I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Hi, I am new to the forum, and I live in San Antonio, Texas. I do hunt in Mexico and in south Texas, I mostly hunt Whitetail, and hogs. But I do have a question. My budget would have to be anything under $700. My caliber would have to be either .300Winchester or WSM, and 7mm Winchester, or of course WSM. If there are any more calibers in which I should consider for Whitetail you can name them here. I have not made up my mind YET, but I have narrowed my search to the Tikka T3. What do you think is the best rifle for whitetail under $700?

EDIT: I get mixed up with Remington and Winchester, even though Remington doesn't make .300 cartridges.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Firstly I am not sure what you are talking about when you mention 300remington.Remington produces a 300saum and the 300ultramag but nothing called the 300remington.As far as rifles go.you would be hard pressed to find a better rifle than the t-3 for the price.If you are going to hunt onlywhitetails the 25-06 would be a great choice.If at some point elk or moose are in the picture,I would go for the 7mmremmag.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

I like the Tikka for the money, but there is also the Weatherby Vanguard. I also hunt elk so I think a 7mm would do well. I like the smooth action on the Tikka, and the weight. But I can also consider lower calibers as well.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Since there is no 7mmwinchester and the 7mmwsm is not selling well at all,the 7mmremmag would be the logical choice in the 7mms.It does a fine job on both deer and elk.The vanguard is also a good rifle for the money andsince it is actually a howa 1500 with the weatherby name stamped on it,the howa 1500is obviouslya good buy as well.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

personally, a savage in 30-06.......I love the accu-trigger, I'm thinking about getting a savage in .223 for varmints

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

For strictly whitetail deer and hogs I wouldn't look to any of the magnums. Yes they are very effective deer medicine they aren't going to kill deer any deader than other "standard" cartridges.

My choices would include the .243 winchester, 6mm Remington, 257 roberts, 25-06, 6.5X55 Sweed, 270 Winchester, 7mm-08, 7mm Mauser, 280 Remington. The .270 and 25-06 would be at the top of my list with the .270 being my first choice.

The Tikka rifles have never floated my boat at all. I much prefer the vanguard/ Howa rifles over the Tikkas. Howas are built with some very good features and are solid as a tank.

Howa has teamed up with Leupold this year and are offering scoped packages with VX-1 scoped already installed. This package should come in under your $700 budget easily and should be right about the $600 mark at most retail stores.
http://legacysports.com/newproducts/index.htm

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

I would look at getting a 270 or 270WSM both are great deer calibers and wont break the bank to shoot or have much kick.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

First, are you a handloader and how abundant is the ammunition in the area for the cartridge you want. Can you go to any sporting goods store or walmarts and get the ammo if your in a pinch. If it is no then I would consider somethig you can. I would go with something in the .30 caliber range. It is hard to beat a good 30-06 for all around use. If you desire extra speed and range you can always order some of Hornady's light magnum ammo. If you look at some of the ballistics of different cartridges once they get out to a certain range, the difference in ft. lbs. and velocity is is not really that big. In the hands of a good shot, any cartridge can be deadly. You have to know and be able to handle the caliber and cartridge you choose. If you cant shoot a magnum accurately, why have it.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Of course it is a fact thatsome people can shoot magnums much more accurately than someother people can shoot non magnums.:D

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Has anyone heard of the Savage 16-LZ? It is suppossed to be $699, and is a (.284) Lazzeroni cartridge. Lazzeroni's balistics are suppossed to be better than Weatherby's. If anyone has heard or owns one please share some info.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Yeah, Savage makes a great rifle.

However if your rifle budget is $700 then you will not be able to afford to shoot it. Lazzeroni cartridges cost about $70 to $100 per box of 20. They also don't make that rifle any more.

Ever see some of those women that are married to millionares and you get that vibe that they are only there because of the money...... In other words........ High maintenance. Lazzeroni is this womans equal. You gotta pay to play. ;)

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

If it was me I would get a Remington SPS in 30/06 as there is no way you would need a 300 magnum for hogs and small deer a 243win would do fine a 308win at most.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

well i think u should hook up with somebody that has a magnum and shoot it. mags are great dont get me wrong but if you flench to much when u shoot them there not for you. a 7mm-08, 30-06 or 308 are also great cartiridges due to the vast variety of loads and dies and such for the 06 and 308 theyd be great guns. i own a 7mm rem mag and its a great hard shooting long range gun but it might be a little over kill for hogs and deer.i would personally go for a 308 myself, i no it sounds stupid but what if u find urself ammo less on the night of a big hunt and your in a rural town and they have a dinky gun shop or convenene store that sells ammo most likely they wont have wsm's or mags. 308 and 30-06 would be the top cartrideg on there list. but then again thats just my experience and knowledge.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

Ruger 77 MKII Sporter with brown laminate stock in 7mm Rem Mag. Amazing features for the price (i picked one up for $545 last fall brand new). There aren't many other companies that will give ya a gun with stainless steel, laminate stock, and a proven reliable action for that price. And the laminate stock is nearly bullet proof but 100x better looking than synthetic stocks, and handles elevation/humidity changes almost as well. And don't let anyone tell you that you need to buy the synthetic stock because you need to shave the weight off. After all, if you can't pack an 8 pound rifle around how in the hell are you going to get your animal out?

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

An amazing amount of advice, some (perhaps) relevant questions:

** Is this your first rifle (borrowed or otherwise)?
** What other rifle(s) do you own?
** What other rifles have you shot and how did you get along with them?
** What are your aspirations (if any) beyond hogs and deer (read bigger)?

No sense in recommending something that may duplicate what you already have.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

For deer and hogs, I wouldn't recommend anythings that punishes more than required. I love the T-3, and one of the reasons is that it is so light. Light weight with heavy hitting cartidges = punishment. I would't consider anything above a .30-06, and would probably look at a .270 or .308 instead. Shells are common for any of these three choices. If you compare the ballistics of the .25-06 to the .270, you'll probably think the .270 is a better choice between the two.

RE: I am trying to decide on a new rifle.
 

They have been making just the cartridge for you for the last 75-80 years.The 270 Win.