First Precision Rifle Help

H

hippiebobob

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Calgary
Im looking to get into the prescision rifle game, but on a budget. gongs backroad shooting, and possible fall hunting in southern alberta.

looking at $1200, and realize glass is one most important parts.

Any tips, oppinions or recomendations.

PAL/RPAL aproved and in mail, looking make purchase in next few weeks.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would second the Tikka CTR and would suggest in a 6.5 Creedmore. Good rifle right off the bat and also can upgrade some as you build up. This will also fit you for a hunting rifle as well
 
CTR would be a great choice. Had one in 6.5 creed last year, really liked it. Very slick and nice trigger. Unfortunately had to clear up some funds so it had to go.

One thing to keep in mind with the CTR is the high cost of extra mags. But then again a new mag or two is cheaper than dropping it into a chassis.
 
Check out Bergara HMR rifles. A little over budget at $1500 but we'll worth it. Shoots half inch groups out of the box. I beat setups worth 5× it's price last year and intend to do so agian this year.
 
I am not saying this is the best option,
Just saying it’s the road i have taken with no regrets.

I also had a budget (was a bit more), and put all my money on glass.
I purchased the cheapest known accurate 308 (savage 10TR for 600$) and put a 3700$ scope with 500$ rings.

Since then the savage was slowly transferred to a chassis, rebarelled, customized....
I am now even looking into trying another custom build even though my last custom failed.

But that scope properly installed in it’s unimount is a keeper.
It can simply hop from 1 rifle to another, or stay on same rifle as you upgrade it.
Even if it felt like i overpaid for glass at the time, never regretted it.
 
^^^
I am also a beginner to the longer range stuff.
I am following MartyK2500...I bought a Savage 10TR...as funds became available I put it in a chassis and switched to some very nice glass for it.
I like the idea of the Savage as you can build on it, easy enough to replace a barrel, make improvements as your budget allows.

Cabelas currently has the Savage 10T-SR on sale, $650 in calibres .223, 6.5 Creedmore, 6mm Creedmore and .308. Free shipping.
ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/102309/savage-arms-model-10t-sr-tactical-bolt-action-rifle-with-threaded-barrel

Heck, for a just starting out you could put a Vortex Diamondback Tactical first focal plane scope on it $550, there is your whole budget of $1200. Buy some different ammo and go shooting. I would say this is a very good package to learn on, but hey Im a noob too, so what do i know :redface:...... (now decide it you want MOA or MILRAD...whole other dicusssion ;)
ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/119103/vortex-diamondback-tactical-ffp-riflescopes
 
Last edited:
I think everyone loves to talk about the rifle but I also think it’s probably the least important part when you are getting into it... with good ammo I don’t think it’s hard anymore to get a sub-MOA rifle and as you reach out it’s more about ammo velocity consistency and good wind reading. If it’s a situation where the money trickles in a little every month get a cheaper rifle now with a heavy barrel and a decent aftermarket. Try to put the rest of the budget into glass and try and get to the $1500+ area there. You can always add a chassis and swap to a premium barrel later and that should put you around 1/2 MOA with a good load. Don’t forget match ammo is like $1.50-$2.50 per if you shoot factory and that starts to add up. When you start throwing those away because you can’t spot misses or can’t dial accurately or can’t hold accurately on a poor reticle that budget scope starts to lose its luster.
 
I wanted to start shooting long range. I was going to do the Tikka CTR route, but bought a Savage Stealth. It was a great choice. I have a chassis and a great shooter right from the start. I can still customize it with a trigger, rear stock, and a new barrel down the road. However it does not need any of that. This thing shoots. I do want a new rear stock, but will try the Luth mb4 maybe or wait until the next big sale for the MDT carbine. ( preferred )
 
It's all been said here, Tikka T3X CTR (awesome rifle, mags kill it for me, I like atleast two). Savage 10TR/Any Savage target/precision model is a great start. Remington 700 5R Milspec/Gen 2. Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard in Varmint/Contour.
 
I praise Savage, as it's excellent for what it is, but don't get me wrong, i'd also love to own a Tikka or a custom.
Chassis only, as I am swimming in AICS mags here of all kinds when I was trying to feed another custom action I tried building.
That being said, I thought i'd share a few pics of how my savage changed with time.

It borderline looked stupid with that big cheap brake I found on the EE and oversize looking scope for small factory stock, but it could shoot sub moa (barely, but constant) with cheap reload practices
Mjeeurnl.jpg


Chassis did not improve accuracy that much, just stopped getting weird flyers from time to time
91XdMGkl.jpg


Now IBI barrel and optimal reload techniques, I am in solid sub 1/2 moa territory, and working hard to achieve sub 1/3 moa (as only 10 shot groups or multiple 5 shot groups count, if 3 shot groups would count I would be in it for a while now).
qj84Sz8l.jpg


In the last phase, you are looking at a sub 2000$ rifle if you exclude scope.
By building off a savage, is a way to get something that shoots well, pleasing to the eyes, going for not too much.

Don't get me wrong, I would still like to add a tikka or a custom to the stable sooner than later.
And by having put all my eggs in the scope when I started, it will just transition to future more quality builds, as it's not the best scope but has a reputation that it can hold it's own.
 
I have enough Savage rifles to tell you they have their issues and short comings, with magazine feed issues, crappy stocks, and bolt ergonomics particular to Savage. I have spent a good amount of time and money modifying and upgrading my Savage rifles, to be reliable and have acceptable bolt manipulation. The more you use the Savage rifles, the more you will see these short comings. That said, I still enjoy shooting them for what they are.
The Tikka's are way better if you are looking for a factory rifle that you are just going to shoot without upgrading. The magazines are better and don't usually bind or jam up trying to cycle a cartridge into the chamber. The stocks are not crappy Tupperware stocks that flex and touch the barrel when you use a bipod. And the finish is not as rough as the cheaper Savages. Like I say, I shoot enough Savages (4) to tell you they all have the same issues.
Don't know if the pic will work...…..
https://i.imgur.com/Gd6ucQ3.jpg
 
Vortex Razor gen 2, 4.5-27x56. It's the same scope from picture 1 to 3, just installed a sun shade along the way and flip caps.
It's one of the best vortex offerings.
And since I had to get a savings account up for nearly one year before purchasing, I went vortex for the unconditional warranty.
Could of got something better for the same price, but if I break it by me stupidity i'd by months (maybe even a year) without shooting that rifle again.

Lately I have seen huge discounts on these scopes, when you can find them for 2800$ (either used, demo or liquidation), it has a lot of value for the money at sub 3K.
 
783-Varmint-primary_1200px.jpg

I would add this to your mix. Should be around $750.

Add optics and away you go.

Jerry

PS, I am a huge Savage fan but for mag fed rifle, I prefer the 783
 

Attachments

  • 783-Varmint-primary_1200px.jpg
    783-Varmint-primary_1200px.jpg
    15.2 KB · Views: 291
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom