I've been a bowhunter in the PNW for the last decade or so, which a focus on wilderness/backpacking style hunting.
I've recently got the bug to start shooting a rifle with the intent of eventually hunting with it.
I am a good shooter with my bow (both trad and compound) and I have a training mindset (put quality shots downrange as often as possible). I also do not have any desire to shoot heavy loads over long distances on game. So I am happy to limit my shots to short distances on animals, for now. So I've pretty much settled on a 6.5CM cartridge, unless someone else can convince me otherwise.
My dilemma is this--because it is my first rifle, I understand the importance of shooting it as often as possible. Since I have no points established in my home state for rifle hunts, it's unlikely that I'll have an opportunity to hunt in the next year (unless I got rifle OTC tag, which I hear is madness in terms of hunting pressure). I'd likely take my archery tag for deer/elk as I have done in the past, in 2021.
I have the opportunity to pick up a new 24" T3x CTR SS (apparently they made a limited run of 24" barrels), or I could get a T3x Lite SS.
The lite seems like the better mountain rifle (I would eventually replace the stock, but probably not immediately), but the CTR seems like the better range rifle for establishing good fundamentals.
I don't necessarily desire to have separate range and hunting rifles, as I believe you should practice which what you intend to use in the field, but the cooldown on the lite barrels is giving me a little pause. If I have to wait 5 minutes between each 3 shot group then this is going to take me a longer time to get proficient with the rifle.
But the CTR is 2# heavier, providing more consistency on target, but far more weight when carried over long distances.
I've already a Leupold VX5HD 3-15 (price too good, couldn't pass), so I don't need to save the money for optics.
What would you recommend for a new shooter? Does it make sense to try to dual purpose this rifle as a range/hunting rifle? Would it make more sense to spend more money on a single rifle that is lighter, but performs better at the range? Am I splitting hairs?
EDIT: I am not beholden to either of these models. I'm open to any reasonable suggestions for a first rifle. Also, I am in my 30's--I did not grow up shooting rifles, but I have been shooting bows since I could walk.
I've recently got the bug to start shooting a rifle with the intent of eventually hunting with it.
I am a good shooter with my bow (both trad and compound) and I have a training mindset (put quality shots downrange as often as possible). I also do not have any desire to shoot heavy loads over long distances on game. So I am happy to limit my shots to short distances on animals, for now. So I've pretty much settled on a 6.5CM cartridge, unless someone else can convince me otherwise.
My dilemma is this--because it is my first rifle, I understand the importance of shooting it as often as possible. Since I have no points established in my home state for rifle hunts, it's unlikely that I'll have an opportunity to hunt in the next year (unless I got rifle OTC tag, which I hear is madness in terms of hunting pressure). I'd likely take my archery tag for deer/elk as I have done in the past, in 2021.
I have the opportunity to pick up a new 24" T3x CTR SS (apparently they made a limited run of 24" barrels), or I could get a T3x Lite SS.
The lite seems like the better mountain rifle (I would eventually replace the stock, but probably not immediately), but the CTR seems like the better range rifle for establishing good fundamentals.
I don't necessarily desire to have separate range and hunting rifles, as I believe you should practice which what you intend to use in the field, but the cooldown on the lite barrels is giving me a little pause. If I have to wait 5 minutes between each 3 shot group then this is going to take me a longer time to get proficient with the rifle.
But the CTR is 2# heavier, providing more consistency on target, but far more weight when carried over long distances.
I've already a Leupold VX5HD 3-15 (price too good, couldn't pass), so I don't need to save the money for optics.
What would you recommend for a new shooter? Does it make sense to try to dual purpose this rifle as a range/hunting rifle? Would it make more sense to spend more money on a single rifle that is lighter, but performs better at the range? Am I splitting hairs?
EDIT: I am not beholden to either of these models. I'm open to any reasonable suggestions for a first rifle. Also, I am in my 30's--I did not grow up shooting rifles, but I have been shooting bows since I could walk.
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