Looking for a long range shooting platform

[Russell13]

So I’m in the market for a new rifle. It’s going to be a target rifle(don’t do any hunting) and my goal is to get out to 1,000 yards. My budget is right around $1,000 for the rifle. I’m thinking I want 6.5 creedmoor to be the chambering, the cost isn’t to high and it seems to be very capable of reaching that distance. It’s going to be a range rifle so it doesn’t need to be light. I would rather it have a heavier barrel so I won’t have to spend as much time waiting for it to cool down.

What do you guys think would be a good fit for my needs ?????

I have a few front runners I’m looking

Bergara B14 HMR

Ruger precision Rifle

Savage stealth 110

Tika (don’t know the models but it seems like lots of people are using

 

[Garandimal]

Have a coupla relatives that swear by their 6.5CM Ruger precision Rifles.

And they shoot'em a lot.




GR

 

[ZGunner]

The Tikka you are thinking of is probably the T3x CTR. I believe the longer barreled Varmint is also available in 6.5CM

I have a first Gen RPR and fully believe it is capable of 1000 yards. I, however, am not. I’m limited by my usable range and lack of experience at that distance.

 

[wiscoaster]

1) Tikka
2) Bergara
3) Howa

I went with Howa in .223 for my build, mostly based on price, and because MDT made a mini-action Oryx chassis for it, and have been happy with its performance. It's basically just a range toy - not intended for competition, so may not be appropriate for your use. Suitable for competition either the Tikka or the Bergara are in your price range for barrelled action in 6.5 CM, but you'll be over $2K before you're done.

 

[army_eod]

Bergara.

 

[horsemen61]

Tikka ctr and done!

 

[d2wing]

I am a Tikka fan. That said production rifles can be hit and miss. Of those Savage are pretty good. Bergara is a Remington clone I have heard. Ruger makes good rifles. I guess I am not much help. I'd vote Tikka or Savage.

 

[wiscoaster]

...Bergara is a Remington clone I have heard....

Well, not a Remington clone, no, but the action has the same form factor and so will drop in to a chassis spec'ed for Remington 700. Though ... that being said, it's what the folks at MDT told me, I haven't actually had the opportunity to do it myself.

 

[High Plains]

The Bergara B-14 HMR is one of the best rifles I have fired. With the 3-way adjustable stock, great trigger, and fine tolerance for the bolt-chamber-barrel, you have a heavy but not anchoring rifle that fits and feels as good as anything out there.

 

[Orcon]

Pick one, by the time you get good at it you'll have learned enough to call it money well spent and know what you want later... then buy something better later... then buy something better later...and then another something later. Help me...

 

[Varminterror]

You could spend half as much on the rifle and reach 1,000yrds successfully within an afternoon of structured work, in favorable conditions. Such, any one of that list, all of which are proven up to the task, will do nothing but make the effort easier for you.

There’s a pinned running thread at the top of the forum, titled something on the order of PRS & Long Range Rifles and Scopes which details seemingly every topic you could ever want to know, including some discussion of the rifles you’re considering.

Personally, from the list, I would likely buy an RPR and keep my costs low, then save the rest towards the NEXT rifle, towards training, or towards ammo.

 

[LoonWulf]

Pick one, by the time you get good at it you'll have learned enough to call it money well spent and know what you want later... then buy something better later... then buy something better later...and then another something later. Help me...

Later.....

 

[jmr40]

I would rather it have a heavier barrel so I won’t have to spend as much time waiting for it to cool down.

Heavier barrels heat up slower, but take longer to cool down.

I don't know that you can get anything you're considering under $1000. Some might be just over $1000, but others are $1200+.

I thought the Bergara was over rated. For way less money the Ruger Predators I've owned out shot the Bergara's. Never messed with the Ruger Precision Rifle, but it is the same action and barrel as the Predator with a fancy stock.

I really like my Tikka CTR. But CTR stands for "Compact Tactical Rifle". It isn't a true heavy weight target rifle. But something that will serve most peoples target shooting and still be compact and light enough to carry around.

 

[Sniper66]

Of the 3 listed by our OP, I would pick the Bergara. I have a Bergara .22 and the quality is excellent along with exceptional accuracy. To save a bit of money I bought a Savage 110 Desert Tactical 6.5 CM. It's a very good rifle for $550. Have to live with some clunky bolt issues, but nothing that effects accuracy or reliability. But, if I had it to do over again, I would spend more money and buy a Bergara.

 

[Trashyshoots]

Few questions because I'm nosey and have opinions on the matter....
Do you reload?
Are you familiar with long range shooting or is this your first dive into it?
Does your 1k budget need to cover scope and rifle or just rifle?
Are you looking for steel plate hits or groups?

 

[marksman13]

I currently own a Bergara HMR and a Bergara Ridgeback. I have owned a Ruger Precision Rifle. All of them are shooters with the right ammo, but that RPR was the finickiest rifle I have ever owned in terms of ammo. My Bergaras seem much less picky about what I feed them. Glean what you will from that sample size of one each, but I’ll spend my money on Bergara over Ruger when looking for precision.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Tikka
Bergara
Ruger

 

[Anchorite]

I’ve heard good things about the Ruger precision rifle from folks that shoot a lot. For an over the counter platform, they look to be a great starting point.

 

[Broccolis]

I would say to figure a certain budget first, cause long range/precision shooting and everything that goes into it gets expensive as **** and really quick!!! For me, I would start with a factory rifle (Tikka, Rem, Savage, Bergara, etc...) And invest most of the budget in good solid scope base, rings, and good repeatable glass. After a while and if needed, throw in an aftermarket trigger, bedding job, muzzle brake/can, truing, spin up another barrel, start handloading.... There's a lot that adds up and adds up and never stops! This truly is a sickness, but a damn fun one! OR, you can always go the custom route (GAP, Area 419, LRI, etc) or high end production route (AI, Barrett, Sako, etc).... Just have fun with it, shoot a bunch, and let us know what you go with.

 

[C-grunt]

Of those I'd definitely go with the Tikka or Bergara. Both will easily do afar you want out of the box. Both are very easy to upgrade down the road when you get better and start to realize how you want YOUR rifle set up.

 

[Russell13]

So I decided to hold off on my build. I picked up a used bergara for a good price, not what I wanted but it will hold me for a while. I picked up a B14 hunter with a decent scope for $600. It’s not something I can compete with but I should be able to run it on the range practice with it.

 

[wiscoaster]

I think that's a good choice. When you're ready, you already have the Bergara barrelled action, the scope and the bipod. You aren't going to need a whole lot more.

 

[MarshallDodge]

6.5 CM?

That is a good start and is something to learn on. Being that the Bergara has a Remington pattern action, there is a ton of options for stocks out there if you decided that you didn't like the one you have.

 

[P89DCSS]

The price per round for 6.5cm vs 308 is significant. On ammoseek there's not much 6.5cm available and it starts at around $2.50 per round. There's good selection of 308 starting at $1 per round. For this reason alone I'm going with 308 over 6.5cm.

 

[C-grunt]

The price per round for 6.5cm vs 308 is significant. On ammoseek there's not much 6.5cm available and it starts at around $2.50 per round. There's good selection of 308 starting at $1 per round. For this reason alone I'm going with 308 over 6.5cm.

That's just with the ammo crunch craziness. Normally you can find decent 6.5 CM for about 60 cents per round with American Gunner and S&B. Ive shot both of those rounds out past 1200 yards with great success.

That's not to say Im not a fan of the 308. Im actually in the process of having a custom 308 built by Alamo Precision Rifles. But using current ridiculous ammo pricing as a guide isnt a realistic comparison.