. My X-bolt 16" which weighs about the same as my old Tikka 16" 308 has a lot less felt recoil. Surprised me when I shot it.
That being said the Tikka action is very well made and they are very accurate out of the box, though I much prefer the Browning safety and you can open the bolt with the rifle on safe.
a brand new Howa is pretty hard to beat for all around value.... PERSONALLY would go that route rather than a tikka...actually I DID ....and found walnut stock for it so its now got class and style..something I feel lacking in a plastic spastic jobbie.
75/15/10 black powder matters
This is actually quite good advice, if you want to get a "deal" on a 2nd hand tikka it will be most likely in a caliber that is not flavor of the month like a .243 or a .270. They will get the job done perfectly for what you want to do. I can't tell the difference in recoil between a 270 or 308 apart from a bit louder?
If you are after a particular caliber in a Tikka maybe just save hard and cry/buy once then really get your use out of it buying from new, knowing take it to the range when you first get it and if doesn't shoot under an inch at 100 you can take it back. I've never actually heard of this happening where it was the rifle that couldn't group under 1" with right factory ammo.
I have in the past pointed out to young fellas, if you regularly spend a significant amount of time searching for your wallet or car keys because you put them down somewhere unusual, don't buy a rifle with a removable magazine. Thats why I moved on my Tikka. Its a hinged floor plate all the way for me, but thats because I'm an idiot and I'm now old enough to know it.
Any common chambering between 243 and 3006 will be fine. If you dont enjoy recoil, go the lower end, if thats not a problem, get a 308.
Iv had 3 tikas in 308,chopped 1st one to short,run over second one.Still got the third one.Put a scope on them,they have all shot moa at a hundy with the 1st 3 shots.My big mitts hold on to the plastic stock ok.I don't change the stock design,tika spend millions designing stocks.Design gota be close for me.
I agree, the tikka factory stock is way more rigid than most synthetic stocks and for my money it's a pretty conventional straight design that sends recoil directly backwards to avoid muzzle jump. No doubt the fact that the Tikka is relatively light weight doesn't help the recoil thing.
Perhaps watching all the 'Star Wars' movies again and learning the 'Ways of the Force' would help ? and I dont mean use a light Sabre, I mean 'Let the Force Guide You' We all end up pushing through thick shit sometimes, but when we do we have made a mistake and are in the wrong place. Move where the animals move.
I dont believe that Far North scrub is any worse than anywhere else
As I thought, no idea! Big difference to everywhere else I've hunted in the country is that there are no clearings, or at least clearings that aren't very steep. Certainly, some areas are less dense than others, but there's not many spots to work towards and sit and wait for animal to appear. Yes, animals aren't stupid, they're on private farm land which is dandy if you have access. Literally, no one bar the odd misguided Aucklanders comes to the north for hunting, there's a reason.
Let's not turn this into a passing contest. I've hunted all over NZ and there is shitty lawyer infested regrowth choked windfall n poll thickets everywhere.monkeyscrub and monkey puzzle not to mention Leatherwood. But if it's that thick the animals have to move through it too.find where n how n follow the trail
75/15/10 black powder matters
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