DFW Texas area

[TexasTightwad]

Hey guys! I've read posts on here from time to time and decided to join. My main reason for joining is that I am looking to buy a used rifle or parts to build one, and I need an account to communicate with folks on here.

I have always wanted to do long range shooting, but until now never had a place to do it. Now I have access to hunt and shoot on some land that adjoins where I live, and I think it is time. Plus I am back in Dallas/Fort Worth after being gone for a good number of years, and I bet I can find some matches near me. Now I just have to find the time! I'm going to be taking advantage of the good articles on here. So far I don't plan on paying for a LRS class, but I love reading and shooting, so hopefully between the two I can develop some good marksmanship.

As my name implies, I am extremely cheap! However, I do highly prize quality, especially when it comes to something like a rifle that I could enjoy the rest of my life. So, I'm looking to buy or build a quality rifle. I would prefer a Bighorn action, and I am somewhat settled on 6.5 Creedmoor, but I may go with .223 to start out with so I can train with less expensive ammo. That is one thing I love about the Bighorns: swap the barrel and maybe the bolt head and you are ready to shoot a new cartridge!

I will take any suggestions on scopes. I'm thinking I'd like to get something that I am going to be happy with for a long time, not something I will want to upgrade from soon. I have been looking at the Nightforce NXS series, but I would definitely want to get it used if I went that route. By the way, I live 15 minutes from SWFA.

 

[CV_Ag]

Well I’d start by asking what is your budget for the optic? That’s a top quality action. Can’t go wrong with a Schmidt&Bender, USO or even a Vortex Gen2 razor. Lots of great options and plenty of people here willing to help, just ask away.

 

[TexasTightwad]

My budget is kind of whatever I want it to be. I have never owned a quality scope before, so I don't even know how to objectively evaluate one. I guess that is my biggest problem in selecting a scope. Anybody have a methodical way to evaluate a scope? When I look at two scopes with similar magnification, size, and features, after that everything else seems to be as tangible as fairy farts. For durability it seems I can only go off the word of others regarding that brand or model.

 

[CV_Ag]

Have you seen this before? Or looked at some of the scope forum threads?

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/tips-for-asking-advice-about-rifle-scopes.6252657/

 

[TexasTightwad]

Nope, haven't read that but I am about to.

 

[CV_Ag]

Lots of good info so take your time. I’d also get familiar with some of those basics and then reach out on the optics forum for further questions, you’ll get way more answers on there.

 

[TexasTightwad]

·Bolt action rifle
·6.5 Creedmoor and others
·Will use for hunting and recreational shooting. Maybe matches.
·I don't think I'll be shooting at night
·Right now I will probably be shooting 500 yards or less, but I would like to be able to go further should I have the opportunity.
·I'd like a mil dot, FFP, exposed turrets, and a magnification range low enough to shoot at 50 yards.
·I can spend whatever I want, but I am looking for a good value, so I plan on buying used.

 

[TexasTightwad]

CV_Ag, you said in another thread that you just shot a certain match near me last weekend. If you don't mind me asking, how much do you figure you spent on the match? Entry fee, ammo, etc.? I am interested in those, but want to know how hard to expect my wallet to be hit.

 

[CV_Ag]

I think you’re on the right track in regards to what scope options you’re looking at. MIL and FFP. A very popular optic that you’ll see a ton of in hunting as well as competitions is the Vortex Gen 2 Razor. It’s a great quality optic that you can rely on and it’s in the 2k range I believe. If I would’ve been able to spend a few hundred more I would’ve chosen the Vortex. If you’re willing to go more you may look into brands such as Schmidt Bender, US Optics, or NightForce. They’re higher end scopes and if money wasn’t an issue I’d be rocking one of those for sure.

In regards to your other question about the match. It’s a local club here in DFW so entry fee was 40 bucks. Very reasonable and great match. That specific match was 76 rounds but I’d plan on taking 100 for confirming zero and what not. I was using Prime ammo which was $26 a box so x5 130 bucks. I now use the Prime brass for reloading. There will eventually be other costs for gear that you’ll eventually want/need but the great thing about these local matches is guys are happy to let you use their stuff and see what you like before you go out and buy stuff you’re unsure of.

 

[W54/XM-388]

As my name implies, I am extremely cheap! However, I do highly prize quality, especially when it comes to something like a rifle that I could enjoy the rest of my life. So, I'm looking to buy or build a quality rifle. I would prefer a Bighorn action, and I am somewhat settled on 6.5 Creedmoor.

Since you are just getting into long range shooting, my suggestion would be to not bother with the expensive custom build right off the bat.
I'd suggest getting something like the Tikka T3x CTR with the 24" barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor, plus an extra magazine or two. Excellent value for the money, and shoots very well. (Should cost you right under $1k). Then buy a bunch of ammunition for it and get out and shoot till you are really comfortable with it & the cartridge, your shooting style & your intended application. Then you can look into a high end custom build (plus still have something to shoot as you wait endlessly for the custom build).

Then later you can easily sell it, or keep it as a spare rifle, or if you really get to liking the action, drop it in a high end chassis & put a custom barrel on it.

For the scope, Id' suggest you get something good that you can keep for a long time. If you can afford it right off the bat, a $2500 to $3000 budget will get you excellent scopes from S&B, Nightforce, Vortex, Steiner and quite a few others, especially if you are willing to buy a good condition used scope. I'd suggest something in the 5-25 range or similar (lots of options).

You could of course if you wanted to be cheap go to SWFA and get a good low priced scope put it on the Tikka and then later get another higher end one to go with your custom build, but I'd suggest if you have the budget, get a high end one from the start. A good scope will outlast several rifles.

 

[djarecke]

We've got monthly matches at either Jacob's Plain or Waxahatchie and the entry fee is $40. You got some great advice here about the rifle and optic. I'd HIGHLY recommend a Tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor and if it were me, I'd buy a used Schmidt 5-25 with the H2CMR reticle. You can find one used, and that optic just can't be beat for PRS, and works great for hunting as well. Life is too short to pull your hair out over optical issues!

 

[TexasTightwad]

Why do you like the H2CMR? I need to do some reading about reticles. So far, I don't think I've seen one I wouldn't like. Except for the Horus. A little bit too crowded for me.

I had not heard of Tikka until a few days ago. What makes them a good rifle? How is the stock trigger? Is there any accurizing that is commonly done to them?

 

[djarecke]

I’ve owned every brand of scope you can name other than Tangent Theta, and have personally tried many of the reticles out there. In short, I only own Schmidts now and PRS for competition having 2/10th’s wind holds can be very helpful. The scopes track perfectly and are built extremely well.

With the Tikka, all you’d need is a $4 YoDave trigger spring and a muzzle brake and you’re ready to compete. The guns are amazingly accurate and are very hard to beat for the price. Keep your eyes open in the used section and you will likely see one pop up!

 

[W54/XM-388]

Why do you like the H2CMR? I need to do some reading about reticles. So far, I don't think I've seen one I wouldn't like. Except for the Horus. A little bit too crowded for me.
I had not heard of Tikka until a few days ago. What makes them a good rifle? How is the stock trigger? Is there any accurizing that is commonly done to them?

The Tikka T3x CTR model is quite popular these days as it has a very smooth action and excellent accuracy right from the factory, as well as being setup for magazine feed and being quite light so it's very good for positional shooting & hunting as well as more static target shooting from the ground or bench. All that for an excellent price point.

You can easily get replacement 3rd party barrels as well as quite a number of 3rd party replacement stocks of all different designs.

On the reticles for the S&B, the P4FL is still an excellent choice if you want something clean, uncluttered & very useful. (Usually in the $2300-$2600 range).
A lot depends on the magnification range you will be using, if you do a lot of work up at the higher 25x end, the less cluttered reticles are sometimes preferred. If you do most of your work at the low end and like to mostly hold instead of dial, then the ones with more markings are pretty popular.

 

[TexasTightwad]

We've got monthly matches at either Jacob's Plain or Waxahatchie and the entry fee is $40.

When and where is the next match? I doubt I will be able to get the rifle, scope, and skill I need by then, but I might come watch and talk to people.

 

[W54/XM-388]

When and where is the next match? I doubt I will be able to get the rifle, scope, and skill I need by then, but I might come watch and talk to people.

You could have a rifle & scope this weekend & hit a range to work up your dope for factory ammo (lots of good choices in 6.5CM) and be ready to go to a match next weekend or the following one.

I'd suggest not worrying about "skill", just make sure you have your dope & know how to run & hold your rifle comfortably, show up and shoot the match & even if you come in last, you'll have a great time & learn exactly what you need to start practicing on.

 

[TexasTightwad]

Well I could have a rifle and scope this weekend, but I try to buy everything at a steal-of-a-deal. I'm looking for the guy who needs money ASAP and will take a lower price to get cash in hand. That means I have to be patient and keep looking for that deal.

I might go ahead and buy reloading components and dies now so I will be set when I get the rifle. I would still need to develop a load once I got it, but I just bought a chronograph and could probably figure the load out pretty quickly. Hoping not to start a "tell us about your favorite color" conversation, is there any reason that I might not want to go with the 6.5 Creedmoor? Once again, my priorities are hunting, then recreational shooting, then competition.

You never said exactly when/where the next match was. What day of the week are they normally held? I am at church most of the day every Sunday, so that could be something that keeps me out of competition.

 

[W54/XM-388]

The 6.5 will do all that perfectly well until you want to go hunting bigger game than is in Texas.
If this is the first time you are getting into long range shooting, you can easily just do some factory match ammo to start with and have excellent results till you get comfortable and start building up specific loads for your rifle.

 

[TexasTightwad]

Unless I just haven't gotten the stuff yet, I will probably start out handloading. I have no problem making consistent rounds, and factory match grade ammo is not tuned to a specific rifle. So if I don't work up a load and just go with a somewhat random velocity, as long as everything is consistent it should equal to factory match. At least that's my theory!