Thread: Tops Gun Advice

Morning Team,

I have been going round and round in circles trying to figure out what to do for a tops gun. After my last couple of trips into the tops I have decided my bang stick is too big, bulky and heavy to carry around on multi-day trips with lots of climbing. So the gun that is getting replaced (up for sale if anyone is interested) is a 7mm Rem Mag Win Mod 70 in B&C stock, Shilen fluted barrel, wearing an SSRNZ Magnum suppressor and a VX6 3-18x44. It shoots 186VLDs at 3050fps and is very accurate with great killing power. Only thing I don't love about it is the size/weight for the type of trips I do.

Options I have considered have ranged from a custom build (with a budget of $5k plus glass) probably in 7mm SAUM, to an 'off the shelf' Tikka superlight in 7mm Rem Mag. I am swinging more towards the cheaper options but still can't decide finally what I want. Front runners at this stage are:
Sell current T3 in 22-250 and buy a new Tikka T3 chambered in 7mm Rem Mag with factory length fluted barrel, Stug stock, T2 brake, Talley rings, and a VX5HD 3-15 (or VX3i 4.5-14, nearly 200g lighter).
Re-barrel/re-chamber existing T3 22-250 in something (probably 280AI) and do the above stock, scope, rings brake etc.

Which option will work out better/cheaper? Any other wise words?

• Rifle needs to be as light as possible (not overly worried about recoil as I will not be firing many rounds)
• Needs to be able to kill reds/tahr to 600m
• Needs to be accurate enough to kill confidently to 600m (ideally around .5 -.75MOA with handloads if I do my bit)
• Needs to be affordable ($5k absolute max and even then I am hesitant as I will be selling other rifles to fund it)

Bro we been over this haha

Finnlight

and just use your vx6 bro

Vx5/6 And z5 would be the most capable and practical scopes for long range tops hunting in their weight class

Just stick with the set up you have and try loosing weight elsewhere. I'm guilty of carrying to much round my waist, cheaper to lose it there than upgrading my gear...

Sounds like you want my Mod 7 260 or just harden the F up you BIG blouse, how much does the 70 weight? How much do you lift? Just re stock that?

Finnlight II is on its way

Keep your VX6, get the Tikka T3 Superlite in 7mm RM, CF stock, T2, Talley extra lows etc and you are away. You already have the reloading gear etc for the 7 RM and obviously like it.

Don't obsess about weight, its just a fashion thing to sell chit. How a rifle "carries" makes more difference than weight, is the sling "just right", does it hang nicely on your back and beside your pack/daypack, does it sit comfortably in your hand at a balance point. I'm an old fart and have carried a variety of very light to very heavy rifles (14 lbs up to 1800M - no sweat, although there would have been if I had a full pack as well).

Lose the suppressor, they are surplus to requirements on a tops rifle and usually bugger up the balance. Trim the barrel so the balance point is right. If its got a protruding mag box or is too wide to grip - Go to a smaller scope in rings high enough that you can carry with your hand round the scope (if your hands are small enough like Trumps).

Originally Posted by Gibo

Sounds like you want my Mod 7 260 or just harden the F up you BIG blouse, how much does the 70 weight? How much do you lift? Just re stock that?

I haven't weighed it but it would be heaps, 13lb?

Loose the suppressor. A 7mm mag doesn't need a suppressor.

Originally Posted by stug

Loose the suppressor. A 7mm mag doesn't need a suppressor.

I agree. Can you do a stock for a Mod 70?

Originally Posted by Tentman

Don't obsess about weight, its just a fashion thing to sell chit. How a rifle "carries" makes more difference than weight, is the sling "just right", does it hang nicely on your back and beside your pack/daypack, does it sit comfortably in your hand at a balance point. I'm an old fart and have carried a variety of very light to very heavy rifles (14 lbs up to 1800M - no sweat, although there would have been if I had a full pack as well).

Lose the suppressor, they are surplus to requirements on a tops rifle and usually bugger up the balance. Trim the barrel so the balance point is right. If its got a protruding mag box or is too wide to grip - Go to a smaller scope in rings high enough that you can carry with your hand round the scope (if your hands are small enough like Trumps).

You can say “shit” here if you want. We all know what you mean.

Originally Posted by stug

Loose the suppressor. A 7mm mag doesn't need a suppressor.

Excuse the ignorance, but why not? What if you're bush hunting? Can't use a brake in that scenario