What to get, first time gun buyer.
09-25-2009, 06:38 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
What to get, first time gun buyer.
Hey all, I am currently in the market for a 300 win mag. and was looking for some suggestions for models and would like to stay under 800 for the gun. I have looked at the tikka t3, t/c venture and icon, and weatherby vanguard. They all seem like nice guns. Like the lightness of the t3 but like the build quality on the t/c's. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Or pros and cons of the ones i listed. Thanks
Also would like to go synthetic...
Also would like to go synthetic...
Last edited by wibigbuck; 09-25-2009 at 06:54 PM.
09-25-2009, 06:53 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 567
First of all, welcome aboard.
I personally am a big fan of savages and the weatherby vanguards. Both usually have great out of the box accuracy. Have you shot a 300 win mag before? What game will you hunt? How much will you practice? How long of shots will you take?
I personally am a big fan of savages and the weatherby vanguards. Both usually have great out of the box accuracy. Have you shot a 300 win mag before? What game will you hunt? How much will you practice? How long of shots will you take?
09-25-2009, 07:00 PM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Yeah, i shot a savage 300 win mag. my brother has. I will be deer hunting with it and plan on making trips out west in the next few years elk hunting. I would probly shoot it 1-2 a month, and would like to be able to shoot 500 yards with good accuracy if i have the chance. Plan on getting a nice scope $400-500 range so would like to stay around 800 and under with the gun.
09-25-2009, 07:14 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 567
Good answers. Sometimes people start out wanting a Magnum just because it sounds cool, and don't have a clue about the recoil or ammo costs. I hate recoil and prefer a .270, .308, 30-06, or 35 whelen in a fairly heavy gun. Of the choices you listed, I would probably choose the T3 or vanguard. You might also check out the Howa's. It is the same action as the vanguards. I would probably choose a synthetic stainless set-up with a scope such as Ziess conquest, bushnell 4200, Leupold vx-L or 3 or a Burris in 4-14x42 or 44mm. You might at least take a look at the savage weather warrior.
09-25-2009, 07:21 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 567
It looks as if the T3, Vanguard, or weather warrior can all be bought for less than $600, so I would find which one shoulders best and has the best fit and finish. You might also check the bolt throw and trigger pull.
09-25-2009, 07:55 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
bigbuck,
First I would switch the budget you have for the gun (To: $500) and the scope (To: $800), especialy if you want to shoot long distance.
You'll need good glass to shoot 500 yards...........................
First I would switch the budget you have for the gun (To: $500) and the scope (To: $800), especialy if you want to shoot long distance.
You'll need good glass to shoot 500 yards...........................
09-26-2009, 07:34 AM
#8
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Ok, so i was thinking that too, spend more on the optics as all the guns should be pretty close in accuracy. I think i have narrowed it down to either the tikka t3 or the T/C Venture. What kinda scope would you guys recommend for 500 yards or more, to use on this gun. $500-$800 range on the scope. I have heard alot of good things about the ziess and was kinda leaning that way but what power for that range.
09-26-2009, 08:36 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Clermont Florida U.S.
Posts: 4,970
A light weight in 300WSM (or 300WM) will have a healthy amount of recoil. Any of the ones you mentioned will suffice. Just pick what feels best to you. Personally, I'd also be looking at Ruger's. They are tough, dependable and fairly priced. Scope-wise the Vortex Viper, Sightron Big Sky and Zeiss Conquest are great choices. 
09-26-2009, 01:14 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
Listen to Ridge Runner. 500 yards is a little ways out and requires good equipment and practice to make ethical shots on animals. Do you have a place to practice shooting at 500 yards? If so, you're way ahead of most of us.
I would recommend that if you want to shoot long range, you invest in a good rifle, a very good scope, a laser rangefinder, and last, but not least, a handloading setup.
Handloading will let you squeeze the best accuracy out of your rifle with bullets suitable for long range shooting. I've never had a rifle that I couldn't get to 1 MOA with handloading, but only one that consistently shot <1MOA with factory loads, and it was a target/varmint weight rifle.
Mike
I would recommend that if you want to shoot long range, you invest in a good rifle, a very good scope, a laser rangefinder, and last, but not least, a handloading setup.
Handloading will let you squeeze the best accuracy out of your rifle with bullets suitable for long range shooting. I've never had a rifle that I couldn't get to 1 MOA with handloading, but only one that consistently shot <1MOA with factory loads, and it was a target/varmint weight rifle.
Mike