New Stalker - First rifle - Advice

" Although I can't see how a rifle can be as quickly deployed and on sticks ready to shoot from a Vorn as it can from a standard sling. "

This is how on an EV45 - The EV30 is smaller and the LT12 is much smaller :


Yeah, that looks slower to me, it’s a 2 handed operation!
 
Please no more comments - I heard what I needed to hear days ago.

And contrary to the various patronising comments I haven't "already made up my mind, so just go buy the silly rifle"

Anyone replying now will get a more belligerent response. There's some real dicks on here.
Afraid that’s not how the forum works buddy, threads live forever and people will comment as they see fit. I really wound my take it personally.
 
People who use the vorn are not looking for quick shots, they’ll usually be mountain hunters who have lots of time to get ready for the shot, it’s an alternative to a rifle sling carried on the hill.

Anyone needing a potential quick shot off sticks will use a traditional sling or carry it by hand

I take people out a fair bit, if I met a new stalker with a tactical / chassis setup and all the gear, I’d probably struggle to show my disappointment. If they show up with grandads Zeiss, a pocket knife and a Parker hale with a 6x42, I’ll be very proud of them - they’re ready to learn and are spending their money on stalking first
 
People who use the vorn are not looking for quick shots, they’ll usually be mountain hunters who have lots of time to get ready for the shot, it’s an alternative to a rifle sling carried on the hill.

Anyone needing a potential quick shot off sticks will use a traditional sling or carry it by hand

I take people out a fair bit, if I met a new stalker with a tactical / chassis setup and all the gear, I’d probably struggle to show my disappointment. If they show up with grandads Zeiss, a pocket knife and a Parker hale with a 6x42, I’ll be very proud of them - they’re ready to learn and are spending their money on stalking first
I realise that, which is not how much UK stalking works.
 
People who use the vorn are not looking for quick shots, they’ll usually be mountain hunters who have lots of time to get ready for the shot, it’s an alternative to a rifle sling carried on the hill.

Anyone needing a potential quick shot off sticks will use a traditional sling or carry it by hand

I take people out a fair bit, if I met a new stalker with a tactical / chassis setup and all the gear, I’d probably struggle to show my disappointment. If they show up with grandads Zeiss, a pocket knife and a Parker hale with a 6x42, I’ll be very proud of them - they’re ready to learn and are spending their money on stalking first
Fair comment, I have all that but its worn right out but I am not a new stalker.
 
My point- who really cares what anyone thinks of your kit.

I have a big, heavy lump of a rifle but I love it and that's all that counts....and its a 6.5 Creed.

However.... and this brings a tear to my eye..... on Sat at the BDS range day Tim @VSS asked me to fire his Parker Hale .270....no mod and half the weight of my setup ... and what a pleasure that was (please dont tell everyone though) :) :)
 
I recently tried to set up a crossover rifle in 6.5prc. I wanted a stalking rifle that I could also do a bit of long range targets with. Ended up getting a t3x Ember and put it in a PSE tactical stock. It’s now too heavy/ uncomfortable/ tactical looking for stalking and it doesn’t shoot any better (it already shot sub 0.5” factory stuff). I much prefer the original stock and think if I really wanted a target rifle I’d just have to get a separate one 🤷🏻‍♂️ the same goes for scopes really. Just my experience
 
Really appreciate your reply Sonic - makes a lot of sense. And thank you.

Carl
Your welcome.
I will add that my idea is to have "one gun" as much as I can. That said I have a tool for each job. 22lr with NV, one without, 17HMR, 20 tac, 223, 6.5x55, 270, 30-06 and a few airguns.
Each does a job a bit like using the right socket or screwdriver for the task at hand.
 
I recently tried to set up a crossover rifle in 6.5prc. I wanted a stalking rifle that I could also do a bit of long range targets with. Ended up getting a t3x Ember and put it in a PSE tactical stock. It’s now too heavy/ uncomfortable/ tactical looking for stalking and it doesn’t shoot any better (it already shot sub 0.5” factory stuff). I much prefer the original stock and think if I really wanted a target rifle I’d just have to get a separate one 🤷🏻‍♂️ the same goes for scopes really. Just my experience

Nice to hear an honest take on having done something they regret.

I personally think most of the aftermarket stocks you see are ridiculous these days. The good McMillan hunter style definitely added rigidity where maybe a cheap factory stock didn’t deliver, looked good, and handled like a hunting rifle stock should. Most of what you see now are completely unsuitable for fast handling, standing shots, offhand, sticks, etc. almost all designed for bipod based prone shots. I can’t recall last time I shot a roe deer laying down, must be, hell, 7-8 years!

Today’s factory stocks are so good from the leading brands, that quite frankly, ‘upgrading’ is not needed unless you just have money to burn.

Scope wise, if I had 3-7x40, I’d live happily ever after. Never go below 3 because the moderator suddenly appears in the scope! And never go above 7 because, it’s enough and avoids visible wobble, leading to cleaner trigger pulls
 
I agree about the refreshing honest feedback. However my personal experience is very different with factory stocks. I find Sako, Tikka and CZ absolutely tiny. I have a 1.90m wingspan, I’m only 6’1” and 80kg but the fit is awful for me. Low comb, short LoP and tiny hand grip. I absolutely adore using my GRS stocks even though they are as ugly as sin. Being a wood and blue man, I will always regret having to sell the lovely a figured stock off the Sako.
 
I agree about the refreshing honest feedback. However my personal experience is very different with factory stocks. I find Sako, Tikka and CZ absolutely tiny. I have a 1.90m wingspan, I’m only 6’1” and 80kg but the fit is awful for me. Low comb, short LoP and tiny hand grip. I absolutely adore using my GRS stocks even though they are as ugly as sin. Being a wood and blue man, I will always regret having to sell the lovely a figured stock off the Sako.
Fair points there 👌

You have liked the old FN stocks then, chunky
 
I think older synthetic stocks were a bit too plasticky but the newer ones seem a lot stiffer. I agree the combs are a bit low on a tikka but my Sako has an adjustable comb and it’s spot on for most disciplines.
 
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