Undecided on what rifle

[Dbspaded7]

Looking for recommendations. I am new to long range. I have narrowed my choices down:
Bergara HMR Pro 6.5 CM
Tikka T3x Tac A1 6.5 CM
Bergara LRP 6.5 CM.
I originally was looking at a the Ruger Precision but I dont like the action. I really like the Premier action on the Bergara. I also like the Timney or TriggerTech triggers on the Begaras. With that being said I also really like the Tikka. Budget on rifle is (2000$) I dont compete (noobie) but I want something really accurate and be able to hit steel at 1000 yds plus. I have already ordered my glass, I decided to go with Athlon Cronus BTR. I have 30 days to change my mind on that. Budget on glass was 2000$ max.

 

[_Windrider_]

Ok. If you want one of those 3, do the Tikka. If you want something better, call APO and do their SnipersHide rifle @lowlight did with them.

 

[Kadams1563]

Pretty much Tikka or custom.

 

[Dbspaded7]

I have been looking and all the custom rifles were well out of my price range. I definitely would consider a custom if it was close to my budget. I will check out APO

 

[69ls]

Have you looked at masterpiece arms. I went with the production model in 6.5 Creedmoor. Picked it up for 1599 .

 

[Gatorshark]

Tikka is the way to go. Great rifle for newb to do some learning with before going custom.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Easy. Tikka.

 

[_Raining]

Kinda weird people suggesting Tikka with the Ultimatum deal: ultimatumprecision.com/collections/barreled-actions/products/defacto-barreled-action-w-triggertech-trigger-pre-sale-50-deposit

 

[ballison]

MPA has 1 option in your price range and 1 just a little above. Great rifle whether you want to compete or not

PMR Rifles - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

 

[Joshb05]

Kinda weird people suggesting Tikka with the Ultimatum deal: ultimatumprecision.com/collections/barreled-actions/products/defacto-barreled-action-w-triggertech-trigger-pre-sale-50-deposit

I was going to say Tikka as well, but the Ultimatum DeFacto looks like a good option also. Comes with a Triggertech trigger, but still opens up options on triggers and magazine selection over the Tikka T3X Tac A1. At $1,000 still leaves plenty of room in your budget for a chassis of your choice.

 

[Winny94]

Kinda weird people suggesting Tikka with the Ultimatum deal: ultimatumprecision.com/collections/barreled-actions/products/defacto-barreled-action-w-triggertech-trigger-pre-sale-50-deposit

No doubt - have to assume they just haven't seen this yet. Unreal deal.

 

[_Windrider_]

No doubt - have to assume they just haven't seen this yet. Unreal deal.

Well if you read the OP, he asked our opinion between two bergaras and a tikka. i Think that’s why most say the tikka.

 

[Dbspaded7]

The ultimatum defacto is a great option. I have never owned a custom. I have no experience putting the action into a chassis. It cant be hard I just dont have any experience. Wouldn't want to screw up. I am definitely open to suggestions. Is this something I could do, or would I need to take it to a gunsmith?

 

[Kadams1563]

It’s very easy.

you get a inch pound torque wrench if some sort. The correct bits for the action screws and you torque the two screws to 65 inch pounds.

remember it’s INCH pounds.

borka tools, fix it sticks, or wheeler fat wrench will all get the job done.

 

[_Raining]

It’s very easy.

you get a inch pound torque wrench if some sort. The correct bits for the action screws and you torque the two screws to 65 inch pounds.

remember it’s INCH pounds.

borka tools, fix it sticks, or wheeler fat wrench will all get the job done.

"* = Slight modifications required in standard Tikka T3 inlet stocks or chassis to accommodate the Remington 700 style trigger and safety. We are currently working with manufacturers for a DeFacto inlet, so drop-in stock and chassis option will be available in the near future. "

 

[Steel head]

Tikka or one of the production class rifle options.

 

[Kadams1563]

"* = Slight modifications required in standard Tikka T3 inlet stocks or chassis to accommodate the Remington 700 style trigger and safety. We are currently working with manufacturers for a DeFacto inlet, so drop-in stock and chassis option will be available in the near future. "

Was just reading that. I thought the whole thing was to make it compatible with Tikka stocks.

for that reason and no pre fit barrels I would pass and just get a tikka.

 

[Travis_260Rem]

Tikka, great action - then upgrade stock later

 

[_Raining]

Was just reading that. I thought the whole thing was to make it compatible with Tikka stocks.

for that reason and no pre fit barrels I would pass and just get a tikka.

It depends on what is needed to get it to work in a Tikka Chassis. If it isn't much work, I would rather have the tighter tolerances of a custom action over a mass produced one from a factory. Same thing for barrel and Rem 700 has much more trigger options in the aftermarket. Some people are satisfied with the Tikka one which I would say is equivalent to a Timney, some people want options for better triggers like the Trigger Tech, Huber, and the much cheaper Bix N Andys, etc.

 

[clcustom1911]

I sold my RPR to get a Tikka TacA1.

You wont be disappointed with the Tikka.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Yeah with that Ultimatum deal, I wouldnt buy an off the shelf Tikka.

5 minutes with a dremel and it drops in any Tikka ready stock.

Tighten a couple screws and your done. Its literally that simple.

 

[bovie]

Might get flamed for this but I was in your shoes 6 months ago (new shooter, $2k rifle budget for a 6.5 CM) and couldn't really justify anything in that price range.

There are a few options for reliable, sub-1 MOA rifles in the <$1k range. From my analysis the Tikka CTR leads the pack. The problem is that by spending another grand you are not guaranteed to get a better shooter. Fit and finish, sure. But I wanted tighter groups for the additional cash. I was looking at the Seekins Havak and Bergara HMR Pro, which are great rifles and perform well for a lot of people, but there were enough reports of lemons that I couldn't justify the risk.

PVA John Hancock comes up a lot as the "best" sub $2k precision rifle but the wait time was prohibitory for me. I also looked at the Kimber advanced tactical SOC II but didn't want a chassis rifle. Doesn't get a lot of love on this site but comes in a little over $2k with a sub-half moa guarantee.

So in the end the only options that made sense to me were to spend <$1k and get a guaranteed 1 MOA rifle, or to go over budget and get one that had an unquestioned reputation for being a sub half MOA rifle. So I picked up a Sako TRG 22 for $2600 from the Cabelas sale and couldn't be happier (at least until I started buying the accessories...).

But really, do the longer term math for the hobby as a whole. If you are shooting regularly, the major cost driver becomes your expendables - ammunition & barrels. Then there are all the accessories, range/competition fees, etc etc. If you are going to depend on factory ammo for good groups you don't want a rifle that is picky. That could drive your costs way up and overtake a major price difference in the initial cost of the rifle. You should also factor in at least one barrel change into the equation - the ones that allow prefits will be cheaper than taking it to a gunsmith. 6.5 CM is a great balance of performance, cost per round and barrel life, but if you were to buy a 308 instead the difference in ammo price & barrel life could again wash away hundreds or thousands of dollars in initial rifle cost. Of course if you handload that math changes.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!!

 

[346ci]

Tikka CTR, used the saved money from Tac to get a KRG Bravo.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Tikka CTR, used the saved money from Tac to get a KRG Bravo.

Not a bad plan. The Tac chassis is good though. I think I like the Bravo a little better and it has everything to do with aesthetics not performance. Use wise, they're too close for me to call. They both adjust similarly. The biggest difference is the folding stock and traditional rifle look vs. chassis.

 

[ffjoey]

I have a Bergara LRP Elite and could not be happier. I also happened to get a screaming deal on mine so that helped.

 

[B_w.]

Really happy with my Tikka CTR although my latest purchase was a Ultimatum Deadline barreled action.

 

[Dbspaded7]

I decided to do Masterpiece Arms. I spent a little more but I couldn't be happier. Went away from the Bergara and Tikka. Only bad part 8 to 10 weeks. Thanks for all the advice

 

[Joshb05]

I decided to do Masterpiece Arms. I spent a little more but I couldn't be happier. Went away from the Bergara and Tikka. Only bad part 8 to 10 weeks. Thanks for all the advice

Congrats. Glad you made a choice (Even if different than where you started) and didn’t settle for something you wouldn’t be 100% pleased with. You did well in my opinion.