New rifle time... Lightweight, versatile, reliable, cost

[kselkhunter]

I have an X Bolt stainless in 300 WSM. It weighs about 7.5 pounds with scope, base, and rings. It's is surprising easy to shoot and mine was accurate out of the box. It's made several trips to other states and countries without failure, and has killed quite a few critters. I couldn't wish for anything more from a big game rifle.

Factory ammo group:

Another vote for the X-bolt.  It is a very accurate factory rifle with factory ammo.
   

[Skillet]

Other than biggerhammer will unfriend you, specifically what didn't you like about the Tikka  T3?

[taylorb]

Re Tikka just didn't like the feel and action.  I'm sure they are great rifles but not for me...  I did look at the savage but I prefer a synthetic stock.


I picked up the hells canyon yesterday and have a vx-6hd on the way...  Let you all know how it goes in a few weeks when I get it all built out, sighted in and what not.  Have to be ready for bear camp in Oregon.

Thanks everyone!

[highside74]

I too decided on the X Bolt but in the 6.5 Creedmoor and I'm ordering a VX-5HD 3-15x44 windplex reticle. This will only be a deer or bear gun and target shooting so I will be joining the 6.5 Creedmoor fanboy club. Do they have a secret handshake? I don't want to look like an outsider.

[Magnum_Willys]

I too decided on the X Bolt but in the 6.5 Creedmoor and I'm ordering a VX-5HD 3-15x44 windplex reticle. This will only be a deer or bear gun and target shooting so I will be joining the 6.5 Creedmoor fanboy club. Do they have a secret handshake? I don't want to look like an outsider.

Thats going to be a sweet rifle.  Thinking that may be the next on my wishlist. 

[yakimanoob]

Savage lightweight hunter 5.5 lbs model 16 stainless and comes in 6.5 Creed. I just bought one and I'm in love.

Ditto, except mine's in 7mm-08.  Light as a feather and shoots like a dream.  Aesthetics are debatable, but I happen to love the way it looks with the factory poly stock.  I'm toying with the idea of duracoating it somehow...  we'll see. 

Carry-ready (rifle, strap, Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10 x 40mm scope, and loaded mag) it comes in just over 8lbs.  Hard to beat!


Now let's fight over whether 6.5crm is too light for elk.  I say it's not.  Come at me, bro.

[highside74]

300 and under 140gr 6.5 creedmoor and 7mm08 have plenty of punch for an Elk. After that it's iffy to 500 and after that I'm not so sure. But how many times are you going to shoot an elk past 300 yards? And for me, my elk round is a 408gr gold tip hunter XT at 60 yards or under. Lol so I don't have to worry about my rifle.

[G-S]

Sako Finnlite

[yakimanoob]

300 and under 140gr 6.5 creedmoor and 7mm08 have plenty of punch for an Elk. After that it's iffy to 500 and after that I'm not so sure. But how many times are you going to shoot an elk past 300 yards? And for me, my elk round is a 408gr gold tip hunter XT at 60 yards or under. Lol so I don't have to worry about my rifle.

[Magnum_Willys]

But how many times are you going to shoot an elk past 300 yards?

more than half once you leave the wetside......