Rifle Suggestions

[bps23]

I'm primarily a bow hunter and chase whitetails, but have plans to go out West in the future and hunt elk, mule deer, etc. I currently have a Tikka T3 in 7mm mag. Yes probably a little overkill for deer, but I bought it with the intention of also using it to chase bigger game.

I bought the rifle years back without fully considering what I was looking for, and I'm at the point where I want something else. I'd like to stay under $2000, but I'm looking for something heavier with a longer barrel that's better shooting. Not looking for a 20lb monster, but something that feels substantial in hand and will hold on target a little better. Suggestions for bolt action models?

 

[juju]

Differences between rifles are often not as great as we expect. You can go to a lot of trouble and not end up a great deal different. You certainly won't be killing any you couldn't.

Hanging a suppressor off it may do what you want.

But I want a Beretta BRX-1 pretty badly so you should get one. .308 probably.

 

[madcalfe]

you literally have a gun that 75% of the people on this forum is going to suggest....
buy a new stock for the tikka and spend the rest on ammo....
you already have a 24" barrel and going longer isn't going to achieve anything with a 7RM

 

[hereinaz]

You can rebarrel the Tikka with a 6.5 PRC barrel and get all the same/better ballistic performance as the 7 rm with a bit less recoil and better factory ammo.

You can drop down to 6mm Creedmoor and substantially reduce recoil with similar ballistics and kill out to 600 reliably.

Add a stock to the Tikka and you have an awesome rifle.

It’s a niche to swap and upgrade Tikka around here, so much that I am getting my FFL to basically make the process easy for you.

To buy a new rifle to run out of the box, I would look hard at Seekins PH2 on clearance in 6.5 PRC or 6 creedmoor. Their new version is a bit more and sweeter. All the Seekins I have seen are awesome and they have a no questions asked warranty.

 

[bps23]

Thanks for the tips. I never considered a suppressor or new stock. Recommendations for either?

 

[kickemall]

Well for a stock, of course it would be the Rokstok from Unknown Munitions.

 

[hereinaz]

Stocky’s VG, Bastion or Rokstock.

100% buy a suppressor.

Ultra 7 has been the go to for absolute precision and is my fav. Thunderbeast snd Diligent Defense makes other good ones. Go Titanium and in the 6-8 inch range.

You can go 18” 6 creed and still hit what you want. Check out the EXO Alaska Hunts where they kill moose and caribou with 6 creed.

There are also other threads we can point you to for deep dives into going smaller caliber.

 

[Mangata]

AB Raptor 8 for a suppressor.

 

[D Lee]

I'm old school - long on hunting experience and rifle / cartridge ownerships. Keep 95% of your 7mm Mag performance - 1/4 to 1/3 less recoil - in a lighter rifle: 270 Winchester. Rifle choices abound. My VERY accurate Tikka Laminated .270 with 24 oz Zeiss scope weights 7 lb 11 oz. Both rifle and cartridge meet your requirements.

Good luck.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I’m reading between the lines, but it sounds like you don’t shoot your 7 mag that well. I have a problem with shooting anything well that has more recoil than a 30-06. I definitely shoot .243, 7mm-08, etc better than I shoot my 30-06 because I just can’t stop anticipating recoil. So I bought a 7mm-08 and I’m much happier. If you have access to a friend’s lighter kicking rifle, give one a try and see if you don’t shoot better.

Ive never done it, but from what I’ve read, barrel swapping on a T3 is quite simple. The gun classifieds on here are chock full of take off barrels for $100 or so…so pick your cartridge, buy a barrel, and go to town.

 

[KenLee]

I'd vote sell the T3 and buy a Browning x-bolt 7mm-08. Baby 7 120gr NBT is a mean little pill.

 

[EastTX Jess]

Agree with KenLee as my family has bang flopped a bunch of critters with the 7-08 and 120gr NBT’s

 

[AntelopeEater]

I have two Tikka T3x's, one in .243 and the other in 30-06. They are very lightweight which is nice for carrying while hiking, and their actions are very smooth.

However, because they are so light, they kind of suck to shoot, (at least the basic ones which come without threaded barrels like mine).

Even the .243 jerks too much with recoil to be able to spot my own shots.

I suspect you would like a rifle that weighs a couple pounds more, or is threaded with a brake or suppressor on it.

You could also add accessories to your tikka, like a new heavier stock, or a muzzle brake, etc.

But if you do not mind a rougher action, you can buy a new Ruger American Gen II rifle for $599 or less that comes with a muzzle brake already on it.

Or, if yo want to pay more for a smoother action, I've read a lot of great things about the Bronwing X-Bolt 2 line.

A braked or heavier rifle in a cartridge like .243 or .270 would be nice to shoot.

 

[madcalfe]

just changing the stock out alone in a tikka makes quite a huge difference. the stocks are kinda junk.

 

[hereinaz]

just changing the stock out alone in a tikka makes quite a huge difference. the stocks are kinda junk.

The stock and a suppressor on a lower recoiling rifle will make a bigger difference in your life than a heavier rifle.

Look at the trend of so many straight up killers, small caliber suppressed is the way.

 

[TaperPin]

My vote is to get a good training/plinking/varmint/deer rifle. Someone should have an accurate 6mm as the base of their hunting rifles and move up from there.

If it’s said or not, many are wondering if recoil is an issue with the 7 mag. If you had a 6mm, then moved up to a 6.5 or 270, then ended up with a 30-06 or 7 mag we’d not worry as much about recoil impacting your shooting.

 

[wfv56]

If you plan to fly to hunting locations consider a Sako S-20. The rifle is a takedown ( butt stock removes) the fitted gun case they supply makes for a much easier package to maneuver in the airport. The case has TSA compliant locks. Mine is a 6.5 PRC that has harvested Elk and Antelope.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

If the existing rifle has a threaded muzzle I'd first fit muzzle brake and see if that helps before moving on. I was initially opposed to a miuzzle break for my hunting rifle but the reduced recoil has made them a "must have" for me on anything larger than my .243. The "big" side ported muzzle brakes might give you the most reduction in recoil.

 

[KenLee]

If the existing rifle has a threaded muzzle I'd first fit muzzle brake and see if that helps before moving on. I was initially opposed to a miuzzle break for my hunting rifle but the reduced recoil has made them a "must have" for me on anything larger than my .243. The "big" side ported muzzle brakes might give you the most reduction in recoil.

Huh?
and the most ringing, deafness and hearing aid torment.

 

[madcalfe]

Huh?
and the most ringing, deafness and hearing aid torment.

put in ear plugs.....