Thread: First hunting rifle

Originally Posted by Shootm

You're on the right track by buying a decent scope and then a rifle. A lot of guys buy a rifle and put on a shit scope because they have no money left for a decent scope. A tikka is a sensible choice. You can't go wrong with a .308 either.

Welcome to the forum.

You seem to have taken advice from someone with good sense.
I believe shootm is still using a 1960's vintage Kahles and on a .308 ?

If you've go straight to a fairly expensive scope I don't think you will be happy long term with a Tikka; you're well up the curve of diminishing returns past the point where you can shoot the most deer for the least money - you are heading for satisfaction of ownership.

Tikka is at least as accurate as sako and equally as reliable. Just as good if not better for shooting deer actually. The differences are in ease of use and economy of materials (eg action fitted to .308 not .3006) and no concerns about remnant plastic parts, 3 shot mag, ally rings and so on. A car analogy could be new corrolla vs new impreza. However, it's lose lose to wait until you can save up for a sako.

A left field alternative, if you choose to space out your spending, would be to buy the best no.3* or Mk 4 SMLE you can lay your hands on. If it's got the old parker hale style bridge mounting block then get CZ 19mm dovetail rings. Lay in a stack of factory ammo and don't bother reloading till you go to .308. Grouping will be only 2 or 3 inches at 100 yd but it will be a pleasure to use, reliable rugged and light weight, until you get a sako. The SMLE is a highly refined design, a classic like the several iterations of sako. If you're an independent practical minded person, you won't be in a hurry to trade up.