First hunting rifle question

[unfazed]

New to the forum and to hunting. I live in Southern Utah and decided in my mid thirties it’s time to fill my own freezer. I picked up a Tikka t3x compact 7mm08 and a leupold vx freedom 4-12x40. I’m 6’ and the length of pull seemed short but with the included stock extension feels good. Do you all think this will be a good starting rifle for mule deer and elk?

 

[ScreamingPotato]

You already own it, how's it shoot for you? It'll kill anything you point it at.

 

[unfazed]

You already own it, how's it shoot for you? It'll kill anything you point it at.

Waiting on the game reaper so I can mount it, picked it up for Black Friday and with the rebate on top of the sale price, I couldn’t pass it up. Excited to get some range time on it

 

[Tmac]

Believe the compacts have a 12.5” LOP, which is short. Be nice to add or remove spacers for different sized shooters, kids etc. So as long as the spacers you have are adequate for it to fit you, alls well. The 7mm-08 is good for what you plan to do.

The scope should give you good service as long as you don’t plan to dial it a bunch and are not rough on it. They are set and forget scopes not known for standing up to hard use, but seem to perform well if treated with care.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Ah, yeah since you own it already shoot it and see how it does for you. Develop some preferences then upgrade in a couple years when you know more of what you want. Usually you want to ask these questions before you buy!

 

[unfazed]

Believe the compacts have a 12.5” LOP, which is short. Be nice to add or remove spacers for different sized shooters, kids etc. So as long as the spacers you have are adequate for it to fit you, alls well. The 7mm-08 is good for what you plan to do.

The scope should give you good service as long as you don’t plan to dial it a bunch and are not rough on it. They are set and forget scopes not known for standing up to hard use, but seem to perform well if treated with care.

Thanks for the info! With my limited experience the extension made it feel comfortable when shouldered, I’ll see how it feels shooting. I’ll be sure to not be too rough on the scope!

 

[unfazed]

Ah, yeah since you own it already shoot it and see how it does for you. Develop some preferences then upgrade in a couple years when you know more of what you want. Usually you want to ask these questions before you buy!

Agreed xD I did some research and knew I wanted a t3x in 7mm08 but had no idea that a shorter barrel meant compact which also meant shorter length of pull. So much to learn still lmfao

 

[WeiserBucks]

Agreed xD I did some research and knew I wanted a t3x in 7mm08 but had no idea that a shorter barrel meant compact which also meant shorter length of pull. So much to learn still lmfao

I've got a regular size T3 stock you can have for the price of shipping if you think it'll help.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Agreed xD I did some research and knew I wanted a t3x in 7mm08 but had no idea that a shorter barrel meant compact which also meant shorter length of pull. So much to learn still lmfao

It's no big deal, might work out great. Be sure to check out the scope mounting for holding zero thread here and most importantly get out and shoot.

Edit: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-mounting-to-maintain-zero.78482/

 

[unfazed]

I've got a regular size T3 stock you can have for the price of shipping if you think it'll help.

That would be awesome! I think I’m on a pm probation being a new user here though

 

[WeiserBucks]

That would be awesome! I think I’m on a pm probation being a new user here though

Send me a message when you're able to.

 

[Castle Rock]

Develop some preferences then upgrade in a couple years when you know more

Disregard this
There isn’t much to upgrade

 

[ResearchinStuff]

If the compact stock is too short for you, you'll net about $50 selling it and buying a factory full length stock. Otherwise, you did a good job picking a first rifle.

 

[sierracharlie338]

The 7-08 is a great cartridge and will do anything you ask it within reasonable distance and you putting the bullet where it needs to go.

As far as the stock, if you can make it work for a while you can then later upgrade to anything from a chassis to custom stock for the rifle to really make it your own.

As stated earlier, make sure scope gets mounted well and go burn some ammo through it. You will enjoy it.

 

[Speaks]

Great caliber capable of doing most things well and without bad recoil. You will want a full length stock, so many people here take them off they are easy to come by. Take weiser bucks offer.

 

[Ringbill27]

I purchased a Tikka compact in 243win. I traded it on here really quick for a regular stock.

As long as that rifle shoots good for you and you put The appropriate bullet for the game in the right place and understand that limitation s of the cartridge. It kill anything on this continent.

That rifle would be my personal pick for a one rifle forever.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Disregard this
There isn’t much to upgrade

Lies. If he hangs around here long enough he'll upgrade to the same rifle in a .223 with an SWFA scope.

 

[elkguide]

Shoot it a lot. That caliber will serve you well.

 

[49ereric]

Just find a bullet or factory ammo the barrel prefers then buy a case or more and you’ll be set.
Premium ammo can give a bit more performance.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Just find a bullet or factory ammo the barrel prefers then buy a case or more and you’ll be set.
Premium ammo can give a bit more performance.

Good point especially because you're new, OP. Buy one box of any ammo you're interested in and shoot groups with each to see what the rifle likes. My son bought himself a 308 and now I have 14 boxes of half full ammo in different flavors lol. But you'll notice a pattern, some will shoot better than others.