New Mountain Rifle

[Newtosavage]

I am looking into buying a mountain rifle for a couple of hunts that are a couple of years in the future yet. I can't spend $3000-$5000 on it, but I have it down to between the tikka t3x lite and the new savage 110 ultralight. What do you guys think???

I've owned both and both are great. I would have said Tikka hands down until I owned two Savage LW Storms (only difference between them and the Ultralight is the barrel) that were obscenely accurate.

Handle both and see which you prefer. You can't go wrong with either IMO

 

[Poper]

I actually found a gun shop that had one of each and I do believe I like the feel of the tikka better. The only caliber they have is 6.5 creedmoore and I'm not a hudge fan. I looked at gun broker and of the calibers they have the 7mm-08 or 270 win wouldn't be too bad. On tikkas website they show a 6.5x55, I'd really like that if I could find one but so far none available. I am planning an elk hunt in Colorado in 2 years I plan in bringing it and my .300 win mag that way I have options depending on exact terrain. The main reason for the "mountain rifle" is a year after that when my son graduates I plan in moving to Alaska for a few years and want something light and handy for sheep and caribou.

Well, then, here you go!
https://www.precisionoptics.net/Tikka_T3x_Lite_6_5x55_TF1T19LL103_p/tf1t19ll103.htm
I have the T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 and have shot deer with it. It is my #2 rifle for Metallic Silhouette competitions behind my Tikka T3 Lite in .270 Winchester. Both rifles will shoot 5 rounds inside 3" at 500 meters and much less than 1" at 100 yards.

DOH!!!
I missed post #44! Sorry about that!

 

[MISportsman]

Well, then, here you go!
https://www.precisionoptics.net/Tikka_T3x_Lite_6_5x55_TF1T19LL103_p/tf1t19ll103.htm
I have the T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 and have shot deer with it. It is my #2 rifle for Metallic Silhouette competitions behind my Tikka T3 Lite in .270 Winchester. Both rifles will shoot 5 rounds inside 3" at 500 meters and much less than 1" at 100 yards.

DOH!!!
I missed post #44! Sorry about that!

I figured since I couldn't find one in 6.5x55 I'd give the creedmoor a chance. If I for some reason don't like it I can always have the chamber reamed to 6.5x55 or take loonwulfs idea and 6.5x55ai. From what I'm reading, the cm should do just fine though and I do have a Swedish m96/38 6.5x55 in my gunsafe, thats definitely not an ultralight however

 

[Poper]

I am planning an elk hunt in Colorado in 2 years I plan in bringing it and my .300 win mag that way I have options depending on exact terrain.

When going on a planned and/or guided hunt that is of monetary and/or memory book significance, I believe a body should always take a backup rifle. I always do when I travel out of state to hunt.
On a trip to the Bear Lodge Mountains of Wyoming one year, we had 14 inches of snow overnight. I went out in the morning an hour before sunrise and proceeded to slip and fall on my rifle in the snow within 200 yards of the cabin. My Remington 788 in .308 Win. came out of the snow encased in ice when the snow melted on the cabin-warm rifle and then immediately froze. That morning's hunt was saved by my "spare" Savage M110 in .270 Win.

 

[Newtosavage]

I figured since I couldn't find one in 6.5x55 I'd give the creedmoor a chance. If I for some reason don't like it I can always have the chamber reamed to 6.5x55 or take loonwulfs idea and 6.5x55ai. From what I'm reading, the cm should do just fine though and I do have a Swedish m96/38 6.5x55 in my gunsafe, thats definitely not an ultralight however

The 6.5 man bun - err, uhm Creedmoor is a fine cartridge despite all the ribbing it gets. You won't notice a bit of difference between it and the Swede. That said, I don't think a Swede reamer will clean up a Creedmoor because of the case taper but I could be wrong. Either way, get the Creedmoor, shoot it and be happy. Lots of people do.

 

[LoonWulf]

That said, I don't think a Swede reamer will clean up a Creedmoor because of the case taper but I could be wrong

Thats part of the reason to go with the AI, that will for sure clean up the CMs chamber......so would the 6.5-284, and 6.5-06.

 

[troy fairweather]

Or 6.5x57 and its ai version. But all depends on the action.

 

[MISportsman]

Now that I have the rifle figured out, for the scope. I am buying the new leupold vx-3hd 2.5-8x36. It comes with a free cds turret. For most of my hunting I will just sight the rifle for max point blank range. I was thinking for the cds turret having that with an Alaskan sheep hunt in mind. What elevation and average temperature should I have it set for?

 

[LoonWulf]

Now that I have the rifle figured out, for the scope. I am buying the new leupold vx-3hd 2.5-8x36. It comes with a free cds turret. For most of my hunting I will just sight the rifle for max point blank range. I was thinking for the cds turret having that with an Alaskan sheep hunt in mind. What elevation and average temperature should I have it set for?

Honestly, id keep the moa turret on, its more versatile than a set condition turret.

 

[MISportsman]

I appreciate all the help, I pick it up on the 19th! I'll post pics

 

[HoosierHunter128]

I am looking into buying a mountain rifle for a couple of hunts that are a couple of years in the future yet. I can't spend $3000-$5000 on it, but I have it down to between the tikka t3x lite and the new savage 110 ultralight. What do you guys think???

On my latest rifle, I was down to a Tikka or a Christensen Arms Mesa, and I chose the Mesa. Couldn’t be happier. Not much more expensive and has the features I wanted.

 

[d2wing]

I appreciate all the help, I pick it up on the 19th! I'll post pics

Glad for you.

 

[Poper]

Thats part of the reason to go with the AI, that will for sure clean up the CMs chamber......so would the 6.5-284, and 6.5-06.

I would give serious consideration to the 6.5-284 - sweetness!

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

I like Savage, most accurate rifles I have ever shot. Savage is underestimated.

 

[MISportsman]

Sorry I haven't got those pics up yet. I picked it up and it went right in the safe. I've been crazy busy between trying to get some work done on the house and we're extremely short handed at work so there has been a lot of crazy hours... I'll get them up soon!