Need your opinions on a rifle, boys...

S

sns2

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Well after hunting this fall with a wood-stocked rifle that I considered absolutely beautiful, I realized that I was just too concerned with beating it up. So, my Christmas gift to myself is going to be a new utilitarian hunting rifle. My criteria are lightweight, stainless, composite stock, and as always accurate. I am considering the following:

1) Tikka T3 Lite Stainless and dropping it in a Bell and Carlson Medalist

2) Remington 700 Mountain SS

3) Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on any of the above rifles... and if you have reasons for your thoughts, that would be even better.

Thanks, boys! When it comes to buying new guns, I'm worse than a woman shopping for clothes
 
For the criteria you named, Tikka T3 not even a question.
I would never be caught dead carrying one but I will not deny they shoot.
I would even skip the stainless and go blued if you aren't concerned about looks and don't hunt in inclement weather regularly.

I have a nice walnut and blued "fair weather" rifle that I carry when I hunt from my house, which is in one of the drier parts of interior BC.
When I drive 45 minutes to hunt the mountains I take a a stainless/synthetic.
 
Last edited:
I personally don't like plastic rifles and prefer real and beautiful wood. I have a mod70 with amazing wood that I've hunted with for over 35 years and still looks like new. Plastic guns might be fine if you don't wish to care for a proper wood rifle. It comes down to its your money and how you choose to take care of things. Composite stocks get damaged just the same for those who are careless with their possessions.
 
fiddler said:
Plastic guns might be fine if you don't wish to care for a proper wood rifle. It comes down to its your money and how you choose to take care of things. Composite stocks get damaged just the same for those who are careless
Click to expand...

That's a bit of a blanket statement.
A QUALITY kevlar or fiberglass/carbon fiber stock will take punishment that would turn walnut into firewood.
Mountain hunting is hard on rifles, I've broken a bolt handle off and crushed the ocular bell on a scope in falls.
West Coast hunting in November is sopping wet as well.
Can't say where the OP hunts but god knows there are places and situations you need all the weather resistance and durability available to you.

Yes the old timers hunted inclement conditions exclusively with walnut and blued steel rifles...and they worked for them. Without a doubt 95% of those hunters would have jumped on a modern stainless/kevlar rig if given the chance.
 
Last edited:
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
That's a bit of a blanket statement.
A QUALITY kevlar or fiberglass/carbon fiber stock will take punishment that would turn walnut into firewood.
Mountain hunting is hard on rifles, I've broken a bolt handle off and crushed the ocular bell on a scope in falls.
West Coast hunting in November is sopping wet as well.
Can't say where the OP hunts but god knows there are places and situations you need all the weather resistance and durability available to you.

Yes the old timers hunted exclusively with Walnut and blued steel rifles...and they worked for them. Without a doubt 95% of those hunters would have jumped on a modern stainless/kevlar rig if given the chance.
Click to expand...

I hunt in Alberta. There is almost always snow. This year had deep snow and rain. The older I get the more I fall.
 
sns2 said:
The older I get the more I fall.
Click to expand...

I can relate to that! :D

Whats your budget for this rifle?
Tikka wins IMHO in bang for buck, that's before you add a B&C stock of course...which I don't really believe is necessary unless the factory stock didn't fit you. It will also be the undisputed lightweight champ between the three. Great factory trigger as well. About as homely and "utilitarian" as one could get in the looks department.

The Model 70 would be a nicer looking rifle than the Tikka but will run heavier of course, the B&C stock is good quality. The Tikka has the slightly cleaner trigger between the two.

That Rem 700 is the small block Chevy of the rifle world, if you wanted to customize that one is your huckleberry. Laminate stocks are crazy heavy, but you'd be keeping the warmth and feel of wood with good weather resistance and strength. I personally think that 700 Mountain SS would be the prettiest of the bunch if that matters. X-mark Pro trigger is barely huntable, it's dog sh*t when compared to either of the triggers on the other two.

Does your preference lean towards floorplate or detachable mag?
CRF or Pushfeed matter to you?
You're running a broad spectrum with your listed choices.
 
Last edited:
I can get option #1 to the front door for $1200 tax-in.

As for the Sako, I am still a ways from that dollar wise, unless I took my time and looked for a used Finnlight.

I had a beautiful Sako Bavarian that I got rid of this year already. Again, too pretty to hunt with in the bush and slamming in and out of muddy trucks.
 
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
I can relate to that! :D

Whats your budget for this rifle?
Tikka wins IMHO in bang for buck, that's before you add a B&C stock of course...which I don't really believe is necessary unless the factory stock didn't fit you. It will also be the undisputed lightweight champ between the three. Great factory trigger as well. About as homely and "utilitarian" as one could get in the looks department.

The Model 70 would be a nicer looking rifle than the Tikka but will run heavier of course, the B&C stock is good quality. The Tikka has the slightly cleaner trigger between the two.

That Rem 700 is the small block Chevy of the rifle world, if you wanted to customize that one is your huckleberry. Laminate stocks are crazy heavy, but you'd be keeping the warmth and feel of wood with good weather resistance and strength. I personally think that 700 Mountain SS would be the prettiest of the bunch if that matters. X-mark Pro trigger is barely huntable, it's dog sh*t when compared to either of the triggers on the other two.

Does your preference lean towards floorplate or detachable mag?
CRF or Pushfeed matter to you?
You're running a broad spectrum with your listed choices.
Click to expand...

Budget is $1400 tops.

I am favoring the Tikka, but despise the factory black stock. Other than a Ruger canoe paddle, it's the ugliest stock ever produced, IMO. Would have to ditch it before it left the house. Someone will give me $50 for it.

I have no preference for push or CRF. They both work fine and I ain't shooting grizzlies:)

Is the X-Mark Pro trigger that bad? I've never handled one?

It's funny that I have no preference, largely because I have never owned a rifle from the above companies. I've had multiple Brownings, Rugers, Weatherbys, Savages, Marlins, Sakos, Cooper, and Kimber. But never a Model 700, Model 70 or a T3.
 
Have you thought about a Browning Stainless Stalker? They're not as light as the T3 light but they usually shoot nicely. I haven't used the X-Bolt but the guys that have seem to like them.

But of the three the Tikka is the way to go based on your criteria. I wouldn't worry about the stock. Beauty queen? No. But there are no fashion shows in the bush. Spend the extra money on better glass.
 
I have had an X-Bolt and really like it. I find the duratouch stock to scuff up really badly.
 
Since I am thoroughly disenchanted with Tikka T3 rifles, it would be my last choice.
The M70 would be great, as would the 700, though.
Mostly a matter of which feels best in YOUR hands.
Dave.
 
Do you consider a detachable box magazine as : Important ?

Tikka T3 lite stainless would be my first choice,
Winchester 70 Xtreme Weather the same score, but without the box magazine.
Remington, far behind.
 
sns2 said:
I hunt in Alberta. There is almost always snow. This year had deep snow and rain. The older I get the more I fall.
Click to expand...

I hunted 18 days straight this November in Two feet of snow -10°C To -35°C.......When we would take our rifles in to the cabin at night,the metal work/barrel would turn pure white from the frost coming out of it...once she was room temp,a quick wipe with a gun rag was all that was needed....after the season I took the stock off the rifle and there was no moisture or rust....Im running a Model 56 Cooper Custom classic,with New Zealand walnut....it looks simular to your Kimber,which in my opinion is an all weather fiream ;)
 
For a utilitarian/fall down a lot rifle...the Tikka without question. The Winchester is a close second though. Remington is a distant third.
 
I keep telling myself that the next rifle I buy will sport a utilitarian fiberglass / plastic stock. When push comes to shove, I never do it as I can never emotionally pass up nice walnut for the same price as at synthetic. The only firearm I own that is plastic is a Beretta 12g Xtrema.

Maybe if I had experience hunting in inclement weather, that would teach me.

Although my next rifle, a 35 Whelen, really ought to be synthetic. Lets see if I can hold to it ;-) betting I'm going to end up with Remington CDL with lovely walnut!

I figure the stock can always be refinished!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom