Help me pick my new deer rifle.

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loneguitar

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So I am looking for a deer rifle on a bit of a budget. I have it narrowed down to a Weatherby Vanguard and a Tika T3 Lite both in .30-06. Anyone have any real life experience with either of these rifles?
 
I have no personal experience with either but if I were looking for a deer rifle and on a budget, I would look among the many reasonably priced, pre-owned bolt actions. It's not hard to find a good Win/Rem/Ruger/etc. Then you might a little left over for a better scope, ammo, or a hunting trip.
example: I paid $400 for a Ruger M77 .270cal with a Leupold VariX II 3-9X, sling, case, and 3 boxes of shells.
 
Another vote for the Vanguard, I have a stainless w/ wood stock in a .270WSM and love it. Talked a friend of mine and my brother in law into buying one as well, actually all it took was them shooting it once and they did the rest. IMO they are a hell of a gun, Tikka's feel cheap to me but have a damn good reputation. I guess just go with the one you are most comfortable with the operation/feel of , you can't go wrong between the two.
 
I have a Tikka T3 stainless synthetic. Around 7.5lbs with 2.5-8x Leupold; 3 shots into just over half an inch, great trigger and ultra smooth action. If you're wanting something accurate, light weight and easy to carry then this rifle does a great job. Recoil is lively on the bench, but not a bother in the field. Some people don't like the use of polymer in the trigger guard and mag, but they had to save weight somewhere as the action and barrel are quiet meaty - hence the accuracy. If you're not concerned about weight - and I was - then there are lots of other choices. Hope this helps your decision.
 
My Vanguard (.270WSM) has served me well in the two years I have had it. You cannot go wrong with the Vanguard. That being said, a used rifle could easily be just what you need. Although depriving yourself out of a brand new rifle...
 
Buying new, neither are exactly 'budget' rifles. However, buying used isn't a bad thing. You really have to work at damaging a modern hunting rifle.
Anything that has the word Weatherby on it will cost more though. Even Vanguards that are made in Japan.
Howa rifles are the same rifle as a Vanguard. So if you see one at the price you're willing to pay, in the calibre you want, it'll do nicely.
You can very likely have a brand new Savage for what you'll pay for a used Weatherby or Tikka. Savage rifles are the best bang for your buck.
 
Don't think I'd pick an 06. It's a great round, a true classic, but a little on the boring side. At least I'd go with one of the short magnums, 270 maybe? Or even a 308. I really like the Remington Model 7. It's light and handles nicely.

JMHO
 
+1 on the used gun idea. I found a nice Rem 700, stainless barrel, some rather pricey hunting ammo, sling, case, scope, and mounts for $450.
 
I have a H&R chambered in 30.06. mounted a Leo Mark 1 and could keep a 1 1/2 in. group at 100 yards. Traded a win mod 97 for it. Refinnished and glass bedded the stock. I'm happy with it.

Happy landings!
Cheyenne pilot
 
Nothing wrong with a 30-06, it will take anything in North America. It's a popular round so you can buy ammo almost anywhere. It's also versatile so you can buy rounds with a 125gr projectile all the way up to a 220gr projectile with a lot of weights in between. Very few if any other commercial round gives you that many choices where you can use the same rifle to hunt small White Tail or Brown Bear and Moose.

If you are totally set on buying only the 2 rifles you mentioned either would be a great choice but I am leaning toward the T3. If you want a outstanding rifle for under $560 a Savage Model 111 Series rifles with Savage's AccuTrigger would be a great choice IMO.
 
T3 would be the way to go IMHO if you can get past the stock construction and styling. I could, especially if the comparison was to a Vanguard, but again just my opinion. Plus your Tikka will have the backing of Beretta.

'06 is a great way to go if you're looking for a do-all caliber. If you ever might buy another rifle, consider the .308 given its presence of lots of cheap surplus ammo for practice, and the fact it's built on a short action.

Of course, the T3 is all based on long actions -- so forget that last comment unless surplus ammo is important to you.

Of the choices you provided, a 30-06 T3 isn't a bad way to go!
 
Limiting the reply to the two you mentioned, I would go with the Weatherby...
BUT I would seriously suggest, as others have mentioned, a Savage with the Accutrigger. Much more bang for the buck in my opinion.
 
We are talking about a deer rifle that does not need pin point accuracy, although it helps. Both are good guns. Get what feels best to you. Handle them with your eyes shut. By them both.
 
I've a Vangaurd in 7mm Remington Magnum and like it very much. no experience with the Tikka T3 but I've heard good things from others who own one.

If possible, get your hands on an example of each, and choose the one that feels, looks, and fits best to you.
 
What's the reasoning for limiting to those two rifles? In my opinion you need to add another one to your opitons. The Savage. I have the 116FXP3 (the scoped package) in .30-06. (Change out the scope.)

In my opinion, Tika's feel cheap compared to a Savage. For not much money, the Savage is known for accuracy right out of the box, with a phenomenal trigger. You should seriously consider it an option.

I cannot comment on the Vanguard, as I've never held or shot one.
 
Have a laminated/stainless T3 in 30-ought---accurate(like all Tikka's) a bit on the heavy side due to the stock but the recoil is hardly noticable.

A much better rifle than any Howa---and yes I've had both.

Savages are just cheap nasty things---yuck:barf:
 
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