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New Rifle - Planning Stages
#6195173
02/23/16 02:46 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399
RCINTX
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399 |
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.
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6195187
02/23/16 03:00 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
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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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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399
RCINTX
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399 |
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?
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6195510
02/23/16 02:22 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 672
glb1955
Tracker
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Tracker
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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.
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6195768
02/23/16 04:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,717
603Country
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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.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6195866
02/23/16 05:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6195966
02/23/16 07:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455
Big Fitz
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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. 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).
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6196191
02/23/16 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,131
Brother in-law
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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
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6196233
02/23/16 11:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455
Big Fitz
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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 Dang BIL, you forgot to mention what an awesome cool guy that is selling the 6.5 Pierce custom!
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6196267
02/23/16 11:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716
BigPig
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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 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
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197213
02/24/16 05:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399
RCINTX
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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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. Thanks for all the valuable input. I would like to see the specs on a custom Tikka if anyone has a similar setup?
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197478
02/24/16 08:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455
Big Fitz
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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!
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197643
02/24/16 10:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399
RCINTX
OP
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399 |
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.
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197664
02/24/16 10:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 41,173 |
You've got it figured out, that is the process.
I don't think action only purchases are an option.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: J.G.]
#6197668
02/24/16 10:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399
RCINTX
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 399 |
St 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.
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197674
02/24/16 10:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197675
02/24/16 10:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
St 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. Say when...
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New Rifle - Planning Stages
[Re: RCINTX]
#6197680
02/24/16 10:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,717
603Country
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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!
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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