r/canadaguns • u/One-Garage1260 • Jun 05 '26
Buy recommendations Help needed
I've settled on a Tikka T3X as my first hunting rifle - shocking right?
I want one with either a stainless or cerakoted barrel, as well as a threaded barrel (ideally with muzzle brake included).
Two such variants exist within my budget, and I'm having a hard time choosing which one to go for.
Option 1: Tikka T3X Lite Roughtech - Reliable Gun - on special until Sunday for $1620.
Pros - nicer stock, fluted barrel, spiral bolt, local store to me. In stock. 6.8lbs.
Cons - slightly more expensive.
Option 2: Tikka T3x Lite Stainless with Muzzle Brake - Dante - $1550 (the sale price does not apply to pre/backorders unfortunately).
Pros - a bit cheaper, 4 inch shorter barrel (could be a con?). Would feel less annoyed if I swapped the action into a different chasis.
Cons - 7lbs. On backorder with no firm ETA.
I'm sure either rifle would be awesome, and last along time and drop deer no problem. I just love researching gear and feeling 100% in my purchase choice.
Do you have one of these? Another suggestion in this price range? A pro or con I missed? Let me know, I'd love to hear it.
Update: Bought the Roughtech. If you own it, did you replace the bolt next to the sling stud with another sling stud?
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u/FD4L Jun 06 '26
If it helps any, you probably wont be hunting with a chassis.
Chassis are great for bench guns, but not so much for hunting unless youre going with something really minimal.
Youre also looking at t3x lite versions which have thin sporter barrels to cut weight. Great for hunting, but not great for the bench because they will heat up faster affecting their consistency.
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u/jokemaestro Jun 06 '26
Isn't the t3x ace game made in a chassis specifically designed for hunting? (Higher price point though)
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u/One-Garage1260 Jun 06 '26
Great point, I meant to say a new/replacement stock, not a chassis. My mistake.
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u/Strong-Owl-55 Jun 06 '26
Gunpost my brother in law got his stainless tikka t3x with bushnell scope 2 boxes of ammo and a case plus sling for 1100$
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u/One-Garage1260 Jun 06 '26
I've been keeping an eye on it. Nothing that matches what I want.
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u/Strong-Owl-55 Jun 06 '26
I watch alot of backfire tv on YouTube just nice to see what he recommends
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u/One-Garage1260 Jun 06 '26
Same here. He's the reason I'm not buying a gen II Ruger and sticking with a Tikka. His recent stuff on Weatherby and CVA had me considering them as well.
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u/Strong-Owl-55 Jun 06 '26
I went with the bergara. My 2nd choice was tikka just because I wanted the remington 700 action.
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u/Acc4Wtf Jun 06 '26
I've tried the: RAR2, CZ 600 Alpha and Ergo, Tikka T3X Superlite and Varmint, and the CVA Cascade SB. The CVA was surprisingly close to the Tikka in terms of quality/accuracy, but the Tikka still drinks them all under the table.
. Sometimes you can find the CVA for a ridiculous price, I'm talking like $750, that's "immediate-must-buy" territory if you're shopping for a hunting rifle.
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u/CanadianBoyEh Jun 05 '26
Shop around for the best deal on either, or whichever one you like the look/feel of more. 4” of barrel won’t make a difference at ethical hunting distances, and you likely wouldn’t notice the 0.2lb weight difference either.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Jun 06 '26
Tikka has MAP, when its on sale its cause stoeger lets us put em on sale, MAP holiday for tikka ends on the 18th.
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u/One-Garage1260 Jun 06 '26
Would you guys like to do me the best deal? I see you bring active in this group and think that's worth something.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Jun 06 '26
I'd love too if we had stock! Unfortunately we just grew enough to get a stoeger account and we dont have a ton of inventory yet.
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u/One-Garage1260 Jun 06 '26
Fair enough, glad to hear you have an account. Is it possible to lock in the price and put it on backorder?
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Jun 06 '26
I wish yes, but stoeger sent out an email a couple weeks back saying no more custom orders on tikka/sako until production catches up. I'll dm ya though
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u/TopLemon3678 Jun 06 '26
Italian Sporting Goods currently has a "Tikka T3X Superlite Fluted Stainless Muzzle Thread 270 Win, 22 1/2" Barrel" on sale right now. They don't have a picture on their sight.
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u/iatekane Jun 05 '26
Get the stainless Roughtech, the fluted barrel, fluted bolt and enlarged bolt handle are totally worth the little extra cost.
Good value for all of those features.