Deer season in the Piedmont does not forgive a rifle that shoots loose, and Tikka has built its name on the opposite. The T3x Hunter here is a bolt action in .308 Winchester with a 22.4" barrel, a 3-round capacity, and a wood stock.

It is sold as a factory blem, which points to a cosmetic flaw rather than a problem with function, and it is sold as described. Take your time with trigger control, because a calm squeeze matters more than any feature on the rifle.

The .308 is a sensible choice for whitetail from the mountains to the coastal plain. Ammunition is easy to find, there are loads for every price, and recoil is manageable in a rifle of this weight. A 22.4" barrel is handy in a tree stand or a truck.

A walnut-look wood stock gives it the classic hunting rifle profile. Put a scope on it, sight it in at the range, and it should give you a rifle you can trust.

New. It ships to your North Carolina FFL dealer for pickup and the background check.