Got drunk and bought a rifle I don’t need

[69ChrisCraft]

Went to a benefit dinner and had too many beers and bought a Tikka T3x lite in 300 win mag. I just got done setting up a Browning X bolt pro long range in 7 mag which I really like (although it is a little heavier than I would like). I called the FFL and asked if I could exchange the $1,400 credit for something else, nope. Most of my hunts are deep (9+ miles in) backpack hunts in the Sierra Nevadas for deer and bear. Looking at the ballistics of the two rounds it seems like I now have two rifles that are very similar. Are there scenarios where I could justify keeping and setting up both of these rifles? I really would prefer to built an ultralight, compact backpacking gun for my California backcountry hunts….something in a shorter, say 20” barrel in one of the 6.5s. I did just draw a late rifle elk tag in AZ for this year hence the 7 mag. If I only keep one of them which should I send packing?

 

[grfox92]

Went to a benefit dinner and had too many beers and bought a Tikka T3x lite in 300 win mag. I just got done setting up a Browning X bolt pro long range in 7 mag which I really like (although it is a little heavier than I would like). I called the FFL and asked if I could exchange the $1,400 credit for something else, nope. Most of my hunts are deep (9+ miles in) backpack hunts in the Sierra Nevadas for deer and bear. Looking at the ballistics of the two rounds it seems like I now have two rifles that are very similar. Are there scenarios where I could justify keeping and setting up both of these rifles? I really would prefer to built an ultralight, compact backpacking gun for my California backcountry hunts….something in a shorter, say 20” barrel in one of the 6.5s. I did just draw a late rifle elk tag in AZ for this year hence the 7 mag. If I only keep one of them which should I send packing?

There is no justification to have both. The Tikka could be out into a folding chassis for backpacking. The X Bolt has 1 option for an aftermarket stock right now and that's McMillan. Stockys will be releasing one soon but not yet.

If it was me I would go with the more mild recoiling 7mm RM.

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[SBR Sarge]

Don’t feel bad. Some guys get drunk and end up with wife and kids!

Can’t help with your question, though.

 

[B23]

Don't feel bad, I don't even have to be drunk to buy a gun I don't need.

 

[Cactus kid]

Drinking beer is fun. Building guns are fun.

You have found yourself in a win/win!

Keep the browning just because. Build out the tikka, a 20” 6.5 prc would deliver a 147 eldm at around 2850 FPS out of mild recoiling set up. After market toys for the tikka are easy to find. Have fun with it!

 

[rclouse79]

I have never attended a benefit dinner, but I bet they push the booze like a Las Vegas casino. I will try to remember to bring cash and leave my credit cards at home if I ever go to one.
If I were you, I would sell the rifle and buy something else you need with the money. I tend to be utilitarian with my firearms, and only buy a new one if it will open up a new season for me.

 

[lintond]

Drinking beer is fun. Building guns are fun.

You have found yourself in a win/win!

Keep the browning just because. Build out the tikka, a 20” 6.5 prc would deliver a 147 eldm at around 2850 FPS out of mild recoiling set up. After market toys for the tikka are easy to find. Have fun with it!

This is what I’m doing currently off of a 300 wm donor Tikka. Get a prefit and spin on a new barrel, throw on an aftermarket stock if you wish and sell the original components.


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[pugwylde]

I had a Browning X Bolt Long Range Max and I carried it for one hunt. Awesome gun, but it was so frigging heavy and long. Felt like it got caught everywhere, and it was a challenge maneuvering it. I went up with a folding stock with a shorter barrel.

I ended up trading that Browning for a Tikka Superlite. I don't know where you are at, but maybe you just try trading it for something you do want.

 

[gdfr9]

People get drunk and make worse decisions. Keep your head up.

 

[DESERT ED]

I knew I wasn't the only one. Keep it. N+1

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I had a Browning X Bolt Long Range Max and I carried it for one hunt. Awesome gun, but it was so frigging heavy and long. Felt like it got caught everywhere, and it was a challenge maneuvering it. I went up with a folding stock with a shorter barrel.

I ended up trading that Browning for a Tikka Superlite. I don't know where you are at, but maybe you just try trading it for something you do want.

Exactly where I’m at. That gun is so damn long….. not overly heavy but not balanced well with the heavy contoured barrel, giant muzzle break and the carbon fiber stock. It’s just too front heavy to make carry comfortable.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

This is what I’m doing currently off of a 300 wm donor Tikka. Get a prefit and spin on a new barrel, throw on an aftermarket stock if you wish and sell the original components.


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I think I’ll do just that. I’m not sure why but the idea of outright selling an entire gun makes me sad….. now I need another beer.

 

[packer58]

@69ChrisCraft, It's funny you bring this up. I'm a committee member of our local MDF chapter and your story is not unique, iv'e seen lots of guys that were having a little too much fun get crazy in the auctions ........

 

[wyosteve]

I ended up with a mule a guy at a RMEF banquet bought. He named it Pendleton 17. Due to the fact he was drinking Pendleton and paid $17k for it!! Don’t feel bad!

 

[Gila]

Drinking beer is fun. Building guns are fun.

You have found yourself in a win/win!

Keep the browning just because. Build out the tikka, a 20” 6.5 prc would deliver a 147 eldm at around 2850 FPS out of mild recoiling set up. After market toys for the tikka are easy to find. Have fun with it!

That looks like the most logical thing to do. You could send the Tikka barreled action into McGowen and have them spin up a custom barrel and replace the 300 WM barrel. Or may even be able to find a pre-fit barrel off the shelf and have your local gun smith replace the barrel for $80-100. A 6.5 PRC would keep the bullet moving fast enough for a 20” barrel. Drop the barreled action into a lightweight carbon stock and put on a lightweight scope….Don’t look back.

 

[B23]

I'd have the barrel lopped off to whatever length you think you want and shoot 168's in it. Hunting in Californistan y'all have to use LF bullets don't you and in that case I'm not sure what bullets you'd use but there are lots of LF 30 cal bullets out there to choose from and plenty of LF 300 Win mag ammo too.

It's a Tikka in a LA mag bolt face so you have LOTS of options to make it about anything you want or leave it as is and just have the barrel shortened.

 

[satchamo]

Went to a benefit dinner and had too many beers and bought a Tikka T3x lite in 300 win mag. I just got done setting up a Browning X bolt pro long range in 7 mag which I really like (although it is a little heavier than I would like). I called the FFL and asked if I could exchange the $1,400 credit for something else, nope. Most of my hunts are deep (9+ miles in) backpack hunts in the Sierra Nevadas for deer and bear. Looking at the ballistics of the two rounds it seems like I now have two rifles that are very similar. Are there scenarios where I could justify keeping and setting up both of these rifles? I really would prefer to built an ultralight, compact backpacking gun for my California backcountry hunts….something in a shorter, say 20” barrel in one of the 6.5s. I did just draw a late rifle elk tag in AZ for this year hence the 7 mag. If I only keep one of them which should I send packing?

If it makes you feel any better I got drunk at an rmef banquet several years ago when my wife was 6 months pregnant with our first child and tried to bid up an African hunt and accidentally won the damn thing. Needless to say that was an awkward phone call the next day to get out of it

 

[Loper]

If it makes you feel any better I got drunk at an rmef banquet several years ago when my wife was 6 months pregnant with our first child and tried to bid up an African hunt and accidentally won the damn thing. Needless to say that was an awkward phone call the next day to get out of it

Did you get out of it or experience an epic African hunt while you wife was at home alone with a newborn?

 

[satchamo]

Did you get out of it or experience an epic African hunt while you wife was at home alone with a newborn?

I got out of it but I constantly guilt her to this day for not letting me go

 

[Unckebob]

Don’t feel bad. Some guys get drunk and end up with wife and kids!

Can’t help with your question, though.

or have a kid with someone they do not really know,