First gun for an old dog looking to learn new tricks

[ZeroTrace]

I'm a long time pistol shooter, looking to get into PRS with my son. I haven't fired a long gun in 25 years so I'm starting from square one and I'm looking to get some feedback on how best to get started.

For background, I'm fortunate enough to have the resources at this stage of my life to buy/build what I want, so money isn't a limiting factor in this instance. That said, I don't want to waste money unnecessarily.

I figure it will take a couple months to break off the rust and I'm curious to know if there's any advantage to starting with a smaller calibre? Should I:

A) Purchase a good but inexpensive over the counter rifle in something like .223 that is cheap to shoot and work on the fundamentals before upgrading/competing or;

B) Just build the gun I want (6.5 creed) and start shooting with it from day one.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has some expertise/insight to share.

 

[_Windrider_]

Option B and maybe consider starting with a 308 then you can just rebarred it to 6.5 or what is most likely to happen is that’ll be the first of many guns you will build.

308 will make you a better shooter to learn in as wind is much more a factor.

 

[Blutroop]

If ya got the funds I don’t think your gonna find many people trying to talk you out of buying one or two guns. If you already like 6.5 creed more than go for it. The main reason I can give for buying a cheaper rifle is if you need to test drive some things to have a better idea of what you want. Are you only gonna do prs, or are you possibly gonna do any hunting?

 

[ZeroTrace]

If ya got the funds I don’t think your gonna find many people trying to talk you out of buying one or two guns. If you already like 6.5 creed more than go for it. The main reason I can give for buying a cheaper rifle is if you need to test drive some things to have a better idea of what you want. Are you only gonna do prs, or are you possibly gonna do any hunting?

Want the option to hunt, thus my preference for the 6.5 creed. No need to test drive - pretty good idea of what I want. Have just been mulling over the value of training on something cheaper to shoot while I relearn fundamentals...maybe it will come back faster than I think

 

[Blutroop]

You can never have too many guns. Perhaps you should consider a cheap ar15? It will shoot cheap ammo, and then you can get uppers instead of more guns. 224 Valkyrie is like a ballistic little brother to 6.5 cm and works well with ar. They make adaptors to shoot 22lr too. You can have fun building them or buy built, and you can make em real accurate. It can also do double duty as home defense.

 

[ClangClang]

I've seen other people do the following with great success:

2 bolt guns, both with the identical chassis/stock and optic. One in a "real" caliber (i.e. 6.5CM) and a nearly identical trainer, typically in .223. This allows you to practice very economically and hone your fundamentals without launching $1.25 down range every time you pull the trigger. There are several 5.56/.223 factory match loads that can routinely be found for $0.50/round (IMI 69 or 77gr Razorcore, CBC/Magtech 77gr OTM). All 3 of those loads do around 1.2MOA in my AR's and slightly sub MOA in a bolt gun, which just tells me that I need to learn to shoot a gas gun better.

 

[wilson1911]

The creed will do everything you need more than likely. I would look at the PX, there are usually good rifles no there to save you a small bit.

 

[SporterII]

Rent a rifle at a training facility with an instructor or in a class. May be a good first step all round.

 

[Sheldon N]

I say buy the rifle you want, get out and shoot it, go to a few matches and enjoy the experience.

If you really get deep in the weeds on PRS competition your desires for which gun you want might evolve, but you'll still have that general purpose gun you originally liked.

 

[ZeroTrace]

Thanks to all for the great ideas and input. Will reflect and go forward. Much appreciated.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Savage 110 Varminter. Affordable, very ergonomically configurable, 26" barrel for longer reach, heavy barrel, but can still be rebarreled by user. It's the very recent end product of a decade+ long evolution of the Savage product into something a lot better than once it was. I shoot earlier versions and one is .223. It's more than accurate enough for me, and makes for an excellent startup accuracy trainer.

Greg

 

[Frankly]

My newbie experience:

Spending $500 on training will save you $5000 of mistaken purchases and wasted time later.

Buy a bunch of Hornady match ammo and a popular mid-range gun, shoot a lot and then buy the nicer gun once you know what you like. A Howa Bravo or anything with a decent two-stage trigger is a good starting point.

Getting a 223 and shooting $1/round 77gr is just as expensive as shooting 6.5CM at $1 per round. OK maybe there is a 25 cent differential but you have to shoot a lot to make it rationalize.

Buy a nice scope in Mil Mil with a popular reticle that lots of people have. It's a case where following the crowd works. If you get used to it and love it then you can use it forever or because it's popular you can sell it for nearly what you paid.

I first bought a Razor II 4.5-27 but in hindsight the 3-18 would have been a better choice.

Learn enough to understand why we zero at 100 and use zero stops... but don't get bogged down with tech.

I'd have no qualms about buying used off the classifieds from respectable people, do your homework and use common sense.

Get shooting bags but maybe wait on all the electronic gadgets and just shoot first. If you are shooting at known distances then learn to shoot unaided first.

YMMV have fun

 

[W54/XM-388]

I might suggest get a Tikka T3x CTR with the 24" barrel in 6.5 CM, and shoot a bunch with it, get to know what you like and don't like about it, and get comfortable with shooting your preferred caliber and then you can choose to just keep it & upgrade some things on it, keep it as a spare, or sell it for a decent amount, to fund getting something customized.

I'd suggest that if you haven't done much long gun shooting for 25 years, you may want to get a bunch of shooting in before going the full custom route to make sure you know exactly what you like.

The Tikka T3x CTR is a great low cost option that can do everything from hunting to range shooting very well & is easily upgradeable, or easily sold, but has just about all the main features that you'll find on custom builds (just less refined).

 

[ShtrRdy]

Buy a good, accurate, rifle and scope from the start. Then you can work on YOUR skills and not wonder if a bad shot was you or your rifle/scope/ammo.

I've got a custom .260 Rem for sale if you want to save some bucks on a custom. A thread a read earlier this morning showed a guys new rifle that he said was over $4k.
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/competition-build-complete.6929114/

 

[Nishgriff]

Personally I would say spend $1000 and do a three day Precision Rifle training course, and shoot a loaner there. While money might not be an issue, it will make everything more enjoyable for you. I highly recommend Brian Whalen's level one class at Blue Steel Ranch.

THEN you will know what you want and need. You can then buy a custom, or a high end factory rifle, and not fuck around with upgrading this and that, and wondering whether it's you or the rifle that's not being accurate. Start from a known platform that is proven to shoot better than you.

 

[Dougie308]

I'm a long time pistol shooter, looking to get into PRS with my son. I haven't fired a long gun in 25 years so I'm starting from square one and I'm looking to get some feedback on how best to get started.

For background, I'm fortunate enough to have the resources at this stage of my life to buy/build what I want, so money isn't a limiting factor in this instance. That said, I don't want to waste money unnecessarily.

I figure it will take a couple months to break off the rust and I'm curious to know if there's any advantage to starting with a smaller calibre? Should I:

A) Purchase a good but inexpensive over the counter rifle in something like .223 that is cheap to shoot and work on the fundamentals before upgrading/competing or;

B) Just build the gun I want (6.5 creed) and start shooting with it from day one.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has some expertise/insight to share.

Something simple and easy. Maybe an older 700. At first just learn mechanics. Accuracy and blowing money on extra will come later.

 

[rd_kng]

The fact that you have shot long guns, I would recommend getting what you want. The 6.5 creedmoor is a great 1st caliber choice. I have nothing in this, but ogonzalez13 has a Patriot Vally Arms 6.5 Creedmoor for sale. Every time I saw the picture of that gun, I wished I could afford it. Good luck on your choice and enjoy shooting. I know I have for the last 5 years.

 

[2Block]

Long range impacts always had my interest and were/are a mystery. I went to a seminar about it last winter. I read,researched, ask questions. My goal was 1000 yards with a $1000 rifle and $1000 scope. I bought what I thought best and that 1000 yard goal is in sight and gets closer each outing. My point is start, jump in, you can correct along the way where needed. It doesn’t take cash to hit 1k. Put an outfit together you have confidence in.

 

[northshorelumber]

In just the past 3 years or so, several well built, accurate, chassis, PRS type, factory rifles have come on the market. They make for a great first gun and are reasonably priced. Save the custom build for when you have refined your likes. 6.5 creedmoor is a great starting caliber with accurate but reasonably priced factory ammo. Purchase an above average scope and go shoot, even try a few club matches this summer.