Hunting rifle as range toy?

[rambutan316]

Hi guys, I'm kind of new to bolt action rifles and am considering a Tikka T3 in 30-06 for a do-it-all multipurpose rifle. Would this hunting rifle work as a range toy as well? I plan on putting about 40-80 rounds per session. My main concern would be barrel life and accuracy (does the light weight barrel lose accuracy after a few rounds)? Thanks in advance everyone.

[ar15barrels]

The recoil will quickly remove the "fun" from shooting a lightweight 30-06 more than a few rounds, especially on the bench or in prone.

[lewdogg21]

Heck yea. Now keep in mind you will need ample time for the barrel to cool as it will heat up and your groups will increase as well.

If your immune to recoil 80 rounds may be doable. I've found the concussion of the big rifles wears me out even when on my lead sled. I guess that means I need better muffs.

Better yet bring it and a smaller range toy to trade off back and forth. (22, 17hmr, 223, etc.).


For hunting don't go higher than 4x minimum power. Occasionally I see somebody recommend a 6x18 or 10x fixed for big game which is nuts.

[Whiterabbit]

Hi guys, I'm kind of new to bolt action rifles and am considering a Tikka T3 in 30-06 for a do-it-all multipurpose rifle. Would this hunting rifle work as a range toy as well? I plan on putting about 40-80 rounds per session. My main concern would be barrel life and accuracy (does the light weight barrel lose accuracy after a few rounds)? Thanks in advance everyone.

YES it would make a LOVELY range toy. With all the caveats mentioned. Mine would have a limbsaver installed. My range toys these days are shot standing offhand (our ranges only go to 100 yards, know what I'm saying?), so bench related recoil increases aren't really an issue for me.

Barrel life is a non issue for what you are looking at.

but IME YES barrel heat will be a big one. Groups can open up pretty quick. If you keep that in mind, you'll be just fine with your range toy.

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That said, you might find workarounds. My rifle shoots cheap PRVI ammo like a champ. but the moment that barrel gets really hot, those lovely 1" groups or touching holes open up to 3.5 inches. Now put in my handloads, and im back to holes touching. On the other hand, those handloads use barnes bullets so I am NOT shooting 40 of those in one day, ever! So there are "gotchas".

On the other hand, if I am shooting prvi and the groups open up to 3 inches, I'm getting off the bench anyways and shooting steel for laughs. So it's still toy-time on!

Know your limits and work with them, or redefine limits (because NOONE has the right to tell you that 2moa at 100 yards is unacceptable!)

[2shotjoe]

I shoot my hunting rifle all the time on the bench, 30.06, always fun.

Bruce wished he owned a Droid RAZR.

[Fjold]

I shoot my hunting rifle all the time from the bench, 375 H&H, always fun.

[toby]

Shoot the **** out of it!

[taperxz]

Remember one thing. If you are shooting FMJ's out of your hunting rifle, you may not have the same zero as a hunting round.

If you shoot target ammo and play with your scope thinking its off, you may have to run hunting loads with the right grain in get it back to the zero it needs to be at in the field.

Or you can foot the bill and make sure you just shoot hunting rounds which gets a little pricey.

[Whiterabbit]

only in CA where we aren't allowed to shoot tried and true lead.

[Whiterabbit]

As an aside, how many people have 44 mag handguns, Grendel, socom, Beowulf rifles? guide gun? Are not hunters, just like shooting these at the range? 44 mag lever gun? shoot slugs from shotguns?

All capable woods guns for medium game.

All in one person's hands or another, a range toy.

[deckhandmike]

Have you looked into the price of ammo? 80 rounds of 30-06 can get expensive quick if you are not reloading. It's a fine range gun, you will just have to be really patient for the barrel to cool between firing or your groups will go to hell.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Hi guys, I'm kind of new to bolt action rifles and am considering a Tikka T3 in 30-06 for a do-it-all multipurpose rifle. Would this hunting rifle work as a range toy as well? I plan on putting about 40-80 rounds per session. My main concern would be barrel life and accuracy (does the light weight barrel lose accuracy after a few rounds)? Thanks in advance everyone.

That's a lot of rounds thru a hunting rifle in a session. Heat is a barrels enemy. Pace yourself and don't let it get too hot.

[smittty]

Is this the T3 Lite? 30-06 feels like a feather in that rifle!

[3006mv]

reload youth loads or slow heavy lead with gas checks

[JMP]

Do it! It'll break in your shoulder for a larger caliber. For me, the main issue with a light gun that bucks is that it is difficult to spot your own hit (more importantly, a miss) unless you are shooting far enough for some hang time.