Which Rifle??
 

Want to get a bolt action .223 and I am considering either the Savage Axis, Ruger (I think American) or a TC (sold at Dicks)? Which is better for hunting wild turkeys? Please no debate about whether or not I should be using a rifle. Most concerned about accuracy and low weight.

Thanks

new rifle
 

Savage is a accurate rifle, only thing I don't like is there stocks. it's 2 pieces were the trigger assembly is. Ruger American ,I think is a better rifle for the money in the starter catogory. I'd get the Ruger.:fighting0007:

X2 on the Ruger.

Take a look at these;


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...-p-127532.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/weat...-p-121954.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/marl...-p-117249.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...h-p-99578.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/tikk...h-p-90826.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/remi...h-p-86358.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/howa...h-p-99595.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/sava...m-p-86703.html

http://www.remington.com/product-fam...model-783.aspx

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/thom...-p-121934.html




Eliminated the ones you don't like and then go handle the ones you do like !

Where rifle hunters after turkeys get a bad name for themselves is when they start taking potshots at birds they can't tempt in close with a call. Calling is most of the fun.

But that doesn't rule out the rifle. I know guys who use .22 WMRs, but I've probably seen as many birds hit and lost with those as I have with shotguns. I can't say that I've seen a turkey lost when hit with a centerfire rifle, though. My favorite turkey gun is a .22 Hornet. I've used both .223 and .243 as well. Another popular rifle chambering I've known people to use is the .221 Fireball.

Ruger .

I like this one even though I own Ruger's which are all model 77's.

Out of the box, T/C Venture rifles are equipped with a minute of angle guarantee, meaning it will shoot a 3 shot group in an inch or less at 100 yards (with premium ammunition). Every gun is certified for accuracy and with an MOA guarantee, you know you have a gun you can rely on hunt after hunt, year after year. T/C VENTURE™ PREDATOR

This one is nice for a smaller shooter or a growing youth as the length of pull is adjustable as is the trigger.
Problem is it is only chambered as a 22 250 in 22 center fire.

T/C VENTURE™ COMPACT

Adjustable trigger composite stock and blued finish makes this one a thing to last a life time.

T/C VENTURE™ BLUED

I don't think the rifles are made in America like the muzzle loaders or at least they don't stress that point.
I know some one with a T/C rifle but seem to be having a elder moment at this point can't remember just who it is or what rifle it is. I just know they really like it.

:D Al

Price
 

I imagine price would be a consideration with what you choose, Like the rest of us. Still the Ruger in 223, or 243 with a good scope on her, would fill your ticket well. I was going to get a Ruger in 243, Wound up getting the Remi ADl in 243 instead, never shot it Remi has it for a trigger recall. My other Remis are great, but i had to modify them to shoot great. Stick with the Ruger.

Thanks for the input. Now all that remains is to sell a Valmet 412 that I have. Feel compelled to get rid of it before adding another gun. The Valmet combo. is what I am using now during spring turkey season but it gets heavy. Again, thanks to all.

The valmet what I would keep the nest turkey gun out there you got the best of both worlds a shotgun and a rifle. Yes it is heavy but a good gun. As for the bolt action I was looking in to the ruger myself. The gunsmith I know has nothing but good things to say about them after you fix the trigger and get rid of that metal insert. He can get them down to about 2lbs.

I've handled these all at stores, although have not shot any of them myself. After reading, handling and looking at them I would buy the Ruger if I was buying for myself. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them for a "budget rifle" though. Another idea is watch the used classified websites and pick up an older used savage 110 or 111. There's lots of those around.
-Jake

Also if you are going to sell you valmet put an ad in the local valley trader i am shore you will not have a problem selling it. Me personally I don't like savages. Seen the target of a ruger american in 223 with nothing done but trigger work and barrel laped. Very impressive with standard factor loads. Have a ruger american ringside in 22 mag getting trigger worked on now and should get it back next weekend. Seen targets of 3 or 4 of them all shoot better then a 77/22 magnum I seen targets for for way less money. And the ruger has the ending blocks in the stock and 3 lugs compare to the savage axis 2.

Ruger. But if it was me I would save my money a little and go with a Weatherby or a Tikka.

I am not a gun expert or understand a lot about guns, I just hunt. With that said, I am looking at the TikkaT3's and find the rate of twist to be 1-14. Will that bode well with factory ammo that is readily available? Right now my Valmet shoots Remington PSP 50gr. very well. Still looking at the other guns also, but I have a friend that can shave cost off the Tikkas.

Thanks

Tikka
 

Redmag, you answerd your own question, If you can get a Tikka for a good price, then I would pass up all the starter rifles.Tikka is a great rifle, Every one I know that has one , loves it. I think Tikka builds the rifles for Beretta also, I could be wrong about that. Do it.:groupwave:

Troutbum, Thanks for the advice. I can get the gun through a Beretta employee for what I think would be a great price. I see a lot of talk about the twist rate and a lot prefer something under 10. Is it really that critical, I just want to whack birds say maybe 50-60 yds if he stops there,

Thanks

From the tikka webpage the twist is 1:12. For the 223'the varmint is 1:8. For 1:12 55 gr or lighter bullets. My 1:12 Handi rifle and valmet 223 like the rem 55gr psp

I'd go with the 8 twist, unless you wanna shoot bullets lighter than 50 gr.
RR

1-8 twist
 

redmag, Go with the Tikka in 223, if that's the cal you want. you will be alright. And yes you will whack them hard at 50-60-yds, just make sure you use the right bullet. When you get it , When you sight her in, try different ammo by different manufacturer to see what your rifle likes and holds a tighter group. then try different bullet weights . You will find what work's best for you rifle. good luck.

OK gonna go out on a limb. Why a 223 to kill a turkey at 50 yds?

Personal preference.

Personally, I don't like the performance of even the most premium shotshells on turkeys. Trailing a wounded bird isn't like trailing a wounded deer. If it's not Dead-Right-There, it'll be Dead-Right-Somewhere-Else by tomorrow morning.

Personally, it's been my experience that any hit with a CF rifle will put a bird down. A miss is a miss. I don't hunt turkeys to feed coyotes.

Personally, I've had two coyotes respond to my turkey calling in the spring. I'll take the opportunity to reduce the coyote population any chance I get. With a rifle, I don't even have to switch ammo.

Personally, I like my shotguns for wingshooting. It just doesn't seem natural using them to "Arkansas" some poor creature on the ground. And the specialized shotguns I see guys lugging into the woods (M4-type stocks, pistol grips, camo, special chokes, rifle sights, etc.). That's not a "shotgun" anymore, in MY opinion, but I don't generally tell them that.

Personally, I think most people overestimate the range at which their shotgun is going to be effective. 50 yards? IF you have the right choke and the right ammo. How about 75 yards? 100? One has only to spend some time in a goose pit and listen to the "skybusters" to know just how great the temptation is to take a bit longer poke at birds, particularly if they're getting spooky.

We all have choices. I've used shotguns. I prefer a rifle. To each his own.