A common out of the box tack driver

wdallis · December 4, 2011, 02:08 AM

I am maybe in the market for a new rifle to add to the collection. This gun will be used on varmints and maybe the occasional deer. The ranges I will be shooting will be 0 to 400 yards. I am wanting a tack driver at 100 yards. Which gun/caliber/brand would be best for the job? I reload my own shells.

trg42wraglefragle · December 4, 2011, 02:48 AM

Do you want a light gun or a heavier one?
One with a heavy barrel or not?

Tikka T3s have a good reputation of doing under .5 moa, some getting under .25, and thats the sporter models.

Calibre depends on what you want to shoot at what range.
Varmints to 400 I'd go 243 or 308, and that'l also get you deer at around 250- 300 comfortably.

Deer at 400 3006 or 7mm rem mag.

Deer at 100-150, and varmints to 400, 223 22-250 204.

Also depends entirely on what you've already got.

jimbob86 · December 4, 2011, 02:52 AM

A .270 WIN will do deer or grass rats to 400. Mine does (Remmy 721, available on a consignment rack near you for less than $400).

bedlamite · December 4, 2011, 03:05 AM

Quote:

varmints and maybe the occasional deer. 0 to 400 yards

Savage 14 in 243

Jim243 · December 4, 2011, 03:27 AM

Savage Model 11 in 243.

Jim

RT · December 4, 2011, 07:49 AM

I second the Tikka recommendation but I'm an admitted Finnish fanboy

Yankee Doodle · December 4, 2011, 10:39 AM

Stevens 200 in .243. Mine shoots 5/8" groups at 100 out of the box, if I do my part. As far as Savage and Stevens go, this is pretty much run of the mill.

hooligan1 · December 4, 2011, 11:01 AM

I'd go Savage or an MOA Weatherby Vanguard, either .243 win or bigger yet, .270 winny. Because I like em!!!

eviltravis · December 4, 2011, 11:32 AM

Tikka t3 in .308

603Country · December 4, 2011, 12:04 PM

I'm with the crowd that recommends the 270 Winchester cartridge. It's hard to do better than that at the ranges you're talking about. Also worth mention would be the 280, the 25-06, the 260 and the 7-08 (and plenty of others). I am not a particular fan of the 243, but that's just me. I'd rather have a 250 Savage or 257 Roberts than a 243. As for the rifle, the Savage will do just fine, but I personally would rather have a rifle that's accurate and a bit easier on the eyes. It's a lot like a girlfriend, in that if she's going to be with you all the time, being pretty is a big positive. Therefore...Tikka, Sako, Winchester, Remington, Weatherby, Howa, and Browning (and others) should at least get a good look.

jhenry · December 4, 2011, 12:58 PM

Savage in.308

hounddawg · December 4, 2011, 01:00 PM

did a lot of research in the last couple of weeks prior to purchasing a gun for a semi custom build and there are several brands which would fit the bill. Seems as if it is the rule rather than the exception that bargain guns now will shoot sub MOA straight from the box. You have a ton of choices.

Stevens - the good is there are lots of aftermarket stocks, triggers etc if you decide to upgrade it on. It is also a cinch to change calibers and barrels on. The bad is that the stock and trigger are not all that

Low end Savages - good trigger straight from the box and the stocks are decent

Marlin XR series- good trigger, adequate stock, good barrel. Some aftermarket parts becoming available. Reportedly will use Savage small shank prefitted barrels

Tika - same category as Marlin bolt guns.Good trigger and stocks

Howa - good accuracy and trigger straight from the box. Decent stock and trigger

Weatherby Vanguards- Made by Howa, Good stock and trigger

Winchester model 70's good trigger stock and looks. Plus it is a controlled feed action. Best looking guns of the bunch in my opinion.

Caliber - .308, 270, or 243 would do what you want. Accurate factory loads and ammo is available everywhere.

I just bought a new Stevens for $320 shipped but I plan just using the action and replacing the trigger, stock, and barrel within a month or two on a sows ear to silk purse project to see if I can build a gun that will outshoot a buddies high dollar custom for half the price

bacardisteve · December 4, 2011, 02:04 PM

Savage weatherby howa tika. The weatherby vanguard and the Howa are the same gun. I dont own a tika but have shot a friends a bit and it always shoots moa. I own several savages and even the cheapest a edge 308 shoots moa and sometimes sub moa with good ammo. The vanguard i own is a varmint special 308 it shoots awesome. The factory test group on it was 5/8 inch.

Water-Man · December 4, 2011, 02:34 PM

Tikka T3 .243

(*_*) · December 4, 2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Tikka T3 .243

I second that. Or go Sako 85 in .243

pabuckslayer08 · December 4, 2011, 02:56 PM

Well if price isnt the issue get a SAKO .270, you can shoot 110gr bullets and have less than 25" of drop at 400 yards. If price is in mind the TC venture is tough to beat in .270 as well. Nothing wrong with the .243 either

kraigwy · December 4, 2011, 03:01 PM

A common out of the box tack driver is the gun you are willing to put in the time and effert to learn to shoot.

Daekar · December 4, 2011, 03:08 PM

243 is what I'd recommend, too. I would use heavier bullets for the deer and light bullets for the varmints... that's about it.

blacksky · December 4, 2011, 03:44 PM

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

Savage 14/114 Classic in 270

kinoons · December 5, 2011, 01:16 AM

Just to be different I'll go with something unorthodox -- Swiss k31 carbine. They are available, inexpensive ($200-300), have a great trigger, quick bolt, good sights. There are options for mounting a scope or other sights. Many are sub-MOA rifles. Aftermarket stocks are available if you don't like the wood military stock.

On the ammo front surplus Swiss 7.5 is damn near match quality ammo and can be had between $0.50-$0.60 a round.

jimbob86 · December 5, 2011, 01:20 AM

Quote:

On the ammo front surplus Swiss 7.5 is damn near match quality ammo and can be had between $0.50-$0.60 a round.

That surplus ammo is all FMJ.... finding soft points for hunting can be ..... problematic.

....as can finding the correct (.308 will work, but is not correct) bullets for reloading......

BIG P · December 5, 2011, 01:32 AM

Another 1 for 270,But a 25-06 or 257 bob is nice to be a little different.T-3 or savage would be a good bet.I use a Ruger 25-06 but its not quite a tack driver but does a good job,may not hit them in the eye but it will tear up the head.

mrawesome22 · December 5, 2011, 02:10 AM

700VLS in 243Win trim.

SmokyBaer · December 5, 2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigwy

A common out of the box tack driver is the gun you are willing to put in the time and effert to learn to shoot.

+1

Nothing beats practice to make perfect.

Saltydog235 · December 5, 2011, 03:21 PM

Love my little Savage 10 Predator Brush, that gun is the ugliest, shootingest little rifle in the safe. Put another sookie in the freezer Saturday AM with it.

December 4, 2011, 02:08 AM	#1
wdallis Member Join Date: September 26, 2011 Posts: 18	A common out of the box tack driver I am maybe in the market for a new rifle to add to the collection. This gun will be used on varmints and maybe the occasional deer. The ranges I will be shooting will be 0 to 400 yards. I am wanting a tack driver at 100 yards. Which gun/caliber/brand would be best for the job? I reload my own shells.

December 4, 2011, 03:27 AM	#5
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Savage Model 11 in 243. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

December 4, 2011, 10:39 AM	#7
Yankee Doodle Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 619	Best bang for the buck!!!!!!!!! Stevens 200 in .243. Mine shoots 5/8" groups at 100 out of the box, if I do my part. As far as Savage and Stevens go, this is pretty much run of the mill.

December 4, 2011, 11:01 AM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I'd go Savage or an MOA Weatherby Vanguard, either .243 win or bigger yet, .270 winny. Because I like em!!! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

December 4, 2011, 12:58 PM	#11
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	Savage in.308 __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

December 4, 2011, 02:48 AM	#2
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	Do you want a light gun or a heavier one? One with a heavy barrel or not? Tikka T3s have a good reputation of doing under .5 moa, some getting under .25, and thats the sporter models. Calibre depends on what you want to shoot at what range. Varmints to 400 I'd go 243 or 308, and that'l also get you deer at around 250- 300 comfortably. Deer at 400 3006 or 7mm rem mag. Deer at 100-150, and varmints to 400, 223 22-250 204. Also depends entirely on what you've already got.

December 4, 2011, 02:52 AM	#3
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	A .270 WIN will do deer or grass rats to 400. Mine does (Remmy 721, available on a consignment rack near you for less than $400).

December 4, 2011, 07:49 AM	#6
RT Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2000 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,194	I second the Tikka recommendation but I'm an admitted Finnish fanboy

December 4, 2011, 11:32 AM	#9
eviltravis Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2001 Location: montana Posts: 283	Tikka t3 in .308

December 4, 2011, 12:04 PM	#10
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,996	I'm with the crowd that recommends the 270 Winchester cartridge. It's hard to do better than that at the ranges you're talking about. Also worth mention would be the 280, the 25-06, the 260 and the 7-08 (and plenty of others). I am not a particular fan of the 243, but that's just me. I'd rather have a 250 Savage or 257 Roberts than a 243. As for the rifle, the Savage will do just fine, but I personally would rather have a rifle that's accurate and a bit easier on the eyes. It's a lot like a girlfriend, in that if she's going to be with you all the time, being pretty is a big positive. Therefore...Tikka, Sako, Winchester, Remington, Weatherby, Howa, and Browning (and others) should at least get a good look.

December 4, 2011, 01:00 PM	#12
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	did a lot of research in the last couple of weeks prior to purchasing a gun for a semi custom build and there are several brands which would fit the bill. Seems as if it is the rule rather than the exception that bargain guns now will shoot sub MOA straight from the box. You have a ton of choices. Stevens - the good is there are lots of aftermarket stocks, triggers etc if you decide to upgrade it on. It is also a cinch to change calibers and barrels on. The bad is that the stock and trigger are not all that Low end Savages - good trigger straight from the box and the stocks are decent Marlin XR series- good trigger, adequate stock, good barrel. Some aftermarket parts becoming available. Reportedly will use Savage small shank prefitted barrels Tika - same category as Marlin bolt guns.Good trigger and stocks Howa - good accuracy and trigger straight from the box. Decent stock and trigger Weatherby Vanguards- Made by Howa, Good stock and trigger Winchester model 70's good trigger stock and looks. Plus it is a controlled feed action. Best looking guns of the bunch in my opinion. Caliber - .308, 270, or 243 would do what you want. Accurate factory loads and ammo is available everywhere. I just bought a new Stevens for $320 shipped but I plan just using the action and replacing the trigger, stock, and barrel within a month or two on a sows ear to silk purse project to see if I can build a gun that will outshoot a buddies high dollar custom for half the price __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek Last edited by hounddawg; December 4, 2011 at 01:06 PM.

December 4, 2011, 02:04 PM	#13
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: West virginia Posts: 653	Savage weatherby howa tika. The weatherby vanguard and the Howa are the same gun. I dont own a tika but have shot a friends a bit and it always shoots moa. I own several savages and even the cheapest a edge 308 shoots moa and sometimes sub moa with good ammo. The vanguard i own is a varmint special 308 it shoots awesome. The factory test group on it was 5/8 inch. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

December 4, 2011, 02:34 PM	#14
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Tikka T3 .243

December 4, 2011, 02:56 PM	#16
pabuckslayer08 Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2010 Location: South Central Pa Posts: 692	Well if price isnt the issue get a SAKO .270, you can shoot 110gr bullets and have less than 25" of drop at 400 yards. If price is in mind the TC venture is tough to beat in .270 as well. Nothing wrong with the .243 either

December 4, 2011, 03:01 PM	#17
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	A common out of the box tack driver is the gun you are willing to put in the time and effert to learn to shoot. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 4, 2011, 03:08 PM	#18
Daekar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Posts: 458	243 is what I'd recommend, too. I would use heavier bullets for the deer and light bullets for the varmints... that's about it.

December 4, 2011, 03:44 PM	#19
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	The American Classic In A 270 http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/ Savage 14/114 Classic in 270 __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

December 5, 2011, 01:16 AM	#20
kinoons Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2008 Location: las vegas, NV Posts: 409	Just to be different I'll go with something unorthodox -- Swiss k31 carbine. They are available, inexpensive ($200-300), have a great trigger, quick bolt, good sights. There are options for mounting a scope or other sights. Many are sub-MOA rifles. Aftermarket stocks are available if you don't like the wood military stock. On the ammo front surplus Swiss 7.5 is damn near match quality ammo and can be had between $0.50-$0.60 a round.

December 5, 2011, 01:32 AM	#22
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	Another 1 for 270,But a 25-06 or 257 bob is nice to be a little different.T-3 or savage would be a good bet.I use a Ruger 25-06 but its not quite a tack driver but does a good job,may not hit them in the eye but it will tear up the head.

December 5, 2011, 02:10 AM	#23
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	700VLS in 243Win trim.

December 5, 2011, 03:21 PM	#25
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Love my little Savage 10 Predator Brush, that gun is the ugliest, shootingest little rifle in the safe. Put another sookie in the freezer Saturday AM with it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search