Buy Once Cry Once...help

[NOLASAILOR54]

Hello all!

BLUF: TIKKA or GAP for no

First post besides the introductions page!

With Zeta barreling (I’m born and raised in NOLA...doesn’t bother me) down, I’m contemplating my hopeful new hobby...LRP.

I was a Supply Guy in the Navy so no boots on the ground (though lots of water).

I’ve done some shooting, however just with Combloc Rifles and the odd PSL/VEPR.

I want to learn how to shoot. Long distances. Aim small, miss small yadayada.

I had my heart set on the TIKKA T3X TAC A1 in 6.5. Roughly $1700. I’d put an Atlas bipod on it. MARK5HD. 20 MOA rail...

However, then I learned about GAP’s Production Rifle. Which is a bit more expensive but from what I’ve been told, an insane deal. It’s avail in 6mm or 6GT.

I had wanted to be under $2k for my venture into this sport, yet can splurge on a great deal.

The main purpose of this venture is to learn something new. Not win LRP matches. But be prepared.

I do believe in Buy Once Cry Once, however am I going overboard?

and then suppressors. I have a NOMAD L on back order, however everyone seems to like the TBAC Ultra 9.

Any help would be great as I attempt to join yall in this endeavor.

Thanks!

 

[jcmullis2]

Both are decent choices. I’d also check out keystone accuracy. Under their gunsmith section the tl3 barreled action with a Krieger barrel for $1850 is a great deal IMO.

 

[b2lee]

I'm a big believer in new long range shooters learning on an MPA in 6.5 Creedmoor. For under $2500...it's tough to beat. It is a 'semi-custom' rifle and everyone I've seen shoots pretty damn good.

You mentioned a GAP...which is a great rifle...but you said 6 or 6GT....so...you want to drop some money on reloading equipment and get your mind buried in that as well...while trying to learn to shoot LR? I'd stick with a 6.5cm and after a few years...you still probably won't have the skill set to outshoot what your rifle gives you.

Oh....and while you are at it....just bite the pillow and let it happen....$2500+ on a scope is going to happen eventually...might as well get it over with now.

 

[Harman117]

If you're main goal is to learn long range shooting AND not to start competitions immediately, then I would get the Tikka or even a lesser priced option like the Bergara HMR.

Use that large sum of money saved and attend an actual (vetted) training course and fast track your abilities/knowledge.

 

[huntnh]

Get the gap!! I have one and treasure it.

 

[pmclaine]

Just to be a dick........TacOps.

Nothing wrong with the two you mention.

Got some other customs, have one in production, that have satisfied itches I want to scratch.

For me right now though TacOps draws my attention.

I am a simple man with tastes for clean, simple rifles.


Sadly my suggestions blows your budget away.

Get whichever will allow you the most ammo in addition.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Not a supporter of the buy once, cry once mantra.

As a new purchaser of LR equipment, making irreversible decisions on expensive implements can be a true "cry more than once" experience. Listening to the siren songs about, "But you'll only be needing to buy this once, so investing a small fortune is a great idea" works great for folks who only intend to have one firearm, intended for one purpose, at a time, and for whom price is no object.

The rest of us have to mind our pennies, have varying/changing interests, and could very well be far from skilled enough to take even most of the advantage that big dollar items can provide. They work very great in well experienced hands, but may well be excessive overkill for the beginner. This is a sport. It doesn't need to be a case of running the high hurdles first time out.

There is a well worn path to LR shooting proficiency. It starts by crawling, then walking, and only then getting warmed up to run with the big dogs.

Here's a suggestion. A Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR in the 'Hide parlance) chambered in 6.5 Creedmore, a mid-range choice of the Vortex optics line, some decent ammunition (FGMM - Federal Gold Medal Match - is a good choice), and some decent formal instruction in the specific discipline you want to compete in specifically labelled for the beginning participant. You will see things, you will ask questions, and you will learn a lot more about just what you will truly, personally need if and when you find the process worth continuing, and your skills are adequate to justify big expenditures. You will learn that your performance and learning is not governed by price tags. Do this right, and you will find a comfy home in LR shooting.

Meanwhile, after serving your initial purposes, that first rig will still be a great way to get and keep proficiency, and can be sold rather easily if the final answer sounds like 'No". In a true crunch, it can cover a mortgage payment, as one of mine did when my wife was doing her third week in the ICU with a coma of unknown origin. Having a backup rifle, basic but capable, is worth its weight in gold if the Gods consign your subsequently obtained working rifle to the Uh-Oh pile during a serious exercise; fixable, yes, in time, unlikely. It can also take a lot of the wear and tear off the expensive primary when you do your due diligence about keeping and maintaining your skills between those serious exercises. If you don't use those skills, they atrophy.

This stuff is better explained by another, a guy we like to call LowLight, who wrote THE BOOK, on this subject. Oh, and he also owns and runs this site. Cleckner's Book, lower on the Amazon page, is also an excellent handbook.

Make sure that first step isn't off a cliff.

Greg

 

[BuLLet]

TacOps is way out of budget for rifle alone. I'd go GAP Production Rifle for the money. It's a great shooter and more conventional stocked rifle you'd be used to.

This is the second time shooting the rifle with some factory ammo.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Maybe try a Tikka Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor?
It's got Super in the title, must be good.
Bit cheaper than the Tac, so more dollars for scope.
Had mine for a few weeks, with a Razor II scope, loving it!
End of day, take the time to sift through options available.
It's your money and your preference.
Hope you enjoy whatever you get.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

tikka, will do everything as all the above for less money

 

[Snuby642]

Hope you got power.
My budy in Houma said it blew pretty bad but has power.

Think his camp near Cocodri in bad shape.

 

[acudaowner]

under 2k Id go to tika not even sure gap makes a gun that's not 4k and over I could be wrong but then its not listed on there web page .
like others have stated you could buy a barrel action and a trigger and drop it in a chassis mine was as followed

	BIGHORN ARMS:3253	TL3 SA Special, .308, AI Mag well, RH, Tact Bolt Knob, Medium Tang, DLC Coating w/20 MOA SA Pic Rail	1	1275	1275.00
	TriggerTech:R70-SRB-02-TNF	REM 700 Diamond Trigger - Flat Straight/Right	1	269.99	269.99
	Bartlein BBL:1FG10061	6.5mm barrel .256x.264 5R rifling 1-8 twist, SS, Bartlein #14	1	360	360.00
	SERVICE WORK:Chambering	Chamber barrel in caliber specified by customer 6.5 Creedmoor	1	425	425.00

and

ACC Chassis System, REM 700, SA, RH, ACC Buttstock GRY (104450-GRY/103799-GRY)

1

999

999.00

and a bunch of other options .
I have no idea if your pricing would be the same more everything is more expensive now cause of covid
and I went through mile high shooting and will agian for my next idea now you could price around and maybe get something like that cheaper I don't know anything is possible .
you could choose another stock that is cheaper , again there are a lot of choices out there where ever or what ever you decide to get i hope you get what works for you and makes you smile when you use it .

 

[houndog]

So, as you can see, there are a bunch of different alternatives. Tikka TAC in 6.5 cm would be a great choice and you're not giving up much going in this direction. Honestly, you could shoot this gun for a couple of years and not really be held back. Or, you can get a Tikka CTR, swap out the stock with an XLR and again shoot it for years. I have this set up and it's capable of .75 MOA and can get you to 1000 yards.

Custom builds are another option, but you have to know what you're doing. Probably something left for a subsequent purchase after you've had some experience with long range shooting.

I also have a Sako TRG that I picked up for @$2500. This is a very high quality production rifle - capable of .3-.5 inch groups at 100 yards.

Finally, TAC Ops, is frankly, way more rifle than you need. Better to spend the money on training and ammo.

 

[strikeeagle1]

As a new purchaser of LR equipment, making irreversible decisions on expensive implements can be a true "cry more than once" experience.

^Good stuff right there.

 

[Marinevet1]

GAP makes a great rifle..........I've got two.............for a starter, I don't think you cold go wrong.......

 

[Nik S]

Another option, in the “grow into the sport” philosophy of Greg Langelius is the Tikka CTR. It’s nice because it’s a 1 MOA rifle out of the box, is significantly less expensive than the Tac A1, and can grow (upgrade) with you as time goes on.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Another option, in the “grow into the sport” philosophy of Greg Langelius is the Tikka CTR. It’s nice because it’s a 1 MOA rifle out of the box, is significantly less expensive than the Tac A1, and can grow (upgrade) with you as time goes on.

most CTR's or any tikkas are well below 1 moa

 

[THEOZZ]

I've had 2 GAP rifles over the years. Great rifles never a complaint.