Help This is my first attempt at setting up a rifle

[iliv2ryd1]

Looking at ordering Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Stainless 24" with

Vortex Viper HST 6-24x50 VMR-1 (MOA) Reticle | 30mm Tube &

Vortex Precision Matched Rings - .97". I won’t be shooting over 300 yd.

Will this setup work anything I should change. This is my first attempt at setting up a rifle any help would be much appreciated.

 

[300ATT]

That will work. Would help if you state what you are shooting at, what sized targets and what you hope to accomplish.

 

[IndianaRem5r]

You will need a need a scope base. This is a good series of videos for setting up your optical...

 

[iliv2ryd1]

Just shooting paper

 

[richthe1]

You will need a need a scope base. This is a good series of videos for setting up your optical...

I think the CTR model comes with a scope base? I could be wrong though

 

[300ATT]

Again, what are your goals? What do you hope to accomplish?

 

[308pirate]

I think the CTR model comes with a scope base? I could be wrong though

They do come with a picatinny rail

And even if they don't have a picatinny rail, all Tikkas and Sakos come with the same exact dovetail cuts on the receiver for Sako Optilock rings as well as rings made for the same dovetail from companies like Talley, Warne, Leupold, Burris, EAW, Spuhr, MAK, Recknagel, and probably a few more that I don't know about.

 

[Ledzep]

I would go with a 4-16, or save up a little bit and get the gen2 pst 2.5-10 or 3-15.

It's up to personal preference and budget I guess. Mils vs moa and sfp vs ffp. I'm really spoiled and won't buy non-ffp scopes.

Otherwise it looks good. Hard to go wrong with Tikka.

 

[BH30-06]

What are your plans with this setup, what do you want to do with it?

 

[TonyTheTiger]

There is absolutely no reason to use a 6.5 CM to shoot paper inside 300 yards. You would be much better of with a 223.

 

[308pirate]

There is absolutely no reason to use a 6.5 CM to shoot paper inside 300 yards. You would be much better of with a 223.

He's a total noob, not that there's anything wrong with that. He's probably read on the internet that 223 is only good for 100 yards. Probably from the same people who think a reflex or holo sight is only good for 50 yds and in.

 

[GrandpaDeadLegs]

Hmmm yeah that paper doesn't stand a chance... If you're not gonna kill deer with it, try a smaller everything, unless you yourself are a man-giant

 

[Subwrx300]

6.5 CM is a good caliber, 223 would also be a good choice to limit recoil and easy to shoot out to 500+. If completely new to shooting, you might consider the 223 simply to avoid some of the bad habits that larger calibers create faster (flinching under recoil anticipation namely). Also TONS of ammo available to ensure you find something that fits your budget and goals (hunting, target, plinking, long range, etc)

6.5 CM ammo will be a bit more costly (in comparison) but will allow you to use it as hunting rifle (if needed) and extend range to 1000+ if you get the opportunity in coming years. Also very precise cartridge with good ammo selection.

The setup you list is a great starting point for all around rifle. Good luck!

 

[iliv2ryd1]

WOW (There is absolutely no reason to use a 6.5 CM to shoot paper) last I looked don't need a reason. I've shot and reloaded 223 for well over 20 years. I should of said (This is my first attempt at setting up a Tikka rifle and using 6.5 CM ammo.) Also been shooting a Remington 700 LTR .308 Win with leupold mark 4 6.5-20 X 50mm LR/T and reloading .308 Win for over 20 years. My hobby is load development for the best accuracy for a certain gun and bullet then I go onto the next one it’s a great way to piss a lot of money away and kill some time. (He's a total noob.) Yep I’ll give you that as far as Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor & this scope.

 

[300ATT]

Well that helps.

-1.) Make sure your scope is mounted correctly (not canted)

0.) Run a box of factory match ammo through the gun to get it on paper and as a comparison baseline (is the gun an out-of-the box 1 MOA rifle, 3/4 MOA, or 1/2 MOA? ... )

1. ) Get yourself some decent reloading dies (Whidden?, Forster?, Redding?)

2.) Research the threads where shooters report their results with different primer/powder/bullet combinations for the 6.5CM (on this forum and accurateshooter.com). Pay particular attention to the Tikka range reports.

3.) Buy some decent brass (Alpha or Lapua)

5.) based on your research - pick a bullet (Berger 130gr, 140 gr are good, Hornady ELD-M 140gr work so do sierra's ...)

6.) Pick a powder (can't go wrong starting with H4350)

7.) Pick a primer (Fed 210M or CCI Br-2)

8.) find the seating depth (C.O.L) for your chamber - start by seating your bullets .020" off the lands

9.) Run some Ladder tests at 300 yards to find accuracy nodes and max pressure. From there you should be able to zero in on a number combinations that shoot well - better than factory match ammo.

10.) Hell, you might even consider getting out and shooting a match or two ... F-class, PRS, ... even NRA long-range "any-any" match ...

 

[308pirate]

WOW (There is absolutely no reason to use a 6.5 CM to shoot paper) last I looked don't need a reason. I've shot and reloaded 223 for well over 20 years. I should of said (This is my first attempt at setting up a Tikka rifle and using 6.5 CM ammo.) Also been shooting a Remington 700 LTR .308 Win with leupold mark 4 6.5-20 X 50mm LR/T and reloading .308 Win for over 20 years. My hobby is load development for the best accuracy for a certain gun and bullet then I go onto the next one it’s a great way to piss a lot of money away and kill some time. (He's a total noob.) Yep I’ll give you that as far as Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor & this scope.

Don't get pissy when your first post on this thread makes it sound like you bought your first rifle ever last night.

 

[300ATT]

Let me add: There is a tremendous treasure trove of knowledge stored in the collective membership on this forum. Most are willing to help but they are not very tolerant of trolls or people who think they know everything but ask questions anyway just to waste people's time in an attempt to show off how smart they are


... choose wisely ...

 

[iliv2ryd1]

Thanks I see that now.

 

[J McGriddle]

The title literally says, "Help This is my first attempt at setting up a rifle."

 

[iliv2ryd1]

The title literally says, "Help This is my first attempt at setting up a rifle."

OK so you can read now what.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

OK so you can read now what.

Now no one here believes a word you say.

 

[300ATT]

"He chose poooorly ... "

 

[Subwrx300]

"He chose poooorly ... "

Queue the Indiana Jones theme song!

 

[StinkFinger]

Not looking to hijack the thread, but I definitely have less experience setting up rifles than he does. I'm looking at Bergara B-14 HMR Pro in 308 with Viper PST Gen 2 FFP. Not sure of magnification yet.

Looking to ring some steel occasionally, but mostly a field gun for hunting whitetails and possible muleys. I'm open to other manufacturers, but from the research I've done, the HMR is a solid starting place.

Thoughts? Thank you

 

[300ATT]

@StinkFinger, I have shot and set up 3 different HMR's, it is a very good starting place for what you intend. .308 is a great caliber for mostly shooting deer and occasionally shooting steel. If you said mostly shooting steel and occasionally shooting deer I would suggest you consider a 6.5 CM.

If you care to look at other manufacturers then look at tikka. A lot of people on the Hide have experience with this brand and are impressed with the performance - I've have had really good results with Bergara.

if you are set on the Viper PST gen II then get the 5-25, the 1-6x might work for deer inside of 350 yards but will be tough to see hits or splash on steel at distance with a 6x. Personally I prefer 4-16x / 3-18x for what you describe and there are other manufacturers that make comparable (better?) scopes in that price range (Bushnell, Athlon, Nikon, ...).

Ask on the optics forum, be nice, be very clear about your intended use, goals, budget, wt. allowance and the membership here will be helpful in steering you towards a great scope setup for the Bergara.

 

[Subwrx300]

Not looking to hijack the thread, but I definitely have less experience setting up rifles than he does. I'm looking at Bergara B-14 HMR Pro in 308 with Viper PST Gen 2 FFP. Not sure of magnification yet.

Looking to ring some steel occasionally, but mostly a field gun for hunting whitetails and possible muleys. I'm open to other manufacturers, but from the research I've done, the HMR is a solid starting place.

Thoughts? Thank you

I'd say a 3-15x or 4-16x would be a great all around scope: turn down for close hunting shots (4x) but still able to shoot longer range and spot impact.

@300ATT hit it dead nuts center on scopes. Optics in the 3-4 low end magnification for hunting and 15-18x for steel are best. Vortex Gen 2 4-16 or Burris XTR2 3-15 or 4-20 are optics in that range with great features and FFP, but Athalon has been gaining popularity for low/mid-range optics at the 600-1000 price point.

But that's another rabbit hole.... Specifically the optics thread rabbit hole.

 

[StinkFinger]

Thanks to both of you for your responses.
My current field setup is a Savage model 10 set in a Choate stock. It's heavy as shit and not really practical if I were to seriously take it hunting.

On it I've got a Nikon Monarch X in 4-16. I've been happy with that, but would the Vortex glass be an upgrade?

 

[Subwrx300]

Thanks to both of you for your responses.
My current field setup is a Savage model 10 set in a Choate stock. It's heavy as shit and not really practical if I were to seriously take it hunting.

On it I've got a Nikon Monarch X in 4-16. I've been happy with that, but would the Vortex glass be an upgrade?

Maybe by features, but I've always found Nikon optical clarity to be pretty damn good for the cost. My eyes may be different though so get to a Cabela's (I know they carry PSTs and Nikon's) and look through them).

Ideally go anywhere else (not Cabela's) and see if you can look through them outdoors side by side. Set them to the same magnification and look very specifically at each for 5-10 mins back and forth. You'll know very quickly if it seems like an upgrade.

Features though, the Viper will beat the Monarch for sure. Zerostop, FFP, exposed turrets, illuminated, and better reticle options. Weight not so much.