Stuck on which Tikka T3 rifle to pick...

[Greenspartan117]

Dear Calgun members,

I am stuck on which Tikka T3 rifle to get. I want to get a left handed rifle in 6.5x55, but Beretta USA does not import that left handed version only the right hand.

Should I get the .30-06 T3 in left hand and rebarrel to 6.5x55?
or
Should I get .308 T3 in left hand and maybe rebarrel eventually to .260 Remington?
or
Should I get another T3 rifle in different caliber? .243 Winchester? other high BC bullets?



I really like the BC of the .264 bullets and like the range and lack of recoil. I would like to use this gun for range shooting mostly (100 yds - 800 yds+ eventually). I will be reloading so ammo type is not too much of an issue. I might go to different sniper schools with it if I have the time and money after school is done with my bank account... Thanks for all your help and advice!

Greenspartan117

p.s. I am open to any other rifle suggestions and chamberings, but I am left handed so it does limit my choices. I can shoot right handed rifles, but working the bolt feels weird. This is also posted on The High Road.

p.s.s. this will be my first modern bolt action rifle, I have a Mosin 44 right now... .243 Winchester seems good in that high BC, with low recoil? What is the effective range of this round?

[wolf13]

Why not get the .308 and just stick with it? Don't fix whats not broken.

[Greenspartan117]

Why not get the .308 and just stick with it? Don't fix whats not broken.

Yes I was originally going to go with the venerable .308 but I did some digging and started looking in to BC values. This is where Zak Smith suggested that I go with a 6.5mm bullet as they are usually lighter in recoil and can stretch it's legs longer than the .308...

I am still thinking of getting the left handed 308 that Tikka offers and shoot the hell out of it and then rechambering it to .260 Remington.

[Oswald2001]

I don't see how you could go wrong with a .308.

[wolf13]

Yes I was originally going to go with the venerable .308 but I did some digging and started looking in to BC values. This is where Zak Smith suggested that I go with a 6.5mm bullet as they are usually lighter in recoil and can stretch it's legs longer than the .308...

I am still thinking of getting the left handed 308 that Tikka offers and shoot the hell out of it and then rechambering it to .260 Remington.

While the .308 isn't the best for BC, it is fairly good, and will work. Also, you said this was going to be your first bolt gun, so why not get it in something that is easy to find, and there is a ton of load data on? Once the barrel is killed on the .308, you will be a good enough shot to decide what to do on your own. This isn't a shot at you as I am by no means a great shot, or even a good one. Just observations I have seen by reading, and watching.

[StraightShooter]

Do you reload? If not the only practical option is a .308. If you do reload then you can go either way. If you start out with a .308 you can shoot it for a while then rebarrel it in another caliber that uses the same bolt face. I would go .243 win but there are a lot of other comparable options out there too.