Tikka t3x Lite

[easternoregonballistics]

Im looking at a new light weight elk hunting rifle. Im looking at a Tikka t3x lite in 7PRC. The one with a black barrel and plain black stock. 22 inch barrel. Thoughts? Wanting to run the 170 terminal ascent ammo in it for a year or two before handloading for it. Thought? Will it shoot that ammo decent? Different guns that are better in the same price ranhe (800ish)? Thanks

 

[Q_Sertorius]

My only suggestion would be to get the 6.5 PRC instead. I personally think it is more than enough for elk out to well past any range at which I would shoot one. My friend's son got the T3X lite in 6.5 PRC for his elk rifle and it was shooting very nice groups with Hornady 143-grain ELDX.

As far as 7PRC is concerned, I think the only thing you gain is more recoil. Additionally, there were a few guys looking for very specific factory ammunition for the 7PRC last fall (they said their rifles were very picky - and no, they weren't all Tikkas) and they seemed to have a devil of a time getting it.

If I was you, I would also consider the Sauer 100 in 6.5 PRC. EuroOptic has some really good deals on those rifles. They punch way above their price range.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

My only suggestion would be to get the 6.5 PRC instead. I personally think it is more than enough for elk out to well past any range at which I would shoot one. My friend's son got the T3X lite in 6.5 PRC for his elk rifle and it was shooting very nice groups with Hornady 143-grain ELDX.

As far as 7PRC is concerned, I think the only thing you gain is more recoil. Additionally, there were a few guys looking for very specific factory ammunition for the 7PRC last fall (they said their rifles were very picky - and no, they weren't all Tikkas) and they seemed to have a devil of a time getting it.

If I was you, I would also consider the Sauer 100 in 6.5 PRC. EuroOptic has some really good deals on those rifles. They punch way above their price range.

Id have no problem with the 6.5 prc. I actually have one but I like just a bit more weight for big bulls, especially since bonded bullets and monos often dont hit the heavy weights for caliber (with the exception of the 150 ABLR). I really like that 160 grain range for bulls. I do like the look of those rifles though

 

[Taudisio]

Id have no problem with the 6.5 prc. I actually have one but I like just a bit more weight for big bulls, especially since bonded bullets and monos often dont hit the heavy weights for caliber (with the exception of the 150 ABLR). I really like that 160 grain range for bulls. I do like the look of those rifles though

How come you like more weight? Do you have evidence of the 10 extra grains making a difference?

 

[flyfisher117]

Aww

Id have no problem with the 6.5 prc. I actually have one but I like just a bit more weight for big bulls, especially since bonded bullets and monos often dont hit the heavy weights for caliber (with the exception of the 150 ABLR). I really like that 160 grain range for bulls. I do like the look of those rifles though

if you want more weight and dead set on the 7 PRC then why not step up to the 180 eldm? Though I’m not sure I’d even bother shooting factory ammo since they have had issues getting proper velocity out of a bunch of 7 PRC offerings.

It’s definitely a fun round though. Local shop has a Tikka i keep thinking about but two PRCs is too much. Ha.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

How come you like more weight? Do you have evidence of the 10 extra grains making a difference?

The difference is in bullet construction. The heaviest, tough, bullet i can get in a 6.5 is the 140 accubond. I can get a 170 TA or hammer bullet in the 7 prc.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Aww

if you want more weight and dead set on the 7 PRC then why not step up to the 180 eldm? Though I’m not sure I’d even bother shooting factory ammo since they have had issues getting proper velocity out of a bunch of 7 PRC offerings.

It’s definitely a fun round though. Local shop has a Tikka i keep thinking about but two PRCs is too much. Ha.

I dont love the eld-m. Ive used it and the bergers on game. Im moving to a tougher bullet that will hold together in the future. Hence the move to a 7 prc instead of using my 6.5

 

[Taudisio]

The difference is in bullet construction. The heaviest, tough, bullet i can get in a 6.5 is the 140 accubond. I can get a 170 TA or hammer bullet in the 7 prc.

A solid copper bullet would be even tougher than the accubond, and cutting edge makes a 140gr along with the Hornady 140gr ecx.

Are you just trying to shoot stuff bow to stern? Why do you want the toughest?

 

[easternoregonballistics]

A solid copper bullet would be even tougher than the accubond, and cutting edge makes a 140gr along with the Hornady 140gr ecx.

Are you just trying to shoot stuff bow to stern? Why do you want the toughest?

Ive never seen a 6.5 140 CX? Where did you find that?

I dont necessarily want to shoot stuff bow to stern(I've tried with the 245 bergers... doesnt work) but I want a bullet that doesnt come apart. I dont like the meat loss from the ELDs or bergers

 

[Taudisio]

Ive never seen a 6.5 140 CX? Where did you find that?

I dont necessarily want to shoot stuff bow to stern(I've tried with the 245 bergers... doesnt work) but I want a bullet that doesnt come apart. I dont like the meat loss from the ELDs or bergers

6.5mm .264 140 gr ECX™ - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

The ECX™ (Extreme Copper alloy eXpanding) bullet from Hornady represents the pinnacle of monolithic bullet performance for our international customers.

www.hornady.com

For my own education, what bullets and shot placements have you seen the worst meat loss from?

 

[easternoregonballistics]

6.5mm .264 140 gr ECX™ - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

The ECX™ (Extreme Copper alloy eXpanding) bullet from Hornady represents the pinnacle of monolithic bullet performance for our international customers.

www.hornady.com

For my own education, what bullets and shot placements have you seen the worst meat loss from?

Those would be awesome. Is it possible to get them in the US?

Ive used the 245 berger and shot a buck roadside through the front shoulder at 25 yards. Between bone and lead I lost the back quarter (front quarter). It didnt exit. I used one on a buck going straight away from me and tried to texas heart shot him. At about 100 yards, my bullet made it less than 8 inches before completely falling apart.

I used the 200 GR eldx in a 300 win and shot a cow elk at 400 in the front shoulder, broadside. The first bullet exploded on the shoulder and I pulled the bloodshot and lead out from that fatty layer. The second shot just a few seconds later behind the shoulder performed perfect and put her down.

There's nothing wrong with the performance (other than the eldx blowing up on the shoulder) but its not what I want. I want deeper penetration and less meat loss. A 7mm just makes me feel a bit warmer and fuzzier inside than my 6.5 does. A 338 win mag with a 225 ttsx has worked awesome for me in the past, I just want a higher BC and dont want to deal with the 338 bullets. Not to mention the 7 PRC is the rising star

 

[Taudisio]

Those would be awesome. Is it possible to get them in the US?

Ive used the 245 berger and shot a buck roadside through the front shoulder at 25 yards. Between bone and lead I lost the back quarter (front quarter). It didnt exit. I used one on a buck going straight away from me and tried to texas heart shot him. At about 100 yards, my bullet made it less than 8 inches before completely falling apart.

I used the 200 GR eldx in a 300 win and shot a cow elk at 400 in the front shoulder, broadside. The first bullet exploded on the shoulder and I pulled the bloodshot and lead out from that fatty layer. The second shot just a few seconds later behind the shoulder performed perfect and put her down.

There's nothing wrong with the performance (other than the eldx blowing up on the shoulder) but its not what I want. I want deeper penetration and less meat loss. A 7mm just makes me feel a bit warmer and fuzzier inside than my 6.5 does. A 338 win mag with a 225 ttsx has worked awesome for me in the past, I just want a higher BC and dont want to deal with the 338 bullets. Not to mention the 7 PRC is the rising star

That is a lot of lead at high impact velocities. I shot a cow with a 210gr ABLR with about 2800fps impact velocity through both shoulders. The meat loss wasn’t an insignificant amount.

Do you think if you moved your shot placement into the ribs, with the bigger calibers and those fragmenting bullets, that you would have seen less meat loss and the majority of the damage in the lungs/organs?