New hunting rifle, help me choose.

[Makoman]

Ok, so I'm looking into getting a new hunting rifle. I've got a few hunting rifles, but they all weigh close to 10 lbs. outfitted with scopes/mounts etc., so I'd like to get something a little less cumbersome. I've narrowed it down to the Weatherby Weathermark and Sako 85 Finnlight II. Bare naked, these rifles weigh from 6.1-6.25 lbs.

I had been looking at theTikka T3x Lite and SuperLite as well, as they are made by SAKO and use SAKO barrels, but I'm not too keen on the plastic/delrin bottom metal and the fact that they all use a long action, but pin the bolt to accommodate shorter calibers. Am I reading too much into it? One of my rifles is a SAKO AV so I'm probably a little spoiled. Should I just save some coin, get the Tikka and not look back?

Also, any other differences between the T3x Lite and Superlite besides the SL having a fluted barrel? it weighs only .1 lbs. less than the Lite (6.4 vs 6.5 lbs with 22" bbl). That's the only real difference I see when comparing the two on the Tikka website. For .1 lbs. I'd rather stick with the non-fluted bbl.

My hunting is primarily deer and pig.

 

[adcoch1]

Tikka or Sako, you can't go wrong. Tikka is Sako's bargain brand. Can't say anything bad about weatherby either, had a Howa (which is Weatherby's bargain brand) and it was a fine shooting rifle. But I replaced it with a tikka t3lite and I love it. So my vote is tikka. Spend the extra money on quality glass to top it off.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

A Tikka is never a wrong choice. Go Tikka and put excellent glass on it.

 

[SharpDog]

I think all your choices are good. I personally would go with the Weatherby. I have always liked Weatherby and ... made in the U.S.A.

Buds has several, here is one in 6.5CM:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...09909/weatherby+mk-v+weathermark+lt+65+crd+24

 

[d2wing]

I am a Tikka guy but if you can afford Sako go for it. I would just buy Tikka.

 

[red rick]

I agree with d2wing .

 

[DocRock]

If a Sako is within budget, that's the ticket. Bolts that make a Krag seem rough and gritty!

 

[WisBorn]

I would go with the Weatherby hands down. I have never owned a Sako, but have owned a Tikka.
My Weatherby was more accurate than the Tikka with a much better fit and finish. I replaced the Tikka with a Savage in my opinion it was a good trade.

 

[LoonWulf]

All are are fine rifles I would personally go Sako, Wby, Tikka.

 

[jmr40]

I'm sure Sako is a good rifle, but I don't see one offering any practical advantage over Tikka.

My only complaint with Weatherby is weight. The actions will weigh more than Tikka or many others. In order to match the weight of other rifles they do it by using thinner barrels. I prefer to keep a little meat on the barrel and lose weight elsewhere.

A fluted barrel can make a difference in weight without sacrificing accuracy, but I'm not seeing it with Tikka's version. They also want about $150 more for the SS versions vs blue. I like SS, but it isn't worth $150 more to me. All of mine are blue. I haven't looked closely at price, but if the SL and T3 were the same price I might get the SL, but wouldn't pay extra for the flutes in this case.

If you want to really go light, and still have something with a little class, consider Kimber. Now you're talking about a 5 lb rifle at about the same price as Sako or Weatherby. Personally I'd buy 2 Tikka's for the same money.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Have you considered the Sako A7 for around $1,000? Fluted stainless barrel, much better stock than a Tilka, better mag, and the action can be worked with the safety on. I love mine.

 

[Old Dog]

As an American son of Finnish immigrants, I'm gonna unexpectedly support the Sako (if within your budget). Tikka is a reasonable substitute with comparable accuracy. A few more budget features, if you can live with them, but a decent trigger. Supposedly the recent production models have a new, improved recoil pad. Recoil was a common complaint with the Superlites in some of the calibers. Also (and I never found this to be a problem, but there was a bit of complaining about the size of the ejection port, which has now been widened).

If it were my choice (and I did make the choice myself), I'd go with the T3X Lite over the Superlite. 6.5 Creedmore is my next one.

 

[Makoman]

I'm sure Sako is a good rifle, but I don't see one offering any practical advantage over Tikka.

My only complaint with Weatherby is weight. The actions will weigh more than Tikka or many others. In order to match the weight of other rifles they do it by using thinner barrels. I prefer to keep a little meat on the barrel and lose weight elsewhere.

A fluted barrel can make a difference in weight without sacrificing accuracy, but I'm not seeing it with Tikka's version. They also want about $150 more for the SS versions vs blue. I like SS, but it isn't worth $150 more to me. All of mine are blue. I haven't looked closely at price, but if the SL and T3 were the same price I might get the SL, but wouldn't pay extra for the flutes in this case.

If you want to really go light, and still have something with a little class, consider Kimber. Now you're talking about a 5 lb rifle at about the same price as Sako or Weatherby. Personally I'd buy 2 Tikka's for the same money.

Regarding Tikka, looking at the lite and superlite, there was only 1/10th lbs. difference between the two. Like you, I prefer a little more meat on the bbl as well and would stick the non-fluted bbl. I don't think anyone is going to notice .10 lbs difference in weight. Regarding Kimber, I went to my LGS yesterday and shockingly, they had one in stock, a Montana. I was initially very impressed with how light the rifle was. Then my eyes made finally made it to the top of the stainless barrel only to find it covered in rust. Damn shame because it was a nice rifle too.

They also had Browning Hell's Canyon Speed. Very nice rifle, but the trigger was atrocious. I've read that it's ~4 lbs. from the factory, but this one felt much heavier. I've read that you can adjust it down to 3 lbs. but a couple of reviewers on YT state that they had backed the screw all the way out and it wouldn't trip at less than 4 lbs. Maybe they got a lemon, but I think I'm going to research the Browning a bit too. It seemed like a really nice rifle besides the trigger. Only if ever bought one, it would likely be with a plain black stock and stainless bbl and action if they are available in that configuration.

 

[Makoman]

...I'd go with the T3X Lite over the Superlite. 6.5 Creedmore is my next one.

T3x Lite in 6.5 CM is exactly what I've been looking at.

 

[LoonWulf]

4 lbs. Maybe they got a lemon, but I think I'm going to research the Browning a bit too. It seemed like a really nice rifle besides the trigger

If it's anything like my Abolts trigger (I've shot Xbolts, but never worked on one) then changing the little spring, or cutting a coil off will get you closer to 2-3lbs. My .375 has an Mcarbo spring in it and adjusted in a bit breaks right at 2lbs.

 

[WisBorn]

If it's anything like my Abolts trigger (I've shot Xbolts, but never worked on one) then changing the little spring, or cutting a coil off will get you closer to 2-3lbs. My .375 has an Mcarbo spring in it and adjusted in a bit breaks right at 2lbs.

2# trigger seems light in a 375 Ruger
I bet it's nice!

 

[LoonWulf]

2# trigger seems light in a 375 Ruger
I bet it's nice!

I used to think 2lbs was a little light too, but after shooting almost all of my guns with a trigger set at 2lbs, Ive gotten to really like it.
I have to warn people who shoot the gun the first time that it's light, but after the first or second round, they usually manage to shoot it well.

The Abolt was (previously a 7mag) and still is, my general use rifle, and one of my favorite range toys, so ive had quite a bit of time to get used to it.

 

[WisBorn]

I used to think 2lbs was a little light too, but after shooting almost all of my guns with a trigger set at 2lbs, Ive gotten to really like it.
I have to warn people who shoot the gun the first time that it's light, but after the first or second round, they usually manage to shoot it well.

The Abolt was (previously a 7mag) and still is, my general use rifle, and one of my favorite range toys, so ive had quite a bit of time to get used to it.

Do you run reduced loads in it?

 

[Boattale]

Forgive me for being so parochial, but my suggestion is buy American.

 

[LoonWulf]

Do you run reduced loads in it?

Nah, I thought I would when I built it, but never developed any.
My loads are a 270gr speer btsp, or 260Accubond @2850. I don't have a pile of the accubonds so I keep the loading similar and they shoot into the same groups.