Need opinions

fire652

WKR
Joined
Dec 13, 2013
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394
Location
Ohio
So this year I managed to finally pay off a few debts and now have saved up enough money for a rifle. These are my needs. Sub 8 pounds with scope, 300 wsm, under 2000.
The rifles I am looking at are
Kimber mountain ascent
Tikka t3
Browning x-bolt
Any others that you might recommend
Really trying to decide between the tikka and the Kimber
It will have Murphy precision rings
Either the Swarovski z3 or leupold vx3 scope. I do not plan on dialing but zeroing at 250 with the brh reticle.

Shots will be 500 and under but with the capability to reach further

Any opinions. Is it worth it to step up to the Kimber over the tikka




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dotman

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Feb 24, 2012
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8,200
I would go with a Tikka, I had a Kimber 300wsm and I just feel the action design for that cartridge isn't ideal, mine did not feed smoothly at all. The Tikka is a long action so it should feed a 300wsm much better. Plus for $2000 you can change out the stock and add a swaro z3 scope or keep the factory stock and get a z5.

On another note if you reload I would go with a 300wm over 300wsm, getting affordable brass isn't easy for the 300wsm.
 

Rucker61

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Mar 8, 2013
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Fort Collins, CO
I have the Tikka in 300 WSM. I'm quite happy with it. I bought it during the worst of the shortages, and a local store had three bags of brass which influenced my choice of caliber. I load 168 TTSX and took a small cow at 450 yards last season. Hit it just down and behind the shoulder, didn't even take another step. Spend the extra money on the glass.
 
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Ill join the consensus, Tikka and spend the extra $ on top notch glass. I think most Kimber owners would be hard pressed to prove their Kimber is more accurate than a Tikka.
 
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Well I'm gonna buck the concensus and recommend you find a slightly used Browning A-Bolt II Stainless Stalker. I have 4 of them. ( .243, 7mmWSM, 30-378, 338RUM) Don't care for styling of the X-Bolt and they dropped the swing out mag, which I like.... I can top off the mag while on the run ... w/o even looking... not that it's needed but just a feature I like.. no fumbling with loose mags or anything to drop or lose.

Accuracy of Brownings are honest 1moa, sub MOA if you handload.... good enough for me. And at 6lbs, they are one of the lightest factory rigs a guy could want.

The other option I'd consider would be a semi-custom Rem700 Ti short action in .300WSM.
Or maybe a Nosler rifle... but those a spendy.

Hunt'nFish
 
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fire652

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Dec 13, 2013
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Ohio
I have been researching a lot. I think I like the tikka t3 lite in 300 wsm. Going to put a micro bastard brake on it. And I think I will go with a Swarovski z5 in 3.5x18x44. I also will send gun out to get it spiral fluted


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fire652

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Dec 13, 2013
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394
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Should be right at 7 pounds if I calculated right


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unsuccessful

Lil-Rokslider
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May 23, 2016
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I think your on the right track with the tikka. I can't speak to the Browning, but I absolutely loved my t3. I have spent some time behind my dad's kimber, and was not impressed. I was shooting sub moa consistently out of my tikka with factory ammo. The action was was very smooth as well. My all time favorite hunting rifle is a Thompson Center encore pro hunter with thumbhole stock. I do understand that it is not for everyone. Good luck

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sneaky

"DADDY"
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Feb 1, 2014
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Any particular reason why you are set on 300wsm? I've had good luck with Kimber, Browning and Tikka. All make good guns. Just not a 300wsm fan myself, but that's just me.
 

elkguide

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Jan 26, 2016
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Kimber is the way that I have gone and would highly recommend them. Having shot and carried the others that you mentioned I settled on Kimber. I have several including one in .300 WSM. It's a sub MOA with factory 165's and with an older Swarovski, 2.2X9X42, sling and 3 rounds, it weighs 7#9oz.

Great rifle but if I were buying another today I'd go with a .300 Win Mag for ease of getting ammo and brass.
 
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fire652

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Dec 13, 2013
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394
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Ohio
Decided to go with the leupold vx6 instead a few people that I really trust say the Swarovski is great glass but the mechanics fail.


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