New to PRS – RPR vs. Tikka T3X – Looking for Experienced Insight

[Koakinetics]

Hey everyone,


I'm starting to dip my toes into the PRS world and would really appreciate some feedback from those of you with more experience. Right now, I’m weighing two options for my first setup:

• Tikka T3X CTR dropped into an MDT chassis (XRS)
• Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR), most likely in 6.5 Creedmoor

My goal is to stay under $1,500 for the rifle and base upgrades (excluding glass), and I'm hoping to land something that will serve me well for local matches while leaving room to grow as I improve.


A few things I'm considering:

• Accuracy and out-of-the-box performance
• Long-term reliability and upgrade paths
• Overall ergonomics and ease of getting match-ready
• Resale value down the line if I upgrade

I know both platforms have their followings, but I’d love to hear from those who’ve run both (or seen them at matches) and can speak to how they stack up in real-world PRS use.


Any input—good, bad, or lessons learned—is very welcome. Appreciate the help!

 

[quadking2003]

I honestly found it hard to be competitive with an off the shelf RPR. The ones shooters like Doug and Laurel in the PRS are definitely not what we get off the shelf. You could go with like the custom shop which is like 2800 but I spent 1 year with an RPR not custom shop and upgraded quickly. I personally would have rather spent the extra and went with little higher end upfront. Kelblys is taking pre-orders on a rifle that once they sell 50 meets PRS production rules and I am sure will be reliable and a hammer. They also have 10 percent of code guncon25 until at least the 28th of June.

https://kelbly.com/precision-element-rifle/

 

[drifter308]

I advise you save up a little longer and get the Kelbys or get the GA Precision PPR. For $2,999 you get a hell of a deal on premium components. It’s in a stock with a mini chassis. If you spend the extra $150 they guarantee 3/8 MOA and if not bedded it still good at .50 MOA.

 

[drifter308]

Bed recoil lug.

 

[OREGUN]

Do you reload?

Are you a PRS member?

Consider one of the 6mm offerings over 6.5. I know there are 6.5 fanbois around here but you’ll get farther faster with 6 dasher or GT or BRA or even Creedmoor. You’ll still get 2400 rounds or more of barrel life.

If you are a member, reach out to MPA to see about any PRS member discounts. Likewise with GAP. I suspect you can find a ready to run rifle for not too much over $1500 that will be better for all of your criteria than either of the two options you mentioned. An action, chassis, barrel and trigger for $1500 is a tall order. Three of those parts are more than $500 each.

Don’t get involved with a tikka based on their stupid magazines alone.

 

[quadking2003]

I honestly found it hard to be competitive with an off the shelf RPR. The ones shooters like Doug and Laurel in the PRS are definitely not what we get off the shelf. You could go with like the custom shop which is like 2800 but I spent 1 year with an RPR not custom shop and upgraded quickly. I personally would have rather spent the extra and went with little higher end upfront. Kelblys is taking pre-orders on a rifle that once they sell 50 meets PRS production rules and I am sure will be reliable and a hammer. They also have 10 percent of code guncon25 until at least the 28th of June.

https://kelbly.com/precision-element-rifle/

Little additional if you intend to stick with a rifle for say production in PRS Kelblys will sell you a prefit rebarrel. Where GA, Ruger, Tikka, Savage, etc require you to send it back.

 

[TheJeanyus]

Don’t get involved with a tikka based on their stupid magazines alone.

If it's getting put into a chassis anyway, the Tikka magazines are a moot point. I never had an issue with my Tikka CTR/Tac A1 mags, but I put mine in a Bravo using AICS magazines so that I could use the same magazines I use for my Origin, Solus, and Ruger Gunsite Scout.

I'd take a CTR in a XRS or Bravo any day over a RPR. The only other option I'd consider in the $1500 range is an Aero Solus. If you catch the right sale, you can get a Solus barreled action and XRS or Bravo for similar money, and you're able to use more common stuff like triggers, stocks, and chassis since it's a Remington 700 foot print. Additionally, it uses the same prefit barrels as an Origin, so you have a ton of prefit barrel options.

 

[ma smith]

If it's getting put into a chassis anyway, the Tikka magazines are a moot point. I never had an issue with my Tikka CTR/Tac A1 mags, but I put mine in a Bravo using AICS magazines so that I could use the same magazines I use for my Origin, Solus, and Ruger Gunsite Scout.

I'd take a CTR in a XRS or Bravo any day over a RPR. The only other option I'd consider in the $1500 range is an Aero Solus. If you catch the right sale, you can get a Solus barreled action and XRS or Bravo for similar money, and you're able to use more common stuff like triggers, stocks, and chassis since it's a Remington 700 foot print. Additionally, it uses the same prefit barrels as an Origin, so you have a ton of prefit barrel options.

You need a 26 x MTU to balance in a KRG bravo.

The best way to do this math is $600-ish prefit+$800-ish action action +$200ish trigger+$800-ish chassis.

 

[spife7980]

I disagree, I have a 16" remage marksman profile and in my bravo (silencer, spigot, aluminum forend w/ arca built in) and it balances alright.

 

[FuhQ]

Hey everyone,


I'm starting to dip my toes into the PRS world and would really appreciate some feedback from those of you with more experience. Right now, I’m weighing two options for my first setup:

• Tikka T3X CTR dropped into an MDT chassis (XRS)
• Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR), most likely in 6.5 Creedmoor

My goal is to stay under $1,500 for the rifle and base upgrades (excluding glass), and I'm hoping to land something that will serve me well for local matches while leaving room to grow as I improve.


A few things I'm considering:

• Accuracy and out-of-the-box performance
• Long-term reliability and upgrade paths
• Overall ergonomics and ease of getting match-ready
• Resale value down the line if I upgrade

I know both platforms have their followings, but I’d love to hear from those who’ve run both (or seen them at matches) and can speak to how they stack up in real-world PRS use.


Any input—good, bad, or lessons learned—is very welcome. Appreciate the help!

This setup would be just slightly over your budget, but it would be WAY better (and much farther ahead if you want to upgrade parts later at home with prefit barrels, etc...), than either of those factory options you mentioned...

Get this...

SOLUS Barreled Short Action - 22" 6.5 Creedmoor, Sendero

Shop SOLUS Barreled Short Action - 22" 6.5 Creedmoor, Sendero and more at AeroPrecisionUSA.com!

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

throw a TriggerTech Special in it (on sale for $179 right now)...

TriggerTech Rem 700 Clone Special Curved Clean Blk/Blk Single Stage Trigger R70-SBB-13-TNC For Sale - EuroOptic

TriggerTech Rem 700 Clone Special Curved Clean Blk/Blk Single Stage Trigger R70-SBB-13-TNC For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

slap it in the chassis or stock of your choice (OD Green is in stock and on sale)...

15" Competition Chassis

Shop 15" Competition Chassis and more at AeroPrecisionUSA.com!

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

and put one of these on top in a set of these rings...

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

American Rifle Company M-Brace Picatinny 34mm Scope Rings Anodized

The American Rifle Company M-Brace Scope Rings will hold firmly without marring or indenting the scope, even under the heaviest recoil. The uniquely...

www.midwayusa.com

and let it ride...

 

[FuhQ]

@Koakinetics When I suggested that setup, it's because I know what that exact setup can do...

 

[DocRDS]

Tikka is a much better starter and a "gun to grow with". RPR tends to be a dead end. (I beleive Phil Velayho (SP?) has a whole series on upgrading his tikka for comps).

FuhQ has a good recommendation as well.

At the beginning it really doesn't matter--i get my ass handed to me by Savage and RPRs all the time. Get your rifle balanced and practice your ass off.

 

[thexman]

I would get the Tikka T3X ACE Target with 26inch barrel in 6.5creedmoor, it's competition ready.

 

[fdkay]

The way I understand it, if you put the Tikka in a new chassis, you are no longer in production class. They have the new model coming out, don't recall what it is called.
I have experience with a gen 1 rpr. It is incredibly accurate for an out of the box gun. The current gen addresses the issues with the butt stock.
The Tikka would give you a far better upgrade path. The actions are very nice and run smoothly.
The Tikka would give you more return on investment.
You'll be well over 1500 by the time you buy a Tikka and a chassis.
Since that would put you in open, the easy button is to get with @bohem or bugholes and buy a barreled origin action and drop it in a good chassis.
Tikkas are accurate, but their barrels are slow.
With the barreled origin, you're getting a better barrel with an action that is incredibly versatile with the interchangeable bolt heads.

 

[bohem]

The RPR has a few quirks of the design that can make it very difficult to shoot if you're not aware of them. Namely how the bipod loads flow through the handguard, into the action and cause vertical shifts depending on how much load is in the bipod. Therefore consistency and uniformity on the bipod loading is crucial.

We (PVA) still makes RPR barrels but in the world of the commodity blanks and commodity work, custom shops like PVA are expensive for that segment of the market. Our stuff outshoots the cheaper options handily but many times price overall is a more important factor for those looking at replacing barrels on RPR's.

The Tikka is an excellent choice and when you're ready to replace the barrel we can do so. PVA championed the Tikka prefit market both as a barrel nut setup (first) and then in a few years when we had enough data compiled we did it again as a shouldered install prefit.

I will say that if you can push your budget a little to what @fdkay suggests you'll be in better long term shape. An Origin barreled action with an Osprey is not going to give up any performance in any way to higher dollar guns on the PRS line. You can use any chassis and trigger you want, swap out the bolt head to get other calibers if you want; it's super popular with shooters due to the high value proposition that comes from it.

Feel free to call the shop, I'm happy to walk you through some options.

patriotvalleyarms.com
484-696-7874

 

[DownhillFromHere]

^^^ What he said. My son just got into his first precision rifle, built on a Zermatt Origin action. Awesome accuracy, and it runs as well as either of my rifles with more expensive actions (Defiance, Terminus).

I started precision rifle / PRS with a Tikka T3X TAC-A1; it was a great out-of-the-box starter rifle and was plenty accurate and smooth - and I sold it for only a few hundred dollars less than I paid for it, with full disclosure to the buyer that the barrel was halfway through its life. If OP wants to go with a factory rifle, I say Tikka, period. I didn't get into customs because of something lacking in the Tikka; I went custom because I could and was curious.

Knowing what I know now, I'd build an R700-footprint custom from the outset.

 

[Koakinetics]

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm exploring Kelbly now, they are willing to work with me regarding financing and do offer military discounts. Anyone have additional experience with them?

 

[Baron85]

Tikka is awesome but I piled a bunch of money into mine and then ended up jumping over to 700 pattern actions for the multitude of option on the used market to make it easier and cheaper to try different chassis, barrels etc. the used market for actions like the origin are much better than Tikka.

The tikka was amazing, I think I actually liked it better than my origins I swapped to but just so much cheaper and easier to try different stuff and sell if I don’t like on the 700 pattern.

 

[Secant]

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm exploring Kelbly now, they are willing to work with me regarding financing and do offer military discounts. Anyone have additional experience with them?

I recently stumbled into picking up a couple Kelblys recently as Brownells had some fire sales. I'm pretty sure Brownells sold out, but you should be able to pick-up a prometheus for about $1150, maybe less with 4th of July sales. I don't care for trigger hangers, but otherwise I like the Prometheus. I prefer the "feel" to my buddy's Origin, but they both have functioned fine.

 

[TheBigCountry]

echo chamber but save up a few more dollars and just get an original with a prefit and drop it into a KRG bravo.

 

[Andrew863]

The seekins rifle seems like a good starter gun and it can grow with you since it is a 700 foot print. 2nd option would be the aero solus. But like most everyone is saying the origin is hard to beat and u can find barrels cheap and grab a used chassis and be close to your budget.

 

[FuhQ]

The seekins rifle seems like a good starter gun and it can grow with you since it is a 700 foot print. 2nd option would be the aero solus. But like most everyone is saying the origin is hard to beat and u can find barrels cheap and grab a used chassis and be close to your budget.

Origin and Solus both use the same prefits.

 

[sheepdog697]

I have a Tikka t3x (soon to be listed in the PX) in a KRG whiskey chassis. its always shot around .5 moa with 5 shot groups. some above some below. I handload and its very accurate. the tikka rifles seem to be a little slower than other rifles with similar barrel lengths. You can throw in a $20 spring and have an excellent trigger, and their aftermarket support is growning. Another guy i shoot with gets the exact accuracy as i do,... lol with the same load.

I dont have any experience with the RPR. I can say that my buddies that have them either get a really good shooter or a decent shooter.

 

[Koakinetics]

So, here's my update. I ended up getting a used Tikka T3X CTR in an MDT XRS. I have an Arken EP5 ready to mount. Looking for a 419 Hellfire Match and a bipod that won't break the bank...maybe the MDT GRD-POD?

 

[TahoeDust]

So, here's my update. I ended up getting a used Tikka T3X CTR in an MDT XRS. I have an Arken EP5 ready to mount. Looking for a 419 Hellfire Match and a bipod that won't break the bank...maybe the MDT GRD-POD?

Skip the GRND-POD. I thought I would like them, ordered a couple, and sold them shortly after. Juat did not feel solid and no matter how much I cranked the cant was wobly. Atlas Cal is the sweet spot for price/performance for me.

 

[fdkay]

I picked up a grnd pod, I am very pleased with it so far, but for just 64 more dollars, the atlas Cal has a wider stance and is more suited to the competition world. The atlas is going to be more stable, my choice was for specific uses.

 

[Koakinetics]

Skip the GRND-POD. I thought I would like them, ordered a couple, and sold them shortly after. Juat did not feel solid and no matter how much I cranked the cant was wobly. Atlas Cal is the sweet spot for price/performance for me.

I'm not seeing an arca attachment, am I missing something?

 

[TahoeDust]

I'm not seeing an arca attachment, am I missing something?

For arca get the NC version bipod and the Area419 Arca mount. It is made for the Atlas Cal.

ARCALOCK Clamp

THIS CLAMP WORKS ON ALL STANDARD ARCA/1.5″ DOVETAIL RAILS Area 419 is always looking for ways to improve existing products when we are not developing new technologies. With the rapid growth in popularity of ARCA rails in precision rifle, we saw a need to improve this great dovetail technology to...

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