Budget mountain rifle

PatchRat

PatchRat

CGN frequent flyer
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Location
Webster AB / somewhere down hwy 40.
Hey guys, I got the crazy notion in my head that I want to try mountain hunting next year. I've usually stuck pretty close to the same wmu I grew up in (359) and always thought that if your rifle was too heavy, you needed bigger arms, not a smaller gun. Easy to say when you're hunting flat timber with a roof over your head every night. If I was a wealthy man, I would be looking at a custom build, if oil was worth more, I would be looking at a Montana or a Kimber. Sadly, I'm stuck looking at a browning ab3 wich has surprisingly good reviews considering the price point, or waiting a little longer and getting a Tikka t3 lite stainless. I also have to manage a decent spotting scope, range finder, and gps unit, but thats not as fun as rifle shopping. I know my limits and won't be taking any shots past 400 yards, and already have a scope wich is suitable. Any input? Would love to hear some negatives on the ab3, as I kind of want to get talked into the Tikka.
 
if its gonna be in anything that has some kick to it, as in above 243, id much rater get an x-bolt than a tikka. I have both. tikkas even with a limbsaver pad are hard kickers. x-bolts are not. and they weigh the same. figure tat out.
 
My bubba'd Rem 600 in 308 weighs 6.25 lbs with a Leupold compact, pop ups, sling, and four in the mag. Into it for somewhere around $600. Turned out pretty good for my buget mountain rig I think.
But on topic, I know nothing about AB3's.....
 
Tikkas in magnum chamberings are about as light as you can get for those calibers without going custom. The .338 is lighter than the kimber.
 
I have both the tikka and an x bolt the tikka has a better trigger . The X bolt handles nicer to me anyhow so Choose your druthers pretty much a draw
 
I find that very interesting as the Tikka I'm looking at is almost twice the price. I know they have the smoothest bolt i've ever played with. My brother has a standard t3 in 7 mag, and I don't find that recoils too bad

Edit: missed the "quote" button. In response to prairie lover
 
I have a Tikka T3 in 270 WSM.. I changed the stock and got some fluting done to lighten it up and add a custom touch I guess you'd say, but right out of the box with a VX3 3x10 40mm Leupold it was very reasonable to pack and shoot on my goat hunt

If you can pull it off... Do yourself a favor and buy a Tikka (haha hope that helps sway your decision)
 
RTE79 said:
I have a Tikka T3 in 270 WSM.. I changed the stock and got some fluting done to lighten it up and add a custom touch I guess you'd say, but right out of the box with a VX3 3x10 40mm Leupold it was very reasonable to pack and shoot on my goat hunt

If you can pull it off... Do yourself a favor and buy a Tikka (haha hope that helps sway your decision)
Click to expand...

It's looking like I'm going to start saving pennies for the Tikka. If oil picks up i'll get it to Corlanes for some lightening, and keep on working out in case the saudis keep this up!
 
Corlanes does all my work! I run a Manner(s) stock on mine, but Bell and Carlson also makes a very nice aftermarket stock
 
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