Help: First Rifle Purchase

C

ChrAnt

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi All,

New to the forum, glad to be here.

I am ready to purchase my first rifle, and I have done my research, but was hoping to use the huge about of experience in this forum before taking the leap.

I was looking at the Tikka T3x CTR in either 6.5 Creedmoor or 0.308 Win. I have not decided on the optics yet, but am open to recommendations.

I will be using it for a combination of hunting and amateur competition.

I would appreciate any feedback or recommendations you have.

Cheers,
C.
 
What type of competition? Find a scope that suits the competition and will also be usable for hunting. You’ll shoot a ton more rounds in competition than hunting. It’s easier to “back off” on magnification when hunting than trying to compete with insufficient magnification or an inadequate reticle. You may need to be be able dial for elevation but it may be crucial for competition.

The 6.5 cm is significantly superior to the .308 in some types of competition. With deer sized came there is no “killing advantage” with the .308 if both bullets are properly placed. With larger game there can be an advantage with the larger bullets but the Scandinavians have been killing moose cleanly with the 6.5x55 for decades.

Lots of ammo and components available for the 6.5 cm.

Check with the folks who excel in the type of competition(s) you plan to pursue who also hunt and get their perspectives.
 
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
If you want a scope, go with a bushnell elite 4200 3-9x40. Don't really need a higher power scope since your learning.
Click to expand...

That is about the worst and weirdest advice I have heard in some time. Higher magnification optics are far easier to shoot smaller groups with and the reliability of today's variable power optics is very high, so no reason at all not to look at 4x16 or 5x25 power optics which are good for dual use. The difference between 3 power and 4 or 5 power on the low end is nominal but from 9 to 16 or 25 is significant. Why would you handicap yourself with optics?
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
That is about the worst and weirdest advice I have heard in some time. Higher magnification optics are far easier to shoot smaller groups with and the reliability of today's variable power optics is very high, so no reason at all not to look at 4x16 or 5x25 power optics which are good for dual use. The difference between 3 power and 4 or 5 power on the low end is nominal but from 9 to 16 or 25 is significant. Why would you handicap yourself with optics?
Click to expand...

If your hunting with the rifle I don't think you need a scope with large zoom, for target shooting, that's another story.
 
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
If your hunting with the rifle I don't think you need a scope with large zoom, for target shooting, that's another story.
Click to expand...

Depends where you are hunting. In thick bush I agree a lower powered optic would make more sense, but on the prairies I have found 5x25s have served me well for many years.
For someone just starting out it is easier to learn to shoot accurately with a higher magnification optic. Trying to get small groups with a 9 power optic is a real challenge as it is not as easy to maintain a precise point of aim. More magnification makes a consistent point of aim easier AND it really makes things like breathing control more noticeable.
I am unaware of anyone employing a low power optic for any sort of centerfire rifle competition with a rifle such as the OP is looking at.
 
Something else to look at, here in Ontario a lot of places can't use anything .30 caliber or larger. So if you plan on hunting in an area where something like that applies then the 6.5 would be the way to go. I don't know if this applies to informal targets on your own land.
 
6.5 CTR, 24” barrel.
You will send more rounds downrange for target than you will hunting.
3-18 or 5-25, 4.5-30 range optic. If ffp, get illuminated for low light, low mag setting.
 
Lead hammer said:
6.5 CTR, 24” barrel.
You will send more rounds downrange for target than you will hunting.
3-18 or 5-25, 4.5-30 range optic. If ffp, get illuminated for low light, low mag setting.
Click to expand...

This

6.5 has gentler recoil as well which means less of a chance to develop bad habits

In regards to a scope I'm a huge fan of buy one cry once. the NF NX8 line is an amazing do all type scope. Dont get me wrong they are spendy but you'll never want to upgrade.

Mils or Moa is dealers choice I like Mils and the Mil-XT reticle but thats a personal choice more than anything. Their 2.5-20 is all you'll need. This scope will outlive the rifle and fit on just about anything you choose
 
I would go and prefer the 308 Winchester round. You can't suck and blow at the same time - so I would recommend two rifles - a good 308 (weatherby vanguard) for hunting with the blind magazine. As for competition you would want to go custom receiver and build one. Too often okay (all the time) people would complain that their gun can not hold groups and get that 4th or 5th shot flyer - then they start looking at rings/bases/scopes and ammo weights when all along you don't realize that you've bought yourself a hunting rifle that are designed/engineered to give you three good accurate shots enough to put game down.

Why custom? they are engineered for extreme accuracy unlike mass factory produced ones.

Well that's about all the knowledge that I have now - good luck
 
What are you going to be hunting? Where? Do you need a light rifle that you can carry a long way or is weight less of an issue?

What competition are you shooting? What sort of distance?

How many times will you be shooting? How many rounds per year? Do you reload? What is your budget?

Really need some more details before we can give effective advice but generally sounds like you need 2 rifles 1 for hunting and 1 for competition
 
Thanks all, alot of great feedback and recommendation's.

In terms of the scope, I would like to spend in the $1,500-$2,000 range. I do not want to buy multiple and keep upgrading. Like @mareshow said, I rather pony up one, and get it over with.

I am new to this so I am still trying to find clubs and training for competitions, in Ontario, or the GTA specifically. Haven't had much luck. I would like to shoot as often as I can, and afford. I am interested in long distance, but feel l will need to work my way there.

For hunting it would be white-tails, and a friend has a trailer not far from where he hunts, so weight is not an issue.

Looks like I need to do some research on custom / competition rifle.

Cheers!
C
 
ChrAnt said:
Thanks all, alot of great feedback and recommendation's.

In terms of the scope, I would like to spend in the $1,500-$2,000 range. I do not want to buy multiple and keep upgrading. Like @mareshow said, I rather pony up one, and get it over with.

I am new to this so I am still trying to find clubs and training for competitions, in Ontario, or the GTA specifically. Haven't had much luck. I would like to shoot as often as I can, and afford. I am interested in long distance, but feel l will need to work my way there.

For hunting it would be white-tails, and a friend has a trailer not far from where he hunts, so weight is not an issue.

Looks like I need to do some research on custom / competition rifle.

Cheers!
C
Click to expand...

Good luck
I been where your at now a few years ago
 
I have started reviewing Precision Rifles.

Take a look at the Tikka TAC A1 :cool:

**Image and video linking functions will be enabled after you have contributed more to the forum**
 
I'd pass on the tac A1. The price is a bit ridiculous. The chassis is meh, the muzzle brake is meh. Better off getting a ctr, InSite arms heathen muzzle brake and a chassis or stock of your choosing and go from there. Look on the EE for a tikka chassis as they come up for reasonable prices. A krg whiskey 3 or bravo is a great option to drop the ctr into


Check out Phillip velayo on YouTube. He has a series on building up a ctr and he knows his stuff. Snipers hide is a good resource as well. They have a massive tikka thread with great info in it.
 
I would go with the T3X CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor, and with that scope budget for a "hybrid" scope I would look at a Leica Amplus 3-18x44. Add a 20 MOA rail and you'll have plenty of elevation for long range target shooting and a low enough magnification for hunting at any range.
 
You know the saying..jack of all trade, master of none. Keeping this in mind…

Rifle used in long range shooting are mostly magazine feed, chassis system, heavy barrel , scope minimum 6x24x56..and weight around 15/17 pounds (+) They all use 20/40 moa base, might not work at 100 yard or below because of scope turret range. Not your typical hunting rifle.

In a hunting rifle, in Ontario, you look to get from 50 to 400 yards range. You would hate carrying a 15/17 pounds rifle around.

If you want to get good at long range, you must reload. A rifle that allow an easy barrel change or accept a prefit barrel is in my view, a must. A 6.5 will get you 2500 rounds of (accurate competitive) barrel life, a .308, close to double that.

It’s all things that have to be considered. Guys doing hunting and shoot competitive long range, have dedicated rifle for each job. I do also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom