Rifle Preference

[NicB.]

Hi guys,

I am in the process of buying a larger caliber rifle and have it narrowed down to two choices - the Marlin lever action 30-30 or the bolt action Tikka T3 Lite Stainless (either .270 or .30-06). Both would be brand new rifles with the Marlin being cheaper than the Tikka.

In my opinion lever action is superb to the bolt due to it's very natural, fluid motion. That said, I have been told that at distances over 200 yards, bolt action rifles are more accurate and offer "flatter" ammunition.

I have hunted with both bolt action and lever action, and I prefer lever. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. I mostly hunt deer, and I have never had to shoot a deer past fifty yards. I'd say within 200 yards, both rifles are equally good.

2. Even if I was hunting larger game and taking longer shots, the advances in ammunition are such that the differential between bolt and lever is tightening.

3. If I ever did go on a big game trip, I'd probably have enough money to buy another rifle! :)

4. My dad tells me bolt action guns will provide better resale value if needed.

Finally, I will say the action of the Tikka (made by Beretta) is incredibly smooth and the gun "feels" very good. I compared directly against the Remington and Ruger, but felt the Tikka was better and offered a lower price point.

I would plan to mount a scope on either gun, although the Marlin does offer iron sites. So that's it...would appreciate any thoughts you can share!

Thanks,
NicB.

[trust me]

1. I'd say within 200 yards, both rifles are equally good. Hmm. Not really. Even the new Hornady ammo won't make a 30-30 shoot as flat and hard as the 270 or 30-06.

2. the advances in ammunition are such that the differential between bolt and lever is tightening. True. I don't see the 30-30 as a major handicap at all.

3. If I ever did go on a big game trip, I'd probably have enough money to buy another rifle! :) Good point.

4. My dad tells me bolt action guns will provide better resale value if needed. True



Just my thoughts.

[headoftheholler]

Hi guys,

I am in the process of buying a larger caliber rifle and have it narrowed down to two choices - the Marlin lever action 30-30 or the bolt action Tikka T3 Lite Stainless (either .270 or .30-06). Both would be brand new rifles with the Marlin being cheaper than the Tikka.

In my opinion lever action is superb to the bolt due to it's very natural, fluid motion. That said, I have been told that at distances over 200 yards, bolt action rifles are more accurate and offer "flatter" ammunition.

I have hunted with both bolt action and lever action, and I prefer lever. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. I mostly hunt deer, and I have never had to shoot a deer past fifty yards. I'd say within 200 yards, both rifles are equally good.

2. Even if I was hunting larger game and taking longer shots, the advances in ammunition are such that the differential between bolt and lever is tightening.

3. If I ever did go on a big game trip, I'd probably have enough money to buy another rifle! :)

4. My dad tells me bolt action guns will provide better resale value if needed.

Finally, I will say the action of the Tikka (made by Beretta) is incredibly smooth and the gun "feels" very good. I compared directly against the Remington and Ruger, but felt the Tikka was better and offered a lower price point.

I would plan to mount a scope on either gun, although the Marlin does offer iron sites. So that's it...would appreciate any thoughts you can share!

Thanks,
NicB.
Nic,
I love leverguns and currently hunt with a Marlin guide gun in 45-70:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m15/larryslamps/DSCF3895.jpg
As far as your rifle choice, I would suggest a comprimise. It's apparent that you love the way a levergun feels and handles, so why not buy a Marlin in .308 ME (Marlin Express) This way you keep the levergun but come close to matching the 30-06's velocity and downrange energy.

A 150 grain 30-06 at 200 yards has 2342 fps velocity and 1827 ft.lbs of energy.
A 160 grain 308 ME at 200 yards has 2226 fps velocity and 1761 ft.lbs of energy.
Trust me, a deer won't know the difference.

[wkyoutdoorsman]

If you feel like you won't be getting a shot past 100 yards, or even 50 yards like you mentioned than I say go with the lever action. I have shot both styles of guns quite a bit since I started hunting. You can't go wrong with either style of action or any of the calibers you mentioned. Good luck with the decision.

[Hoosier5]

Buy a .308 Rifle. Use 150 grain bullets.:)

[mwezell]

Buy both! They are both great and you won't be disappointed. I love the Tikkas, but the lever guns are awsome in the woods. Get the Tikka in something like a 300WSM and the venerable 30-30 should do anything you should expect a lever gun to do well. I don't agree about the accuracy potential of the lever guns being anywhere close to a good bolt gun though(lots of reasons)... But you'll never know the difference in accuracy, in the woods.
--Mike Ezell

[matrobw]

Have used my Tikka for used now in 30-06. It WAS the most accurate rifle I owned. Then I bought a Sako A7 back in January in 25-06 and it is the best shooting rifle I have ever used. Both are similar but the Sako is a bit better. No complaints with either rifle.

[CopenHagen]

I've never really been too keen on newer bolt action rifles. The last two deer I killed were with my 91/30 nagant at about 70 yards. One of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned and it only cost me 80 bucks!

[NicB.]

great feedback, guys...I really appreciate it. Honestly, I would go with the lever action hands down given the price of the two guns, HOWEVER, what is making this such a difficult decision is that the Tikka I am looking at is approximately $150 below retail (even the best deals on gunbroker.com). I am convinced it is incorrectly priced and I should probably strike while the iron is hot.

I'll let you know what I decide. I think I am going to pick one or the other up today or tomorrow. If anyone has additional thoughts, please share!

thanks!
NicB.

[duckslayer870]

Bolt gun IMHO, I love my 30-06. I do miss my model 94 that was stolen though.

[stalkingbear]

I'd JUMP on the Tikka while you can! The advantage of the Tikka, or other bolt actions is that they are MUCH MUCH more versatile than a 30-30. Not only do you have superior accuracy in the bolt action, and long range capabilities, but it's also good for short range too. The bolt action is a turly all-around choice as compared to the 30-30. That way you can have 1 rifle that'll cover any hunting you'll ever likely do-regardless of range or size of the game animal, just by using different loads.

[daking]

I concur. If you can only have one rifle (and I suspect for the next season, that will be the case), a bolt action in 30/06 or .308 will do anything that you might want to do in Kentucky aside from paddling a canoe. I like lever actions a lot, but if I could only have one rifle, I'd go for a 30/06 bolt (although I'm not trying to start the caliber argument). It can give you rounds that will buck brush, rounds that will reach out and touch some deer and just about everything in between. Couple it with a decent 2x7 scope mounted low and you'll have a great rifle. Next year, when you win the lottery, you can get a lever gun and a whole lot of other things that will each do their specialty better than your .30 cal bolt gun...but none of them will do as many things well as your.30 cal bolt gun will do.

[WaterDog88]

I would go for the 30-06 bolt action. I love my 30-30 and 45-70, but they are no where nearly as versatile as my model 70 30-06. All the things I have read about calibers suggests that the -06, 308, and 270 handle brush better than the popular "brush busters," like the 30-30. If I'm in the woods I turn the power on the scope down and can pick through the shooting lanes with ease. I still hunt with my 30-30 from time to time, but my -06 is my go to gun. You can kill anything from gophers to grizzly's with the -06. I was suprised at how fast I could handle a bolt this past fall. When that bloods pumping, its pretty dang fast...:eek:

[NCochran]

IMO the 30-06 is the way to go. Shells are easy to find in a wide range of bullet weight and styles to fit any application. Personally, I shoot a 165 grain bullet for versatility. It will hold up in the brush or at range. Great knockdown power too.

[RocketRider]

I have been hunting more & more with lever guns the past few years. Most of my shots are well within 100 yards and a short easy to handle rifle is perfect. The new 30/30 Hornady ammo is a great improvement to a tried & true round. Both my Marlin 30/30 and Ruger ninety-six .44 mag have served me well!

RR~

[kingtutt]

Buy a .308 Rifle. Use 150 grain bullets.:)
shot my tikka 308 with hornady 150's today. 6 shot group at a hundred yards that you could cover with a quarter. I love my tikka!!!

[itallushrt]

Hi guys,

I am in the process of buying a larger caliber rifle and have it narrowed down to two choices - the Marlin lever action 30-30 or the bolt action Tikka T3 Lite Stainless (either .270 or .30-06). Both would be brand new rifles with the Marlin being cheaper than the Tikka.


Thought you said you wanted to buy a larger caliber rifle. :p