HELP with lightweight hunting rifle suggestions! 300WM

[Bushfire]

I'm sure it's been beat to death, but I'm back and forth on this in my mind. I found a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 300wm that I like a lot. BUT I have read so many mixed reviews its not even funny. I've also seen their customer service has gotten a lot better and they make things right. The problem is I don't want to buy a $2k gun and have to deal with headaches, ya know...

What do you suggest for the ideal hunting rifle?
I will use it for western hunts on Elk, mulies, and back home on whitetail and bear. I want a light rifle and it has to be chambered in 300 win mag, I like the cartridge and have everything to handload for a long time.

So I want;
-.300WM
-Accurate
-Lightweight
-Muzzle brake
-Stainless

I like Tikka but they are hard to find especially with a brake, I like Brownings new mountain pro but it's not even in production yet, Weatherby, Bergara, others around $2k???

Thanks for your time.

 

[Gila]

I looked around and always came back to the Tikka. I bought an original T3 in 2005 and it is the only rifle that I have wanted to hunt with. I have never missed with it. One shot and done. It is in .270 win and I have killed bull elk with it but want a 300 win mag for moose and elk. I have another LE trophy bull elk tag for this year so now is the time for me to pull the trigger on a new rifle.

Just unboxed my new Tikka T3X lite Stainless a few minutes ago. I didn’t want a brake. This new model of T3X is interesting. For one thing new this year they put a 1:10” barrel twist on this particular model. And to complete the twist they lengthened the barrel by about half an inch. The barrel is heavier as well. The shoulder taper is less. I have only seen this twist on this particular model sold at Cabela’s. No other model of T3x 300 win mag has this barrel twist at this time, that I have been able to determine anyway. I prefer the one piece tear dropped bolt handle over the plastic ball of the veil or roughneck.

The bolt shroud is now metal Which is a good thing. The new stock has vibration dampening to reduce muzzle flip. Tikka also redesigned the recoil pad but I found it to be quite hard so I replaced it with a Limbsaver. The dovetail has changed to make it easier to attach picatinny rails and they have drilled additional holes as well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Kimber Montana or mountain ascent 300 win mags are pretty sweet.

 

[Bushfire]

I looked around and always came back to the Tikka. I bought an original T3 in 2005 and it is the only rifle that I have wanted to hunt with. I have never missed with it. One shot and done. It is in .270 win and I have killed bull elk with it but want a 300 win mag for moose and elk. I have another LE trophy bull elk tag for this year so now is the time for me to pull the trigger on a new rifle.

Just unboxed my new Tikka T3X lite Stainless a few minutes ago. I didn’t want a brake. This new model of T3X is interesting. For one thing new this year they put a 1:10” barrel twist on this particular model. And to complete the twist they lengthened the barrel by about half an inch. The barrel is heavier as well. The shoulder taper is less. I have only seen this twist on this particular model sold at Cabela’s. No other model of T3x 300 win mag has this barrel twist at this time, that I have been able to determine anyway. I prefer the one piece tear dropped bolt handle over the plastic ball of the veil or roughneck.

The bolt shroud is now metal Which is a good thing. The new stock has vibration dampening to reduce muzzle flip. Tikka also redesigned the recoil pad but I found it to be quite hard so I replaced it with a Limbsaver. The dovetail has changed to make it easier to attach picatinny rails and they have drilled additional holes as well.

Sounds nice but I have to have a brake also I like that tikka had a 1:11 twist as I prefer to sling lighter projectiles from the 300 win mag.

 

[Bushfire]

Kimber Montana or mountain ascent 300 win mags are pretty sweet.

Thanks but believe it or not I had a brand new Kimber Mountain Ascent 300 win mag. After a whole lot of headaches, well long story short it's gone. I hated just about everything about that gun and it didn't shoot for crap...

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Thanks but believe it or not I had a brand new Kimber Mountain Ascent 300 win mag. After a whole lot of headaches, well long story short it's gone. I hated just about everything about that gun and it didn't shoot for crap...

That’s unfortunate.

 

[LightFoot]

You can find the Tikka on gunbroker

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/900882388


Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Antares]

I’d get a Superlite through Sportsman’s, get a smith to thread the barrel, and then put an APA Gen 3 Micro Bastard on it. That would be a good place to start in my book.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I'm sure it's been beat to death, but I'm back and forth on this in my mind. I found a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 300wm that I like a lot. BUT I have read so many mixed reviews its not even funny. I've also seen their customer service has gotten a lot better and they make things right. The problem is I don't want to buy a $2k gun and have to deal with headaches, ya know...

What do you suggest for the ideal hunting rifle?
I will use it for western hunts on Elk, mulies, and back home on whitetail and bear. I want a light rifle and it has to be chambered in 300 win mag, I like the cartridge and have everything to handload for a long time.

So I want;
-.300WM
-Accurate
-Lightweight
-Muzzle brake
-Stainless

I like Tikka but they are hard to find especially with a brake, I like Brownings new mountain pro but it's not even in production yet, Weatherby, Bergara, others around $2k???

Thanks for your time.

You're not the first person I've heard from who had accuracy issues with the Kimber, the Ridgeline doesn't get a ton of love either.
The best bang for your buck is gonna be a Fierce Fury, pretty tough to beat that 1/2moa guarantee.
I'd also check out the Seekins PH2

 

[SDHNTR]

X2 on Fierce Fury

 

[Bushfire]

I've never seen or held a Fierce. I'd like to but out east we can't find cool items like that since most plp want a $400 rifle and call it good...

 

[Prairiekid]

Sako Finnlight? Light. Accurate. Easy to find new or used. Get a brake added by a gunsmith.

 

[Bushfire]

Sako Finnlight? Light. Accurate. Easy to find new or used. Get a brake added by a gunsmith.

Yeah sako has a nice action, like Tikka of course. I hate that these stupid company's don't thread their barrels. Getting a brake added around here is 4-600+ and like a 2 month wait at least... I could buy another tikka for that! Haha

 

[Antares]

Holy heck! Where do you live?! Barrel threading should be $100-150.

 

[Steve from GA]

You already mentioned it, but Tikka roughtech or veil would be my choice, seeing as they have a brake.

EDIT - plenty 300 win mag Tikka rifles on gun broker

 

[Bushfire]

Holy heck! Where do you live?! Barrel threading should be $100-150.

The great crap hole of Pennsylvania.
If and I mean if you can find a Smith you trust within a 3hr drive they are all backed up and expensive. My friend just got his 300 ultra back last week, after 4.5 months and $650. For threading and install of a radial brake.

I called 4 smiths 2 months ago about a pre 64 model 70 issue, 3 never called me back yet, the one that answered was a young guy, and thought a model 70 was a lever action. We were done at the point. Just graduated with his online Smith training program. LOL

 

[Antares]

The great crap hole of Pennsylvania.
If and I mean if you can find a Smith you trust within a 3hr drive they are all backed up and expensive. My friend just got his 300 ultra back last week, after 4.5 months and $650. For threading and install of a radial brake.

I called 4 smiths 2 months ago about a pre 64 model 70 issue, 3 never called me back yet, the one that answered was a young guy, and thought a model 70 was a lever action. We were done at the point. Just graduated with his online Smith training program. LOL

Well if you're willing to drive 3 hours, you might as well take your gas money and put it towards postage. Plenty of good smiths out there. Searching on here will turn some up.

Regarding the Roughtechs and veils. I'm not sure what your idea of lightweight is, but those guns will finish out around 8-9 lbs depending on scope and rings. The D18 barrel adds quite a bit of weight right off the bat. I have a Roughtech in 6.5 CM that's 10.25 lbs.

 

[Kimber7man]

The great crap hole of Pennsylvania.
If and I mean if you can find a Smith you trust within a 3hr drive they are all backed up and expensive. My friend just got his 300 ultra back last week, after 4.5 months and $650. For threading and install of a radial brake.

I called 4 smiths 2 months ago about a pre 64 model 70 issue, 3 never called me back yet, the one that answered was a young guy, and thought a model 70 was a lever action. We were done at the point. Just graduated with his online Smith training program. LOL

Long Rifles Inc is your friend. Chad and crew do great work, fast.

Gunsmithing Services

www.longriflesinc.com

or look at Short Action Customs in NE Ohio.

 

[Gila]

You can find the Tikka on gunbroker

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/900882388

That is interesting...that veil has an R10 at the end of the model number which I believe indicates Right 1:10” twist. The model number for the T3X lite stainless: JRTXB331R10

The barrel reads: 300 Win. Mag. 10”

 

[Prairiekid]

Yeah sako has a nice action, like Tikka of course. I hate that these stupid company's don't thread their barrels. Getting a brake added around here is 4-600+ and like a 2 month wait at least... I could buy another tikka for that! Haha

I’m personally not a big fan of brakes on hunting rifles. But I usually stick to mild recoiling rifles. I am considering a Finnlight in 300wsm but am curious what the recoil will be like.