In my next life i’m going to be really rich, really smart, really healthy and really lucky.

[want2learn]

It’s all so confusing and so i‘ve been carefully reading countless posts to learn and to make a better decision. I thought i had it all figured out.



You see, I really wanted an AI or TRG or something like that, they look so cool and sound amazing. Damn financial realities…..probably best to look at the Tikka A1 or something like that.

Really thought about what my needs/wants truly are, soft shooting prone and maybe some local steel competitions up to 1000 yards but mostly just shooting little groups on paper at 100-300 yards. I've got a suitable scope already. Not the best, not the worst.


Then i read about custom premier receivers all precisely fitted with cool and improved features so i figured. I love reading about them. Better save up more money as that’s truly the way to go. Buy once, Cry once…something like that.


Then i read, just get a Remington 700 receiver maybe have it trued, timed etc. etc…..(or not?)… and have it fitted with a premier custom barrel, pick up a chassis. Should be awesome, more cost effective and just as good? Maybe/probably poorer resale value later on?


It’s all so very tough to figure out. It sucks being practical.

 

[Temper]

Just get a Bighorn Origin.

 

[nn8734]

What is your budget for rifle?
What chamberings are you considering?

 

[Supersubes]

Split the difference. There’s an AE mk3 in the PX for $2300.

There isn’t a wrong answer in the scenarios you mentioned.

 

[Aftermath]

"In my next life i’m going to be really rich, really smart, really healthy and really lucky."
What? and still be really ugly?

 

[Supersubes]

"In my next life i’m going to be really rich, really smart, really healthy and really lucky."
What? and still be really ugly?

If you’re really rich though, it doesn’t matter how ugly you are.

 

[hollowoutadime]

You need to work harder and smarter, then those things come.

 

[nn8734]

Since the OP didn’t specify a budget (most of these threads start out like this, the most important information (budget) always missing, here are my suggestions:

1) AIAX MC - nuff said

2) Barrett MRAD (EuroOptic has the ASR MK22 deployment kit available for only $14,400 plus tax; only 100 will be made available)

3) Sako TRG M10 - no experience with this one but it looks cool and a few allied militaries have selected it as their long range sniper rifle

4) Cadex Kracken - Has a good rep

All are end user servicable, nearly infinitely scalable in terms of engagement envelope and build quality is outstanding.

 

[hollowoutadime]

Split the difference. There’s an AE mk3 in the PX for $2300.

...Not a folder. Good price.

 

[Steel head]

AI
TRG
Custom 700 footprint action
Rem 700.
All with a decent barrel will shoot.

hell even my clapped out old savage shoots.

 

[steve123]

Tall, dark, handsome, and well endowed, would be on my wish list too.

Yuh know, sometimes a guy just wants what he wants. I'm so tempted to buy a Steyr ProX semi auto PCP air rifle that cost's way more than I should spend, and I might jump on it, even though I really shouldn't.

Very few times I've not been happy, even ecstatic, that I bought the nice stuff I did. This includes the almost constant upgrading of stuff over the span of my adult life.

It's the visual appeal, the design and craftsmanship, the superior fit finish and feel, that it works well and is exceptional in it's functionality, and above all how much pleasure I get out of the object.

That being said we all have a budget. Hard to argue against that Tikka TAC. I'd be plenty happy with one "for a while", lol.

 

[want2learn]

Sorry about that....not yet certain of a budget...I'm guessing $1600 or so but must really speak with my better half. We're fine but not as good off financially as i had hoped to be. I did work very hard just ask my spine. Lived a pretty honest life, guess that's something.

I did take a look in the mirror.....not a 2 and certainly not a 10....i guess average?

That AI sure looks awesome. A 6.5 would work well. Probably best right now to live within my means and to dream a bit longer.

Really enjoy this forum, thanks for all the info.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

We're not all Snipers, or LR Competitors, or even great marks-persons. That is not a hanging offense.

Living within our means includes spending in accordance with our honest abilities. I look at the recent proliferation of really cool actions, chassis, etc., and drool briefly. That's because soon enough I recognize that my skills do not justify the purchase, my skills will not demonstrate the true potential of that really sweet gear. I admit it. Others will too, and some won't.

In such cases, the best won't do; it can't.

I favor the second option, upgrading a brown box factory machine. A good trigger, a good barrel, bedding, and some not-bottom-feeding optics and mounts can bring out the best in most of us non champion/non world saving shooters. In cases where it won't (I.e you get to shoot a high dollar implement and see a marked improvement in performance), you will still have a good practice rifle (which won't put a punishing degree of wear into an exquisite bore), and you can spend away in good conscience.

For many of the rest of us, our goal is already achieved. IMHO, there's a lot of wasted income residing in under utilized and over capable equipment out here in our little corner of the world. For me, it's matter of being on the other side of the hill. For others, they are at the top of their own hill, and there could be taller hills out there in the distance.

No hangings need ensue. Shooters shooting to their best potential in an affordable manner is a valid and honorable goal.

My own most treasured implement is a 2001 Savage 10FP with a 28" Lothar-Walther SAAMI 260 barrel. It resides in a McMillan A3-Tactical stock factory painted Ghost Grey. There is a Sharpshooter Supply trigger on it, and it has been blueprinted. Most of that occurred at or shortly after 2001. A Ken Farrel 20MOA base supports Burris Signature Zee Rings and a Mueller 8-32x44 target dot scope.

IMHO, it is the epitome of the upgraded humble factory action. I've hit the 1KM Gong at Whittington non stop with it for 10rd late in 2002, and still wearing the Savage factory 24" 260 barrel. The rifle outshoots me every time it's out.

Don't count out the AR's either... Judicious spending combined with some basic gun-plumber skills, tools, and smidge of intestinal fortitude can deliver some very nice targets for well under $1500 per implement.

Greg

 

[want2learn]

thank you for that thoughtful post.....It makes a lot of sense

 

[wade2big]

"In my next life i’m going to be really rich, really smart, really healthy and really lucky."
What? and still be really ugly?

Thats the first thing that crossed my mind. Lol

 

[want2learn]

you're killing me....thank heaven my Dog loves me

 

[jcam]

Its an ARMS race out there. There is always going to be a better stick. If I had to pick one set up, knowing what I know now(which is not a lot); I would go with a used AI in 308 for long barrel life and a used NF scope and practice weekly.

 

[762libertarian]

Ive been shooting all my life. Just now getting into precision shooting. Got a very nice scope and a Tikka t3x. I'm European, but I've heard the Tikka is even cheaper in the US. The performance is there, in my stock off the shelf rifle. If I want to upgrade, to get even better performance, I have that option.

My point is that yes, the custom actions can give you better performance than my factory Tikka, but you don't have to pay for any custom work to get into the game. I'm sure the Bergara and other rifles are good to go out of the box as well.

By the way, I really think my Tikka beats quite a few of the custom rifles when it comes to the feel of the bolt. I've been shooting bolt actions since I was six, and the T3 is really among the best I've experienced in that regard. It's on point.

But sure, in my next life, I'll have hair on my head until I'm 90 and enough money to fully accessorize a dozen precision rifles without worrying or having to discuss it with my wife.

 

[want2learn]

thanks....you made me laugh. I hope you get the hair and money you deserve. One never knows, medical technology is evolving and i'm feeling pretty good about the lottery.

appreciate the advice, i'll be saving up, likely for the Tikka or a nice used AI....it's just so tempting when you see the amazing work by Long Rifles, Hoplite, Russo and all the other magicians who are kind enough to post here.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Well, I'm 73, have most of a full head of hair, and have finally managed to get what I already have up to speed the way I want them.

Still working on loads, but that's coming into range too.

But the closer I get, the more my butt drags.

It's always something...

Greg

 

[Crang]

I have a TRG rebarreled in 6.5 with a nice bartelin barrel, had the receiver trued, big name smith did it, etc. My off the shelf Tikka CTR in the same round shoots smaller groups than the TRG. Go figure. Wind calls are far more important than .25 MOA vs .4 MOA. As long as you can get your brain to accept a Tikka over something else just for the sake of wanting (I will always want an AI anyway), it will do everything you ask it to.

 

[want2learn]

good to hear.

it's funny, i tried a couple of times to pickup one of the blemished folding KRG whisky chassis because so many seemed to favor this stock....I figured i'd pick up a CTR later on....that would result in a nice setup. I gave up after an hour of trying....probably for the best. Pretty awesome sale so it's easy to understand how systems could crash. Congratulations to all who got through. Can't wait to hear how the builds worked out.

i do have a rifle and a good barrel so i'll keep learning with it. i'm not a competitor so there really isn't an urgency..

just saw a nice book on reading the wind on amazon...might pick that up.

 

[Crang]

good to hear.

it's funny, i tried a couple of times to pickup one of the blemished folding KRG whisky chassis because so many seemed to favor this stock....I figured i'd pick up a CTR later on....that would result in a nice setup. I gave up after an hour of trying....probably for the best. Pretty awesome sale so it's easy to understand how systems could crash. Congratulations to all who got through. Can't wait to hear how the builds worked out.

i do have a rifle and a good barrel so i'll keep learning with it. i'm not a competitor so there really isn't an urgency..

just saw a nice book on reading the wind on amazon...might pick that up.

Its easy to get caught up in the quest for new gear hanging out around here. I've certainly fallen victim at time. Eventually came to a point in my shooting and collecting that instead of chasing better stuff, money is better spent on good training and ammo. If you need something, by all means get it. If you just want to upgrade you get more out of upgrading your skill sets! Good luck either way-

You may hold off on the KRG. I have the Bravo myself. Whenever I get around to being able to get their new one that takes CTR/TRG mags instead of having to use AICS mags Ill probably dump the Bravo on the PX here. Sure some others will as well. I like the TRG mags better.

 

[theLBC]

i went a long spell without buying something like a nice rifle for myself.
in between that time, my daughter grew up, went to college and graduated (now in graduate school).
once her first 4 years of college was paid off, i decided i could indulge myself.

we all have priorities, and ways we can rationalize how we order those at any given moment.
if i had a budget (I didn't) i would get a reasonable priced rifle and work on letting that improve your skills.
by the time you can out shoot it, you may have saved up enough nickels to buys something more expensive.