Need help with selection of first precision rifle

[Wizzard]

I am a newbie here but have done a lot of searching of past threads looking for info/guidance. I am excited to join this community and to keep learning. I am looking at getting my first precision bolt gun and need some additional guidance. I have a range that goes out to 1k+ yds near me and am looking forward to taking advantage of it and use it as a learning journey in distance shooting. I know glass is an important consideration.

I have been leaning towards .300 Win Mag due to local ammo availability and I already have .308. I do want something ready out of the box, I don't want to get into building something (I already do that with ARs). As a personal preference I do prefer the looks of chassis guns as opposed to traditional stocks, but keeping my options open (Tikka, Bergara). Ability to re-barrell is important to me. I am finding myself leaning to the Ruger RPR, and Savage Stealth (Evolution), Bergara LRP series...those are my upper limit in budget (below $2k).

Any input on those mentioned is much appreciated.

 

[Steve_O]

Tikka Tac A1 is worth a good look also.

 

[cgobeli]

I have a Ruger RPR on its second barrel and it has been very good to me. One of the things to keep in mind with the RPR is, that is all it will ever be. You can change the stock, handguard, grip, trigger, etc., but it is always going to be the same basic configuration. Plus I have noticed that placement of my bipod will change my point of impact since the handguard rides on the barrel nut.

If I was going to do it all over, I would have spent the extra money on the Tikka TacA1, you get a rifle out of the box that is more than capable in a tactical looking stock; all of the Tikka actions that I have handled have been excellent for a factory action. I know a lot of people go with the Tikka CTR, which is the same basic rifle, and eventually upgrade to the chassis of their choosing.

The Bergara and Savage are also good options that will allow you to make more changes in the future.

 

[hereinaz]

Anything can be rebarreled. Question is whether you want to do it yourself. If you want to do it yourself, then Bergara doesn't have prefits.

With the right tools, most actions can take either a barrel nut prefit or a shouldered prefit. If you want to be able to swap barrels, then you may as well look at building one right now. There are all sorts of threads on how to do that and what ones work.

A great starting place is simply call Jim at Northland Shooting Supply and buying all the parts to screw together a Rem 700 in the chassis of your choice. $2000 will go a long ways for that. If you decide to get better than a Rem 700, then you can use the trigger, chassis, and other Rem 700 compatible bits on a custom action.

If you go something like Tikka, Savage, Ruger, etc. you are investing all your eggs in that basket. Some guys stick with it, and others end up selling everything and going with a Rem 700 compatible custom. Think about what you will do long run...

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Tikka TAC A1.
Bang for your buck, straight out of the box.
Don't skimp on your scope or rings.
And enjoy the adventure of hitting long range targets.

 

[TRPrecision]

If your budget goes to 2k, this is a perfect option at the top of the price range.

MPA BA PMR Rifle - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

Masterpiece Arms builds World Class Rifles. We start with our industry leading Chassis System, utilize the Best Actions and Triggers produced, and a 416R SS Handlapped Barrels provide some the best shooting, most accurate rifles in existence. Designed, Built and Enhanced by Long Range Shooters...

masterpiecearms.com

 

[Wizzard]

Looks like no .300 Win Mag available on the Tikka, but it sure looks nice. Thanks for the advice and keeping my options open based on everyone's suggestions.

Any preferences in the Savage lineup?

 

[hafejd30]

Just curious what your intentions are? If mostly target a 6.5 Tikka Tac A1 would be nice. I know you mentioned ammo availability but if you don’t need the 300 knockdown power then a 6.5 is great at 1,000 for targets. With less recoil and ammo cost

I haven’t purchased a savage in a while but have owned several. My 300 WM started as a 110 FCP HS. Only changes made were a aftermarket bolt handle and swapped to a MDT ESS chassis. It shoot lights out and is the best shooting factory Savage that if come across.

I’ve also owned several others. One threw rounds from new and needed a new barrel. I’ve had the standard ejection/extraction issues that are prone to savages. Also have built a couple rifles off savage actions. They’re alright but not my first pick of your holding $2K

Bargara are supposed to be decent. I believe there R700 chassis compatible. I’ve never owned or shot the bargara just going off what I’ve read

I like the design of the RPR although I didn’t care for the buttstock on the one I handled. But I’m sure this is easily replaced. I know several guys with them in 6.5 and they hang on par with the savage for accuracy

Like mentioned above if your wanting ability to rebarrel easily then maybe pursuing building from action up is a better choice as you’ll buy items to do it eventually. Every step to rebarrel a rifle like a savage etc will require you to tear down the rifle to the same point you’ll start at if you just build it yourself. You’ll also be starting with a better product in terms of barrel quality etc

Otherwise your limits on chassis factory guns basically comes down to your caliber preference, 300 WM. The options are endless if you don’t need the knockdown power and can live with a 6.5 variant

 

[ma smith]

Wizard, how is your budget beyond the $2k for the rifle?

I hear magnumn boltface and newbie and I think expensive training rounds and rebarrels (at 1500 rnds or whatever)

 

[Delicatessen]

There are a few right around 2k that could be very nice bad rock, bighorn barreled action etc. I am a little unsure as all of these built are not likely to be in win mag. Similarly tikka can be done but you probably would need to swap the barrel as they are only lite versions that I can think of in win mag. Is your 308 a bolt gun? I would tend to advise against a win mag for your first precision rifle. There will likely be barreled actions for sale next week (likely in other more common chamberings though) consider those as they are very simple if you choose a good chassis.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

@Wizzard , do you have a scope already, or is that a separate budget?

 

[seansmd]

Folks are asking for questions to help answer you, another why 300 win mag, it you are looking at shooting targets 6.5CM should meet all the requirements?

 

[seansmd]

FYI most were in the same space and the RPR(my path) and the Tikka, savages is where we started. Then when barrels triggers, grips, etc start to change you quickly wish you had started slightly more semi-custom, like the MPA suggestion. There are other production setups that are in your budget range.

 

[Wizzard]

Thanks everyone. Looking at Win Mag mainly because every Walmart in my area has some on the shelf and is reasonably priced. I read a thread about the Savage chassis guns (Evolution) having to much distance from the factory cheek weld to scope, not about to start throwing new stocks at this.

Now also looking at the Bergara LRP, but would need it priced at ~$1,600 (wife flip out limit). Glass will be handled separately. You guys have given me a lot of info to work from thus far, thank you all.

 

[Southern Custom]

Thanks everyone. Looking at Win Mag mainly because every Walmart in my area has some on the shelf and is reasonably priced. I read a thread about the Savage chassis guns (Evolution) having to much distance from the factory cheek weld to scope, not about to start throwing new stocks at this.

Now also looking at the Bergara LRP, but would need it priced at ~$1,600 (wife flip out limit). Glass will be handled separately. You guys have given me a lot of info to work from thus far, thank you all.

The reason guys are questioning win mag is that on target guns, recoil is generally not your friend. You’ll have a hard time spotting misses with a magnum and if you are new to long range, a win mag pounding you is not conducive to settling in for extended range sessions and learning fundamentals. A 6.5 will handle things just fine out to 1500 and you won’t have the recoil to deal with. Not to mention you get great barrel life.
Also the factory ammo at Walmart will be very hit and miss as to what might give good accuracy in the gun. 6.5 is readily available in Hornady Match and other match grade loadings.