I'm Trying to Decide on a New All Around Rifle.

[coleL]

I’m looking to get a good all-around hunting rifle setup that won’t break the bank. I’m deciding between a Tikka T3x in 270 or a Ruger American Gen II in 270. If you’ve used either one, I’d love to hear your experience with them and which you prefer.

I like the .270 because the ammo is inexpensive and I plan on shooting a lot. I mainly hunt mule deer and elk usually between 50–500 yards. In anything from thick timber to flat desert. I’m also open to other calibers if there’s something better in this price range.

I’d most likely put a Vortex Strike Eagle 3–18×44 on whichever rifle I choose.

What would you recommend for an affordable, accurate all-purpose setup?

 

[Caseknife]

The Tikka is quite a bit better quality if you can swing the price difference. The .270 has been around for 100 years and it is still a very viable cartridge, able to kill pretty much anything in NA. Suggest getting a rifle model with a threaded muzzle. Leaves the option for adding a suppressor in the future, they make a big difference.

 

[coleL]

The Tikka is quite a bit better quality if you can swing the price difference. The .270 has been around for 100 years and it is still a very viable cartridge, able to kill pretty much anything in NA. Suggest getting a rifle model with a threaded muzzle. Leaves the option for adding a suppressor in the future, they make a big difference.

Yeah, I was looking at the Tikka tx3 gen II stainless which is threaded.

 

[Hem]

Tikka T3 .270
Too many pictures to post..elk, deer, mtn goat, bighorn ,
Not glamorous,not trendy( threaded), just a proven everything.
Seriously.

 

[cgasner1]

Tikkas also kinda seem like legos for adults. You can build it up if you want later

 

[MT_Chad]

Tikka hands down, we'll worth the extra cost. Never shot an American, only handled them. Been shooting a tikka for 10 years, my favorite rifle in the arsenal.
Consider a trijicon credo or accupoint instead of that vortex, the trijicon will be much more reliable in the long run.

 

[INMT]

I’ve had my Tikka T3 7mm rem mag for 19 years. If and when I buy a new rifle it will be a Tikka.

 

[jimh406]

I think 30'06 is worth a consideration, so you can shoot a bit larger and heavier bullets if desired. Consider .308 for inexpensive ammo.

 

[Jnasa]

I think either of those rifle options would be good. 270 is a great cartridge and I’ve harvested plenty with it.

The 308 would be another great option that would give you a short action and a little more efficient on powder charge if you reload.

 

[David58]

I have handled one Ruger American, back when I was having trouble getting my Ruger 77 to shoot center (free floating bbl solved that). On that American, I worked the bolt once and handed it back. Sounds like the Tikka is a quality rifle, that's where I go. And as a '06 guy, the .270 sounds like a good choice.

David
ID

 

[coleL]

Tikka hands down, we'll worth the extra cost. Never shot an American, only handled them. Been shooting a tikka for 10 years, my favorite rifle in the arsenal.
Consider a trijicon credo or accupoint instead of that vortex, the trijicon will be much more reliable in the long run.

Maybe. I've never had a problem with vortex and I get 50% off their optics.

 

[Kauaihunter]

Both shoot well but the function of the Tikka is better. Feeding has never been an issue with my Tikka’s, including a .270. We have experienced some feeding issues with Gen 1’s and 2’s. There’s quite a bit of flex in the Gen 2 fore end. I wouldn’t have any issues personally with using a Gen 2 myself but overall the Tikka is a better rifle in my experience.