Though I own a Savage, accuracy is my first need in a rifle. Tikka has that and more. After seeing the fit and finish, my next rifle will be a Tikka. I would recommend that you get at least a 270(my favorite), 308 or 30.06. You can hunt anything in North America with either round. The 308 and 30.36 will give you more options on ammo which is a major plus for a one gun hunter! Good luck!

Tikka makes a great gun,I'm sure you'll be happy with it .

Most of us have several rifles in several calibers, but if I only had one, living in Texas especially, it would probably be the .270. Its a great caliber for any thing from prairie dogs on up.

gotta go with the .270 or 30-06. WIDE range of bullet styles and manufacturers, will take down anything Texas or most any other "country" (yes I referred to Texas as a country) can produce.

As for the .223, my son (who was 11 at the time), killed his first and second deer (in two days) with a Mini-14 (one shot at 161 yards and another at 110 yards). At the time, that was all he was comfortable with as far as recoil goes. The first deer (chest shot) made it about 40 yards before dropping over. The second deer (he called a neck shot) dropped on the spot. (My son is an excellent shot). All that said...you can use a .223 but the .270 or 30.06 is a better option if you are comfortable with it.