help me decide deer rifle and caliber: 6.5 CrMo vs 270 Win and savage storm lightweight vs tikka t3x superlite

[EricS]

I have two Tikka’s. One T3x lite in .308. The other a superlite in 6.5. I bought the .308 as a go anywhere do anything rifle. I’ll probably take it elk hunting as well. I chose the howa because I had shot enough to know they were rugged and accurate but not expensive enough that it would break my heart if it was damaged by tsa workers. The 6.5 came as a trade. The scope it was wearing was what made the deal. My son usually hunts with it but if he isn’t going I’ll grab the 6.5 over the 308. That’s because of a nicer sling and trigger and nothing to do with caliber. The 6.5 doesn’t have a great reputation on deer but it’s more because new hunters grabbing a popular well marketed cartridge and making bad shots than anything. Both cartridges are excellent for deer and will do the job well.
I have also owned a couple of Savages. One in 243 and the other in 7mm Remington magnum. I’ve shot other savages as well. The older savage synthetic stocks were junk. The newer accustock was better but was still flimsy out past the end of the bedding block. I can’t speak to the newer stuff. I really wanted to love Savage rifles. They are accurate, reliable and the aftermarket availability on the 10/110 action is great. The reason there isn’t a savage in my safe right now is recoil. It’s a personal thing because I haven’t heard many fuss about it. Something about savages stock design just doesn’t fit me. To me the .243 felt about like a 270 and the 7mm mag was closer to 300 mag instead of a hot 30-06. Neither were bad enough that I wouldn’t shoot them but when I decided everything needed to fit in my safe Those were the first long rifles to go. I haven’t shot a new savage in 10 years they may have better stocks now.
Really anything .243 and up from any of the well known companies would serve you well on whitetail. My .308 is my go anywhere do anything rifle for North America. If I were going to shoot anything bigger than deer I would definitely go with the .308. If I wasn’t concerned with mild recoil and wanted something that shot flatter than the 308 I would look at the .270. For me the only reason to consider the 6.5 is recoil. It really is a sweet shooting cartridge but it didn’t bring anythingnew to the table but a catchy name.

 

[raisins]

I have two Tikka’s. One T3x lite in .308. The other a superlite in 6.5. I bought the .308 as a go anywhere do anything rifle. I’ll probably take it elk hunting as well. I chose the howa because I had shot enough to know they were rugged and accurate but not expensive enough that it would break my heart if it was damaged by tsa workers. The 6.5 came as a trade. The scope it was wearing was what made the deal. My son usually hunts with it but if he isn’t going I’ll grab the 6.5 over the 308. That’s because of a nicer sling and trigger and nothing to do with caliber. The 6.5 doesn’t have a great reputation on deer but it’s more because new hunters grabbing a popular well marketed cartridge and making bad shots than anything. Both cartridges are excellent for deer and will do the job well.
I have also owned a couple of Savages. One in 243 and the other in 7mm Remington magnum. I’ve shot other savages as well. The older savage synthetic stocks were junk. The newer accustock was better but was still flimsy out past the end of the bedding block. I can’t speak to the newer stuff. I really wanted to love Savage rifles. They are accurate, reliable and the aftermarket availability on the 10/110 action is great. The reason there isn’t a savage in my safe right now is recoil. It’s a personal thing because I haven’t heard many fuss about it. Something about savages stock design just doesn’t fit me. To me the .243 felt about like a 270 and the 7mm mag was closer to 300 mag instead of a hot 30-06. Neither were bad enough that I wouldn’t shoot them but when I decided everything needed to fit in my safe Those were the first long rifles to go. I haven’t shot a new savage in 10 years they may have better stocks now.
Really anything .243 and up from any of the well known companies would serve you well on whitetail. My .308 is my go anywhere do anything rifle for North America. If I were going to shoot anything bigger than deer I would definitely go with the .308. If I wasn’t concerned with mild recoil and wanted something that shot flatter than the 308 I would look at the .270. For me the only reason to consider the 6.5 is recoil. It really is a sweet shooting cartridge but it didn’t bring anythingnew to the table but a catchy name.

Thanks! You mentioned Howa in your first paragraph, was that a typo and you were referring to the 6.5 tikka superlite instead?

That Tikka Superlite 6.5 CM has a longer barrel than the other calibers in that gun. Most are 22 inches and it is 24. Any issues for you there with how it handles in the woods given that it is so light? My current 25-06 I believe is 24 inches but it is such a big heavy log that I don't notice the length because it's just not handy.

As far as not killing deer well being a 6.5 CM thing, I can't see how a 6.5 mm bullet of appropriate weight going a decent speed can't kill well. I agree with you and would possibly chalk that up to so many match loads being available for it that new shooters might have grabbed some expensive ammo, thinking it better, and ended up with match hollow points or something not a game bullet.

 

[FrankNess14]

My understanding is that 6.5 bullets have probably taken more game internationally than anything else. That old 6.5 Swede was used extensively in Africa and the Creedmoor is a smidge faster than it.


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[sureshotscott]

This may have been mentioned already, no time to read all 5 pages. But I've owned several Savage rifles, and picked up a Tikka CTR a couple years ago. The Tikka is superior in so many ways. Working the bolt is super-smooth. Bolt throw is less.

Also, when I was shopping I was hoping to get a 22" or 24" barrel. Turns out the rifles available in USA don't match up to what is on the Tikka website. 20" barrel was the only option available.

 

[five]

I hunt with an old Savage Arms 270. But it's from the 70's I think. Never had any issues, mainly used green box core locks that were mentioned earlier in the thread.

That being said another member in my hunting lease recently either sent his modern savage lightweight back after 3 accidental discharges or returned it. So that was super sketchy. I don't know the caliber or details. I know the last one went off in camp and my step-dad heard the bullet go by his head. He is a super chill nice guy, never see him upset. He lost it on the guy and the gun has not reappeared since that happened.

 

[EricS]

@raisins that was a typo I thought I corrected.
The only place extra barrel length has ever bothered me much was in a box blind hitting the edge of the window when trying to get the gun out of small openings to take a shot. They are usually setup for a long shot and it’s the one place I wish I had a carbine. The longer barrel might catch more limbs and vines walking with it slung but I’m usually hand carrying horizontal in thick stuff so it’s never bothered me.
Really the only downside I can see to the tikka is the 3 round mag. There are larger magazines available but they don’t fit flush. Some people will never use more than three shots.

 

[jgleas114]

I shot a 6.5 for whitetail and hogs. My longest kill was 125yrds. I shoot the Bergara b-14 ridge. Its not light but a solid rifle! Ill probably purchase a 270 next season for kicks.

 

[Topdog]

Thanks! You mentioned Howa in your first paragraph, was that a typo and you were referring to the 6.5 tikka superlite instead?

That Tikka Superlite 6.5 CM has a longer barrel than the other calibers in that gun. Most are 22 inches and it is 24. Any issues for you there with how it handles in the woods given that it is so light? My current 25-06 I believe is 24 inches but it is such a big heavy log that I don't notice the length because it's just not handy.

As far as not killing deer well being a 6.5 CM thing, I can't see how a 6.5 mm bullet of appropriate weight going a decent speed can't kill well. I agree with you and would possibly chalk that up to so many match loads being available for it that new shooters might have grabbed some expensive ammo, thinking it better, and ended up with match hollow points or something not a game bullet.

Is your 25-06 the stainless/ brown laminated stock model Ruger used to offer, those things are beasts I can’t imagine carrying that around in the woods, super heavy but shooters no doubt!

 

[raisins]

Is your 25-06 the stainless/ brown laminated stock model Ruger used to offer, those things are beasts I can’t imagine carrying that around in the woods, super heavy but shooters no doubt!

No, regular stock but heavy.

 

[Topdog]

The 6.5 man bun has been around for a long time, it’s just now average people in this country finally figured out what ballistic coefficient was and are now pushing 6.5 stuff hard, to make it simple to understand a longer, more skinny bullet of equal weight will shoot flatter then a shorter, fatter bullet of equal weight, hence 6.5 is the rage over 30 caliber stuff currently. The old dogs of this group pick on the man bun because we believe there is no replacement for displacement, and like heavy hitters. The 6.5 in any chambering will kill just like anything else if your aim is correct, everything mentioned in this thread will kill, we like to pick on the creedmoor because most of the folks using it have no idea why and are burping back stuff from the latest flat brim influencer on youtube, that’s what all the teasing is about. With zero bias I can honestly say the ballistic advantages of the 6.5 creedmoor versus something like a 308 will never be appreciated by 99% of the folks probably using it, long range shooters benefit from this kind of stuff, over 500 yards type shooters, but then again why not have the ballistic advsntage possible even though you may never use it, because if you reload the answer is simple, take a look for .308 bullets versus 6.5 stuff and see what is offered in the US, the current offering for .308 projectiles is astounding while 6.5 stuff is still limited, and I’m not talking about what is available because of the ammo run we are under, but what is and has been produced over the years, the options just are not there yet in 6.5 bullets, will it be soon, who knows, is it just a fad for now maybe, I like to reload so I stick with stuff I can get and experiment with.

 

[Topdog]

No, regular stock but heavy.

I’ve owned a couple Hawkeyes and one M77 Mark 2, yes they are heavy, and if your looking to lighten it up by getting a new stock or any custom work unfortunately there isn’t a ton of options for Ruger, they make a solid rifle though.

 

[raisins]

The 6.5 man bun has been around for a long time, it’s just now average people in this country finally figured out what ballistic coefficient was and are now pushing 6.5 stuff hard, to make it simple to understand a longer, more skinny bullet of equal weight will shoot flatter then a shorter, fatter bullet of equal weight, hence 6.5 is the rage over 30 caliber stuff currently. The old dogs of this group pick on the man bun because we believe there is no replacement for displacement, and like heavy hitters. The 6.5 in any chambering will kill just like anything else if your aim is correct, everything mentioned in this thread will kill, we like to pick on the creedmoor because most of the folks using it have no idea why and are burping back stuff from the latest flat brim influencer on youtube, that’s what all the teasing is about. With zero bias I can honestly say the ballistic advantages of the 6.5 creedmoor versus something like a 308 will never be appreciated by 99% of the folks probably using it, long range shooters benefit from this kind of stuff, over 500 yards type shooters, but then again why not have the ballistic advsntage possible even though you may never use it, because if you reload the answer is simple, take a look for .308 bullets versus 6.5 stuff and see what is offered in the US, the current offering for .308 projectiles is astounding while 6.5 stuff is still limited, and I’m not talking about what is available because of the ammo run we are under, but what is and has been produced over the years, the options just are not there yet in 6.5 bullets, will it be soon, who knows, is it just a fad for now maybe, I like to reload so I stick with stuff I can get and experiment with.

It's more that I can shoot a 120 grain 6.5 CM that nearly matches the 25-06 in terms of ballistics/energy with even less recoil/muzzle blast in a tidier round that is probably a more efficient user of powder and not as over bored as the 25-06. I don't like getting knocked around at all at the range or for deer. Also, I have some hearing damage from playing music (constant ringing) and so a 6.5 CM in a 24" barrel sounds good compared to a 270 Win with a 22" for those shots in the woods if I don't have my ears on (even one shot without ears on damages your ears to some degree and the effect is cumulative). I always wanted a 260 Rem and always thought they should release a 25-08 wildcat as a production cartridge. Well, the former never caught on and the latter never happened. I'd say if I want that Tikka Superlite then the closest caliber I have to my liking is that 6.5 CM. The 270 Win is nice also, but a little more than I need for deer. And I consider the 243 a tad light for my want which is usually bang-flop from 0 to probably 300 yards, which is the longest range I have around here and my self-imposed limit.

 

[Topdog]

It's more that I can shoot a 120 grain 6.5 CM that nearly matches the 25-06 in terms of ballistics/energy with even less recoil/muzzle blast in a tidier round that is probably a more efficient user of powder and not as over bored as the 25-06. I don't like getting knocked around at all at the range or for deer. Also, I have some hearing damage from playing music (constant ringing) and so a 6.5 CM in a 24" barrel sounds good compared to a 270 Win with a 22" for those shots in the woods if I don't have my ears on (even one shot without ears on damages your ears to some degree and the effect is cumulative). I always wanted a 260 Rem and always thought they should release a 25-08 wildcat as a production cartridge. Well, the former never caught on and the latter never happened. I'd say if I want that Tikka Superlite then the closest caliber I have to my liking is that 6.5 CM. The 270 Win is nice also, but a little more than I need for deer. And I consider the 243 a tad light for my want which is usually bang-flop from 0 to probably 300 yards, which is the longest range I have around here and my self-imposed limit.

I agree with all of it, except buying a short action caliber in a one size action fits all model rifle, full disclosure I haven’t researched Tikkas in a bit, so maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t like stuff like that, it’s just me I know Tikka is a great rifle you can’t hardly find a person who doesn’t love theirs, that is saying something for sure.

 

[raisins]

I agree with all of it, except buying a short action caliber in a one size action fits all model rifle, full disclosure I haven’t researched Tikkas in a bit, so maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t like stuff like that, it’s just me I know Tikka is a great rifle you can’t hardly find a person who doesn’t love theirs, that is saying something for sure.

Yeah, I've been watching small time (so not paid by Tikka....lower the quality of the camera and presentation the more truth I say!) range reviews for the superlite. It's ridiculously easy for folks to find factory ammo that prints 0.5 to 1" at 100 yards. This is just American Eagle or entry level Federal stuff. Only accurate guns are fun to shoot.

 

[raisins]

I agree with all of it, except buying a short action caliber in a one size action fits all model rifle, full disclosure I haven’t researched Tikkas in a bit, so maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t like stuff like that, it’s just me I know Tikka is a great rifle you can’t hardly find a person who doesn’t love theirs, that is saying something for sure.

I don't like that or the polymer (ahem...plastic) on the gun. My bowtech has polymer limb pockets and I don't like that either but have made peace with it. Heck, I climb with plastic steps!

 

[Plebe]

The 6.5 man bun has been around for a long time, it’s just now average people in this country finally figured out what ballistic coefficient was and are now pushing 6.5 stuff hard, to make it simple to understand a longer, more skinny bullet of equal weight will shoot flatter then a shorter, fatter bullet of equal weight, hence 6.5 is the rage over 30 caliber stuff currently. The old dogs of this group pick on the man bun because we believe there is no replacement for displacement, and like heavy hitters. The 6.5 in any chambering will kill just like anything else if your aim is correct, everything mentioned in this thread will kill, we like to pick on the creedmoor because most of the folks using it have no idea why and are burping back stuff from the latest flat brim influencer on youtube, that’s what all the teasing is about. With zero bias I can honestly say the ballistic advantages of the 6.5 creedmoor versus something like a 308 will never be appreciated by 99% of the folks probably using it, long range shooters benefit from this kind of stuff, over 500 yards type shooters, but then again why not have the ballistic advsntage possible even though you may never use it, because if you reload the answer is simple, take a look for .308 bullets versus 6.5 stuff and see what is offered in the US, the current offering for .308 projectiles is astounding while 6.5 stuff is still limited, and I’m not talking about what is available because of the ammo run we are under, but what is and has been produced over the years, the options just are not there yet in 6.5 bullets, will it be soon, who knows, is it just a fad for now maybe, I like to reload so I stick with stuff I can get and experiment with.

.260 Remington was my second choice for my first rifle way back when. They didn't make the model 7 in Sweedish Mauser.

.260 done right still outclasses 6.5 creed at the range.

 

[Topdog]

Raisins, if you nerd out like me on ballistics, this was my first load attempt with my 7/08, Forbes rifle, I’m pretty sure a 21” barrel, my chronograph, it was the easiest caliber I ever loaded for, experimenting was done fast lol. I’ve carried that rifle for the last 3 years, 4 big bodied mature bucks dead, the first was 120 yards, bang flop, the second was 90 yards, bang flop, the third was 100 yards, 2 shots bang dead, I probably only needed one, the fourth was the buck last week, it doesn’t get much bigger body wise, 50 yards down he went, I gave him an extra one after that for insurance, I was a huge fan of heavy for caliber bullets before this rifle, I’m starting to see the advantages of smaller stuff, I never imagined those little 120 Nosler BTs would be so lethal but they are, full disclosure not all Nosler BTs are created equal, you can do the research yourself on that, the 120 grain 7mm BTs are a tougher constructed bullet for whatever reason, I had nothing but horrible experiences using them before this rifle, splash hits, not this combo, almost zero recoil and just a pleasure to shoot.
Berger bullets have a ballistic calculator that is awesome, I’m a huge fan of Bergers, run the numbers first on whatever you plan to shoot.

 

[Topdog]

Before my 7/08 of the past 3 years, I carried multiple different rifles all chambered in 270, since 1993 that is, you couldn’t fit the game I’ve killed with a 270 in a Walmart warehouse, no joke.

 

[brydan]

I’m starting to see the advantages of smaller stuff, I never imagined those little 120 Nosler BTs would be so lethal but they are, full disclosure not all Nosler BTs are created equal, you can do the research yourself on that, the 120 grain 7mm BTs are a tougher constructed bullet for whatever reason, I had nothing but horrible experiences using them before this rifle

Ballistic Tips have been toughened up over over the years from when they were first introduced. That said the 7mm 120gr is in a league of its own in terms of a versatile hunting bullet. You're using it in a 7-08 rifle with excellent results, I've used it in handguns (7tcu, 7-30, 7br) with excellent results, accuracy is superb. Can't say enough good things about it IMO

 

[raisins]

Ballistic Tips have been toughened up over over the years from when they were first introduced. That said the 7mm 120gr is in a league of its own in terms of a versatile hunting bullet. You're using it in a 7-08 rifle with excellent results, I've used it in handguns (7tcu, 7-30, 7br) with excellent results, accuracy is superb. Can't say enough good things about it IMO

Nosler makes ammo for the 308 Win with a 125 grain ballistic tip.....the reviews on Midwayusa are pretty glowing regarding accuracy and effect on deer.