I only have one werd to say savege

Ain't nothing wrong with a savage in the accuracy dept, my only beef is the blind mag. system but that is personal preference. Tikka is solid as well, but I really wouldn't put the WT hunter as finished any better..the T3 has some nice improvements but they don't make a lefty model in the T3 so I won't consider Tikka until they do.

Scope the Burris or Bushnell Elite 3200 are worth consideration.

Ruger M-77, Winchester Model 70 and Remington 700's are not any more expensive that what others have listed above and they're American Companies

Trust me and the others, buy a Tikka. Find a Whitetail Hunter if you can, the T3's aren't quites as nice in fit and style in my opinion (but still shoot as well). Since money is tight the Bushnell 3200 Elite gets much good press from what I've read (although I've never looking through one).

My Tikka shoots pretty good out of the box. Once I get the handloads dialed in I think I'll shoot a little better. Probably glass bed it this summer for the fun.

100 & 200 yard targets:



300 yard targets:

I have read several articles and numerous posts on this board about Tikkas and my decision has been made....Tikka it is!!! Now I have another problem. I am having second thoughts about scope and caliber. I read some nasty posts about Burris scopes and the 25.06 seems like an excellent caliber for deer and can double as a varmint rifle. Any thoughts?

I like the Nikon Monarch scope. Nothing wrong with the 25-06, most people who have one swear by them.

Joe,

I may have just had a couple lemons, but I have had to Burris go bad on me. Burris replaced them both, but it's still a hassle. The Bushnell 3200's are excellent for the money!

I'm a big fan of the Tikkas as well. I currently have Tikkas in .223, 22-250, .243 and .308 and they all are super accurate.

The 25-06 is a great cartridge work, but ammo may not be as easy to find as it is for some of the more popular calibers. And you won't find as big a variety.

Me personally i like the Howa. It is a great gun at a great price too

i'm kinda partial, but I would look into a Ruger, They are good solid american made rifles.

25-06 is a great caliber. In East Texas, ammo is readily available.