Hey everyone! I've started online shopping for a starter long range rifle. Been looking and really like the style of the sako s20, but I do know mods are limited. Not planning on doing mods on my starter. Looked at tikka, browning max long range, bergara b14 hmr... and a few more but can't decide. Hoping to get some insight from people who know more than I do.
Budget long range plinking
- Thread starter s.martin
- Start date
Tikka CTR is probably my favorite entry level rifle for the long range game right now. I know some love their Bergaras, but they just have never impressed me.
As above, do not cheap out on glass. Prepare to spend minimum of $1000 on a starter scope to be able to use your rifle to it's potential. If you ever feel you've outgrown the rifle, the scope can always be moved to your next one.
As above, do not cheap out on glass. Prepare to spend minimum of $1000 on a starter scope to be able to use your rifle to it's potential. If you ever feel you've outgrown the rifle, the scope can always be moved to your next one.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
What type of accuracy are you after?
What type of cartridge are you looking at?
How far is your long range?
What is your long term goals for this rifle?
what is your starting budget?
And are you going to reload?
These are the basic questions anyone entering LR shooting should consider. Many options that do the job but at massively varying budgets. Sometimes, it is cheapest to spend a little more upfront so you can achieve the performance goals.
But more info is needed from you.
Jerry
What type of cartridge are you looking at?
How far is your long range?
What is your long term goals for this rifle?
what is your starting budget?
And are you going to reload?
These are the basic questions anyone entering LR shooting should consider. Many options that do the job but at massively varying budgets. Sometimes, it is cheapest to spend a little more upfront so you can achieve the performance goals.
But more info is needed from you.
Jerry
Aprilia Man
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canadian "WET" Coast (Raincouver)
6.5 Creedmoor is a great round for those distances.
A Tikka is a great platform to start from. It's in your price range, the quality of the rifle is arguably better then its peers, and there's a lot of aftermarket support for Tikka and that's only growing.
Some downsides to the Tikka is that the barrels are generally on the slower side (though very accurate), and the OEM stocks aren't great. Neither of deal breakers, it's easy to replace the stock (KRG Bravo is an excellent budget chassis), and I'd much rather have a slow and precise barrel then a fast and mediocre one.
I really do like the look of the s20 but I know there basically no upgrades, but I'm not sure if even upgrading would be in the books for starting out.
Sadly there's very little shop around here and certainly don't carry those types of rifles. So I can't even shoulder them to see how they feel
Sadly there's very little shop around here and certainly don't carry those types of rifles. So I can't even shoulder them to see how they feel
Personally I think you would be better off with a cheaper model Tikka and upgrading it to your liking.
I've held the S20 several times and been very disappointed in the stock feel. Its very plastic, for $2000 I expect a lot more. I would recommend the Tikka with a KRG bravo stock on it for a great rifle within your budget, or a Browning Long range for about the same money. The disadvantage of the Tikka is the barrel is not threaded and I think a muzzle brake is important for longer shots.
This is good advice. A tikka is easily upgradable and easy to build off of. Lots of prefit barrel options available if you decided you wanted to try another caliber or wanted a different barrel profile. My buddy has a ctr and since I've known him it went from completely stock to sitting in an MDT chassis with a PVA 26" 6.5 creedmoor barrel. It's an absolute hammer and a solid rig. So many parts available for the tikka. Not sure about the Sako s20
Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
I second this. The Tikka CTR is a very solid choice.
Max Long Range is a great rifle, only issue with browning is the aftermarket is basically non existent. Triggers are a bit heavy for my liking but other than that they are a great rifle
UPRs are good too, buddy has one and again its an all out tac driver, I would build up a stainless Tikka or a standard though as it will give you a bit more flexibility
I like the UPR, I like the stock. Comes threaded for a muzzle break. So I wouldn't have to worry about upgrading the stock and focus on nice glass. I have a sako a7 for hunting and I just love how smooth it is. I'm assuming the tikka would be very similar
I like the UPR, I like the stock. Comes threaded for a muzzle break. So I wouldn't have to worry about upgrading the stock and focus on nice glass. I have a sako a7 for hunting and I just love how smooth it is. I'm assuming the tikka would be very similar
I like my upr, it does not seem to be a popular choice due to the price. But over all a nice package and a solid shooter.
The stock is much much nicer then a ctr. And it’s ready to shoot. You don’t need to go out and start upgrading something
Thant was meant to be shot. If I had to get a new better stock, better barrel and this and that, why buy a tikka. You can have a
Custom build for the same price. I put a meopta scope with Bdc reticle and it’s been a solid package. It will not need any until
The barrel is shot out
On a side note I have a a7 and I like the tikka for it’s compact size and nicer stock - and lighter package
My 2 cents
The stock is much much nicer then a ctr. And it’s ready to shoot. You don’t need to go out and start upgrading something
Thant was meant to be shot. If I had to get a new better stock, better barrel and this and that, why buy a tikka. You can have a
Custom build for the same price. I put a meopta scope with Bdc reticle and it’s been a solid package. It will not need any until
The barrel is shot out
On a side note I have a a7 and I like the tikka for it’s compact size and nicer stock - and lighter package
My 2 cents
