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

[2rocky]

As a Ruger shooter...I'd recommend the Tikka

As a guy who does a lot of Horseback hunts I chose a 40 MM objective for less leg bulk in saddle scabbard.

As a one rifle guy, I chose a premium bonded bullet weight for elk and shoot everything with it. If you know your drop, velocity and energy you know your max range to be deadly. Now just practice to be deadly with accuracy to beyond that.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Tikka t3x lite stainless, Sportsmatch or UM rings, and a SWFA 3-9x42 for a bombproof setup.

 

[Chief-V]

Great choice on .270. Most of the new 'fad' calibers were designed to compete with the .270. Yet 270 still one of the best calibers made. Fast, flat, power etc. Kill anything in north america. That being said go with the Tikka. The action itself is worth the buy. Go stainless.

 

[Valley1320]

My begara shoots like a dream

 

[BernieBing]

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?

I can't weigh in on the 270 caliber, but I've owned a Tikka Superlite for 7 yrs now and I LOVE it. Chambered for 7mm, and this weekend I'm actually getting it threaded to put a can on it. It shoots great, has taken a beating over the years of backcountry hunts, and is... like its name suggests... SUPERLITE! I don't think you can go wrong with the Tikka

 

[Brad]

A thread like this is one reason I like HT so much. On the other forums I visit at least 50% of the answers would be those deriding the 270 as some archaic, pointless cartridge.

For a non-handloader, I don't think the 270 can be beat. $23.99 ammo can be had anywhere. The 6.5 PRC is a "modernized" 270, and would be a cartridge I'd select as a handloader, but as a do-all Western cartridge that doesn't require handloading (of course you can if you want), you'd be hard pressed to use something other than an over-the-counter 270, 6.5 CM or 308 Win.

While I'm a crf snob (it's mostly irrational), when I'm asked about what to buy as a new rifle/cartridge for hunting here in MT, I always suggest the Tikka T3 in 270. Put a BDC scope on top, and you're good.

My "simplicity" rifles are 270 Win's with Leupold 3-9x40's on top with their LRD reticle. Among a few other cartridges, that reticle is designed around the ballistics of the 270/130 combo. Zero a 130 at 250, and the dots index at 350, 450, and 550 yards. How does it work? Works good... KISS.