Tikka t3x TAC A1 or Thompson LRR?

[PatrickMcKee]

If I got the TicTac in Coyote it'd basically be a $1,000 difference in price. I am new to very long range marksmanship. Furthest I've gone on steel is 800 yards with my trusty Savage Model 10FLP in .308. I'd like to get into competitions and am looking for a basic set-up with which to get my feet wet. I assume if I fall in love with competing then I'd later go full custom and stupid expensive glass.

I am currently leaning toward the LRR in 6.5CM with the Leupold vx3i lrp 8.5-25x50mm ffp currently on sale for $900 at a couple places online. Happy to get any input at all.

Thanks!

 

[Widowmaker0001]

Id say the Tikka just because there is alot more aftermarket support vs the Thompson center compass based rifles. That alone would make my mind up, cost is different yes but you usually get what you pay for.

-Reagan

 

[CaptNemo]

OK, I'm going to go against the grain here, and I take full responsibility for it.
Put some money into a good scope and put it on the Savage.
Go shoot a couple of PRS type competitions to see if you even like to do it.
If you don't like it, you have a better scope on a rifle that you already shoot.
If you do like it and want to go further, you have a good scope to put on top of your New Tikka.
Don't fall into the trap of trying to upgrade the Savage, you will get 5 cents on the dollar back if you try to sell what you have.
Savages are great shooters, but they're not a competition gun in the long run.
The Thompson will be a lost cause in the long run, you're better off with a Howa Barreled Action from Brownell's and a KRG Bravo stock and put together yourself.

 

[PatrickMcKee]

OK, I'm going to go against the grain here, and I take full responsibility for it.
Put some money into a good scope and put it on the Savage.
Go shoot a couple of PRS type competitions to see if you even like to do it.
If you don't like it, you have a better scope on a rifle that you already shoot.
If you do like it and want to go further, you have a good scope to put on top of your New Tikka.
Don't fall into the trap of trying to upgrade the Savage, you will get 5 cents on the dollar back if you try to sell what you have.
Savages are great shooters, but they're not a competition gun in the long run.
The Thompson will be a lost cause in the long run, you're better off with a Howa Barreled Action from Brownell's and a KRG Bravo stock and put together yourself.

Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated. I actually have a decent scope (though cheap, it's a Mueller) on the Savage and I can reach out touch critters and steel reliably. Happy to buy new glass, though. Your right, I should "try before I buy" as there are no ranges with distances past 200 yard with a 3-4 hour drive of me. Thanks again.

 

[CaptNemo]

Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated. I actually have a decent scope (though cheap, it's a Mueller) on the Savage and I can reach out touch critters and steel reliably. Happy to buy new glass, though. Your right, I should "try before I buy" as there are no ranges with distances past 200 yard with a 3-4 hour drive of me. Thanks again.

Based on the 200 yard limit within a reasonable drive time, it may be worth looking for an NRL 22 match to shoot to get your feet wet.
I’m not trying to dissuade you from centerfire PRS, but it’s better to start at the less costly end of things and progress from there. There are a lot of costs involved in match shooting, most of the bags and bipods and misc. “Stuff” that you accumulate shooting NRL22 will move up with you when you decide to move up to centerfire. It’s easier to learn how to use the new gear when shooting something quiet with no recoil vs. getting muzzle blasted and beat up with a centerfire that’s not set up as a heavy match gun. A flinch is easy to pick up if you are getting punched by a hunting weight rifle after putting 100 rounds down range.
Match 22 ammo costs a fraction of what you can handload ammo for, there’s an even bigger gap if you’re using factory ammo.

 

[PatrickMcKee]

Based on the 200 yard limit within a reasonable drive time, it may be worth looking for an NRL 22 match to shoot to get your feet wet.
I’m not trying to dissuade you from centerfire PRS, but it’s better to start at the less costly end of things and progress from there. There are a lot of costs involved in match shooting, most of the bags and bipods and misc. “Stuff” that you accumulate shooting NRL22 will move up with you when you decide to move up to centerfire. It’s easier to learn how to use the new gear when shooting something quiet with no recoil vs. getting muzzle blasted and beat up with a centerfire that’s not set up as a heavy match gun. A flinch is easy to pick up if you are getting punched by a hunting weight rifle after putting 100 rounds down range.
Match 22 ammo costs a fraction of what you can handload ammo for, there’s an even bigger gap if you’re using factory ammo.

Great advice! I am no caliber snob. I've enjoyed shooting my 10/22 as much as the Ma Deuce's with "free" ammo. Just depends on the context. Thanks!