The Ultimate Mountain Rifle? Tikka T3x Lite + MDT HNT26 Stock (Full Review)

It’s BS since you don’t want a distinct rifle to hunt within the mountains (or the woods or the plains or Michigan’s Higher Peninsula). You need to use the identical lengthy gun wherever you might be, supplied you will have the abilities essential to get inside just a few hundred yards of your quarry.

On the similar time, any backpack hunter will inform you that if you want to carry meals, water, and equipment for eight days within the mountains, every bit of equipment needs to be as gentle as doable. That’s the place the “mountain rifle” idea may be helpful. It’s shorthand for an especially light-weight rifle that’s additionally compact sufficient to strap to a backpack and carry up and down a mountain for per week at a time.

If that’s what you’re searching for, this could be your reply. Tikka’s line of T3x Lite rifles are high-value firearms by themselves. However when paired with MDT’s HNT26 inventory, we will throw round a time period like “final mountain rifle,” and it truly begins making sense.

Weight (unloaded, no scope): 5 lbs, 15 ounces

General Size, Unfolded: 39.25”

General Size, Folded: 30”

Approximate Retail Value: Rifle: $1,300 | Chassis: $1,400-$1,600

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No worldwide physique controls when a rifle is taken into account “ultralight,” however sub-six-pound rifles are uncommon sufficient that I feel they deserve that moniker. At 5 kilos, 15 ounces, this rifle sneaks in below that bar–and it exhibits. I’ve loved placing this gun within the palms of family and friends and watching their eyes get massive as they rock the gun in a single hand like a cornhole participant about to make a throw. “Wow, that’s gentle,” they normally say.

At a hair below six kilos, I feel this rifle qualifies as “ultralight.”

Nevertheless, as I’ve stated elsewhere, how a gun shaves the kilos is simply as essential as the ultimate product. Any gun can change into “ultralight” by shortening the barrel, skeletonizing the inventory, and in any other case chopping materials which will or might not be essential. However a brief barrel reduces bullet velocity, a minimalist inventory sacrifices consolation, and dropping materials from the motion may be unsafe.

A greater resolution is to strike a steadiness between weight and performance. On this case, Tikka lightens the T3x through the use of a slim profile barrel, fluting the barrel and bolt, and chopping down the barrel to twenty inches. As you may see from the common velocities listed under, this does cut back bullet velocity. I’ve shot this similar 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition from a 22-inch barrel, and people further two inches add between 70 and 100 fps to all 4 masses. That’s solely 2-4% extra velocity, which gained’t make a lot distinction on the majority of looking distances.

Nonetheless, a 140-grain 6.5mm bullet touring 2,600 fps on the muzzle drops about 62 inches at 500 yards whereas the identical bullet transferring 2,700 fps solely drops about 57 inches. Although nonetheless a makeable shot, that’s sufficient motion to shift the purpose of affect exterior the very important space. The sooner bullet additionally shifts about an inch much less at that distance with a ten mph crosswind.

Whether or not this makes the slightest little bit of distinction to you will depend on the way you hunt, the place you hunt, and the way snug you take a shot at that vary. However try to be conscious {that a} shorter barrel does have drawbacks, even when they’re tons of of yards downrange.

The inventory is the opposite main place a firearm can go on a food regimen. Nowadays, most gun corporations attain for carbon fiber once they wish to create a light-weight inventory, however MDT’s HNT26 is a bit completely different. Although it makes use of carbon fiber within the forend, pistol grip, and buttstock, the center of the chassis system is constructed from a magnesium alloy. This offers the inventory the rigidity and sturdiness of a metallic chassis whereas sustaining its slim, 26-ounce preventing weight.

What’s extra, the HNT26 isn’t simply one other metallic skeleton–that means, it doesn’t throw consolation to the wind in an effort to shave kilos. It contains an adjustable cheek riser, a swelled pistol grip, and a considerable recoil pad. MDT additionally gives the HNT26 in a folding inventory mannequin. This mechanism provides about 5 ounces to the chassis, but it surely permits the general size to be diminished by about 9 inches. That is particularly helpful for packing up and across the mountains, however it may be deployed shortly with the push of a single button.

This rifle’s folded size is just 30 inches, and the buttstock contains an adjustable cheek riser.

Eagle-eyed readers will discover the sponsor of this right here gun assessment and could be tempted to roll stated eyes. It’s a good level, and there isn’t actually any option to show objectivity from this aspect of a pc display screen. All I can say is, you don’t need to take my phrase for it. Try the HNT26 chassis for your self. The nice of us at MDT settle for returns when you don’t prefer it.

However even when it’s greater than you wish to spend on a chassis, it’s onerous to disclaim that it’s a characteristic wealthy product. MDT designed it not simply to avoid wasting weight however to be truly helpful within the discipline: the built-in ARCA rail makes taking pictures from a bipod a seamless endeavor; the M-LOK enclosed forend permits for straightforward attachment of rails, bipods, and different equipment; and the ACIS journal compatibility means discovering {a magazine} is a chunk of cake.

The enclosed forend and optionally available ARCA rail enable for all kinds of accent mounting choices.

It’s a thoughtfully designed, high-quality product, and we wouldn’t advocate it in any other case. That being stated, there’s no getting round the truth that, on this case, the inventory prices greater than the rifle, and the whole construct is pushing $3,000. That is quite a lot of cheddar for a bit rifle. The HNT26 comes with tons of options not included within the manufacturing facility inventory, and it possible improves accuracy, however the non-foldable model solely shaves about 6.5 ounces from the rifle’s general weight. Whether or not these options and weight financial savings are price it’s a private choice that, truthfully, I can see going both means.

The excellent news is that you simply don’t need to drop an additional $1,400 to get a top quality rifle. You could find a Tikka T3x Lite for lower than $1,000 and this explicit mannequin (Roughtech Ember) runs about $1,300 on the gun retailer. That’s greater than budget-friendly firearms, but it surely’s attainable for many hunters.

The unique inventory is useful however not what you’d name “characteristic wealthy.”

Not like the HNT26, the T3x Lite is a no-frills state of affairs. The inventory has some good texturing on the forend and the grip, a removable three-round journal, and a hefty recoil pad. I additionally just like the swelled pistol grip. However at coronary heart it’s a easy polymer inventory, and it doesn’t embrace any form of metallic bedding fixtures. The barreled motion is solely torqued into the polymer, although it does characteristic a metallic recoil block.

The set off on the barreled motion is crisp and constant (as most triggers appear to be nowadays), and mine got here from the manufacturing facility set at three kilos. However it may be adjusted between 2.5 and 4 kilos utilizing a set screw positioned on the entrance of the mechanism. This permits it to be adjusted with a 2.5mm Allen key by eradicating the journal however with out eradicating the barreled motion from the inventory.

The set off on the T3x may be adjusted between 2.5 and 4 kilos.

I additionally recognize that the gun comes customary with a muzzle thread adapter to transform the present 1/2×28 thread pitch to five/8×24. The issue with slim profile barrels is that there isn’t sufficient materials to accommodate the bigger threads. However most suppressors and muzzle units designed for a 6.5mm or .30-caliber bullet use 5/8×24. The very best resolution is to discover a suppressor mounting system or muzzle machine that makes use of 1/2×28, however a thread adapter is the following smartest thing. On this Tikka rifle, you don’t have to seek out one some place else, which is helpful.

The Tikka comes with a thread adapter for suppressors and different muzzle units that want a 5/8×24 thread pitch.

Tikka rifles have earned a strong repute, so I used to be curious to see how this one would shoot with MDT’s chassis. Particularly, I used to be concerned about two issues: consolation and accuracy.

The light-weight rifle was surprisingly snug to shoot.

Light-weight rifles at all times include a value to your shoulder, and the lighter the rifle, the sharper the recoil impulse. Even with a famously reasonable cartridge just like the 6.5 Creedmoor, I anticipated to come back residence with some bruising after a protracted day of accuracy testing.

I used to be stunned to find that this featherweight rifle continues to be nice to shoot. I shot each suppressed and unsuppressed, and even with a naked muzzle the rifle didn’t really feel a lot worse than taking pictures a rifle of extra median weight. A part of that’s as a result of Creed’s inherent shootability, however the inventory additionally retains issues snug. The carbon fiber buttstock is full of foam, which, based on MDT, helps to dampen vibration and felt recoil.

I’ve had no hassle throughout lengthy vary periods, and I even had my eight-year-old son ringing metal with a SilencerCo Scythe Ti on the tip of the rifle. He’s solely shot large-caliber rifles a handful of instances, but it surely was all smiles after getting behind this “mountain rifle.”

In fact, there’s not a lot level occurring a once-in-a-lifetime high-mountain hunt when you can’t hit your goal for the time being of reality. Light-weight rifles aren’t identified for dead-nuts accuracy, however this setup performs effectively.

I examined three sorts of looking ammunition and one match-grade choice, all from 100 yards utilizing an MDT CKYE-POD and luggage. I shot 5, five-shot teams with every ammunition kind, and the barrel was allowed to chill between teams. Velocities have been recorded utilizing a Garmin Xero C1 Professional chronograph.

These 130-grain managed growth tip bullets are an awesome choice for all kinds of sport.

Ammo
130g Increasing Tip
140g Open Tip Match
129g Venari Smooth Level
140g Accubond

Common Group (in)
0.98
1.08
1.5
0.9

Small Group (in)
0.8
0.6
1.1
0.8

Common Velocity (fps)
2715
2626
2646
2575

A typical five-shot group from this rifle.

These five-shot group sizes are typical of a light-weight looking rig, although the gun is actually able to sub-MOA accuracy. The 130g ET, 140g Accubond, and 140g OTM, all posted a number of teams below one inch, however the averages all hovered round one inch on account of one or two teams with single “flyers.” Take that how you’ll, however I feel it’s price mentioning.

Additionally price mentioning: the light-weight barrel handles warmth fairly effectively. Typically, a gun will begin throwing flyers because the barrel heats up on the fourth or 5 photographs. However I didn’t discover that phenomenon right here.

I did discover group sizes increase because the barrel turned soiled. Some barrels are extra delicate to carbon buildup than others, so I cleaned the gun midway by means of accuracy testing. These preliminary 5 – 6 teams after cleansing have been my smallest, which is sweet information for hunters. This gun isn’t designed for a full day of competitors, but it surely performs its finest on these first few photographs when it issues most within the discipline.

Do you want a “mountain rifle” to achieve success in your subsequent mountain hunt? I do know just a few jeans-wearing, wooden inventory rifle-toting good ol’ boys who show that the reply is “no.” By no means let anybody inform you that you simply want a elaborate, costly rifle to get the job done–you do not, and I am doing you any favors by pretending in any other case.

That being stated, when you have the assets, when you’re trying to give your self an edge, if you would like a light-weight, high-quality firearm that performs whenever you want it and might survive within the worst parts, the Tikka T3x is a strong contender. MDT makes the HNT26 chassis for quite a lot of rifles, however the Tikka is a good bang on your buck, and the chassis elevates that no-frills firearms to the following degree.