Two guns to end them all?
 

Hey new to the forum here and relatively new to hunting. I currently just hunt deer with my Marlin 30-30 but I’m looking to broaden my big game options with a couple new lighter rifles. Something for bear and Moose, and then something for everything smaller than that. What I was thinking about was the Tikka T3x in 30-06 and 6.5 creed, each with a vortex diamondback or viper mounted on top. Either that or the Hells Canyon series.
I have a $3000 budget for all this. Any thoughts, advice or alternate suggestions from the all wise ones would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Youve made good choices

Do it

I have a Tikka T3x Lite in 6.5CM and a Sako Kodiak in 375HH as a two rifle battery. If I were to choose again I'd go with a 6.5CM and a .338 Win mag due to more availability of reloading components and loaded ammo and greater versatility. Just my thoughts.

The Tikka choice is a good one.

I'd go stainless, and 25-06 and 30-06 with 3.5-10 Leupolds on both.

You are overthinking it if you are thinking an Alberta big game rifle. Truth is your 30/30 could be used to hunt all Alberta big game as a short range rifle even. Lots of guys do will hunt all Alberta big game with just 1 rifle. The 270, 30-06, and 308 are common calibers used for everything from deer up to moose. You may want to choose different grains for deer then you would moose but the caliber will do it

Personally I would keep the 30/30 for short range bush gun and look at the calibers I listed or something similar for longer shot open country hunting. Lots of good options in a mid range caliber that will be good for deer up to moose. I say buy I really nice open country gun instead of two

But if you just want to own multiple guns I fully understand and say giver

Well said. Well said.
And from my way of thinking, again only mine, and Smoky Bucks I guess.
Love my 30-30. Watched my dad take his bighorn with iron sights in the same.
I have 4 big game rifles, or select tools as I call them.
.06, 30-30, .270 short mag, and .308

All I have or ever owned.
Can be confident daily shooters, all week long.
Can't go wrong with your choices, for moose and bear at least the odd six
Good luck

Buy a Tikka 30-06 and spend the money on a better scope. You can’t hit what you can’t see.

I agree with Smokey buck, and most of this, but having shot a pile of moose and deer with the .270 win and the 30-06 I have never seen the 06 knock anything down any faster than the .270. Infact, if you really put me to it I would say that I've seen more dramatic kills from the .270, even on moose. Yes I realise there are other factors at play, but the fact remains that those factors make way more difference than the ballistic difference between most of the popular "all around" cartridges. And even with all things equal, you can go shoot 10 animals with each and still end up doing less tracking with the slightly less powerful cartridge, its just that close. Those numbers might look significant on ballistics charts, but in the real world it takes a very large boost in killing power to actually make any noticeable difference. Just my observations.

That said, if I owned only one rifle in either of those calibers and a 12 gauge shotgun I would be confident hunting pretty much any game animal or bird in the province. Keep the 30-30 as a bush gun/ spare and you are well set up.

I would keep the 30-30 and add a 30-06 of your choice and call it good. Spend the extra on a 22LR and 12g and your set for everything. You won't find much difference between the 06 and 6.5 on deer for meat damage. Run a 150-165 gr for deer/ b-bear and 180-200 gr for moose/Elk. Done deal

I would personally spend it on 1 boomstick. Tikka T3 stainless in something like a .270 or 7mm. Throw an upgraded trigger in there and mount that sucker with a Zeiss RZ 800 HD5 and away you go. YMMV but i would way rather have a 1 really solid set-up than 2 mediocre ones. My $.02

I would personally recommend one rifle in 300 WIN!
Bluedog

Only "two" guns to "end them all"?
 

Alberta is waaay too varied in both species and climate to "ONLY" have two guns!!
At least this is the story I have been telling my sweet bride for all of 37 years now! :)
Nothing in this province that a 30-06 can't handle. Load heavy for caliber bullets and you're golden. If you want something a bit bigger for fear of moose, elk, or the bruins, I would say go with the .338 or , the almighty hammer of Thor (:sHa_shakeshout:, the .358 norma!
The short iron-sighted lever guns are great in the bush, but I would not risk the success of a prairie hunt on them.

There is a world of wisdom in this post ^^^^^

I'd heed it.

I use a 7mm Rem Mag for everything and never feel over or under gunned in Alberta. The same could be said for everything between a 260 Rem and 338 Win Mag. Bullet construction is more important than the size of the hole you are going to make. Sometimes there is less meat damage with a well constructed 338 caliber bullet than a thin skinned 264. I would take the $3000 and get the Tikka T3x with a $1000-1200 optic and spend the rest on something you don't have yet like a good range finder or good boots or a good pack.

I have met a pile of people over the years, trappers,farmers , recreational hunters, etc., that have a 12 gauge, .22 and a big game rifle , usually a 270, 308,303, or 30'06. The 30/30 as well but not as often.
They did/do quite well with them also.
But then, they are not saddled with the knowledge of rifles and ballistics , etc . that the rest of us are!:budo:
I could comfortably hunt big game anywhere in Alberta with my single shot .303 Brit:)
Cat

Your plan sounds spot on. Never had a bad experience with the 06 and a 6.5 sounds like fun.


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I use my 30-30 for bears when spot and stalk hunting and deer when I’m walking the timber, iron sights so hundred yards plus or minus a bit.. I use my Tikka t3 30-06 for moose, mule deer, and when ever there is a potential for a longer shot. I use 170gr partitions for the 30-30 and 165gr partitions in the 06. Both factory loads, both do very well. I also have a Tikka .223 for coyotes. Not a complaint with either rifle.

Tullfan

7-08 is always a good choice for this province

I knew I needed to get a 30-06 again.

I’m happy with the 1/4 bore which so far is dang fine shooter.

Definitely can’t beat a Tikka. Had several so another nod to your choice on that name. .270 isn’t a bad choice either.
Welcome to AO!

If you want all the bases well covered , a 6.5 x55 and a .35 whelen will do it.

Either one will do it all.

7mm Mauser - 8mm Mauser

Das firearm

If I could pick two, .300WBY and a .260Rem Improved

LC

270 win and use the rest for hunting trips...

We have a bunch but I have a 300 wsm for sheep/elk/moose and deer also a 7mm rem 140 ttsx for the deer and open field

First off, I would re-think your scope choice. Look at, Leupold VX-3i, 3.5-10 or Leupold VX-5HD 2-10 or Swarovski Z3 3-10 or Z5 2.4-12. You can either get a dial or reticle option for shooting longer distances.

If you are set on the Tikka you could upgrade the stock if you don't like it down the road or look at a Sako or Christensen arms.

If it was me I would put the $3000 into 1 set up. Cartridge choice - I would stick with a 30-06 or 270, sometimes I wish I did. Animal won't know the difference. Less recoil in the 270 in the same rifle.

Not a massive difference between 6.5CM and 3006, almost overlapping in most uses.

My pick 7mm REM Mag & 243, well that's what I have so I guess I already picked LOL.
WDF

I have the two I mentioned too :)

LC

I shoot a 7mm rem mag with 140 grain Remington e tip, shot my moose at 350 yards and my mule deer at 145 yards both ran about 15 yards. I shoot a Sako 85 with a Swarovski z3 on top. Absolutely love this set up. My next rifle will be a Sako Finlight in 25-06 with a Swarovski on top. The key is to shoot what ever you have as much as you can, get comfortable with your equipment and practice! I’m luck enough to live close to a rifle range and try to get out at least once a week in the summer to shoot, and shoot 4-6 shots a night. The key is to trust your equipment and your self

Lots of one gun solutions will cover all species but imo you can't go wrong with a 7mm or 300win as that one all round rifle. Plenty of good thoughts on 30 cal bullets so the 300 win likely wins out. Lots of smack for big bears and lots of reach for antelope. Everything after that is just a hobby....and there's not a damn thing wrong with that.

Spend what you would have on the second rifle + a bit more on good glass. Call it a day.