Yes another Help a New Guy with purchasing a 6.5 thread

[AwesomeDude]

Happy Sunday guys. Newbie here and yes I did read a lot on the board for past posts before positing, so take it easy on me

I’m an avid shooter (sporting clays, 3 gun, pistol) and want to get into long range shooting. The only non-AR platform rifle I owe is a Tikka .308 with a relatively inexpensive Vortex but want to invest in a 6.5CM.

Seems to be a lot of good feedback on Athlon Optics Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56 so I’m sort of set with that at this point, unless I’m missing something (open to other recs)

Having a hard time with a decision on the gun. All will be WAY better then I am so any input would be appreciated. As far as use cases, proficiency one day at 1000 yards is the goal. I don't hunt for anything but birds and don't see myself competing anytime soon.

MPA6.5 PRC BA
ARC Nucleus 6.5
GAP Pinnacle Production - I think I’m leaning towards this but having a hard time finding one to buy
Thanks for the help and feedback!

 

[CK1.0]

I went the budget route getting into PRS and got a Howa BA + KRG Bravo, has worked out great for me...

That said, if I could turn back time like Cher, I would jump on an ARC Nucleus rifle for sure!

TriggerTech Diamond ($300) out of the box, easy rebarreling yourself with prefits already available at most of the usual places, even can use Savage prefits which some places have on the shelf for only around $300 when new barrels are usually at least $500+.

You literally can’t build that rifle for less than they’re selling it for.

Yeah, $2500 isn’t peanuts, and you’ll need an ARCA clamp to attach a bipod (though it’s awesome that there’s already an ARCA rail built-in to the chassis so who cares), but pound for pound dollar for dollar that rifle is crazy.

I’m shooting 6mm Creedmoor, not 6.5, but if I had spotted that rifle I’d have just shot 6.5 for at least until the first barrel was cooked... all the components are great and could be used for whatever calibers one wanted to run down the road.

GAP makes solid stuff, but the GAP Pinnicle is the same price as the ARC with a crappier trigger, less “smart” design in the action, and a way less adaptable stock IMHO.

 

[bfk4lyfe]

https://www.gaprecision.net/ga-store/miscellaneous/pinnacle-production-rifle-deposit.html

No input but GAP is taking orders now for their second batch.

 

[AwesomeDude]

I went the budget route getting into PRS and got a Howa BA + KRG Bravo, has worked out great for me...

That said, if I could turn back time like Cher, I would jump on an ARC Nucleus rifle for sure!

TriggerTech Diamond ($300) out of the box, easy rebarreling yourself with prefits already available at most of the usual places, even can use Savage prefits which some places have on the shelf for only around $300 when new barrels are usually at least $500+).

You literally can’t build that rifle for less than they’re selling it for.

Yeah, $2500 isn’t peanuts, and you’ll need an ARCA clamp to attach a bipod (though it’s awesome that there’s already an ARCA rail built-in to the chassis so who cares), but pound for pound dollar for dollar that rifle is crazy.

I’m shooting 6mm Creedmoor, not 6.5, but if I had spotted that rifle I’d have just shot 6.5 for at least until the first barrel was cooked... all the components are great and could be used for whatever calibers one wanted to run down the road.

GAP makes solid stuff, but the GAP Pinnicle is the same price as the ARC with a crappier trigger, less “smart” design in the action, and a way less adaptable stock IMHO.

Thank you for the reply and input!

 

[CK1.0]

Thank you for the reply and input!

No problem! I’m new to this from the USPSA/3-gun world too, but figured out quick that I dig it enough to where I could’ve/should’ve maybe spent a bit more up front to have something I wouldn’t need to upgrade...

Really, my Howa/KRG is fine for a while, but coming from the type of shooting we’re used to, burning up barrels every season isn’t really a thing: but it’s definitely something to consider if you’re doing this and are a shooter...

Not having to mess with a gunsmith or having to buy a bunch of specialized tools you’ll only need once a year is a huge thing to consider IMHO.

 

[BuLLet]

Go for the GAP, I got one and here's my first shot on paper @ 200 yards with it. Quick bore sight and first 5 on paper.

 

[AwesomeDude]

No problem! I’m new to this from the USPSA/3-gun world too, but figured out quick that I dig it enough to where I could’ve/should’ve maybe spent a bit more up front to have something I wouldn’t need to upgrade...

Really, my Howa/KRG is fine for a while, but coming from the type of shooting we’re used to, burning up barrels every season isn’t really a thing: but it’s definitely something to consider if you’re doing this and are a shooter...

Not having to mess with a gunsmith or having to buy a bunch of specialized tools you’ll only need once a year is a huge thing to consider IMHO.

Great points!

Obviously with the world the way it is, I figured this was something I could do solo and really spend a lot of time on.

 

[AwesomeDude]

Go for the GAP, I got one and here's my first shot on paper @ 200 yards with it. Quick bore sight and first 5 on paper.

View attachment 7443430

View attachment 7443431

Man, that's a slick looking gun. Nice shooting BTW and thank you for the reply

 

[CK1.0]

FWIW/something to think about: if your Tikka is a T3/T3X/CTR then that’s already a nice action that lots of guys run, there’s no reason you couldn’t test the waters by getting a prefit in Creedmoor, maybe a chassis and/or upgrading your scope...

Don’t forget that if we can ever find primers again that investing in some sort of a reloading rig (if you don’t already have one) is kind of inevitable: why pay $1.50 a round when you can shoot better stuff for $0.50 per round?
(Assuming you don’t have to buy primers for $10,000 a box off gunbroker lol!)

 

[AwesomeDude]

FWIW/something to think about: if your Tikka is a T3/T3X/CTR then that’s already a nice action that lots of guys run, there’s no reason you couldn’t test the waters by getting a prefit in Creedmoor, maybe a chassis and/or upgrading your scope...

It's a T3x superlight and that's not a bad idea.

 

[CK1.0]

It's a T3x superlight and that's not a bad idea.

Grab a Tikka trigger spring kit for like $10, drop it to ~1lb, and make steel at 1000yrds your bitch lol!

The Tikkas/Howas are really the only OEM actions that come with decent triggers that can be made amazing with a cheap spring swap... and all of the serious PRS guys who compete are running triggers ~1lb or less, nothing helps more than a good light trigger, it’s huge.

That’s also why I don’t quite understand why there are a lot of guys who spend $1000+ on boutique actions and pricier rifles but don’t pony up for a TriggerTech Diamond or something? Without a nice trigger it doesn’t really matter how sexy the action is.

 

[Harman117]

Just to second some stuff that has been said already...

✓ - Your scope choice is solid

✓ - All the rifle options you listed are all solid. (If you're near any large ranges or PRS events, it might be worth while attending an event to check out other's rifles. If you strike up a conversation with them they will usually let you get behind one of their rifles, that way you could get a feel for some options and might help you come to a decision)

You can also buy a custom barreled action, trigger, and chassis/stock of your choice; then assemble it yourself. (No special tools required) So if you wanted a different action/stock than the ones listed you could piece it together how you want.

I also second the idea of building off of your Tikka. Get a shouldered prefit barrel, trigger spring, and stock/chassis of your choice, and it will come under your budget by a good amount. That's assuming, you don't need to have a lightweight hunting rifle anymore.

Finally: if you REALLY want to advance your skills, you should consider a live training course from a reputable company. No better way to fast track your abilities and understanding. Going with a lower cost route like the Tikka or Howa + a training course will give you better results then just getting a $2500 gun by itself. Ask me how I know....

 

[CrabsandFootball]

Its a shame the PPR doesn't come in 6.5CM.

 

[JGunns]

+1 on getting a pre fit for your tikka and throwing it in a chassis or other stock choice. I’ve been very impressed with my buddy’s tikka. Shoots really well. You mentioned a bunch of great choices if you want a new rifle though. Another option that I’d have probably gone with if I had heard of it sooner is the BadRock south fork. Essentially a defiance action in an MDT chassis. Goes for just under $2,000... seems like a great bang for the buck.

 

[AwesomeDude]

Just to second some stuff that has been said already...

✓ - Your scope choice is solid

✓ - All the rifle options you listed are all solid. (If you're near any large ranges or PRS events, it might be worth while attending an event to check out other's rifles. If you strike up a conversation with them they will usually let you get behind one of their rifles, that way you could get a feel for some options and might help you come to a decision)

You can also buy a custom barreled action, trigger, and chassis/stock of your choice; then assemble it yourself. (No special tools required) So if you wanted a different action/stock than the ones listed you could piece it together how you want.

I also second the idea of building off of your Tikka. Get a shouldered prefit barrel, trigger spring, and stock/chassis of your choice, and it will come under your budget by a good amount. That's assuming, you don't need to have a lightweight hunting rifle anymore.

Finally: if you REALLY want to advance your skills, you should consider a live training course from a reputable company. No better way to fast track your abilities and understanding. Going with a lower cost route like the Tikka or Howa + a training course will give you better results then just getting a $2500 gun by itself. Ask me how I know....

Thank you for the feedback! Much appreciated

 

[AwesomeDude]

+1 on getting a pre fit for your tikka and throwing it in a chassis or other stock choice. I’ve been very impressed with my buddy’s tikka. Shoots really well. You mentioned a bunch of great choices if you want a new rifle though. Another option that I’d have probably gone with if I had heard of it sooner is the BadRock south fork. Essentially a defiance action in an MDT chassis. Goes for just under $2,000... seems like a great bang for the buck.

Thanks for the replay and info on BadRock. I'll take a look!