need help which rifle to choose

carolinasal · December 12, 2012, 07:12 PM

this is my first post,let me say before i joined this is where i came for info on just about everything hunting.my dilemma is i have 3 sons and they love to hunt,we live in the south and have long seasons and liberal limits so they get to shoot alot.we currently shoot ruger hawkeyes with no complaints really,maybe triggers could be better.last week i told my boys to go online and find a rifle that they liked one that appealed to them.2 of the votes are in one for weatherby vanguard s2 the other tikka lite.one in 270 the other in 7mm08.i did put a limit on spending.want opinions on what yall think,so give me the low down.this is the last rifle dad is going to buy so i want to get the best for the money.

PatientWolf · December 12, 2012, 07:32 PM

People love both. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but if it were me I'd lean to the T3 lite in stainless.

Joe Chicago · December 12, 2012, 08:07 PM

I have a Vanguard S2 and it shoots great - under one MOA as advertised. It is a bit heavy, so it may not be the rifle to carry all day up and down hills. It also has a terrific two stage trigger, but that is not for everyone (mine has around 1/8" take-up then breaks at 2.75lbs). The quality and fit/finish are terrific.
I do not have a Tikka, but every review I have read says they are well made, very accurate and have great actions. Handle both rifles and see which you prefer.

If you do not reload, stick to basic calibers that are sold everywhere and are relatively inexpensive - .308, 270 and 30-06. A box of 7mm-08 costs around $10 more than a box of .308 and you will have far less selection.

alex0535 · December 12, 2012, 10:23 PM

I have read that florida deer aren't usually very large, anything .223 or higher will be sufficient.

I would like a .243, but the .270 or 7mm-08, .308 will all do just as well. Be mindful of shot placement so you don't tear up the shoulder too bad.

I would trust my ability to take a 120lb deer with a .223.

In any case, check out the price of ammo and make it part of your consideration whatever you end up choosing.

4runnerman · December 12, 2012, 10:27 PM

Both of your chices are very good. I would lean toward the Tika only because of the weight issue. As for caliber-- Both are good also. Maybe as someone else said look at the 308 are 243. Cheaper to shoot.

ripnbst · December 12, 2012, 10:38 PM

What do your boys plan to hunt?

For white tail deer in the south no more than .243 is needed. If they are after hogs or black bears then I can see the need for these bigger calibers.

sc928porsche · December 15, 2012, 03:37 PM

Just a personal preference, I like the Howa (vanguard) over the Tika. Just something about the fit and weight. Both 270 and 7-08 are good cartridges for deer. 270 will be easier to find ammo for if you are out somewhere.

It dosnt make any difference if you are hunting florida deer, alabama deer, georgia deer, or colorado deer. Either cartridge is not too much for them. Its the trend of today to use smaller and especially on this forum. Personally I use 300WM and constantly getting chided for doing so. Waste powder, no big deal. Waste meat..........not hardly. I dont shoot them through the sholders and ribs contain very little meat. Through the boiler room and all is good.

December 12, 2012, 07:12 PM	#1
carolinasal Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2012 Location: florida Posts: 4	need help which rifle to choose this is my first post,let me say before i joined this is where i came for info on just about everything hunting.my dilemma is i have 3 sons and they love to hunt,we live in the south and have long seasons and liberal limits so they get to shoot alot.we currently shoot ruger hawkeyes with no complaints really,maybe triggers could be better.last week i told my boys to go online and find a rifle that they liked one that appealed to them.2 of the votes are in one for weatherby vanguard s2 the other tikka lite.one in 270 the other in 7mm08.i did put a limit on spending.want opinions on what yall think,so give me the low down.this is the last rifle dad is going to buy so i want to get the best for the money.

December 12, 2012, 10:27 PM	#5
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnsota Posts: 1,849	Both of your chices are very good. I would lean toward the Tika only because of the weight issue. As for caliber-- Both are good also. Maybe as someone else said look at the 308 are 243. Cheaper to shoot. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

December 15, 2012, 03:37 PM	#7
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,325	Just a personal preference, I like the Howa (vanguard) over the Tika. Just something about the fit and weight. Both 270 and 7-08 are good cartridges for deer. 270 will be easier to find ammo for if you are out somewhere. It dosnt make any difference if you are hunting florida deer, alabama deer, georgia deer, or colorado deer. Either cartridge is not too much for them. Its the trend of today to use smaller and especially on this forum. Personally I use 300WM and constantly getting chided for doing so. Waste powder, no big deal. Waste meat..........not hardly. I dont shoot them through the sholders and ribs contain very little meat. Through the boiler room and all is good. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

December 12, 2012, 07:32 PM	#2
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 224	People love both. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but if it were me I'd lean to the T3 lite in stainless.

December 12, 2012, 08:07 PM	#3
Joe Chicago Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Location: Chicago area Posts: 277	I have a Vanguard S2 and it shoots great - under one MOA as advertised. It is a bit heavy, so it may not be the rifle to carry all day up and down hills. It also has a terrific two stage trigger, but that is not for everyone (mine has around 1/8" take-up then breaks at 2.75lbs). The quality and fit/finish are terrific. I do not have a Tikka, but every review I have read says they are well made, very accurate and have great actions. Handle both rifles and see which you prefer. If you do not reload, stick to basic calibers that are sold everywhere and are relatively inexpensive - .308, 270 and 30-06. A box of 7mm-08 costs around $10 more than a box of .308 and you will have far less selection.

December 12, 2012, 10:23 PM	#4
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 619	I have read that florida deer aren't usually very large, anything .223 or higher will be sufficient. I would like a .243, but the .270 or 7mm-08, .308 will all do just as well. Be mindful of shot placement so you don't tear up the shoulder too bad. I would trust my ability to take a 120lb deer with a .223. In any case, check out the price of ammo and make it part of your consideration whatever you end up choosing.

December 12, 2012, 10:38 PM	#6
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,039	What do your boys plan to hunt? For white tail deer in the south no more than .243 is needed. If they are after hogs or black bears then I can see the need for these bigger calibers.