Entry build options...
- Thread starter grendel2000
- Start date
Should I consider the T3x Lite Compact? It seems like a great price compared to some of their other options, but I'm not sure if the "lite" barrel ought to be a show stopper?
You don’t want a really light barrel unless you’re making a hunting rifle. You could also get a tikka action and a pre-fit which I’ve done a few times. The actions can be hard to come by but you can usually get out the door with a good barrel for around $$900-$1k.
It will shoot as good as any tikka, but only a for a few shots before it starts to open up on you. As a new long range shooter, weight will be your friend as well.
I also recommend a tikka CTR in a KRG bravo. You can’t go wrong with that setup and it’s essentially a liquid asset. Can sell it for little to no loss if you don’t get into this much or do, and want to upgrade.
Scopes are personal preference with reticles and other features. I’d recommend finding a solid Japanese used scope in the PX here. Like a Bushnell LRHS or Athlon Cronus.
But at that point does it make more sense to go with the "custom" options suggested earlier in the thread?
I didn’t read the whole thread but custom is a buzzword. Some people would say it makes more sense some say would it doesn’t. IMO the Tikka is the nicest action you can get for the money and stepping up to a $1000 action doesn’t get you a whole lot(if anything) that the tikka wouldn’t give you.
What you’re really trying to avoid is a year down the road wishing you would’ve bought something else. We have a bunch of Tikkas and I never find myself wishing I had bought something else so it works for me. I do find myself buying MORE, but not wishing I would have bought something else lol.
1 and 3 are your options.
An alternative to the T3X Lite is theT3X CTR which would give you a heavy barrel at roughly the same price. That is an out of the box solution you can run while you save up for a bravo or another chassis of your choice. Given your budget, the Howa might be better to help squeeze your dollars as you aren't paying for a stock and then throwing it away. Or just shoot the Tikka as is until you have more coin for a chassis.
The Bravo is more "upgradable" than the Magpul. Magpul is fine. Bravo is better. Swaping these stocks is almost idiot proof. Its two screws. That's it. If you can mount a scope, you can swap chassis.
Optics: Same amount as your rifle. Vortex PST is ok and in that range but you may want a bit more. Burris XTR II might be more expensive, but deals can be had. Call one of the hide vendors (CameraLand NY, or Liberty Optics)--they can get you hooked up.
Look up the merits of a 6.5 creedmoor. its 308 for the 21st century.
At those prices, forget Savage and Remington--Savage is accurate but unrefined. Remington is not the remington of old. Not worth it. Both Tikka and Howa shoot rings around both of them for the same price you quoted.
Friends don’t let friends buy savage.
For your range of 100 with opportunities in the future for 300+ I’d go with a ctr in 223 6.5 or 308. Don’t change the stock. Add a scope and start shooting. Decide if you want a new stock after you shoot it a bit.
For your range of 100 with opportunities in the future for 300+ I’d go with a ctr in 223 6.5 or 308. Don’t change the stock. Add a scope and start shooting. Decide if you want a new stock after you shoot it a bit.
People that try to find a reason to bash the Tikka love to bring up the old style plastic bolt shroud that i'm not sure they use any longer that can be replaced for 40 and will not cause a issue if it busted in the first place.
To the OP if it were me I would go one of 2 options. First would be a Tikka CTR barreled action with maybe a KRG bravo or something along those lines. The factory trigger is very good with a spring change and the action is in my opinion the best factory action you can get with several prefit options. For the scope I would either go with the arken EP5 or a Vortex venom or strike eagle 5-25. I would recommend 6.5 but if your stuck on 308 its a good option but 6.5CM has just as many ammo options and just as available with better ballistics but either caliber will do you fine.
2nd option would be to spend more money and build custom I had a Tikkat tac A1 and then built a custom at the first of the year. Go with a Zermatt Arms Origin action since the prefit options are everywhere and probably has the most prefit options. It is a incredible action really for any amount of money but especially for the 875 you can get it for. I would guess you would be closer to 2K or 2500 if you find some good deals on parts on the forum and used the scopes mentioned above. Just a side note the Howa option isn't a bad idea but its not nearly as smooth as the Tikka but is a cheaper option that will still work well.
Ok, I know I’m moving beyond my original price range, but what do folks think of a Sako S20 precision as an alternative option to the others? Is the action/barrel a significant step up from the Tikka?
I'm so glad I got this advice a few years ago. My $300 savage 11vt in 308 in a mcree percision (from before they were on the naughty list) with a dmr II-i is a beast. Not as smooth as the Bergara but 2000+ rounds later it is sub moa all day long and I don't have to worry about beating it up.
If I was starting today I would go ctr + bravo/ x-ray or rpr in 6.5 and spend the rest on ammo.
I would save more money before settling on something subpar that you will upgrade or sell later
Looks like a damn nice rifle. What happens when you shoot the barrel out? Is it the same thread pitch as the Tikka or some other common thread pitch? Just something to check into. I see they are on Clearance at cabelas. Very trg like. Sako used to make a rifle very similar in a laminated wood stock. They were very good rifles.
If you can find one in the chambering you want, I think it would be a dandy choice.
Sako is the "Luxury" Tikka (IIRC Sako makes Tikkas). I don't know if its a significant step up (that's a loaded words--Sakos are NICE)--I think more bang for you buck would be save that money and invest in glass.
The only one I own of those is a howa hcr in .308. I have the viper pst Gen 2 5×25×50 and a harris bipod. All that totaled right around 2300. Add in an EGW scope base, seekins scope rings and your up to 2700. Guess what I'm saying is if you can't afford that much up front, do it piecemeal. Buy once cry once. Don't buy a 250$ optic you're gonna swap out in 6 months. You really can't go wrong with any of your options. I will say I'm an average shooter and I'm getting sub moa groups at 100 yards with my setup. Don't skimp on the ammo either. Hope this helps a little.
I went the Howa way with my first build. Threw the barreled action in an Oryx chassis. Overall the gun was pretty good, decent trigger, and shot well.
I did make a good choice on the optic and topped it with an Athlon Eres ETR. Great scope for around $1000.
I wound up selling the gun; kept the glass. I am very happpy I put more money into the glas than originally planned.
I did make a good choice on the optic and topped it with an Athlon Eres ETR. Great scope for around $1000.
I wound up selling the gun; kept the glass. I am very happpy I put more money into the glas than originally planned.
Same here. It's really solid. I couldn't be happier with mine. A super company as well. Their customer service is second to none
Not reading the entire thread. But for options and distance mentioned:
Tikka for the barreled action. 223 or 6.5/308 caliber
Krg Bravo for stock/chassis
Spend the rest on optics. A used Sightron SIII or Burris XTRII will be decent. Personally I’ve had bad luck with vortex viper pst and wouldn’t recommend that
Tikka for the barreled action. 223 or 6.5/308 caliber
Krg Bravo for stock/chassis
Spend the rest on optics. A used Sightron SIII or Burris XTRII will be decent. Personally I’ve had bad luck with vortex viper pst and wouldn’t recommend that
I know I started with a howa, but if I was to do it over, I would have followed the advice here and purchased a tikka ctr, the same eres etr (or other quality scope) and been in it for your max budget of $2000. Better if you got used.
After you shoot a while you can always drop the barreled action in a chassis or stock to you preference, but at least you’d be starting with components worth upgrading, but are not really hindering you while learning.
After you shoot a while you can always drop the barreled action in a chassis or stock to you preference, but at least you’d be starting with components worth upgrading, but are not really hindering you while learning.
If your looking to just get into the sport. I’d recommend a Ruger American predator in 308 or 6.5cr. They’re known to be really accurate and should be able to pick one up for $500~ Then add your scope of choice and get to shooting. Don’t need an expensive rifle to get into this field or to have fun.
I'm just going to comment on the cartridge.
I think for someone starting out, a 6.5 Creedmoor is better to start with, unless you start with professional training.
I love .308's, my .308 may be my favorite rifle to shoot. They make a great training rifle, they have enough recoil to really exploit our flaws as shooters. However, for someone just starting out without training, that could be a frustrating combo that creates bad habits.
6.5 Creedmoor has enough recoil that it still exploit flaws, but it's not as punishing. Less likelihood of developing bad habits from recoil. Good barrel life, great ballistics, plenty of great factory ammo available at a decent price.
I don't think .308 is a bad choice for what you want to do, but I think a 6.5 Creedmoor is a better choice for someone just starting out. A .308 is an excellent trainer cartridge - IF you can translate what's happening down range and can diagnose and fix the flaws in you the shooter.
I think for someone starting out, a 6.5 Creedmoor is better to start with, unless you start with professional training.
I love .308's, my .308 may be my favorite rifle to shoot. They make a great training rifle, they have enough recoil to really exploit our flaws as shooters. However, for someone just starting out without training, that could be a frustrating combo that creates bad habits.
6.5 Creedmoor has enough recoil that it still exploit flaws, but it's not as punishing. Less likelihood of developing bad habits from recoil. Good barrel life, great ballistics, plenty of great factory ammo available at a decent price.
I don't think .308 is a bad choice for what you want to do, but I think a 6.5 Creedmoor is a better choice for someone just starting out. A .308 is an excellent trainer cartridge - IF you can translate what's happening down range and can diagnose and fix the flaws in you the shooter.
Post #13 - trying to save time as these threads always circle back to something similar:
"Went down this path a few tears (years) ago, the items on your list will not be satisfying to you - especially if you wish to compete. Some options I will offer:
1) Get Tikka Varmint or CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor add Vortex Venom or Strike Eagle in MIL - later add KRG Bravo chassis
2) Buy a used PRS rig from a known shooter - assume your will need to replace barrel
3) Buy a PRS "Production" rifle for $2500 and add $1000 to $1500 quality used optic"
"Went down this path a few tears (years) ago, the items on your list will not be satisfying to you - especially if you wish to compete. Some options I will offer:
1) Get Tikka Varmint or CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor add Vortex Venom or Strike Eagle in MIL - later add KRG Bravo chassis
2) Buy a used PRS rig from a known shooter - assume your will need to replace barrel
3) Buy a PRS "Production" rifle for $2500 and add $1000 to $1500 quality used optic"
Can’t vouch for the seller but here’s the route I was talking. This should shoot with any rifle out there. Add a bravo and a decent optic and you’re set. If you ever want to upgrade you take a small loss ghats well worth the fun you had and upgrade.
www.snipershide.com
260 ammo may be a little harder to come by but it will serve you better than a 308.
SOLD - Tikka T3X CTR 260 Stainless (Price Drop)
Sellingt a Tikka T3X in like new condition. 20 rounds have been fired thru it. Never hunted with. No longer have time to use it. Comes with box and accessories. Bipod not included. I have ammo available. $850.00 shipped.
www.snipershide.com
260 ammo may be a little harder to come by but it will serve you better than a 308.
There are a million ways you could break down how to do this and how you could try to break the budget down...
Opinions will change with every person you talk to
My opinion... I'd say the CTR is 100% a great option to just pick up and shoot
If you are starting out I'd honestly buy the CTR / scope / rings & ammo ... and shoot it... shoot the hell out of it!
There is plenty of support for chassis / stocks / barrels / blah blah blah whenever you decide to change it up with later. The tikka is a nice factory action choice and has plenty of aftermarket support.
I'd spend EVERY DIME of my budget I could right now on a scope outside of what I absolutely needed to start shooting it. (Don't forget bipod/ bags / etc)
Opinions will change with every person you talk to
My opinion... I'd say the CTR is 100% a great option to just pick up and shoot
If you are starting out I'd honestly buy the CTR / scope / rings & ammo ... and shoot it... shoot the hell out of it!
There is plenty of support for chassis / stocks / barrels / blah blah blah whenever you decide to change it up with later. The tikka is a nice factory action choice and has plenty of aftermarket support.
I'd spend EVERY DIME of my budget I could right now on a scope outside of what I absolutely needed to start shooting it. (Don't forget bipod/ bags / etc)
