Some advice, by proxy

[Oldtrader3]

Tom, The new Vanguard (since 2011) has a different trigger than the older Japanese models. I would consider the newer Vanguards. However the Tikka has a good trigger and, in .25-06, the light weight would not matter much for the Tikka. I would prefer the walnut stocked Tikka. I do not care for that Tupperware stock.

 

[.300winmag]

I don't know if your Father would like it, but have you ran an AR type rifle chambered in something like a 6.5 Grendel or something? That would be much different than a model 70, I don't know if that is too different for his liking.

Also, I had the pleasure of shooting a 6.5x47 Lapua at 600 yards. His rifle was a Remington model 700 action in an XLR Industries chassis and a 26" Hart Barrel, Jewell trigger and Nightforce scope. The rifle shot extremely well with 123gr. Lapua Scenar's and H4350, about 4" at 600. The rifle only weighed about 9lbs with optic and bipod. It was a great little set up.

 

[SJB358]

I like the new Weatherby S2's over the Tikka's, just looking at the two, but I can't think either would be better than the other. The 25-06 is a sweet cartridge as well. Should be a deer stomper for the PA woods..

 

[Guest]

I tend to agree with Doc - whichever one feels most natural when he shoulders it. In fact, that's why I don't own or shoot Tikkas. They do not fit me, for some reason. Can't quite figure it out, but it's the only modern rifle I've ever shouldered that actually felt uncomfortable. Go figure.

Of course, everybody knows I love Weatherbys, so I'll be rooting for that. A 25-06 in a Vanguard would be a stellar pick. He could get it in the sporter or the synthetic, and be set either way. If he goes synthetic, Tom, be sure to let him know that when he's ready, a B&C Medalist will slip right on and improve an already great rifle even more!

 

[tddeangelo]

I just gave him a recommendation I can't truly believe I did....but I made sense of it in my head, so here goes...

He likes the Vanguard a lot...seemingly more than the Tikka. He's been flummoxed trying to figure out why a 25-06 over a 243, as it seems to him from reloading data they are not terribly far apart ballistically.

He wants accuracy, and doesn't want to fuss much with the rifle (not talking load development, but things like bedding, trigger, etc.).

Doing a little reading here, and then some research myself, I came to recommend....I can't believe this (those who know me a little will be shocked here, too!).....a Vanguard (not the shocking part) in 257 Weatherby. Why?

Because he wants some clear separation over a 243....he wants to kill deer primarily....he wants manageable recoil....and a fair expectation of MOA-level accuracy. The Vanguard S2 in 257 WBY seems a good fit here. Recoil looks to be comfortably under 20ft/lbs of free recoil energy, accuracy seems to be a hallmark of the Vanguard S2, and there is no doubt that the 257 Bee runs fast.

I'm sure he's spit-taking his morning coffee reading my email, lol, but that was my suggestion....

 

[hunternyny]

It was one of roys favorite rifles and an excellent choice for him Tom. It sounds like your dad might rival Robert on prying him away from the money to buy it (-:

 

[Elkman]

I sold a Vanguard a few years ago. Should not have but I had to thin the herd to make room in the safe.

 

[tddeangelo]

John, he could school Robert on being a tightwad..lol.

BUT...I'll give him his due...when he does make up his mind, he does it, and does it right. Usually. LOL

He was on the phone with me last night trying to save some money on scope mounts. He'll get there....it just takes some convincing to do it right the first time, but he always does. I didn't learn to put good mounts on rifles from reading Reader's Digest.

 

[Guest]

Tom, he's going to love that rifle if he gets it. Be careful, as well, as you may inadvertently catch the bug from him and end up with a 'bee in your safe, too. It's highly contagious, you know... :shock: :shock: :shock: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

In all seriousness, just about the only two downsides to the 257'bee are brass cost (which is being mitigated by availability of Hornady and Nosler brass in addition to Weatherby or Norma. Encourage him to just go ahead and buy a lot of 100 (at least) as it makes load development so much easier having plenty of brass of the same lot lying around. The good (or bad) news is that the difference in brass prices between the standard rounds (243Win or 25-06 in this case) and the 'bee is shrinking. That's not really because 'bee brass is getting much cheaper, though. The second downside to the 257'bee? Well, it's not a 270'bee - which is truly the best chambering for non-dangerous game in North America. You know, for about $700-800, he could get a very nice used Mark V in 270Wby. I can steer you to several prime examples. :twisted:

Keep us posted on what he gets. It should be interesting if he gets the 'bee. You done good, Tom. Real good!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Tom, If that is what it takes, I will give him some Remington 700, (Vanguard) Leupold mounts and rings, if he will tell me what height rings. I have a whole drawer full of them.

 

[tddeangelo]

Charlie, that's a heck of an offer! I will relay that! Thank you!

Dub, I'm not a Weatherby fan of any sort, but I try to keep an open mind and find things for folks (when asked) that meet what they are looking for. I think this will do it for him, but I'm not sure he will be willing to go a "magnum" route. We shall see.

 

[Greg Nolan]

tddeangelo
I just saw a Rem mountain rifle in 260 down at the local gun shop yesterday. It was very very nice. The downside was it had a cheap scope (consignment sale) and the price was a little over $800. I didn't make an offer so I don't know what it might go for. It's at ewgguns.com On the sight you can kinda see it on the wide shop view second rack from the left second rifle down with a silver scope and black lense caps. The owner Ed Gilbert is a friend of mine and great to deal with. I don't know the seller. Their phone is 916-652-4867 in Loomis, Califonia. If I had the money I would have bought it. Almost did anyway.
Good Luck
Greg

 

[tddeangelo]

Greg,

Thank you! I will mention it to him next I talk to him!

 

[hunternyny]

Dubyam is spot on Tom

The 270 is a better option of the two ( 257 and 270 ) IMHO and the recoil is very close to the same. You have Roy and Jack in one rifle, sort off and it will give you a wider range of game that can be hunted, It is just as good or better for distance on antelope and better bullet weight options for Elk.

 

[tddeangelo]

John, now don't go getting all logical here!

Seriously, I think the 270WBY is a nice round from a brief glance at it....I don't think he'll go for the 257 Bee, let alone the 270. You're correct, recoil is not much at all, relatively speaking.

Looks like the 257WBY recoil, at it's worst, approaches 30-06 recoil with 150's......that's not bad at all.

Keep in mind he fully intends to use his 30-06 for elk or similar, his 7-08 is very much a rifle he's pleased with for deer.....just wants somethign different.

 

[hunternyny]

Tom, see if you can find him a model 51 L in 243 or 308 J>C> Higgins--that would be different (-:

 

[SJB358]

Wow, that is a turn I wouldn't expect. That big jugged 257 is a screamer though. I will say this though, you can really sling a 115/120 grain bullet out of a 25-06 with a 24" barrel Tom.. There is a pretty good spread between them if you dig into them a bit. Most 243's are looking at around 3100 or so with a 100 grain bullet whereas the 25-06 with a 115/120 will do 3100+ pretty easily.. Just something to look at. If you Dad wants some data to look over, let me know, I will send it.

 

[tddeangelo]

Scotty, if you can, shoot over a QL on the 25-06, or whatever you have handy. That would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[SJB358]

No worries. Give me a bit. What bullets?

 

[tddeangelo]

Let's do a 110AB.....

If you can do something comparable in a 243, that would really help him out. Not sure what's out there in 244 bullets, though.