Deer and elk rifle — Tikka 7PRC

[hoosierhunter11]

I’m mainly an archery hunter but still get the muzzleloader and shotgun out for whitetails here in Indiana. I’m prepared to purchase my first big game hunting rifle and after reading a lot of threads here, I’m leaning towards a T3x Lite stainless in 7PRC. This would be for hunting deer, elk, and antelope.

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-lite-stainless-synthetic-7mm-prc-22bbl-1-8-5-8in-x-24tpi-synthetic-stainless-jrtxb37122mt

Is there a better option sub-$1000?

A few considerations:

1. I’d love to have a wood stock and have looked at Boyd’s. Any other places I should look?

2. I’d like to not spend more than $600-700 on a scope. What is my best option here?

Appreciate any feedback and advice.

 

[Banana_Horn]

Try something smaller, that thing will kick like a mule. I had the same rifle in 7mm rem mag, it was really unpleasant to the point of seriously effecting accuracy and causing a flinch. 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor will do what you want.

Skip the wood stock, save the money and get a suppressor instead if legal.

Check out trijicon for scopes that hold zero in that price range.

 

[D@l@N]

Are you going to be hunting out west? If not, I would down size in HP. If yes, 7prc is great if you have a system with some weight!

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Are you going to be hunting out west? If not, I would down size in HP. If yes, 7prc is great if you have a system with some weight!

Yes, I'd like to start drawing some rifle tags out west for deer, elk, and pronghorn! I've only archery hunted for elk thus far.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Try something smaller, that thing will kick like a mule. I had the same rifle in 7mm rem mag, it was really unpleasant to the point of seriously effecting accuracy and causing a flinch. 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor will do what you want.

Skip the wood stock, save the money and get a suppressor instead if legal.

Check out trijicon for scopes that hold zero in that price range.

Thanks for your feedback. I know that folks have recoil complaints with the super lite but wasn't aware of the same with the lite - appreciate you sharing! FYI - I've honestly not shot a caliber larger than .270. Most of my rifle shooting has been with a .223/5.56 and a .243.

 

[TradLife406]

Are you going to be hunting out west? If not, I would down size in HP. If yes, 7prc is great if you have a system with some weight!

This.

Snag a 6 Creed.

When I built my first real non Fudd gun I went 6.5 PRC. Almost went 6 Creed and wish I would have. There's really not much to be gained by going bigger than 6mm. Maybe less wind drift but then you're gaining recoil so what are you really gaining?

 

[Throwin Darts]

I'd lean towards something in 6.5 and consider a 20 inch barrel, especially if you will eventually put a can on it.

My deer and elk rifle is a 6.5 CM Tikka 20 inch right at 8 pounds.

 

[huntnful]

I’m all for bigger cartridges, but not in that tikka platform. It’ll kick like a MF in that stock setup as is. If you intend you use a muzzle brake and put it into a heavier stock, it would be fine though.

I’ve shot that exact rifle with no muzzle device and it was not enjoyable whatsoever.

I’d definitely be looking at the 6.5 PRC, 6.5 CM, 6 CM if it was me personally.

 

[MCGHeel]

Recently bought tikka 6.5prc lite stainless. Shot 50+ rounds in factory stock. Changed to pure precision and makes a big difference and dropped half a pound. Recoil is noticeably improved. I think it’s a vibration difference between the polymer and the carbon fiber. Suppressor is becoming a necessity for me as well. All in with suppressor and maven rs1.2 weight is as shown in pic. I enjoy shooting this WAY more than my braked 300wm which would I assume be similar to the 7 prc.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[trailblazer75]

I hunted for 20 years with 30-06, .308, .270, and 7mm mag. 5 years ago I switched to a .260 rem. I have never once been under gunned. I’m getting read to re-barrel that gun to a 6.5 creed.

The benefits just from the ammo selection, reduced recoil and shoot-ability make it a no brainer in my opinion. I personally don’t see a lot of ammo selection for a 6mm in stores yet, so if you’re not a reloader, something to consider, but it is obviously gaining some traction.

 

[LongWayAround]

I tried to talk a buddy of mine out of buying a lightweight 7prc. My suggestion was no bigger than 6.5prc. He bought it anyway...

The first time he shot it with the factory brake and got all of the dust and grass blown up in his face was the look of instant regret.

He has since admitted that he picked wrong. Even with switching from the brake to a suppressor, I don't think it's a gun that he enjoys.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Wow, pretty consistent advice here. I don't think I appreciated how similiar the performance is between the 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. Reconsidering my plan...


Update: the 6.5PRC is also $150 less

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[MarkOrtiz]

I bought an x-bolt in 7mm PRC and with a suppressor it is manageable, I still wish I would have gone with the 6.5 PRC.

 

[huntnful]

Wow, pretty consistent advice here. I don't think I appreciated how similiar the performance is between the 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. Reconsidering my plan...


Update: the 6.5PRC is also $150 less

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

That one doesn’t seem to have a threaded muzzle.

 

[MCGHeel]

Wow, pretty consistent advice here. I don't think I appreciated how similiar the performance is between the 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. Reconsidering my plan...


Update: the 6.5PRC is also $150 less

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I live near sea level and my 153tmk load is modest at 2780. That puts me in the 800 yardish effective range (>1800fps) at my location. Don’t think much is gonna walk away from that bullet and I can’t call wind well enough to shoot to 800 anyway. Some may argue I should have done a 65cm at my skill level and not lost any effectiveness


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Wow, pretty consistent advice here. I don't think I appreciated how similiar the performance is between the 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. Reconsidering my plan...


Update: the 6.5PRC is also $150 less

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless 6.5 PRC 24.3" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXB319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

The only way to know what [mention]EuroOptic [/mention] has in stock is to call them and ask for Jake. Their website has been FUBARed for months (at least for me). I can’t find any of their stainless T3X lites, except that one, but I know they have them.