Home Forums Hunting & Shooting The Lefty Forum Tikka T3x Lite vs. Ruger Gunsite Scout

I'm wanting a lightweight, stainless / synthetic, all-weather rifle. I have more or less narrowed it down to these two, but am still considering other options as well.

I have a couple Rugers in different models which I like, but I've never had my hands on a Gunsite Scout. I fondled a rh Tikka T3x Lite a few days ago and really liked it.

Looking for pros and cons on these two, but am open to other suggestions. Fire away...

Apples to dog turds.

The Scout isn't synthetic. It also isn't particularly "lightweight" compared to the Tikka. I'm a big fan of the Model 77, but I have somewhere less than zero interest in the Scout version. The Ruger weighs in at 7.3 lbs in .308, while the T3x Lite in the same chambering weighs in at 6.4 lbs; the Ruger has a non-adjustable trigger that can be made good with some massaging, while the Tikka has an adjustable trigger. Tikkas also typically shoot well from the get-go, while Rugers can sometimes require a little work, but usually do well.

I have both Model 77s and a Tikka T3x Lite and in other comparisons would heartily recommend the Ruger, but not here.

The Scout has to be one of the ugliest rifles ever built by an American company. I own a couple of 77’s but no Scouts.
In this case, Tikka all the way.

Thanks for the input ya'll. I agree the Scout is one ugly rifle. Just thought I'd ask before I went and looked at a used one here. I didn't realize the difference in weight either. I read somewhere else the Scout was under 7 lbs. I like my Rugers, but I'll pass on this one. Tikka for the win!

Ruger is also making this now:

https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeHunter/specSheets/57120.html

That looks pretty good.

^I'd be mighty tempted by that Ruger! ^ The Scout leave me cold though.

It'd be WHOLE LOT COOLER without that screamin' chicken logo on the floor plate. Que sera, sera.

put a piece of tape over it...

or, put a super chicken scope on it and you'll have a matched set.

I think I will own one! I like it. Already have 3 LH Creedmoors whats 1 more. Glad to see they did not drop
the LH SS Hawkeye.

But wait have a LH RAR 6.5 CM, LH Tikka T3X 6.5 CM and a LH Ruger FTW CM. The LH Ruger American 6.5 Creed Moor in a heavy Boyds LH laminate stock is the best shooter.

I'm thinking I'll get one, too.

Reading this thread just cost me another $700-750. Wonder when they will be in stock?

What is the screw that you can see on the left side of the stock? I had a lefty wooden stocked Hawkeye that didn't have anything in that location.

Stock reinforcement bolt. Standard on African and Guide Gun versions, unnecessary for this version.

I have 3 tikkas.
I did see Kimbers had some great deals. 84L stainless hunter fro 549 and the 84 m classic in 6.5 CM limited.
oh snap, just realized this is for lefties. I don't know if any of the above holds true

Did you forget you are posting in a left hand forum? Kimber doesn't make any leftys so not sure why you even mentioned it.

just did

I've resisted getting a Creedmore..................'till now. Something about stainless/walnut trips my trigger. Add to that US made, CRF, 3 position safety, no plastic or aluminium.......only thing better would be if Winchester opened up the New Haven plant and started pumping out LH Stainless Classics!

If anyone see,s the new Ruger Hawkeye hunter in stock please post! Thanks

I'm going on the hunt for one this week.

Yessir! I might have to try finding one of those Hunters up here, north of the 49th.

That screaming chicken logo is on the receiver bridge, the grip cap, and the recoil pad. Can't we get a break from that?

I like the screaming chicken logo that way I can tell the difference between a Ruger and a Montana MRC!!!

Kurt

It won't dissuade me from buying one.

Nothing but bad luck with the MRC, Ruger Hawkeyes and 77 MK2 seem to take a little tinkering but they tend to shoot great once you get the bugs worked out. If not Ruger will fix it, unlike MRC.

The LH Tikka T3x checks all the boxes of your original question. I have 2 one in 22-250 SS LH and 1 in 6.5 Creedmoor LW and very accurate out of the box.

The new Ruger SS LH Hunter will be heavier with a wood stock.

The Ruger American LH is a nice rifle very accurate but heavier and blued they made a few in SS but those are long gone and none in 6.5 Creedmoor.

I went ahead and ordered the Tikka in .308 today.

Now, how about some lightweight scope suggestions??? No dialing, set and forget setup...

Leupold with B&C reticle.
Swarovski Z3 3-10 with BRH reticle
SWFA 3-9 (not sure how light it is)

The Leupold 6 X 42 or 6 x36 Long range duplex is light and seems to work and hold zero.

Was going to suggest the same.....

+2 on the Leupold 6x36. If you want a variable, then the Leupold 2.5x8x36 which I currently have on my Go-To rifle...

Either scope mounted in a set of 16Bore / SAS modified extra low Talley rings. If you can't find a set of the modified rings when you get the rifle, ping me. I may still have a set collecting dust... Somewhere...

Talked to my LGS manager today. He searched found one distributor that now lists them, but none in stock. Kinda figure it'll take awhile before they get into the pipeline.

To the OP, sorry your thread kinda got sidetracked but us lefty's get excited when something new and LH comes along!

[/quote]To the OP, sorry your thread kinda got sidetracked but us lefty's get excited when something new and LH comes along![/quote]

No need to be sorry, I like seeing the new rifles as they come along too. That new Ruger looks great. Kinda glad I don't really need/want a 6.5 Creed. My biggest problem now is a new LGS about 6 mi. from the house that is very competitive and more than willing to be an enabler!

Orion2000, Thanks for the recommendations and offer on the rings. I've got some time to look.The rifle is about 2 weeks out.

Davidsons lists it but none yet

I’ve held both, and own a GSR. Prefer the GSR but the Tikka is a really nice rifle. To be fair, I had the GSR rebarreled by Hart. Love it.

I finally got thru to Keith's assistant at Whittaker's.They are out of the rings and are not scheduled to run any at this time. PM inbound for Orion2000...

The Talley rings (not modified) came in last night so I mounted and bore sighted a new Swarovski Z3 3-9 X 36.



Went to the range this morning. Took 2 shots at 50 yds, made an adjustment and one more shot. Then I shot this group at 100yds with factory Hornady 150gn Interlocks...



Not sure what to say. Never knew I could shoot like that!

Nice shooting and congrats, Rick. Tikkas have a way of making a guy smile, and be frustrated, all at the same time. Especially as owners of pricey semi-custom and custom rigs that often shoot no better. Haha.

I clicked on this thread because I have been looking hard at a Tikka in 6.5. Now I see that new Ruger! I love the stainless and walnut!

I sure like the looks of the Ruger Hawkeye but seriously doubt its ability to out shoot the Tikka.

The "apples to dog turds" was spot on......gud one.

I don't. The Ruger will likely need trigger work, but Ruger-produced barrels are very good and their bedding is adequate.

I hope you're right. Choices in accurate rifles are a good thing.

For the price being similar, the Tikka wins by a long shot. Picked up a LH Gunsite 223 earlier this year cause I found one at a great price, used as new. Took off the stupid rail, plugged the screw holes, replaced the flash hider with a thread cap, and used Ruger scope rings. It shot decent. 5 shots under 1/2". But that stock is the ugliest, stupidest design they ever made. Boddington has his hand in that when he was partnered with Ruger. Considered a Boyds but they wouldnt do LH. Mcmillan does, but that would cost more than the gun.
Sold it locally for a profit, and bought a LH SS 18" 223 Ruger American. Have the compact and full LOP stocks for it.
Had a Ruger American 243 SS and sold that when Whittakers did the T3 blowout sale.
For what I need in a 223, the RAR fits nicely. LH SS 223 Tikkas are quite hard to find, except the Sporter, but that is a target type stock

If that 223 ever needs to go to a new home, please let me know!!! The 243 Win has been great and put to good use...

There is one left on Gunbroker. Higher than they were 3 years ago, but stainless LH Americans will most likely never return

Thanks for the heads up! At those prices I'm thinking the 223 may just have to be a different make/model. Also would like another LH 243 American. As big as my oldest is I'm thinking he may just end up with a Predator. Easy to find and I don't think the extra weight will be that much of a problem for him.

Yeah, for sure. If I was looking for another 243, the Predator would be on the top of the list. I even considered getting one, but really have no use for 2 guns in that caliber. Would have loved to see them make a Predator LH 223, but no luck there.

For a while there was a dealer selling demo LH predators on Gunbroker for a steal of a price. But, I wasn't in the market for one at that time either.