Lefty lightweight deer / elk gun

[Rickmt]

View attachment 563542View attachment 563543View attachment 563544My Tikka takes exception that the Christian arms is better looking. I doubt it could shoot any better.

So what are we looking at?

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

So what are we looking at?

A Cool Tikka

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

A Cool Tikka

With a Nightforce scope. That is probably very accurate out to longer distances…

 

[Flewis]

View attachment 563542View attachment 563543View attachment 563544My Tikka takes exception that the Christian arms is better looking. I doubt it could shoot any better.

No the tikka shoots better. I’ve owned a few more 2 695 and a 595 and they all shoot and will shoot about anything very well. Only my high dollar customs will shoot with them.

 

[Altitude sickness]

RickMt, it’s a Tikka T3x Tac A1. If you want an affordable rifle to compete with. This is a good candidate. $1800 MSRP and you would need to spend a lot more to beat the barrel, chassis, action and trigger. 1/2 MOA all day with factory Hornady ELD or ELDX with an average shooter like myself.

Yes that is a Nightforce 8-32x56 NSX Very robust. But I have to say. Not the best glass I have. There are others with better glass. But probably not as tough.

 

[ILDRHNTR]

Well thank you everybody for your advice and suggestions. I have purchased a tikka t3x super lite in 7mm rem mag. Gun is right on 6 lbs. I added lightweight Talley mounts and a Limbsaver recoil pad. Topping the gun with a Leupold vari x 3hd 3-10x40 with CDS dial and fire dot reticle. Scope adds about one pound. Gun should be about 7 1/2 lbs all in . Ammo will be Barnes tsx 160 grain at about 2950 fps.
Gun was $1049 at Cabelas in Billings Mt in stainless and camo stock. Scope was $629 on sale and I had $ 140 in Cabelas points. Limbsaver pad was $50 and mounts were about $70.
All in I have approx 1650 in the rig.
I hope he likes it!

Sounds like an awesome setup! Will be exciting to hear about his adventures with it.

BTW- IF he doesn’t like it, I am up for adoption…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

RickMt, it’s a Tikka T3x Tac A1. If you want an affordable rifle to compete with. This is a good candidate. $1800 MSRP and you would need to spend a lot more to beat the barrel, chassis, action and trigger. 1/2 MOA all day with factory Hornady ELD or ELDX with an average shooter like myself.

Yes that is a Nightforce 8-32x56 NSX Very robust. But I have to say. Not the best glass I have. There are others with better glass. But probably not as tough.

I use Nightforce on my hunting rifles because I like the Zero stop and set up for shooting longer distance with DOPE… Or at least having the option to.

Tikka with a Nightforce:

 

[colorado]

Or a nice Win Model 94 in 30-30

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Got my son a left handed savage youth model in 243. Using TSX bullets, he’s cleanly killed plenty of animals. It’s a good rifle and an excellent value.

 

[colorado]

I got my first elk in Montana with a 243 shooting 105g Speer spitzers at 3000 fps Don't tell Bob!

 

[CoElkHunter]

I got my first elk in Montana with a 243 shooting 105g Speer spitzers at 3000 fps Don't tell Bob!

BOB!!!! @Bob Nelson 35Whelen!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Got my son a left handed savage youth model in 243. Using TSX bullets, he’s cleanly killed plenty of animals. It’s a good rifle and an excellent value.

@Bert the Turtle
Probably because he's using the correct bullets unlike others.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I got my first elk in Montana with a 243 shooting 105g Speer spitzers at 3000 fps Don't tell Bob!

@colorado
I bet London to a brick that load wasn't chronographed. The 243 struggles to get 2800 to 2900 with a 100gn
Bob

 

[Flewis]

@colorado
I bet London to a brick that load wasn't chronographed. The 243 struggles to get 2800 to 2900 with a 100gn
Bob

Bob, I think you are right on the speed but I would take the brick over London. At least it’s useful.

 

[RudiB]

Tikka t3x topped with talley lightweight rings and leupold vx5hd 3-15x44. That would be my choice and still under your budget.

 

[MS 9x56]

If not married to a bolt action take a look at the Browning lever action it’s light ambidextrous and comes in 358 winchester. Forget to mention more accurate than most of my bolt actions.

 

[colorado]

If not married to a bolt action take a look at the Browning lever action it’s light ambidextrous and comes in 358 winchester. Forget to mention more accurate than most of my bolt actions.

I've always lusted after one of those in 358 Win, but I've heard the trigger's aren't great. Is that not true?

 

[BeeMaa]

Looks like I'm a little late to the party...

I know you have a Blaser R8 so I was wondering why you didn't go with a carbon fiber Pro Success stock & LH bolt with a lightweight barrel to match?

Top Dog Guns Global has the carbon fiber traditional style in several colors as well...

 

[MS 9x56]

I've always lusted after one of those in 358 Win, but I've heard the trigger's aren't great. Is that not true?

Some are good, mine was horrendous. 9 lbs from factory. I sent it to Neil Jones in Erie PA and he returned it at a hair over 3lbs that breaks like glass. My son has a BLR in 7-08 and his trigger came in at 3 1/2 lbs. I am a 35 caliber fan having them in 35 rem, 358 win, 9x56 MS and 35 Whelen. For woods hunting I love the 358 win. It is the handiest rifle in a tree stand ever.

 

[Rickmt]

Tikka t3x topped with talley lightweight rings and leupold vx5hd 3-15x44. That would be my choice and still under your budget.

Thanx RudiB ! I have 2 vari x 5 scopes.
I went with Varix 3 hd because of size and weight.