Help with New Rifle Purchase

[drummachinejoe]

Hi all, new to the forum but have read many threads here before and have gained some great insite/helpful knowledge. I am a shooter/reloader with a little over 3 years experience, so still a newbie/amateur. I have really enjoyed getting into long range shooting and have been able to shoot out to 880 yards locally and getting 0.5-0.75” groups at 100 yard with 6.5 Creedmoor Savage reloaded ammo. I’m looking to upgrade my long range rifle with a budget of up to $2,200. Would like something with even better consistent accuracy and a smoother action, with excellent reliability. I currently don’t use a magazine due to the roughness of running my bolt with a loaded mag —savages don’t have the smoothest bolt to begin with—and because my brass ends up getting scratched up. So a new stock/chassis that can reliably/smoothly feed from a magazine would be nice.



Current setup...

RIFLE: Savage 10T in 6.5 Creedmoor (5R barrel, no break) with a Bradley cheek rest.

SCOPE: SWFA SS Fixed 10x MRAD/MRAD

REST/BIPOD: shooting bags

SHOOTING STYLE: Benchrest (want something can shoot PRS/benchrest competition in the future)



Contenders:

$750-2,000

Tikka T3 CTR/Varmint (upgrade stock to KRG Bravo)

Bergara Premier Series: Ridgeback/LRP Elite/HMR Pro



$2,000-2,200

Badrock South Fork (Defiance Action)

MPA BA PMR Competition

Havak Bravo by Seekins Precision

John Hancock by PVA (ARC Nucleus Action)

Daniel Defense DELTA 5



Also open to purchasing a barreled action, ex. PVA sells a ARC Nucleus barreled action, and MPA sells an Axiom barreled action or (a cheaper route) a Howa 1500 BA and putting in a stock/chassis.

Not a deal breaker, but I would like to have the ability to change out barrels or adjust headspace myself to improve brass life/accuracy (possibly). Buying at the $2k/under seems ideal if I want to also have the option later compete in Production class PRS Competitions. I routinely check GunBroker for good deals and used rifles. I’m not in a rush to buy something by any deadline but I was hoping to get some advice and tips for what would be the best platform. Also, the MPA PMR Rifle seems to be more readily available from gun dealers than most of the others and if I’m patient I might be able to get a good deal. Finally, I know a Remington 700 footprint would give me the most options for aftermarket/extras.



Hoping to stay with 6.5 CM as I already have all reloading components; however, I’m not opposed to changing calibers.



Open to anyone’s suggestions/advice and won’t take offense.



THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE!

 

[trob_205]

Also check out the Howa Bravo Rifle. Out of your choices I’d pick tikka CTR in a KRG Bravo and maybe spend the extra $ on glass or reloading components.

 

[b6graham]

Origin action or APR G2 if you want to try the new thing
barrel from Keystone / Bugholes etc. you'll have it in 1-2 weeks max not 6 months
Bravo Chassis
trigger of choice

won't be PRS Production legal, but that's not a class worth trying to stay within for any real reason

the only other thing i would consider is the MPA, but again wait time

DD Delta 5 lol
Seekins Havak, eh not a bad deal if you can get a 30-40% off cert
Hancock, great rifles but a wait, same with their barreled actions

 

[drummachinejoe]

Origin action or APR G2 if you want to try the new thing
barrel from Keystone / Bugholes etc. you'll have it in 1-2 weeks max not 6 months
Bravo Chassis
trigger of choice

won't be PRS Production legal, but that's not a class worth trying to stay within for any real reason

the only other thing i would consider is the MPA, but again wait time

DD Delta 5 lol
Seekins Havak, eh not a bad deal if you can get a 30-40% off cert
Hancock, great rifles but a wait, same with their barreled actions

Okay, I’ll check those out.

So if I could get the MPA PMR for ~ $1,600 do you think that would be the best deal?

Thanks!

 

[cmc83]

Would definitely check out Curtis Axiom or their Vector for switch barrel idea. I have the axiom and It’s a smooth reliable action.

 

[drummachinejoe]

Would definitely check out Curtis Axiom or their Vector for switch barrel idea. I have the axiom and It’s a smooth reliable action.

Seriously leaning towards the MPA PMR (which has the Axiom action), especially if I can get for around $1,600. Have you had to change out the barrel yet on your Axiom?

 

[cmc83]

I haven’t had to yet. It’s chambered in 6.5cm and got around 1200rnds through. Even with pushing some 123gr SMK 2890fps. Haha looking forward to spinning a new barrel on it.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Okay, I’ll check those out.

So if I could get the MPA PMR for ~ $1,600 do you think that would be the best deal?

Thanks!

For $1600 that rifle would be a steal.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

You could use the money to get into some used, teir one glass and save for a year while you get behind a bunch of setups and figure out exactly what rifle you want.

 

[Sheldon N]

Origin action ...
barrel from Keystone / Bugholes etc. you'll have it in 1-2 weeks max not 6 months
Bravo Chassis
trigger of choice

This would be my recommendation as well.

 

[stilesg57]

I'll say Howa Bravo or HCR.

Someone else will say something Tikka (probably quite loudly).

Someone else will say Bergara.

Someone else will say stop being so fucking poor you bitch and go custom.

You're welcome for the thread summary. Pick what you want, they all work for what you're looking for.

 

[colorado_native]

I'll say Howa Bravo or HCR.

Someone else will say something Tikka (probably quite loudly).

Someone else will say Bergara.

Someone else will say stop being so fucking poor you bitch and go custom.

You're welcome for the thread summary. Pick what you want, they all work for what you're looking for.

☝?☝???????. Ha Ha Ha!!!! Too true and well said!

 

[Stellawood]

I just went through the process of deciding to either build a rifle/ buying one of the pre made rifles. Right now you really can’t go wrong with all the options. What I did was wait for a good deal on a barreled action, chassis, and trigger. It may cost a little bit more, but you’d be able to piece together everything, without paying the high upfront cost of brand new equipment.

 

[bschneiderheinze]

Origin bugholes barrel bravo chasis

 

[Jackomason]

Yup, prime time to be looking in that price range. I have a bergara and have shot almost everyone of their modles and like them all but I also have a origin build that I really like.

I think you'd get the most of a custom action, just pick the features you want and you're off. Any of the actions in this list wont cause you to miss. If you feel like getting in the weeds about each, there's a thread for each. For me the origin was a perfect match.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

The perfect rifle in my estimation (which is worth much in my mind) is one that shoots where you point it, every time you pull the trigger, rain or shine, user serviceable, not too heavy to cover ground with, and leaves you with enough coin to "Buy more ammo."

 

[stilesg57]

☝?☝???????. Ha Ha Ha!!!! Too true and well said!

Seems like us fellow CO natives have a similar sense of humor ?