I've been watching these guys on YouTube that have a channel called Backfire. Their videos are entertaining but they are certainly not rifle experts, not even close, but maybe that's the point. Anyway, this got me thinking about the "perfect" factory hunting rifle ... at any price!
Obviously this isn't an objective topic since we all have different expectations and requirements, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has found their unicorn ... I certainly haven't. By "perfect" I mean a hunting rifle that checks every box for you, is ideal in every way, and requires zero upgrades or changes.
To get the ball rolling I'll mention the Tikka T3x family. Tikka gets a lot right with a locking bolt handle but the .30 cal offerings have a 1:11 twist ... yuk! Tikka offers short action cartridges in a one size fits all receiver which isn't good. The magazines work/feed well in the rifle, and the actions are among the smoothest, but the magazine catch/release is crap being way too small and not even vaguely positive. Even aftermarket catches such as the one included with expensive RMT bottom metal is crap. Extraction is garbage when pulling the bolt to the rear slowly (annoying for practice sessions or load development) resulting in the spent case wallowing around inside the action, and the non-tactical models don't have an adjustable comb height. Additionally, QD cups aren't offered or necessarily easy to install on the side of the stock. Standard sling swivel studs need to go away for various reasons. So as good at Tikka rifles are, they're not perfect. Just my opinion of course.
Don't get me started on Kimber ... and I used to work for them!!!
Obviously this isn't an objective topic since we all have different expectations and requirements, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has found their unicorn ... I certainly haven't. By "perfect" I mean a hunting rifle that checks every box for you, is ideal in every way, and requires zero upgrades or changes.
To get the ball rolling I'll mention the Tikka T3x family. Tikka gets a lot right with a locking bolt handle but the .30 cal offerings have a 1:11 twist ... yuk! Tikka offers short action cartridges in a one size fits all receiver which isn't good. The magazines work/feed well in the rifle, and the actions are among the smoothest, but the magazine catch/release is crap being way too small and not even vaguely positive. Even aftermarket catches such as the one included with expensive RMT bottom metal is crap. Extraction is garbage when pulling the bolt to the rear slowly (annoying for practice sessions or load development) resulting in the spent case wallowing around inside the action, and the non-tactical models don't have an adjustable comb height. Additionally, QD cups aren't offered or necessarily easy to install on the side of the stock. Standard sling swivel studs need to go away for various reasons. So as good at Tikka rifles are, they're not perfect. Just my opinion of course.
Don't get me started on Kimber ... and I used to work for them!!!
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