Buying Hunting Rifle. Need Advice

[Shoot&Ski]

I have decided that I am going to get a new hunting rifle for next season. I have decided the caliber I want is .300 Win Mag, and I have narrowed the rifles down to four options, but I really can't decide which one to buy, or which is the better deal. Also, I am looking for something that is pretty weather proof, so I am trying to only look at stainless guns. I will primarily use this gun for elk hunting so it will be out in all weather conditions, and I will be walking with it a lot.

Let me know which rifle you would pick out of these four, and why...

1.Weatherby Vanguard Stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel. Combo deal comes with crappy Cabelas scope that I would probably get rid of right away. They are on sale right now for $600

2. Howa 1500 Stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel with Hogue stock. $580

3.Tikka T3 Lite Stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel (about a pound lighter than the other options) $600

4. Thompson/Center Arms Venture "weather shield" (which is not stainless but is a waterproof finish) .300 win mag 22 inch barrel (this barrel seems a bit short for this caliber) $500

 

[Birdmang]

TIKKA, no doubt.

Reasoning:

-smoothest bolt
-lightest gun
-crispiest trigger

 

[Motega]

My experience with stainless is that it actually is worse than blued steel (if the bluing is done well). My muzzleloader, an Omega in stainless, is my only rifle showing any rust. My 870 is 10X as old and gets the same treatment (which is very very good) and shows nothing. Neither does my rem 700 .30-06. All are at least wiped down and stored in a safe room with 50% humidity year round.

I think the best advice is to handle all 3 and see which feels best- even if you have to drive an hour to see one of them at least you have a few months to decide. And it's always fun to check out a new gun shop!

 

[Sunray]

A Vanguard and the Howa 1500 are the same rifle. Made in the same factory too, as I recalll. The Vanguard is more expensive because it has 'Weatherby' stamped on it.
Like Motega says, go fondle 'em.

 

[Dr T]

All good choices, but I would probably go with the Tikka with the T/C being the second choice.

Reason: Both have clips, which I personally prefer for hunting rifles. I would select the Tikka since I don't have one (yet). However, my T/C Icon in 243 is a real tack driver and I prefer the shorter barrels in hunting rifles because shorter rifles are easier for me to manage in circumstances where do have to get into a difficult position to make a shot. Under filed conditions, 2 inches of barrel does not make a significant difference in ballistic performance (since you will be using a scope, there is no sight radius issue). However, I don't have a Tikka (yet).

 

[srkavanagh6621]

I also like the Tikka and the T/C is also one find shooting gun!

 

[gunplumber]

If you just need accuracy and not shine, I would try a Savage. All 7 new rifles I saw shot last year came in under a inch with fac ammo of one type or another.

 

[Alex23]

As was said, the Weatherby and the Howa 1500 are the same rifle - I had both in Stainless with Hogue stocks. They were anything you'd want in a medium-large game hunting gun without spending big cash IMO.

But people rave about about these Tikka T3s...a LOT of people...so there might be something to them.

Try them out.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

those are all fine rifles. just go put your hands on all of them. you'll know the right one when you shoulder it and get a cheek weld a few times.

 

[AUTOLENS]

i have decided that i am going to get a new hunting rifle for next season. I have decided the caliber i want is .300 win mag, and i have narrowed the rifles down to four options, but i really can't decide which one to buy, or which is the better deal. Also, i am looking for something that is pretty weather proof, so i am trying to only look at stainless guns. I will primarily use this gun for elk hunting so it will be out in all weather conditions, and i will be walking with it a lot.

Let me know which rifle you would pick out of these four, and why...

1.weatherby vanguard stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel. Combo deal comes with crappy cabelas scope that i would probably get rid of right away. They are on sale right now for $600

2. Howa 1500 stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel with hogue stock. $580

3.tikka t3 lite stainless .300 win mag 24 inch barrel (about a pound lighter than the other options) $600

4. Thompson/center arms venture "weather shield" (which is not stainless but is a waterproof finish) .300 win mag 22 inch barrel (this barrel seems a bit short for this caliber) $500

why a 300 mag.?

 

[Maverick223]

None of the first three fit/handle right for me, and the last one has too short of a bbl for a magnum cartridge. Would the Icon (with a 24in. bbl amongst other nice features) be in the budget? They typically run about $700.00USD. Additionally i'd not want a uber-lightweight magnum, and to be perfectly honest i'd probably leave the magnum at home for your stated purpose (the .280Rem, .270Win., and .30-06 are all up to the task, cheaper to feed, & lighter).

 

[Shoot&Ski]

My experience with stainless is that it actually is worse than blued steel (if the bluing is done well). My muzzleloader, an Omega in stainless, is my only rifle showing any rust. My 870 is 10X as old and gets the same treatment (which is very very good) and shows nothing. Neither does my rem 700 .30-06. All are at least wiped down and stored in a safe room with 50% humidity year round.

I think the best advice is to handle all 3 and see which feels best- even if you have to drive an hour to see one of them at least you have a few months to decide. And it's always fun to check out a new gun shop!

I have not had bad luck with blued rifles, but I have gotten rust, and when I am camped out for days in the rain in the back country, I would like to not worry as much about rust. Also, I have handled them all, and they all felt pretty good, especially the Weatherby/Howa, probably because I already own one. The trigger on the Tikka felt the best, and the action was amazing, but the stock felt a little too narrow in my hands. The Thompson/Center Venture looked like a great gun, and felt ok, but the stock just felt weird. Hard to tell without shooting though.

why a 300 mag.?

Additionally i'd not want a uber-lightweight magnum, and to be perfectly honest i'd probably leave the magnum at home for your stated purpose (the .280Rem, .270Win., and .30-06 are all up to the task, cheaper to feed, & lighter).

I chose 300 win mag because I feel it is more versatile than these other cartridges and is the best compliment to my .270win. I can always load it down to .30-06 power if I want, or use maximum loads when hunting big game.

 

[critter]

If you pick from that list, you won't mess up!

 

[Picher]

I'd give the nod to either Weatherby or Howa. They're fine rifles and have 24" barrels.

I've handled the T3 and find it too light for me; it just doesn't feel good in my hands. I imagine that shooting it with .300 Mag rounds would be a painful situation.

 

[jmr40]

Weatherby and Howa are made from the same action, but are quite different. They use different safety's, different barrels and triggers. The stocks will interchange, but are much different in design.

I actually like the 3 position safety better on the Howa. In a standard caliber rifle I'd highly recommend the Tikka. They are great lightweight rifles, but they may be too light in a 300 mag chambering.

I'd decide which design features I liked better between the Howa and Weatherby and pick between those. I have one of each and didn't care for either stock design so mine have aftermarket stocks made by McMillan and Bansners.