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.

 

[brymoore]

+10 on the Tikka. 270 works well. I prefer leoupold rifle scopes.

 

[nhenry]

If you get a t3x lite stainless, they come threaded now too.

 

[brockel]

The tikka over the ruger gen 2 and its not even close

 

[ridn9high]

Just in case you needed another vote. Tikka hands down. They shoot great, very reliable, great trigger by just adding a spring, and butter smooth action.

 

[LopeHunter]

Can you get adequate bullet expansion combined with penetration to heart or lungs of a bull elk at 500 yards with your .270? Would you shoot in a crosswind at 500 yards?

I will punch paper at those distances. Seems 500 yards with the .270 is not a slam dunk even if are hitting a pie plate 5 of 5 times at the range with a steady rest on level terrain.

Flame away.

 

[TN2shot07]

Out of the 2, the Tikka is way more gun for the money and there are a ton of aftermarket options if you want to mess with it later. I also agree on the 270, had one built this spring and it will do everything I need it to.

@LopeHunter is right though, at least based on my rifle. My bullet drops below 2k fps right at 400. It will probably still expand but I wouldn’t push it past that.

 

[Wolfshead]

I have a Tikka T3x in .308 Win. Compact with a 20” barrel.
I absolutely love this rifle!
I’m shooting 130 grain ttsx and getting .270 speeds with them.
Muzzle velocity has been an average of 3170 fps with about a grain below max load.
I got the compact because I wanted a carbine sized rifle for hunting the thick woods I hunt a lot in.
But I took my Buck this season at 270 yds on a ag field, and it did a great job.
With the .308 the versatility of bullet weights AND the availability of ammo anywhere you go is an appealing option.

 

[brockel]

Can you get adequate bullet expansion combined with penetration to heart or lungs of a bull elk at 500 yards with your .270? Would you shoot in a crosswind at 500 yards?

I will punch paper at those distances. Seems 500 yards with the .270 is not a slam dunk even if are hitting a pie plate 5 of 5 times at the range with a steady rest on level terrain.

Flame away.

As long as the shooter is up for it absolutely. Lots of 270 bullets will still be in their velocity expansion window at 500 yards