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New Rifle - Planning Stages #6195173 02/23/16 02:46 AM
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RCINTX Offline OP
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I have started planning my next rifle and would like some advice from the group. I don't hunt much but love to hit steel. I currently have a range I can shoot out to about 400 yards but would like to keep going beyond that. My current setup is a Savage 308 that I really enjoy shooting. I am getting the itch to add another rifle to the stable and am thinking it will be a 6.5 creedmoor. I have been reloading for about 6 months. I am currently considering the below options. What do you guys think? Are there options I am overlooking?

Savage 10T (my 308 is a Savage 10t, and I like it a lot)
Ruger Precision Rifle (more money and going to have to wait)
Semi-custom tikka (even more money and more wait)

Thanks in advance.

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6195187 02/23/16 03:00 AM
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A semi custom Tikka for about $1700 out the door will out shoot any factory rifle. I've built multiple Tikka's, and all are sub 1/2 moa, and that's not just at 100 yards.


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: ChadTRG42] #6195284 02/23/16 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
A semi custom Tikka for about $1700 out the door will out shoot any factory rifle. I've built multiple Tikka's, and all are sub 1/2 moa, and that's not just at 100 yards.


Do I remember you putting together a Tikka project a few years back? What were the specs on it?

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6195510 02/23/16 02:22 PM
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I had a Weatherby Vanguard II in that caliber and it shot real well. I wanted something different though so I sold it and bought a Tikka to have a 6.5 built off of it. Horizon built it for me and did a great job. It shoots great, and I haven't even had a chance to get a load worked up for it.

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6195768 02/23/16 04:45 PM
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Chad had a 260 made up for me in Tikka Stainless, with a #4 Brux barrel. My Lord that thing will shoot. Most amazing. If they aren't in one hole at 100 yards I wonder what I did wrong. Have him do for you what he did for me. You will not be sorry.

I just THOUGHT I had accurate rifles before I got this one.


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6195866 02/23/16 05:51 PM
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Best bang for your buck is the Ruger Precision rifle. I had a customer out a few weeks ago shooting that rifle in 6.5 CM, loaded with Hornady Match 140 A-Max as well as 140 ELD-M. It went right down the range to 800 yards with no sweat. He ended the day shooting 1 MOA steel from 400 to 800 yards.

The tightest shooting option you mentioned is the custom build, and definitely go with a Tikka action. I've put thousands of rounds behind Savages and Tikkas, and have no use for Savage actions anymore, personally. The Tikkas have spoiled me in smooth operation, and durability.


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6195966 02/23/16 07:21 PM
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Personally, I would look at the rifle advertised below. It is an awesome rifle and I understand the seller is a super awesome guy. grin

Custom 6.5 Creedmor

If you don't want something like above, the Tikka is an awesome option as well. Chad and Jason's gunsmith built one for me and it is accurate (.331 5 shot at 100 and about .8 at 300 yards).


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6196191 02/23/16 10:27 PM
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If you're looking for a quick purchase I would jump on that bigfitz deal posted above and if you have more time I would look at a semi custom with a premium barrel. Savage and that ruger would be my last choices because they are boring grin

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: Brother in-law] #6196233 02/23/16 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
If you're looking for a quick purchase I would jump on that bigfitz deal posted above and if you have more time I would look at a semi custom with a premium barrel. Savage and that ruger would be my last choices because they are boring grin


Dang BIL, you forgot to mention what an awesome cool guy that is selling the 6.5 Pierce custom! clap


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: Brother in-law] #6196267 02/23/16 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
If you're looking for a quick purchase I would jump on that bigfitz deal posted above and if you have more time I would look at a semi custom with a premium barrel. Savage and that ruger would be my last choices because they are boring grin


But they work, can't deny that. I agree that Big Fitz has a great rifle for sale, and he's a pretty good guy up


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197213 02/24/16 05:29 PM
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Big Fitz, if I had the coin in the budget right now for that, I would be all over it. This discussion (or planning) is partly to figure out what my budget needs to be. There is a big difference in the cost of each rifle, before optics or anything else. I am thinking the below is about where each stands:

Optics for any option will be in the $1500 neighborhood, give or take.

Savage - $600
Ruger - $1200
Tikka Custom - $1800

I guess in the end I have to figure out what I am looking for. I know the Savage will shoot small groups as I have one. Is there 2x or 3x the cost worth it to not have a "boring" rifle? I don't know. Thats what you guys are for. smile

Thanks for all the valuable input. I would like to see the specs on a custom Tikka if anyone has a similar setup?

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197478 02/24/16 08:24 PM
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Below is a pic of my semi-custom Tikka 6.5 Creed and a group I shot with factory Hornady 140 Amax when breaking it in. The barrel is 1:8 Bartlien #5 IIRC cut to 21", Manners T4 stock, Bushy 3.5-21x50 and a tuned Tikka trigger. It is the first rifle I've had built and love it!




Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197643 02/24/16 10:24 PM
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So, in a semi-custom build of a Tikka, you guys pretty much do the following, or am I missing something?

1. Buy Tikka T3 Lite Stainless
2. Buy stock of choice
3. Buy barrel of choice
4. Pay gunsmith to put it together
5. Install scope of choice.

Can you buy just the action anywhere and not have a factory stock and action left over? I suppose I could buy the T3 rifle and scope and shoot it while I save money for the rest.

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197664 02/24/16 10:37 PM
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You've got it figured out, that is the process.

I don't think action only purchases are an option.


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: J.G.] #6197668 02/24/16 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
You've got it figured out, that is the process.

I don't think action only purchases are an option.


Step 6 - Pay FiremanJG to teach me how to run it. grin

Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197674 02/24/16 10:44 PM
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LH 6.5 Creedmoor, Bartlein M24, 25" plus JEC brake. Manners T-4, CDI Precision bottom metal, EGW 20 MOA aluminum pic rail. Glades Armory bolt handle.




RH 7mm-08, Obermeyer M40, 20", Manners T-4, CDI Precision bottom metal, EGW 20 MOA pic rail. Glades Armory bolt handle

All my bolt actions get a Triad Tactical stock pack. $45 is a whole lot cheaper to adjust cheek height than an adjustable comb stock.



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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197675 02/24/16 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: RCINTX
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
You've got it figured out, that is the process.

I don't think action only purchases are an option.


Step 6 - Pay FiremanJG to teach me how to run it. grin


Say when...


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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages [Re: RCINTX] #6197680 02/24/16 10:48 PM
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Let me outline what I did to get what I wanted. I specifically wanted a Tikka T3 Lite stainless in 260 Remington. At the time, Tikka wasn't offering that rifle in that caliber (in Australia it was an option, but not here). Well, says I, I'll just buy the Sako version of that rifle, but...couldn't get it. I whined about it on the forum and Chad said he'd have one put together for me. Pricier than a straight buy, but the straight buy wasn't possible, so I told Chad to go ahead. He bought a T3 Lite Stainless, put the barrel he suggested on it (the #4 contour Brux), tuned it up and sold it to me. I had put up some up-front money earlier. I went with the standard original issue stock. And... Does it shoot? The other day I worked up a new load with R17 powder and 120 gr Nosler BT's. The load looked great, so i put the rifle away with a fouled barrel, got up the next morning, and put 5 into 5/16 inch. Then I went to get my 100 gr BT loads. Exact same POI.

The thing that makes this rifle special to me is that I really don't have to work hard to shoot well. It seems effortless. Never had a rifle this easy to shoot little groups with. I don't know where you are, but drive over and shoot it on my 100 yard range. But you can't have it for any price. Nope!


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