Tikka t3x Lite

[199p]

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

Getting back to the question either that or the standard fluted is the way to go, if you dont love the stock there is plenty of options, federal factory has been far more constant then hornady so far for me

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Punching deeper to where exactly? The animals are only so thick

More than 6 inches preferably.

 

[BowBaboon]

More than 6 inches preferably.

Have you seen a match bullet only go 6 inches or are you repeating something you read one time and believe it must happen every time?

The guy linked you a thread that shows how deep and far certain match bullets are believed to penetrate based on ballistic gel tests. All of them are more than 6 inches. There's also hundreds of pages of pictures showing that match bullets are penetrating further than 6" on every game animal in North America. To make this statement is either intentionally dense for the sake of arguing, or lazy because you refuse to read the information freely provided to anyone willing to read and learn.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Have you seen a match bullet only go 6 inches or are you repeating something you read one time and believe it must happen every time?

The guy linked you a thread that shows how deep and far certain match bullets are believed to penetrate based on ballistic gel tests. All of them are more than 6 inches. There's also hundreds of pages of pictures showing that match bullets are penetrating further than 6" on every game animal in North America. To make this statement is either intentionally dense for the sake of arguing, or lazy because you refuse to read the information freely provided to anyone willing to read and learn.

245 bergers and 200 eldxs from 300 prc and win mag. Yes. Ive seen it. I shot them

 

[easternoregonballistics]

245 bergers and 200 eldxs from 300 prc and win mag. Yes. Ive seen it. I shot them

I read the forums and everyone experiences and believed them. Ive killed multiple animals with match type bullets. They've all died for the most part, but not in the way I want. And I've lost a lot more meat than I should. I trust my own experiences more than people on the internet.

 

[hunterjmj]

Been shooting nothing but match bullets since 2014 and have had nothing but dead animals and low meat loss. Big deep wound channels is my experience. Maybe just bad luck for you. I'd much rather shoot a match bullet on a marginal shot than a bonded type bullet. Good luck in your quest.

 

[mtnbound]

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

I would stay with the 6.5PRC you have. An elk will not be able to tell the difference. I ran a 7PRC for a while and sold it. With my 6.5 PRC I could still see my impacts which is one of my must haves.
For monos aka copper you want to run them light for caliber IMO that way you have maximum velocity at impact.
I also think bonded bullets benefit the same but are often found more in the medium weight range IME.

 

[Luvbowhuntn]

Call me a fudd, but I like to eat my animals

Kinda hard to use that argument after talking about shooting a deer straight through the ass. Im a big accubonds fan myself but also use Berger and TMK's in other rifles. It doesn't seem like your issue is a bullet problem but more of a do better and take better shots problem. Not trying to be a dick but your problem is completely eliminated by being patient enough to take high percentage shots instead of Texas heart shots

 

[CMcCormick1805]

I see a lot of guys recommending 6.5 PRC. Nobody is wrong on that but if you like 7 PRC then go for it!

I can say that I have yet to find a rifle or cartridge in my rather small collection that shoots a Terminal Ascent well. Each rifle is different so it doesn’t hurt to try them.

Rifle recommendations are hard. I was born left handed so Tikka wins for me. I have seen some good things from the Weatherby Vanguard. Same price, similar manual of arms ,and can be light weight. They have an ok aftermarket of support as well!

 

[Forkasauras]

More than 6 inches preferably.

Thats what she said.

 

[BillNye]

I think it's worth paying more for the roughtech version in stainless. Way easier to keep it rust free on wet hunts and comes with a muzzle brake and a somewhat better stock. That factory black plastic stock is reaaaaally flimsy and is probably the first thing you should upgrade

 

[nm.otter]

Identical stock -- Roughtech does have a nicer finish.