New rifle set up

[Dunkaroo]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have some questions about setting up a rifle that I hope to shoot out to 1000 yards. I apologize if I am not posting this on the appropriate area.

I purchased a Bergara B-14 RIDGE RIFLE in 6.5 CM. I also picked up an Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 8-34X56 First Focal Plane Riflescope to mount on it. I purchased a Leupold Backcountry Cross-Slot short action 20 moa Scope Base for Remigton 700, and picked up some Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings high. I know this is a pretty budget rifle set up (in regard to long range shooting) but it is the to be honest its the most I have spent on a rifle and glass. I am not a gun smith by any means. I have “thrown” some scopes on other rifles, but I have never lapped rings, bubble leveled the scopes etc. I do have a FAT wrench torque screw driver. Does this set up overall seem appropriate? Should I even try to mount this myself or should I take it to a professional? Do I really need to lap these specific rings? I’m already quite a bit over my original budget lol. I would like to save as much money as possible at this point without cutting big corners. The store I purchased the rifle at stated the gun would be available for pick up in about a week. Hope to take it to the range soon after to break in the barrel and set a zero. Everything minus the gun is still returnable at this point.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Mount it yourself.

Search the YouTubes for some videos.

It isn’t that hard and you’ll be glad you taught yourself to do it.

And once you’re hooked, and you will be, there will be more guns, more bases, more rings, and more scopes to mount.

 

[TurboTrout]

 

[FuhQ]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have some questions about setting up a rifle that I hope to shoot out to 1000 yards. I apologize if I am not posting this on the appropriate area.

I purchased a Bergara B-14 RIDGE RIFLE in 6.5 CM. I also picked up an Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 8-34X56 First Focal Plane Riflescope to mount on it. I purchased a Leupold Backcountry Cross-Slot short action 20 moa Scope Base for Remigton 700, and picked up some Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings high. I know this is a pretty budget rifle set up (in regard to long range shooting) but it is the to be honest its the most I have spent on a rifle and glass. I am not a gun smith by any means. I have “thrown” some scopes on other rifles, but I have never lapped rings, bubble leveled the scopes etc. I do have a FAT wrench torque screw driver. Does this set up overall seem appropriate? Should I even try to mount this myself or should I take it to a professional? Do I really need to lap these specific rings? I’m already quite a bit over my original budget lol. I would like to save as much money as possible at this point without cutting big corners. The store I purchased the rifle at stated the gun would be available for pick up in about a week. Hope to take it to the range soon after to break in the barrel and set a zero. Everything minus the gun is still returnable at this point.

Like was said, learn to properly mount it yourself. The more you know about your own equipment, the better.

Make sure to look up individual torque specs for the scope tube, the rings (both caps and clamp) and the scope base. Use a set of levels to make sure it's truly level, and keep checking it while mounting. You probably won't need to lap those rings. I haven't lapped a set of scope rings in 20 years. With a high-quality picatinny base and high-quality precision rings, you most-likely won't even need to fool with lapping them.

As for "break-in"... Don't fall prey to the internet bullshit making you do the hokey-pokey and hold your tongue right while running the brush. It's all a bunch of bullshit. What you need to do is this... Before you ever shoot it, bring it home and scrub the barrel until all the patches come out just as clean as they went in. Also, a brush and a jag/patch are ONE WAY ONLY. DO NOT try to pull them back through the barrel towards you. They should always follow the bullet direction. And when you push the brush or patch through the bore, and out the other end... REMOVE the brush or patch from the end of the cleaning rod before pulling it back through. This will eliminate knicking the crown of your barrel, which can cause accuracy issues. I don't care what these "pros" tell you, that's just common sense.

Break-in procedure I use is this... Clean the hell out of the barrel before shooting it. Then, when the barrel is 100% clean, run a single wet patch soaked in RemOil down the bore. Let it soak in and don't wipe it out. Go to the range, and shoot 50-100 rounds. Bring it home, scrub the hell out of it again. Run another wet patch of RemOil and let it soak in. You're good to go. Then only clean it when you start getting fliers in your groups. This is what I do, and I have rifles that shoot 1-hole groups. I used to do all that hokey-pokey bullshit, but found out my results came out the exact same. So, why go through all the headache of shoot 1, clean, shoot 3, clean, shoot 5, clean... Fuck all that.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have some questions about setting up a rifle that I hope to shoot out to 1000 yards. I apologize if I am not posting this on the appropriate area.

I purchased a Bergara B-14 RIDGE RIFLE in 6.5 CM. I also picked up an Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 8-34X56 First Focal Plane Riflescope to mount on it. I purchased a Leupold Backcountry Cross-Slot short action 20 moa Scope Base for Remigton 700, and picked up some Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings high. I know this is a pretty budget rifle set up (in regard to long range shooting) but it is the to be honest its the most I have spent on a rifle and glass. I am not a gun smith by any means. I have “thrown” some scopes on other rifles, but I have never lapped rings, bubble leveled the scopes etc. I do have a FAT wrench torque screw driver. Does this set up overall seem appropriate? Should I even try to mount this myself or should I take it to a professional? Do I really need to lap these specific rings? I’m already quite a bit over my original budget lol. I would like to save as much money as possible at this point without cutting big corners. The store I purchased the rifle at stated the gun would be available for pick up in about a week. Hope to take it to the range soon after to break in the barrel and set a zero. Everything minus the gun is still returnable at this point.

The time to ask for advice is before you buy, not after. Are you looking for confirmation or assurances?

Go out and shoot, its not that complicated.

 

[Dunkaroo]

Like was said, learn to properly mount it yourself. The more you know about your own equipment, the better.

Make sure to look up individual torque specs for the scope tube, the rings (both caps and clamp) and the scope base. Use a set of levels to make sure it's truly level, and keep checking it while mounting. You probably won't need to lap those rings. I haven't lapped a set of scope rings in 20 years. With a high-quality picatinny base and high-quality precision rings, you most-likely won't even need to fool with lapping them.

As for "break-in"... Don't fall prey to the internet bullshit making you do the hokey-pokey and hold your tongue right while running the brush. It's all a bunch of bullshit. What you need to do is this... Before you ever shoot it, bring it home and scrub the barrel until all the patches come out just as clean as they went in. Also, a brush and a jag/patch are ONE WAY ONLY. DO NOT try to pull them back through the barrel towards you. They should always follow the bullet direction. And when you push the brush or patch through the bore, and out the other end... REMOVE the brush or patch from the end of the cleaning rod before pulling it back through. This will eliminate knicking the crown of your barrel, which can cause accuracy issues. I don't care what these "pros" tell you, that's just common sense.

Break-in procedure I use is this... Clean the hell out of the barrel before shooting it. Then, when the barrel is 100% clean, run a single wet patch soaked in RemOil down the bore. Let it soak in and don't wipe it out. Go to the range, and shoot 50-100 rounds. Bring it home, scrub the hell out of it again. Run another wet patch of RemOil and let it soak in. You're good to go. Then only clean it when you start getting fliers in your groups. This is what I do, and I have rifles that shoot 1-hole groups. I used to do all that hokey-pokey bullshit, but found out my results came out the exact same. So, why go through all the headache of shoot 1, clean, shoot 3, clean, shoot 5, clean... Fuck all that.

Thanks for the info on the break in, as well as advice against lapping.

 

[Dunkaroo]

The time to ask for advice is before you buy, not after. Are you looking for confirmation or assurances?

Go out and shoot, its not that complicated.

I find if I ask “what should I buy” I get 100 different responses and opinions for each component that are vague and don’t take into consideration my constraints.

If I pitch a set up after doing a fair amount of research, and come to a specialized forum to ask for an assessment for confirmation or red flags I may get more specific and constructive information.

Is “go out and shoot it’s not that complicated” your typical advice for people new to long range? Lol

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Well do you want honest opinions because most will not shit on your purchases out of politeness and those that would, you will think are an asshole.

Don't solicit broad information like this from SH. Too many idiots who just spout whatever they bought and half the people here don't even shoot. Go out and shoot, talk to other shooters and find out what works. Everyone has different preferences from actions, to optics to chassis to calibers to reloading setup. Your setup will probably be fine but if you decide to get into shooting heavily, you will change stuff out. This site is really good for specific questions because there is alot of very technically experienced people who can help you.

Look, You don't know what you don't know. We have all been there before.

Yes go out and shoot. Experience will drive your decision making. Reading shit on the internet has limited value, especially when you are new to LR and trying to learn the basics. You need the expereince and context to know if what you are reading is even legit or just more bullshit from people who don't shoot or aren't expereinced.

 

[pineoak]

Do not lap your rings. Use your torque wrench. Do it yourself, nothing here is a repair or requires special tools.

Watch videos on zeroing and using the reticle in your scope to zero with before hitting the range.

If you have cheap ammo, start with that before going to the load you decide to stick with.

Break in: clean your barrel, then shoot it 200 rounds and clean it decently (I use Boretech Eliminator myself & nylon brushes, use appropriate sized patches)

---

Not what you wanted to hear, but consider getting a .22LR like the Tikka T1x as well.

Learn everything on how to set up a rifle where ammo is less than ten cents a round. you can use the same scope & rings

 

[Gustav7]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have some questions about setting up a rifle that I hope to shoot out to 1000 yards. I apologize if I am not posting this on the appropriate area.

I purchased a Bergara B-14 RIDGE RIFLE in 6.5 CM. I also picked up an Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 8-34X56 First Focal Plane Riflescope to mount on it. I purchased a Leupold Backcountry Cross-Slot short action 20 moa Scope Base for Remigton 700, and picked up some Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings high. I know this is a pretty budget rifle set up (in regard to long range shooting) but it is the to be honest its the most I have spent on a rifle and glass. I am not a gun smith by any means. I have “thrown” some scopes on other rifles, but I have never lapped rings, bubble leveled the scopes etc. I do have a FAT wrench torque screw driver. Does this set up overall seem appropriate? Should I even try to mount this myself or should I take it to a professional? Do I really need to lap these specific rings? I’m already quite a bit over my original budget lol. I would like to save as much money as possible at this point without cutting big corners. The store I purchased the rifle at stated the gun would be available for pick up in about a week. Hope to take it to the range soon after to break in the barrel and set a zero. Everything minus the gun is still returnable at this point.

Welcome to the Hide man, you're gonna get a lot of frank, sometimes dickish responses. I would just shrug them off and listen to the comments that you feel help.

That being said, all the responses have truth to them. What you have is fine, and it will work for as many years as you wanna shoot it, but you will definitely upgrade if you continue to shoot. I started with a Savage 10 and still have it. It still shoots great but no, its no where near as nice as my Kelblys.

Like others said, youtube and learn how to do it all yourself. Have thick skin, ask questions, be open to learning and ignore dickhead's insults, but if they know how to shoot, then also listen to what they're saying haha.

Good luck