Rifle and scope recommendations

[ckaz34]

Budget is $2500 for rifle, rings and scope. This will be for elk and mule deer. I will eventually use a suppressor, so shorter threaded barrel preferred. I will be reloading ammo.

 

[WyldGoose]

An easy button would be one of the “suppressor ready” versions of the Browning X-Bolt in your caliber of choice. They come with shorter, threaded, fast twist, fluted barrels with a rep for accuracy.

 

[pharmfisher]

Sako S20, trijicon creedo 2.5-15.

 

[eric1115]

T3x SS .243, get it cut and threaded, add Rokstok. Hand load 108 ELDM's.

Sportsmatch or UM rings

Maven RS1.2

Edit: realize this is not a "run to Scheels and pick it up for this hunting season" option. Should be very doable to have it together before spring though.

 

[BjornF16]

T3x SS .243, get it cut and threaded, add Rokstok. Hand load 108 ELDM's.

Sportsmatch or UM rings

Maven RS1.2

Edit: realize this is not a "run to Scheels and pick it up for this hunting season" option. Should be very doable to have it together before spring though.

^^^^ This

But you could run to Scheels and pickup a T3X in 1:8” twist .243 Win, buy UM Tikka rings, Trijicon Credo, and Winchester 95 gr Silvertip (95 NBT) or hand load 108 ELD-Murders and you’re off to the races.

Then order RokStok, have barrel cut and threaded, buy your suppressor and you’ll be setup for next year.

 

[B23]

New Tikka 6.5 PRC, 270 Win, 7PRC, 7 Rem mag, 300 WSM, 300 Win mag then look for a good clean used NF NXS or NX8. Often, you'll see them being sold with rings. Depending on the model Tikka you should be able to buy a new rifle and a good clean used NF all in and done for 2500 bucks.

Also, Tikka's like many others have a low comb height stock so budget in some kind of cheek riser. I like the Kydex adjustable type myself. You'll have to drill a couple holes to mount them but they're a super easy peasy install. My daughter installed one on her Tikka herself they are that easy, and, they're inexpensive, weigh next to nothing, and are rock solid.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

^^^^ This

But you could run to Scheels and pickup a T3X in 1:8” twist .243 Win, buy UM Tikka rings, Trijicon Credo, and Winchester 95 gr Silvertip (95 NBT) or hand load 108 ELD-Murders and you’re off to the races.

Then order RokStok, have barrel cut and threaded, buy your suppressor and you’ll be setup for next year.

They sell Tikka models now that come in 1:8 twist and are already threaded 5/8 24 with a 20” barrel.

Thats what the grey stock gun is below…

 

[Northern Safari]

Model 70 or Browning X-Bolt in 6.8 Western with a Leupold VX3 scope.

 

[Marbles]

T3x SS .243, get it cut and threaded, add Rokstok. Hand load 108 ELDM's.

Sportsmatch or UM rings

Maven RS1.2

Edit: realize this is not a "run to Scheels and pick it up for this hunting season" option. Should be very doable to have it together before spring though.

Cannot argue against this. I'm really happy with my 243 Tikka.

For within 600 yards, the S&B Klassik 3-12x52 with P3L reticle is also worth considering. https://www.eurooptic.com/Schmidt-B...3L-BDC-H-Riflescope-645-811-882-40-05A02.aspx

A Tikka, even if having to pay for a cut and thread and wanting stainless, should not be running over $1000 if someone shops around. If stainless is not needed, $650 https://www.eurooptic.com/Like-New-...t-243-Win-SYN-20-1-8-Bbl-Rifle-JRTXE315C.aspx

Stainless for $730 https://www.eurooptic.com/JRTXB315-Tikka-Tikka-T3x-Lite-243-Win-S-S-SYN-224--barrel-MP.aspx (minus $75 rebate).

Figure a $50 transfer fee on the rifle (though $20 is what I usually pay). $150-250 to cut and thread. $145 for UM rings (or $50 for Sportsmatch). An at worst scope budget is left at $1500.

 

[SloppyJ]

What's the gun for? I'd say you get a Tikka in whatever flavor, a nice used trijicon, UM rings, and a different stock.

Or you MIGHT be able to piece together something on an origin action if you wait for good deals but that'd eat up the 2500 on the rifle.

 

[ckaz34]

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 243 for bull elk though.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 243 for bull elk though.

Worth a read. Bullet is more important than cartridge. Some would consider a 243 overkill for bull elk. If I could only keep one rifle for all my big game hunting including elk and moose it would be my 6mm CM.

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

 

[OneShot]

Tikka in the caliber you want. They have a $75 rebate also. I’d talk to a few local gun shops on prices before thinking about a box store, unless they had a sale. You can save quite a bit by shopping around and looking for sales. Also, don’t be scared to buy a quality scope used off the classified section. That will save you money also.

Bought this Roughtech on a great sale and used the rebate. The Trijicon Tenmile was also on sale. Bought the stock used.
I have $2470 in this setup as shown in pic. Chopped the barrel to 20”.

 

[eric1115]

^^^^ This

But you could run to Scheels and pickup a T3X in 1:8” twist .243 Win, buy UM Tikka rings, Trijicon Credo, and Winchester 95 gr Silvertip (95 NBT) or hand load 108 ELD-Murders and you’re off to the races.

Then order RokStok, have barrel cut and threaded, buy your suppressor and you’ll be setup for next year.

Yep, I've been shooting mine all summer in the factory stock waiting on the Rokstok, with a 3-12 LRHS while trying to snag a RS1.2, in sportsmatch rings which are really perfectly fine. I'm loving the Rokstok now that it's here, but I'm definitely glad I had the factory stock. It's really not much of a handicap for most situations.

I did get it cut/threaded/rechambered right away, but unless you have the can now there's no reason it couldn't wait.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 243 for bull elk though.

Based on what personal experience?

 

[eric1115]

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 243 for bull elk though.

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a 243 for bull elk though.

I'd urge you to take another pass at the cartridge selection. Lots of us have gone small with no regrets when using the right bullets. I've gone from 7mmRM/180 Bergers to 108 ELDM'S with no regrets. Lots of guys killing elk and larger very effectively with 77TMK's out of .223's (including at least one of my kids this year if everything goes to plan). Lots of guys killing elk and larger with a variety of heavy for caliber 6mm match bullets as well.

6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix. Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

rokslide.com

 

[ckaz34]

Based on what personal experience?

My brother lost his bull with a decently place 6.5cm round. Just bad luck surely.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My brother lost his bull with a decently place 6.5cm round. Just bad luck surely.

How do you know it was decently placed if the animal was not recovered? Was this on video? What bullet and impact velocity?

 

[ckaz34]

Apparently it wasn’t the perfect shot. Game king 140

 

[hunterjmj]

Picked up a Tikka the other day and then filled out the rebate form online. 6-8 weeks and I'll have a $75 check. It knocks off a little bit. Also picked up a Credo 3-9x40 and some UM rings. I'll be in it a little over $1500. Not sure what everything will be with ammo, dies, vld seating stem, bullets, powder, primer brass, comparators, cleaning rod, etc.