Rifle Choice for Whitetails

[jdl25]

I am interested in finding a bolt action rifle in .243 for my daughter (me) to shoot whitetail deer with. This would be in central North Carolina and shots would be 300 yards or less and usually 150 yards or less. I have looked at the Browning AB3 Hunter and the Tikka T3X Hunter. The Tikka has a 8 inch twist but I don't think that will matter while hunting. The opportunity may exist later to stretch that range and that sounds fun.

Second part of the equation is the glass. I am thinking about a Zeiss Conquest or a Trijicon Huron/Credo I would appreciate any insight into optics as well for this purpose. If you would like to offer an alternative please do. In this situation I prefer to buy gear made in free countries.

I know these types of threads get old, so thank you all for indulging me.

Thanks,

 

[HandgunHTR]

The Tikka and a Trijicon would be a great combo.

The only thing I would add is a suppressor. It will make both your daughter’s and your shooting and hunting experiences that much better. No need for ear pro while hunting, so you can easily communicate with her. If you go unsupressed, then she better have ear pro on.
I love my father with all my heart (may he rest in peace), but I could punch him in the jimmy for not making me use ear pro when bird and deer hunting with him when I was a kid.

 

[mtnbound]

I am interested in finding a bolt action rifle in .243 for my daughter (me) to shoot whitetail deer with. This would be in central North Carolina and shots would be 300 yards or less and usually 150 yards or less. I have looked at the Browning AB3 Hunter and the Tikka T3X Hunter. The Tikka has a 8 inch twist but I don't think that will matter while hunting. The opportunity may exist later to stretch that range and that sounds fun.

Second part of the equation is the glass. I am thinking about a Zeiss Conquest or a Trijicon Huron/Credo I would appreciate any insight into optics as well for this purpose. If you would like to offer an alternative please do. In this situation I prefer to buy gear made in free countries.

I know these types of threads get old, so thank you all for indulging me.

Thanks,

Another option that would work great in your application is the 6mm Arc. I would go with a 2-10 Credo for your application.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Between those two, I would go with the Tikka. For an optic, I like the Trijicon Accupoint as the more expensive option and the SWFA fixed 6x or 3-9x as the more affordable options.

I will say that the Tikka stock on the one I got has a fairly long LOP. I’m 5’10”, but I found it longer than I would like.

Another couple of options to consider:

At the more expensive end, the CZ 527 is a fabulous carbine. It can be found pretty easily in 6.5mm Grendel, 7.62x39, or .223. Only available second hand. Based on the ballistics I am getting with my 6.5, I would happily use it on deer out to 300 yards, with a good bullet.

I haven’t used the CZ 600, but it may also be a good option. https://www.eurooptic.com/cz-usa-60...-5-8-x24-bbl-5rd-rifle-w-picatinny-rail-07410

At the more affordable end, the Howa is a really nice little rifle. https://www.howausa.com/rifles/mini-action-rifle/


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Zdub02]

Don't think you can go wrong with either option for the stated scenario. Having said that, I'm a big browning fan and have great luck with their stuff. BUT... the price on the AB3 has gotten a bit steep for what it is. I've been eyeing some AB3s but not sure I'd pay the asking price

 

[Jdeck09]

I'd go with the Tikka out of those two options. I used a Bergara Ridge in 243 with 100 grain normas and its a tack driver. I think either scope will work perfect

 

[WCB]

How old/big is your daughter? I would look into a savage with an Accustock for adjustability. Fit imo is the main goal for young shooters...brand not so much

 

[wind gypsy]

How old/big is your daughter? I would look into a savage with an Accustock for adjustability. Fit imo is the main goal for young shooters...brand not so much

Makes sense. That Savage 110 switchback comes in 6 ARC and can get down to 12.75" LOP.

Otherwise it's hard to go wrong with a tikka compact if wanting a shorter LOP as well.

For that application, i'd eye one of these bad boys for a scope. https://www.eurooptic.com/trijicon-...MhPEYCVmzGl6k2MtPfB3OBeH0IyJJmZWzPmQ2A6XefrIw

 

[plebe]

My brother just set his daughter up with a 22” SS Tikka T3X superlite in .243 and a 2.5-10 Huron. She hasn’t been out to shoot it yet, so no feedback there, but I shouldered it and with UM low rings it’s a terrible head position for an adult let alone a kid. So if you do go that route, you’ll want to address cheek height with one of the aftermarket riser options. I’ve shouldered a T3X with a compact stock as well and it seemed even worse, but maybe the too short LOP for me exacerbated it. I can’t imagine the drop at cheek is any different.

I think the Limbsaver replacement butt pad is also worth the few bucks it costs to upgrade a T3X. The shape of the Sako/Tikka pads isn’t ideal, imo.

Anyway, the Tikkas are fine otherwise (no experience with Browning) and the scopes you mention should be fine as well. People say the Zeiss won’t hold up, may be true. I’ve not had an issue with mine, perhaps I will. So far it’s passed the accidental drop test and there wasn’t any shooting pad or grass covered earth to soften the blow. I didn’t drop it 5+ more times though, lol. But I guarantee it hit with a lot more force than standard testing parameters afford any single drop. A lot more.

We’ve had Accupoints in the family dating back to the first releases and no issues. I like the fiber optic/tritium quite a bit. My brother isn’t as into that. With what you’re looking at, I’d say get the features you prefer.

Haven’t heard real feedback on the Steiner Predator series durability, but it seems a bit like the Zeiss line in a heavier package, so maybe it will turn out to be a sort of tougher version of those.

Best.

 

[MtnRedy27]

Out of those two options I’d go with the Tikka. Though if you’d consider another option, I’d say a 6.5 Creedmor. My sister got one for last season and my oh my, she’s deadly accurate with that caliber!

 

[Ringbill27]

I have two of the Tikka T3x compact in 243 and would be my recommendation for a young person to start with. Lightweight, compact and comes with a stock spacer to get the stock to full length. Prefect starter to life long rifles.

 

[wind gypsy]

My brother just set his daughter up with a 22” SS Tikka T3X superlite in .243 and a 2.5-10 Huron. She hasn’t been out to shoot it yet, so no feedback there, but I shouldered it and with UM low rings it’s a terrible head position for an adult let alone a kid. So if you do go that route, you’ll want to address cheek height with one of the aftermarket riser options. I’ve shouldered a T3X with a compact stock as well and it seemed even worse, but maybe the too short LOP for me exacerbated it. I can’t imagine the drop at cheek is any different.

I think the Limbsaver replacement butt pad is also worth the few bucks it costs to upgrade a T3X. The shape of the Sako/Tikka pads isn’t ideal, imo.

Anyway, the Tikkas are fine otherwise (no experience with Browning) and the scopes you mention should be fine as well. People say the Zeiss won’t hold up, may be true. I’ve not had an issue with mine, perhaps I will. So far it’s passed the accidental drop test and there wasn’t any shooting pad or grass covered earth to soften the blow. I didn’t drop it 5+ more times though, lol. But I guarantee it hit with a lot more force than standard testing parameters afford any single drop. A lot more.

We’ve had Accupoints in the family dating back to the first releases and no issues. I like the fiber optic/tritium quite a bit. My brother isn’t as into that. With what you’re looking at, I’d say get the features you prefer.

Haven’t heard real feedback on the Steiner Predator series durability, but it seems a bit like the Zeiss line in a heavier package, so maybe it will turn out to be a sort of tougher version of those.

Best.

Rifles can be shot fine without having a cheek smashed against a stock.

 

[plebe]

Rifles can be shot fine without having a cheek smashed against a stock.

Suit yourself. I think it helps a kid get behind the scope better if it’s at least close and it’s not with a Tikka stock.

It’s like $35 for a Victor company riser kit. Not an expensive experiment to see what works for the young shooter, imo.

 

[wind gypsy]

Suit yourself. I think it helps a kid get behind the scope better if it’s at least close and it’s not with a Tikka stock.

Teach em to put their cheek, jaw, whatever part of their face against the stock the same when they shoulder it. Side benefit: they dont have face bone pressed firmly against a stock when it recoils back and up.

 

[plebe]

Teach em to put their cheek, jaw, whatever part of their face against the stock the same when they shoulder it. Side benefit: they dont have face bone pressed firmly against a stock when it recoils back and up.

I’m not going to teach that. It’s not expensive to fit them up.

 

[NCtrapper]

Also a big fan of Browning but as mentioned above the price is getting a little high for what you're getting. AB3 has a lot more plastic than i would prefer, a-Bolt II might be an option even if its 20 years old. (not sure if that matters) but i am a fan

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m not going to teach that. It’s not expensive to fit them up.

On that we can agree!

 

[hereinaz]

Rifles can be shot fine without having a cheek smashed against a stock.

Agreed, and I shot better when I stopped doing it. It only added a variable that could not be replicated easily in the field.

I use a “jaw weld” which is just to index my head to get into the eyebox consistently.

 

[jdl25]

I should explain she just turned 18, she is 5'5" ish and a lightweight. Last season she really got the desire to be behind the rifle although over the years she has accompanied me a bunch!

 

[hereinaz]

A compact Tikka is what I would get her of your choices. Rifle fit is key to good shooting. You can pick up compact stocks for cheap if needed.

She definitely moves the seat in your truck before she drives it.