Rifle Choice

[dannyte83]

Evening All

Just recently joined.

I started shooting full bore this year at Bisley which has been enjoyable.
Currently waiting on my license (8 months now) for 308 & 6.5 Creed with a keen interest to start PRS?

I’m a little indecisive on what im going to purchase?
Appreciate this is an expensive option for starting out in something new.
Currently looking at AI ATXC as I like the option of barrel change between 308/6.5
or alternatively look at a custom build, but I lose the easy barrel swap?

All opinions appreciated

 

[markyw]

How about an off the shelf accurate rifle, such as the Tikka T3x Ace Target or Tact A1? I have friends that shoot these and they are easily as accurate as the AI, but no barrel swap. That said, you can have both for the price of a single AI.
I also have friends with AIs and I a) am not overly impressed considering the reputation and b) have heard of quality issues. They do shoot well, but bloody well should do for the price.

Regards

Mark

 

[dannyte83]

How about an off the shelf accurate rifle, such as the Tikka T3x Ace Target or Tact A1? I have friends that shoot these and they are easily as accurate as the AI, but no barrel swap. That said, you can have both for the price of a single AI.
I also have friends with AIs and I a) am not overly impressed considering the reputation and b) have heard of quality issues. They do shoot well, but bloody well should do for the price.

Regards

Mark

Thanks Mark for your input, I shall have a look at the Tikkia
I have been using a AI most of this year at Bisley which is nice, but if I’m honest not sure it’s worth the money like you say?

 

[Father Ted]

The Tikka are excellent and relatively affordable. I’ve had a few and never dissatisfied

 

[rocketdogbert]

I had a Tikka TAC A1 until very recently, awesome rifle. I now have a SAKO TRG 22 in a custom chassis. It’s better.

Not by a lot, but it is better.

I know people with Blaser R8’s. The quick(ish) change barrel is all very good, but re zeroing the same scope becomes tedious. I’d go for individual rifles if you must, but I don’t have two rifles that do the same job, or similar.

 

[dannyte83]

The Tikka are excellent and relatively affordable. I’ve had a few and never dissatisfied

Thanks for the feedback

 

[dannyte83]

I had a Tikka TAC A1 until very recently, awesome rifle. I now have a SAKO TRG 22 in a custom chassis. It’s better.

Not by a lot, but it is better.

I know people with Blaser R8’s. The quick(ish) change barrel is all very good, but re zeroing the same scope becomes tedious. I’d go for individual rifles if you must, but I don’t have two rifles that do the same job, or similar.

Thanks for the feedback fella

Hadn’t looked at the blaser before, price tag is up there with the ATXC ?
I’m not totally against spending a little as most rifles hold their value well, but also I don’t want to feel like I sold myself short to save a few quid lol
Shall check out the SAKO too

 

[disco_ike]

Hi, I would take a look at a few other options for the Money. For PRS you are going to want to spend about the same as rifle and scope, get a decent 5-25x56 or more. The Ruger Precision Rifles would do you good, r a decent weight barrel Begara B14 or similar. The AI's are good but it could be worth popping along to a match and seeing what people are running.

I run a Remi 700, custom barrel (6.5c Pendragon) in an oryx stock with a Vortex venom scope.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

I've spent way too much time thinking about this, nearly pulled the trigger a few times, but....

The top tier AI, TRG, PGM - they do hold their value a bit better, and obviously there's a certain delight in ownership. But you're paying a hell of a premium.

Tikka - had a Tiktac for about 7years, on its second barrel, gave it a Bix n Andy trigger, and a Sterk bolt knob (it now has AI ergonomics) .
Its got a ZCO 527 on top and it travels in a Peli 1720.
FOR: All in - The whole rig cost less than a new top tier rifle. A very accurate rifle, way exceeds my abilities. The trigger beats the top tier hands down.
AGAINST: lacks bragging rights and the mags take a while to wear in, cant do barrel changes at home.

 

[markyw]

Thanks for the feedback fella

Hadn’t looked at the blaser before, price tag is up there with the ATXC ?
I’m not totally against spending a little as most rifles hold their value well, but also I don’t want to feel like I sold myself short to save a few quid lol
Shall check out the SAKO too

Investing in an expensive rifle brand is a bit like buying a top brand car - it's not just the purchase price that is higher, but all the accessories and servicing costs.

Regards

Mark

 

[tackb]

for 308/creed i'd go with rem 700 actions or clones of for the footprint and upgrade availability

use an MDT chassis like the ACC for example for your PRS rifle to give you your arca rail etc and you can interchange your AICS mags so if you have 2 mags for each rifle you will actually have 4 mags that each rifle can use

depending what you want to use the 308 for you could do a lot worse than a mcmillan stock with a AICS bottom metal like badger ordnance etc

700's are easy to get fettled and rebarrelled etc

the tikkas are massively better for aftermarket stuff than they used to be but still lag behind the 700 and clones for accessories

if you build on a remmy 700 and decide you want a custom action there is an awful lot of premium actions on the same footprint

being easy to upgrade is a great advantage when you start because you probably don't really know what you need/want ?

 

[GBR66]

for 308/creed i'd go with rem 700 actions or clones of for the footprint and upgrade availability

use an MDT chassis like the ACC for example for your PRS rifle to give you your arca rail etc and you can interchange your AICS mags so if you have 2 mags for each rifle you will actually have 4 mags that each rifle can use

depending what you want to use the 308 for you could do a lot worse than a mcmillan stock with a AICS bottom metal like badger ordnance etc

700's are easy to get fettled and rebarrelled etc

the tikkas are massively better for aftermarket stuff than they used to be but still lag behind the 700 and clones for accessories

if you build on a remmy 700 and decide you want a custom action there is an awful lot of premium actions on the same footprint

being easy to upgrade is a great advantage when you start because you probably don't really know what you need/want ?

Bergara HMR Pro 24in barrel in 6.5CM, factory stock is pretty good with mini chassis, but Rem 700 clone so all the upgrade options are there if you want to start spending money!

 

[dannyte83]

I've spent way too much time thinking about this, nearly pulled the trigger a few times, but....

The top tier AI, TRG, PGM - they do hold their value a bit better, and obviously there's a certain delight in ownership. But you're paying a hell of a premium.

Tikka - had a Tiktac for about 7years, on its second barrel, gave it a Bix n Andy trigger, and a Sterk bolt knob (it now has AI ergonomics) .
Its got a ZCO 527 on top and it travels in a Peli 1720.
FOR: All in - The whole rig cost less than a new top tier rifle. A very accurate rifle, way exceeds my abilities. The trigger beats the top tier hands down.
AGAINST: lacks bragging rights and the mags take a while to wear in, cant do barrel changes at home.

Thanks for your time reply, shall check out the Tikka

 

[gixer1]

Another vote for Tikka - they are boringly accurate - although I wouldn’t go for the Tac A1 not that the target ace has come out - and I have a Tac A1! They are both very accurate but the price difference means you are paying £600 for the folding stock essentially!

You wouldn’t go wrong with a Remington 700 base either but the tikkas are (in my opinion) more ready to go out of the box for what you are doing.

Good luck with the search.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Jagged77]

The switch barrel option is nice and I swap my AX between .308 and .260 - AI’s are expensive but such solid rifles with amazing actions.

Having two rifles is also useful and you can take your pick. A custom action and barrel with the stock and trigger of choice is a really nice way to go. Thirdly there’s the off the shelf offerings of which there are many, you pay your money you take your choice.

For a PRS type I’d be looking at the latest comp builds out of the US and see what they are running, might give you a steer.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Go with the Accuracy and live the dream . It's on my bucket list after having a play with a pal's 6.5.
@Ronin has good words to say about them.

 

[Twodogs]

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[dannyte83]

Thanks guys for all your time replying to this, given me much more to think about now

 

[260madman]

I've spent way too much time thinking about this, nearly pulled the trigger a few times, but....

The top tier AI, TRG, PGM - they do hold their value a bit better, and obviously there's a certain delight in ownership. But you're paying a hell of a premium.

Tikka - had a Tiktac for about 7years, on its second barrel, gave it a Bix n Andy trigger, and a Sterk bolt knob (it now has AI ergonomics) .
Its got a ZCO 527 on top and it travels in a Peli 1720.
FOR: All in - The whole rig cost less than a new top tier rifle. A very accurate rifle, way exceeds my abilities. The trigger beats the top tier hands down.
AGAINST: lacks bragging rights and the mags take a while to wear in, cant do barrel changes at home.

Why can’t you change barrels at home? Vice and wrench with a profit barrel is all it takes. You have a law against that?

 

[tackb]

Why can’t you change barrels at home? Vice and wrench with a profit barrel is all it takes. You have a law against that?

no law against it but each chambered barrel would require an extra slot on our license just the same as a complete rifle and all the associated faff and buggery , so we may as well have complete rifles since it's no different in the eyes of our ridiculous law

crazy but thats the way it is here sadly

fight every tiny restriction they try and impose on you over there , the anti gun lot will never be satisfied !