This year I will be honing my pistol craft and starting to consider which carbine to purchase. I have had a few folks recommend building my own. Health issues preclude that option. As much as I would love to go to Alberta tactic le and have an amazing custom built I don't have the budget. So what do folks who compete in 3 gun recommend for a good carbine ?
3 gun carbine recommendations please
- Thread starter Joe1967
- Start date
I was an optics sceptic before I took the plunge and definitely agree with the guys above me. It makes a WORLD of difference at the range, let alone a competition when you're under pressure and I haven't even spent over $1k yet...I can only imagine what a Nightforce scope would be like!!
That being said there's lots of great options available for any price range. Jerry from Mystic Precision has posted his Norinco is as accurate as anything else, my Colt Canada is the tits and got me hooked on AR's and guys constantly rave about Daniel Defence. There's lots of other options but it really depends on budget.
That being said there's lots of great options available for any price range. Jerry from Mystic Precision has posted his Norinco is as accurate as anything else, my Colt Canada is the tits and got me hooked on AR's and guys constantly rave about Daniel Defence. There's lots of other options but it really depends on budget.
I can't say enough about the Tijicon TR24, I asked around a lot and was very sceptical, but was clued into the fact that in Western Canada at least and for the distances we shoot (not often over 200) it was "the way to go". The chevron is fast, really fast, and the glass is super clear and bright. 1k for a scope.....yikes, but for sure worth it.
Then there is the CTS hanging off the side, but that is another story.
Now here is an interesting point. Ammo. Not a lot of point in having a $3,000 gun you feed crappy ammo to, so you have to take that into consideration as well.
Then there is the CTS hanging off the side, but that is another story.
Now here is an interesting point. Ammo. Not a lot of point in having a $3,000 gun you feed crappy ammo to, so you have to take that into consideration as well.
I would start somewhere between the Colt and a Daniel Defense. 3 gun isn't so much about sub MOA accuracy as it is about reliability. Holding 2 minute shots out to 300 yards will put you in the running. Having to clear a malf part way through your run will throw you off for the rest of it...
Scopes.. if your budget is tight, a lot can be done with something like the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6. Next step up would be the Vortex 1-4x24 PST. Ok, ok, i may have a tendency towards Vortex. I just feel it is a good compromise for the money.
I havent had a lot of time behind the Trijicon but it didn't suit my fancy not being able to call my hold over past 200 yards. I'm sure with some practice a guy could figure it out. If I was only shooting inside of 200 yards I would try one out, probably on a shorty rifle.
Edit: just to give an idea on costs. A DDM4 V11 with a Vortex PST 1-4x24, ADM Scout mount, 3 Beo mags and a VTAC sling would put you right around $3000 total.
Scopes.. if your budget is tight, a lot can be done with something like the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6. Next step up would be the Vortex 1-4x24 PST. Ok, ok, i may have a tendency towards Vortex. I just feel it is a good compromise for the money.
I havent had a lot of time behind the Trijicon but it didn't suit my fancy not being able to call my hold over past 200 yards. I'm sure with some practice a guy could figure it out. If I was only shooting inside of 200 yards I would try one out, probably on a shorty rifle.
Edit: just to give an idea on costs. A DDM4 V11 with a Vortex PST 1-4x24, ADM Scout mount, 3 Beo mags and a VTAC sling would put you right around $3000 total.
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i would recommend a simple quality AR carbine and throw a good brake on it.
BCM, PSA, DD, Armalite, or whatever.
I'd steer clear of NEA and Norinco - but it's your money.
Feed it quality, basic, brass cased, 55gr. FMJ.
American Eagle or Winchester white box or equivalent.
I'd steer clear of steel cased Russian crap and Norinco Chinese crap ammo.
If your eyes are good (20/20 or better) you can probably get away with a quality red dot (Aimpoint H1 at a minimum).
Dope in an AR is easy -with a 100m zero, you are ballpark 1.5-2moa drop at 200m, 6-8moa at 300m, 10-13moa at 400m, 15-20moa at 500m - ammo and velocities dependent.
I'm guessing you won't be shooting much past 300m though, and the majority of engagement is inside 50m.
With that in mind you could change your zero to a 25m or even 50m zero which might reduce or eliminate your need for most hold overs.
Have a look at some ballistic charts with the ammo/rifle combo you want to run, and (more importantly) practice shooting some of these distances with the hold-offs you'll need on the targets you'll be engaging.
BCM, PSA, DD, Armalite, or whatever.
I'd steer clear of NEA and Norinco - but it's your money.
Feed it quality, basic, brass cased, 55gr. FMJ.
American Eagle or Winchester white box or equivalent.
I'd steer clear of steel cased Russian crap and Norinco Chinese crap ammo.
If your eyes are good (20/20 or better) you can probably get away with a quality red dot (Aimpoint H1 at a minimum).
Dope in an AR is easy -with a 100m zero, you are ballpark 1.5-2moa drop at 200m, 6-8moa at 300m, 10-13moa at 400m, 15-20moa at 500m - ammo and velocities dependent.
I'm guessing you won't be shooting much past 300m though, and the majority of engagement is inside 50m.
With that in mind you could change your zero to a 25m or even 50m zero which might reduce or eliminate your need for most hold overs.
Have a look at some ballistic charts with the ammo/rifle combo you want to run, and (more importantly) practice shooting some of these distances with the hold-offs you'll need on the targets you'll be engaging.
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Yes true that on the TR24. 50-100 yards, awesome. 200 its a bit "different" depending on the size of target. Having said that, just picked up a Vortex razor. Optically on 1x I think the TR24 is "flatter", very minimal distortion on the edges, there is a very slight bit of chromatic aberration on the razor at 1x. The TR24 is certainly is lighter. At 6x is why I bought the razor, whole new world. Cant wait to get it mounted and try it.
To the OP, for sure 3k will get you in the game with something that will shoot better than you can and make you as competitive as your skills and practice will allow.
To the OP, for sure 3k will get you in the game with something that will shoot better than you can and make you as competitive as your skills and practice will allow.
