First centrefire

N

Noclue

Member

• Thursday at 3:10 PM

• #1

Hi All,

Would appreciate some advice please. I've been a member of a club for 4 years with the aim of it being a gateway to get into stalking. So far i have done target shooting with a .22, used lots of calibres in the club shoots to 100yards and been on one highseat stalk in the Cotswolds.

I'm now looking at my first centrefire rifle and im looking at the below 3 options so far in no preference order. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor slot available.

1. T3x lite in MDT field stock (Tikka 6.5mm Creedmoor T3X Lite | GunTrader)
2. New T3x lite badlands (Tikka T3X Lite Badlands Burris Combo Package | Complete Hunting Rifle Setup) - might het the burris package deal
3. T3x veil wideland - (Tikka T3x Lite Veil Wideland – Cerakote Fluted Hunting Rifle) just because of the 18mm barrel as i will like to do range work also.

Would appreciate some guidance please. i know there are all very much the same. just mostly wondering if it was worth the punt on the MDT field for the slight improvement over the default tikka stocks. or the 18mm barrel if i want to do some range work.

Thank you for any assistance.

Luke

 

coldboremiracle

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 3:15 PM

• #2

The MDT chassis is certainly a step up over the factory stocks. Failing that, the Burris combo idea looks like a great option, and plenty for deer stalking.

 

Malxwal

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 3:20 PM

• #3

The heavier barrel profile will be better for range work, and generally steadier, but heavier on your shoulder. You can easily buy an aftermarket stock for a T3x, plenty options, but the original stock, unless it has an adjustable cheek piece, is close to worthless.

 

A

Ali Pasha

Active Member

• Thursday at 3:40 PM

• #4

It really depends on what kind of stalking you are planning on doing and your budget. My stalking is predominantly woodland or farmland and I rarely take a shot much beyond 100 yards - often quite a bit less. I went down the route of getting a good solid rifle - a Ruger American in .308 - and the money I saved on that I put towards better optics. I haven't regretted the decision and the rifle is very accurate and the better optics give me a longer shooting time frame through an extra 10/15 minutes clarity.

 

M

Mike1979

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 3:48 PM

• #5

Option 1 for me (out of the 3).

I have a Tikka T3X Super Varmint (albeit in .243) and its great. I have a Brock and Norris built 6.5 Creed and its a big heavy lump but I love it

 

UpNorthMI

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 5:07 PM

• #6

Sometimes finding a rifle that does both things well (stalking & Target) is not easy. I would recommend buying a rifle for a specific task. It sounds as if you have been doing some rifle shooting for some years and have now decided to buy your first center fire rifle in 6.5 CR. I would look at buying more for stalking and then shoot the same rifle at targets as it sounds as if you are only shooting 100 yards for target. A standard Tikka T3X is a good rifle, personally I would not buy a long or heavy barrel for stalking use. As someone above commented the Ruger American Gen 2 is a lot of value and they shoot well. Save some of your money to put towards a reasonable scope, scope mount and a moderator. I would take a look at a used rifle package to see what is available too.

 

E

Essexsussex

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 6:40 PM

• #7

Something new that your local gunshop can help you with, that is middle of the road stalking thing. Doesn’t need to be a tikka t3 but they will work fine for your needs. Buy a standard one not a this or that to solve probelms you don’t have yet. It won’t be your only rifle.

243 or 6.5 creed seems to be the current thing. Other chamberings and calibres will be fine.

Don’t get wound up and over complicate. Buy a stalking rifle and shoot some deer at sensible range, have a great time.

 

H

HonestJohn

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 6:52 PM

• #8

Also have a look at the new Benelli Lupo’s from @Edinburgh Rifles

 

C

Confidis

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 7:24 PM

• #9

Tikka do a semi heavy barrel as a half way house.
T3 lite stocks do everything a stock should do. anything else is just expensive pink icing.

 

N

Noclue

Member

• Thursday at 8:19 PM

• #10

Thanks for the replies I'm going to visit the dealer and get my hands on a few and just take the plunge. One of those things I can easily overthink best just to commit and get at it!

 

H

HonestJohn

Well-Known Member

• Thursday at 9:22 PM

• #11

Have a look at Steel Action rifles too, insanely accurate

 

S

Shootinshyster

Well-Known Member

• Friday at 1:43 AM

• #12

Go to your local dealer and see what classic rifles are on the used rack. You can save enough money to get a fine scope.