I am 17 years old and live in alaska. I have been shooting 22's and shotguns for many years and would like to get a nice rifle that would be able to shoot coyotes and other small predetors aswell as sheep. I have been leaning towards the 243 but do not have experience with either the tikka 243 or the 270, what would be better?
-akhunter177

Without a doubt when you add sheep, you need the 270. Only thing better would be the 280.

a 270 will mess a yote up good but if you want to shoot sheep you need that extra power. a 243 is great for yotes and deer but i think it might be a tad light for sheep because of the ranges.

You can load up some good 90 grain varmint rounds for a 270 Win and turn right around and take sheep all day long with 130 grain bullets. I like the 243 Win for deer with a good 100 grain bullet but sheep seem to have a bit more mass to me.

As a side note I don't like Tikka rifles. Not fond of plastic or one size fits all action lengths. I prefer Ruger rifles. Made in USA.

Both Great callibers! I would go with the .270 it will do a number on yote's and would be excellent for sheep. Plus if you want to go for larger game down the road with the right handloads and shot placement it can be as lethal as many of the magnums on the market. My cousins has hunted elk for 10 years with his .270

Have you considered stepping up to a .30 cal? The reason I ask is because a .308Win or a .30-06 are both excellent cartridges that would do exceptionally well on sheep out to 400 yards or more. And both have the advantage of being available with factory loaded FMJ bullets that would be well suited to coyotes if you want to preserve the pelts. And if you handload, the range of bullets available for .30cal is remarkable. You can get everything from light, explosive varmint bullets to heavy solids and everything in between. Ammo for a .308 or .30-06 is also readily available (not that .270Win or .243Win isn't) and relatively inexpensive.

Mike

You actually need two guns. I personally have never been satisfied with small grain bullets on larger calibers. The 243 will kill sheep, but on long shots you need something that will anchor him pretty quick. The 270 would do this. As far as deer, varmints and coyotes, .243 is good choice. Personally, if your going after sheep in Alaska, I wouldn't use anything less than a 30-06. You will probably be in mountain grizzly country and a .270 might be light on charging grizz. HH CG

From your choices, I go with everyone and choose the .270, but also agree with driftrider about stepping up to a 30. cal.

Hope this helps,

KonaBoy

Of the two calibers mentioned I say the 270Win hands down.Like mentioned I would move up to a 30 cal . The 30-06 would be a excellent choice.I agree with Frizzellr look at the Ruger's.I have some of the M-77's and for the price you can't beat them.I have one Tikka but haven't tried it out yet.I'm impressed with Tikka's craftsmanship how it performs hopefully I will know soon. I would suggest looking at a Ruger M-77 "All Weather". In your weather it will fill the ticket.

Ruger Redhawk

270