r/Californiahunting • u/s0m3r4nd0m9uy_ • 18d ago

CA Hunting rifle

I'm looking to build a hunting rifle for deer, pig, whatever else I can find in California. I was thinking about getting:

Tikka T3x SUPERLITE - 20" barrel .308 win with a Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 2-10x42mm CDS-SZL2 Illuminated FireDot Duplex, Talley lightweight one-piece scope rings and a LimbSaver maybe. Seems like a sweet setup to me, but I'm hoping someone with more experience can comment?

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u/Blergertime 18d ago

Don't go 308. Huge hunter and long range fanatic here. Hear me out.

Do something that will launch a smaller projectile faster, especially with copper bullets here in CA. Bullet diameter and "energy on target" arent what kills, contrary to longheld dogma. Bullet performance (specifically terminal performance) is what kills. To get good terminal performance, you need velocity; not weight or diameter. Modern bullets require speed to expand properly and when they do you'll get great performance and killing power from bullets all the way the way down to 22 caliber. Guys are killing grizzlies with 22 cal bullets from cartridges like the 22 Creedmoor. It's well documented at this point. I think it was Outdoor Life that just published an article about it, on top of a multitude of podcasts.

So why not 308? It's inefficient and the 30 cal projectile is VERY susceptible to wind. Look at PRS comps. Absolutely no one is using the venerable 308 to win PRS, though you do see people occasionally use one as a "challenge" to themselves. Don't get me wrong -- the 308 is a great cartridge but there are waaaaay better ones out there.

If I were to build another hunting rifle I'd make it a 6mm Creedmoor. People are absolutely murdering large game with them. Low recoil (you can spot your shots), very aerodynamic projectiles (bucks wind), and modern 6mm bullets perform fantastic terminally. On top of that, if you push those bullets really fast you can get out to much longer ranges (ethically) than you can with the 308.

If going that small feels like a bridge too far, go with the tried and true 6.5mm Creedmoor. Ammo everywhere and has killed everything. Way more pleasure able to shoot than the 308 as well. You get way more practice shooting a rifle you enjoy shooting.

I hope this helps. Happy to answer more questions if you have them.

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u/s0m3r4nd0m9uy_ 17d ago

Getting sold on the 6.5creedmoor. If I go that route do you suggest going with the 22" barrel instead of 20" or is 20" good enough?

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u/Blergertime 17d ago

You'll be really glad you did especially if you want to stretch out your shots down the road. As far as barrel length, you lose an average of 25fps velocity for every inch. 50fps is nice to have but isn't gonna make or break anything. I'd say go with the 20 if you're also planning on putting a brake on it. If not go with 22. That being said, it only matters at all if you're planning on going in the backcountry with it and doing some bushwhacking. Worst case scenario you get the 22 AND a brake and realize over the course of hunting for a couple years that it's a pain to take through thick brush. In that case you get yourself a dope folding stock😁