Mountain hunting asks for a light rifle and a flat cartridge, and the Tikka T3x in 7mm PRC answers both. It has a 24 inch barrel, a three-round magazine and a Veil Alpine camouflage stock that blends into rock and scrub.

The 7mm PRC is a newer cartridge built for long reach with heavy, high-BC bullets. That makes it a good fit for western elk and big game across open country. In North Carolina, it is more rifle than most whitetail hunters need, but it suits anyone who takes trips out west or shoots long distances on a ranch lease. A little practice every month beats a long session once a year.

Tikka's T3x is known for a smooth bolt, a crisp trigger and excellent accuracy out of the box. A lot of hunters call it the best value in a bolt gun. The Veil Alpine pattern hides you on the hillside, and the synthetic stock sheds rain and snow.

Pair it with a quality scope and practice at distance. The rifle ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is completed.