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Should I buy an used M695 or T3X in 7mm Magnum?
Hello. I'm looking for a good first hunting rifle. I shoot AR's and pistols now, but never hunted. I'll be hunting inside of 300 yards to start. I want something powerful enough to execute a fast, clean kill. Will be hunting Wisconsin White Tail and Western Mule Deer. I'd also like to use this hunting rifle to be able to practice long range shooting. I figure 7mm Magnum will do all the above, but kinda suck on the recoil until I install recoil reducing mercury tube and improved butt pad. I'm big so I can handle the recoil… just hate the sore shoulder.
There's been an Used Tikka M695 for sale at a local Gander Mountain (Going out of business) for a long time. It's in excellent to near mint condition. Hardly fired. It's bone stock, blued, with a polymer stock. It just feels like quality. I'll be going with a custom Boyds (or alternate recommended) stock as I have long arms. I just love the smooth action and feel of this rifle. I also like that it feels heavier than the newer tikka rifle's I've held. I love light weight but think this heavier M695 will handle recoil better than all these new light weight models. It's currently at $375 but will likely go down. It has the plastic bolt shroud which doesnt bother me. Part's don't seem readily available for the M695, but will I really need any? Do bolt action rifles have many wear parts to worry about? Is it worth it the investment or should I just get a newer T3X with all the latest technology and improvements? I've also read that a certain generation of barrelsfor the M695's were made by Sako. True or not? The Serial Number is 901539.
I really like the rifle, but am really unsure if it'll be a good shooter and if I ever need parts… will they be hard to get and over priced? The guy at Gander said “The gun will likely out live you” and that “there's nothing much to go wrong with it.”
I get good vibes about this rifle but Like I said, Im a newbie… I can shoot well… I just dont know bolt action rifles well. Any advice from experienced Tikka owners would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!
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