Help with new rifle choice.

[Casey Bandy]

Hey guys, thanks in advance for the opinions. I am looking to add a hunting rifle and I am torn between a couple. I was hoping to get some feedback. I hunt whitetail deer and the occasional mule deer. 90% of my shots are under 200 yards with the longe being 300 yards. Most are at 100. I am looking for something under 6lbs with a 20” to 22” barrel. I have several rifles in .308 and I am leaning toward a rifle in that chambering. my budget would be around 3k for the rifle. I would prefer a carbon wrapped barrel but I would be ok with steel. No pencil barrels as I shoot suppressed. I have 3 that have popped up as contenders but there is a issue with all three and was wanting to see what ya’ll thought and possibly get suggestions on one I have overlooked. First, Seekins element. This one seems to get great reviews but my issue is no distributor within 100 miles carries them. I am having a hard time buying a rifle without every seeing it in person beforehand. Also, and this is nit picking I would prefer not to have a detachable magazine. Second one is Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT. My hunting buddy has one and I have shot it and his is great. Problem is their reputation is trash and it seems to be a coin toss on wether or not you get what you paid for. I know his is good and exactly what I was looking for but I don’t want to deal with a lemon. Third, weatherby backcountry guide. I have not held this rifle either but I own 3 Weatherby rifles and they are all excellent. Problem with the weatherby is it is over budget by a bit and I haven’t found one in the wild to touch. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Samson7x]

Seems to me like your limiting factor is what you can find in stock local.

I’d get the seekins.

 

[Casey Bandy]

Seems to me like your limiting factor is what you can find in stock local.

I’d get the seekins.

This is what I really want to do. I am just hung up on paying 3k for a rifle I have never even held. I have even reach out to seekins and they said the closest retailer was a 6 hour drive from me. Reviews of the seekins say the stock feels cheap and hollow. I don’t know if I would feel the same way but 3k is a big gamble.

 

[Samson7x]

This is what I really want to do. I am just hung up on paying 3k for a rifle I have never even held. I have even reach out to seekins and they said the closest retailer was a 6 hour drive from me. Reviews of the seekins say the stock feels cheap and hollow. I don’t know if I would feel the same way but 3k is a big gamble.

It won’t feel cheap when you’re shooting 1/2” groups haha.

I love mine. Accurate, smooth action, lightweight. Checks a lot of boxes. The palm swell is a little big for my preference, but that’s a nitpick.

 

[Casey Bandy]

It won’t feel cheap when you’re shooting 1/2” groups haha.

I love mine. Accurate, smooth action, lightweight. Checks a lot of boxes. The palm swell is a little big for my preference, but that’s a nitpick.

Other than the palm swell how is the stock?

 

[Mike D Texas]

Why are you. Not considering a Tikka Roughtech?


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[Casey Bandy]

Why are you. Not considering a Tikka Roughtech?


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I will consider it. That is a nice looking gun. A little over weight but not a deal breaker. Does it have a sub moa guarantee?

 

[yfarm]

You own Weatherbys you like, why mess with success? My son shoots a Backcountry in 280AI, kills whatever he shoots at. Also has Fieldcrafts in 270 and 308, those stocks fit him better, thinking about rebarreling to 280. May be another rifle to think about if light and accurate is what you want. Recently a few have popped up on GB as well as NULAs and Colt light rifles, the latter can be brought up to Melvin standards by Outkast Arms.

 

[Turkeytider]

I will consider it. That is a nice looking gun. A little over weight but not a deal breaker. Does it have a sub moa guarantee?

Could be off base on this, but I believe all Tikka rifles are tested and leave the factory only after shooting a 3 shot, sub MOA target. My T3X Super Varmint did. And it certainly does.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Does it have a sub moa guarantee?

It’s 2024, who doesn’t have that “guarantee”.

 

[Casey Bandy]

You own Weatherbys you like, why mess with success? My son shoots a Backcountry in 280AI, kills whatever he shoots at. Also has Fieldcrafts in 270 and 308, those stocks fit him better, thinking about rebarreling to 280. May be another rifle to think about if light and accurate is what you want. Recently a few have popped up on GB as well as NULAs and Colt light rifles, the latter can be brought up to Melvin standards by Outkast Arms.

Thanks, I will look at them also. NULA in particular looks nice.

 

[Samson7x]

Other than the palm swell how is the stock?

Seekins says it’s carbon composite. Feels more composite than carbon to me but I don’t have an issue with it.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I will consider it. That is a nice looking gun. A little over weight but not a deal breaker. Does it have a sub moa guarantee?

I’m not aware of a guarantee but they shoot well. This is a 155 & 175 TMK with no load development.

The reason I ask about it is for roughly 1/3 of your budget, I don’t believe the Seekins will shoot any better.


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[Bcrowdis]

My vote would be for the Seekins. Really like my PH2 7RM.

 

[Casey Bandy]

Any opinions on Sako 90 peak?