Help me with rifle research

troybackman

Active Member
Apr 17, 2015
226
149
Mn
Shaun at defensive edge makes and installs fantastic muzzle breaks. Very good to work with and good price. His breaks work awesome. Tikkas are good but hope you don't get a bad one since there customer service is the worst I've ever encountered.
 
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Roboz

Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
196
0
You might take a look at the Weatherby Wilderness rifle, i cant remember if it comes in 7 mag or not, weight is around 6 3/4 lbs. It has a great stock, composite with aluminum bedding plate and gel coat finish. This will be my next rifle, after i sell my savage 116FCSS.
 
A few rifles in your price line that are very, very nice. Check out the offerings from Legendary Arms, Montana Rifle Company, and Forbes Rifles. I have a semi custom .338 Win Mag on the Montana barreled action, a dandy, lightweight Forbes rifle chambered in 6.5x55 Swede. I'm very pleased with these. I've heard nothing but good things about the Legendary Arms rifles. I have an itch that may need scratching to buy one of their rifles in 6.5 Creedmore.
 

AT Hiker

Very Active Member
Aug 2, 2012
638
0
Tennessee
Well I handled the lite and ultra lite, nice rifles. I think Im gonna go with the Sportsmans Ultra lite.

Now time to upgrade my scope with the savings.


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AT Hiker

Very Active Member
Aug 2, 2012
638
0
Tennessee
What did you have in mind for a scope?
I havent given it much thought honestly. I have a VX3 3x9x50 but I would like to get something with more magnification and different reticles. I glanced at some Vortex, they seemed nice.

My budget on optics will be around $800 tops, this will keep me right at my initial $1500 budget for my rifle upgrade. Minus pad, sling, rings/bases upgrade.

Any recommendations?


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mcseal2

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,171
195
midwest
Watch for a used Leupold VX-6 with a TMOA reticle and CDS. They can be found close to your top price range and are very impressive glass. They are a bit heavy though, might be more than you want. I really like that reticle and the fact that the elevation turret has a cap. With it covered I never have to worry about it being accidentally turned, but it doesn't take long to remove it. If I have time to get a solid shooting position, range, check wind, and dial, I have time to take it off. The TMOA is my favorite reticle I've ever used, the open center really works for me.

I have a Leupold VX-6 3-18x44 with this reticle and a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 with the 4W reticle. The Swaro is a 1" tube and the Leupold 30mm, so the Swaro is lighter. The Leupold is every bit as good in low light. I can't tell a difference with them both side by side waiting for full dark. The Swaro even used would be to high for you though, just illustrating how good the Leupold really is. I have the Swaro on my mountain gun, the Leupold on my heavier rifle. They are my favorite scopes.

A cheaper option would be the Vortex Viper or Leupold VX-3 scopes. I have a 270 with a Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX3 with the wind reticle and CDS. Its a darn nice scope for the money and reasonably light. It can't hang with the two above in low light, and the reticle is a touch heavier than I like, but it does the job just fine. I like a reticle with MOA marks on the horizontal crosshair to adjust for wind.
 

troybackman

Active Member
Apr 17, 2015
226
149
Mn
If you decide on a Leupold I can get you a great deal on them. Im a dealer. If you tell me the scope you interested in, I can give you a price.
 

AT Hiker

Very Active Member
Aug 2, 2012
638
0
Tennessee
I'm now the proud owner of a Tika T3 Super Lite from Sportsmans Warehouse. Now time to save for a scope. I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

Thanks to ALL who assisted.
 

xtreme

Very Active Member
Feb 25, 2011
859
4
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
I have a VX-7 and a Z-5. The VX-7L is on the Browning Stainless Stalker with BOSS and weight is 10.4 with sling and no ammo. This gun is currently shooting 1/2 using 168 gr Berger ammo by HSM. I have some German ammo that shoots better yet. The Z-5 is on a 243 WSSM and is solid at 3/8 measured with a caliper out side to out side using factory 95gr ballistic silvertips. BOSS is key, in a matter of seconds I can adjust to 55gr varmint with same results. My guns work. Having said all that I too would go smaller in scope and all the hype about Vortex I just don't know for sure. If I could not go Night Force, the my next choice would be Leupold. The VX-7L is 4.5 x 18 x 56 and a 34mm tube. It is too much scope and that is probably why they are off the market. A 4x14x44 would be more useable, but since I can't walk very far the weight (10.4) is not so much of a problem. Hunting here in the east the 243 WSSM and Z-5 is all that is needed. The ballistics for the 243WSSM is the same as 25-06. I get a little more accuracy and a world of other problems, like ammo being scarce. I am not going to shoot a brown bear or Moose with it but just about everything else is okay.
What about a do over? I would go smaller scope and a short action caliber. My son has a 6.5 creedmoor but it is not that impressive to me. I think the 7mm-08 is where I will go next. None of the WSM stuff for me.
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
2,341
55
Casper, Wyoming
"I think the 7mm-08 is where I will go next."

That my next project here....I've been collecting parts to build a Remington 700 in 7mm-08 for high alt deer hunting and some of the elk units we go in that I spend the majority of the time in dark timber.... with really no shots over 100 yards. I'm just tired of lugging the big guns around in area I don't need a long shot.
 

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
If a donor 700 action is not already in your parts pile, I might look for a stainless Model 7 action, were I building a 7-08. May shave off a few ounces. Unless you are getting a custom chamber cut for longer pills, the M7 action should work well. IMO, the 7-08 in factory form, is not really at it's best with long bullets, tends to reduce powder capacity and velocity. I really like my 7-08 on a M7 with 140's.
 

Mr Drysdale

Active Member
Mar 24, 2013
440
333
If a donor 700 action is not already in your parts pile, I might look for a stainless Model 7 action, were I building a 7-08. May shave off a few ounces. Unless you are getting a custom chamber cut for longer pills, the M7 action should work well. IMO, the 7-08 in factory form, is not really at it's best with long bullets, tends to reduce powder capacity and velocity. I really like my 7-08 on a M7 with 140's.
+1 on the Model 7. I have purchased three for my grandsons in the 260 Rem caliber. Great light and compact rifles. I hunted exclusively with one from 1998-2014.
 

Mr Drysdale

Active Member
Mar 24, 2013
440
333
I'm now the proud owner of a Tika T3 Super Lite from Sportsmans Warehouse. Now time to save for a scope. I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

Thanks to ALL who assisted.
I also am the proud new owner of a Tikka Super Lite in 7RM. I ordered a Limbsaver butt pad and DNZ mounts for it and intend to put my Leupold 4.5 X 14 X 40 Leupold VX3 CDS on it as soon as the mount comes in. Excited to break it in and find s load for it. Good luck with yours. Keep us up to date on your progress.
 

MAKAIRA

Active Member
Oct 8, 2011
240
1
Aptos,Ca
Check out the Zeiss hd 5 in a 3x15x42 with target turrets-I have one on a 257 bee and a 300wsm with Kenton turrets.Check Redhawk and Camerland for demos.