I've been looking into getting a precision rifle, I can easily get a Ruger Precision Rifle Gen 2 cause there's a guy here looking to sell one and he replaced the bolt with a stainless steel one for $1200. I've been looking into the RPR for a long time. But then the Savage BA Stealth and a couple Tikka rifles came also came up. Not sure what I want now (trying for anything in 6.5 creedmoor) I also really been looking into Remington 700 everyone says it's one of the best bases to start with to make a custom precision rifle, I just wouldn't know where to start but upgrading feels important to learn what I'd love to do, but I don't know if it's nearly as accurate? I'd like any build help I could get or what my best decision could be here. In the long run I'd love to have a rifle that can shoot targets at ~1000m at .2 MOA - .5MOA but also be able to take home deer, elk, ect. At closer ranges accurately. Now I know that's completely dependent on the shooter but if I learn to take shots at long distances I just want a rifle that can do it's part. Also another factor is I was looking at is weight ik the Ruger weights 12lbs which lots of people say is a lot to carry with you but I'd do it if it had to be done also really like the tacticool look but its not really necessary.
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I'm looking to get a Precision rifle need advice.
- Thread starter CelestialRipper
- Start date
If you're looking for a low cost chassis'ed rifle in 6.5 CM, than an RPR is hard to beat. That being said, if you can spend more, I'd opt for the Tikka. They're just better actions (smoother, straighter) than a 700 or RPR. An RPR will get the job done though, and generally has accuracy better than most can shoot.
You’re likely to get a different reply from everyone on this site. It’s a personal choice based on a million preferences, application and budget. One of Franks Everyday Sniper podcasts he talks about basic rifles and advantages of a couple (Bergara, Tikka, Savage, Ruger). I started with a remington 700 and enjoyed the vast amount of aftermarket parts. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had started with an Accuracy International AT. Buy once cry once and all. It would have also saved some frustration and improve my marksmanship. You can find some great deals on used ones in the post exchange and get about all your money out of it if you want to sell it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
True I REALLY want an AI I suppose I should just save for one the whole buy once cry once thing is true that would've been my next choice but I suppose if I just bought it in the first place I'd be golden 'eh?
Having owned a RPR in 6.5 and now a Tikka CTR in 6.5, buy the Tikka.
Get the 24” ctr, throw it in a KRG Bravo and call it done.
Get the 24” ctr, throw it in a KRG Bravo and call it done.
Look at the Tikka TAC A1. 3 mags, put a scope and bipod on it and go shoot a match. The only issue I see is getting a 20 moa rail that matches the hand guard. It is a little lighter than the RPR. The CTR is lighter, but too light isn't good on a match rifle.
Once you buy a nice custom action you are halfway to a superior build. Then buy a prefit barrel, a used aftermarket trigger, a used stock or chassis. Upgrade as finances allow but you will be able to enjoy a good foundation from the start vs a cheaply made action.
As soon as the ARC Nucleus comes out, used custom actions will start dropping in price by hundreds.
Skip the RPR unless you like frustratingly sloppy construction, a clunky rough action, acceptable accuracy.
Tikka chassis looks nice, but it sports a cold hammer forged barrel. I hear accuracy is very good but nobody in the accurate rifle community sports a cold hammer forged barrel. Consider a Bergara Premium action like the LRP. It's Rem 700 compatible, smooth action, XLR chassis, higher quality button rifled barrel, superior accuracy and a generally more refined package.
I really wanted a top quality, cut rifled barrel so a local custom smith (Tumbleweeds) is installing a Hawk Hill barrel and it is ready today!!
Tikka chassis looks nice, but it sports a cold hammer forged barrel. I hear accuracy is very good but nobody in the accurate rifle community sports a cold hammer forged barrel. Consider a Bergara Premium action like the LRP. It's Rem 700 compatible, smooth action, XLR chassis, higher quality button rifled barrel, superior accuracy and a generally more refined package.
I really wanted a top quality, cut rifled barrel so a local custom smith (Tumbleweeds) is installing a Hawk Hill barrel and it is ready today!!
The RPR is designed for PRS and it does it quite well IMHO. It also has good aftermarket support for barrels, triggers, etc. So it's a wise choice as an entry level rifle.
The Tikka is a awesome rifle with less support for barrels and triggers but has good options for chassis. Probably less support on the barrels and trigger because the factory stuff is so good. Also the factory stock would be good for hunting.
The Bergara is a much better option than the Remington due to Remington's QC issues. The Bergara is basically a trued action so you save smithing work and just get to enjoy shooting. Also there is no other platform supported with aftermarket parts as well as the old Rem 700 and its clones.
So many good choices, just pick your favorite and enjoy!
The Tikka is a awesome rifle with less support for barrels and triggers but has good options for chassis. Probably less support on the barrels and trigger because the factory stuff is so good. Also the factory stock would be good for hunting.
The Bergara is a much better option than the Remington due to Remington's QC issues. The Bergara is basically a trued action so you save smithing work and just get to enjoy shooting. Also there is no other platform supported with aftermarket parts as well as the old Rem 700 and its clones.
So many good choices, just pick your favorite and enjoy!
Uhh, considering how many are using Tikkas in PRS, I'd say that is a fairly inaccurate statement. Hammer forged barrels, when made correctly, are every bit as accurate as button or cut rifled barrels. This has been hashed out many times before.
On the Bergara's, I have been hearing reports of spotty accuracy issues from several friends. I have no actual experience with the Bergara, so can only say that this is second hand information (and treat it as such).
I would agree with MarinePMI, I don't have a Tikka or an RPR but we have guys shooting them at our matches every month and they can shoot very well. From what I've seen, the Tikka action is smoother than the RPR but it's more of a Ford vs. Chevy sort of thing. The RPR has more aftermarket upgrades for barrels, stocks, triggers, etc. but as the Tikka gets more popular, there are more manufacturers making Tikka chassis, barrels, etc.
If I were starting out, I would get a Tikka T3 CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24" barrel and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis, or get the Tikka T3x TAC A1 and be done with it. For me, the smoother, more refined action is more important to me. Having said that, if you do go with the Ruger Precision Rifle, you will probably be very happy with it and it will shoot very well.
If I were starting out, I would get a Tikka T3 CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24" barrel and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis, or get the Tikka T3x TAC A1 and be done with it. For me, the smoother, more refined action is more important to me. Having said that, if you do go with the Ruger Precision Rifle, you will probably be very happy with it and it will shoot very well.
Yes, if you have your mind set on something, you should get it instead of trying to find a substitute. And there is very little risk with a used AI. They are going to be smooth, solid and accurate. Plus you can always get your money back if you change your mind.
But realize that you probably won’t ever be golden and will probably always want the next thing. For example my AT isawesome but now I want an AXMC. You should probably think of this as finding your next rifle as opposed to finding your last rifle.
If you can afford it, get a new AT for $4k or an AX for $6k.
If you can't, I'd recommend the Tikka CTR rifle + MPA competition chassis or KRG Bravo chassis route ($1.4k-1.9k)
or possibly even better
the PVA John Hancock Rifle $2k (theoretically awesome, but it hasn't been out in the wild yet/tested/used by normal folk)
The RPR does the job. It does the job pretty well. Refinement and pride of ownership it doesn't do well with. IMO, your $$ is better spent with the Tikka/John Hancock/Accuracy International
Nice thing about the Tikka option is that you can buy the CTR and run that stock out of the box. Bravo, MPA, Hancock all require AICS mags. AT/AX require AW mags.
If you can't, I'd recommend the Tikka CTR rifle + MPA competition chassis or KRG Bravo chassis route ($1.4k-1.9k)
or possibly even better
the PVA John Hancock Rifle $2k (theoretically awesome, but it hasn't been out in the wild yet/tested/used by normal folk)
The RPR does the job. It does the job pretty well. Refinement and pride of ownership it doesn't do well with. IMO, your $$ is better spent with the Tikka/John Hancock/Accuracy International
Nice thing about the Tikka option is that you can buy the CTR and run that stock out of the box. Bravo, MPA, Hancock all require AICS mags. AT/AX require AW mags.
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The AT is a great rifle, then going up the scale the AX (New quick barrel change one) and the AX long action MC
However if it's not in your budget, get a great deal on a used AE Mark II or Mark III and then just get a barrel for it if you want a different caliber.
Also while the 6.5CM and the 6CM are the current hot cartridges, if you reload, you can run a .243 very effectively and often there are some great deals to be had on AE rifles / barrels in that caliber, since it's not the hot one of the day.
However if it's not in your budget, get a great deal on a used AE Mark II or Mark III and then just get a barrel for it if you want a different caliber.
Also while the 6.5CM and the 6CM are the current hot cartridges, if you reload, you can run a .243 very effectively and often there are some great deals to be had on AE rifles / barrels in that caliber, since it's not the hot one of the day.
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