Looking for a good first precision rifle

OR4NGE

OR4NGE

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New shooter here,

I bought all the milsurps I wanted and now would like to buy one precision rifle get into longer range shooting.

Idealy in .308 for ammo commonality.

I was looking at the howa hcr and the tikka t3x. I have to confess I like how they also have a tacticool look.

Any other suggestions or recommendation?
 
Either is great, also look at the savage 10Tr and a chassis, build what you want. And the Ruger RPR. I have both and they eaisily compete in accuracy with what you have listed. Also consider the 6.5 CM, excellent, easy to load for round.
 
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Assuming your budget is around 1000-1500 for the rifle with the choices you mentioned.

I have personally went over a few of the rifles you mentioned. If I was to spend the cash I would get a Bergara b14 HMR

The Bergara b14 HMR has excellent value and features you look for in a precision rig. Free floated Heavy barrel, clean trigger, adjustable cheek piece, durable and build off the 700 platform.

The RPR is a bit more expensive (if you buy new) but the stock is a bit more adjustable and also folds... If that matters to you, also it has more of that "tactical" look... That is cool, but doesn't help it shoot better. Bit of a rough bolt and trigger is so so...

The howa HCR seems good but I have questions about the optic. Not much is know about it. If you get the model that does not come with the optic, the trigger is clean and bolt is smooth. The butt stock is wobbly and there is no way to fix it without simply replacing it.
 
Get a Tikka CTR, smooth bolt, great trigger, already has a rail, just add an optic and go. Optional barrel lengths of 20" and 24" in 308. Down the road you can dress it up with a new stock, Manners, McMillan, PSE Composites all make incredible stiff lightweight stocks for the Tikka rifles and inlet for the CTR bottom metal. Use Burris rings with offset inserts to get extra range out of your setup and you will have an awesome rig that will keep up with custom rifles costing way more. I have built several custom rifles over the years, all were great shooters, all were way more money than what I just described too.
 
Lightly used savage 10/110 and order an IBI prefit barrel for it?
For the money, will outshoot many factory setups costing more than what you’d have invested...

Could then build up as money becomes available and put in a chassis for tactical style shooting.
I see you’re from MTL, if you go to EOSC sometime (we have a few MTL members here) let me know i could let you try my savage.
 
Hi, I had a Savage 10TR with a bull barrel, man it was accurate and smooth! There are better options out there, but it's hard to beat at that 700$ price.
 
I have a ruger RPR in 6.5cm. As mentioned the bolt is a little rough, but the rifle is a awesome rig for making it your own with the different upgrades available. Good rifle if your getting into long range shooting. If you really get into it you are probably going to want to build a custum rifle off a high end action. See used ones on EE too
 
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therealj said:
Another vote for the Tikka T3X, I purchased one in .308 and will be buying a MDT LSS chassis for it.
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This!! ^^^
I’m biased towards the Tikka, I’ve owned one over my university undergrad years. And I’ve seen them perform and never fail at my PR matches.... and I’m the RSO standing over people Fzck around and sorting out issues with their rigs on the firing line.

And it’s been previously mentioned here, MDT makes upgrades to chassis with AICS magazine capabilities for future progression and learning and shooting and improving your PR games... :cool:

You will never regret buying ANY Tikka!

Cheers, Barney
 
Dude, I wanted to hate the RPR.. I can't really think of a negative other than it's not an alpha build! They shoot great, they're economical, and the magazines are reasonably priced.

The T3s are nice rifles, I own two, but the mags on the CTR are ridiculous.
 
dusticles said:
Dude, I wanted to hate the RPR.. I can't really think of a negative other than it's not an alpha build! They shoot great, they're economical, and the magazines are reasonably priced.

The T3s are nice rifles, I own two, but the mags on the CTR are ridiculous.
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Hahaha! I DID hate the RPR gen 1. Mine was an absolute DUMPSTER FIRE.

I got a deal on a gen 2.... I dont think you can beat the dollar value you get from the rifle. You get so much for what you pay for. They really stepped it up with the gen2 and the gen 3 RPR's
 
Bolt action :

affordable Rem 700 any model in 308
Luxury and accurate and want to proud of Canadaian product in 308 PGW Coyote ( if money is not the case )

Semi auto :
Personally I would go 2ith M1 Garand in 308
Or M14 custom or Spring field armory M1A

A lot of challenge to shoot accurate while it is not and will enjoy more than any semi auto non restricted.
 
Just to be clear for others that come across this thread looking for the same info to the same question, the “rough” bolt on the RPR that people refer to is a slight zipper like sound by the machining rings in the receiver, the bolt itself functions and cycles with ease.

Even the slight zipper sound decreases with use and when actually using the gun and not just sitting there in a arm chair moving it back and forth listening for it and applying side pressure trying make the sound worse, you will hardly even notice it and will love the short throw a 3 lug bolt provides.

I have several precision rifles, a couple custom Rem 700 builds, a couple Cadex, and one built off a RPR, and every time I take out the Ruger I’m reminded how much I love that gun and how good it shoots, mine is in .308 and just last Sunday was shooting 12-14” groups at 1235 yards with factory ammo, bipod and rear bag. It is on the list as one of the last guns I have that I’d sell.
 
Should have also mentioned a guy I shoot with at his private range has a RPR in .243 and was laying the smack down on the 1676 yard steel last time out, I just ordered a 40 MOA rail for my .308 and going to give it a go also, even though will be quite a lob, I was impressed with that .243 that day.
 
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