Newb here and to long guns looking for input on first rifle

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Hey new here

Hey new here and pretty excited to read through the forums. I’m an avid pistol shooter range safety officer who has, other than shooting leaver action 22’s plinking cans and a kid , no experience at all at long rifle shooting or hunting. It’s been a deep desire to pick this up for many years with competing hobbies and lack of access pushing out my entrance into a the sport until now, my 60th year. So like a bunch of your neighbors who hit you up for info I’m here now hat in hand looking for some help in picking my first rifle.

I’ll start off my saying I’m an engineer by schooling and a geek by choice so I have been researching and weighing my options and based on my short term interests and goals I have some idea what I’m looking for and what I will be doing for the first few months. So my interest is to:

  1. Go learn how to maintain, set up, manage and fix my weapon this is big time fun for me

  2. Get training on long gun shooting Before pulling the trigger on anything alive it’s important to me to be ready to take something down ethically going to go to a few weekend trainings for shooting at distance

  3. range shooting at distance for accuracy I love hitting dots on paper

  4. Learn how to hunt ethically before doing It

So the gun I buy should be good for target shooting as well as medium to large game. Being in the north east that’s white tail predominantly although I’d go to friends in Texas for hog and might some day look at a black bear. In my research I’ve settled on 308 or 6.5 prc. For my first all rounder. The 6.5 being the one I’m leaning towards. Cost of cartridges is an issue and as it’s my my only gun. How many rounds will I really be putting through It training a couple of times a month maybe and a couple of hunts a year at most at the beginning? So I could eat that cost. The accuracy of It makes me lean to It. I would think about getting into loading long term.

On the target side one would think the 6.5 prc beats the 308 hands down. The 308 seems to have the better mass to stop at my probable hunting distances of 100-200yds I’d be interested in opinions. I left out larger cartrages based on my newness to the sport but if you think 300win mag , 7mm prc or 30-06 or ny other would be better I’d be open to listening.

Lastly barrel length. Thinking 20-22” so if we can ever suppress here in ny It would work out better. Also it’s my thought 24” might be to long for the woods around here thoughts? The 24” is a big draw for long targets but I’d be willing to size down for an all rounder

I’m looking at:(very undecided)

Bergara b-14 squared crest (3rd is the barrel to long at 24” for north east )

Bergara divide (second)

Tikka t3x upr

Fierce rival xp (leaning here unless you think the action can get fouled up With dirt)

Features is like

  • Im open to carbon fiber barrels if It makes sense.

  • Reliability is important

  • Smoothness in action

  • Ruggedness (I can be hard on gear but I do maintain my stuff)

So as a newb I’m sure there are things you could roll your eyes at. Im all ears. Be kind :man_facepalming:t3::roll_eyes:

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I think the 308 is a great choice, my mind went directly before I got to where you wrote that. I would favor it over the 6.5 PRC as a new shooter. The 308 will not cover bad practices like a 6.5 PRC will, it forces you to do things the right way. Same could be said for 30-06 or 270 win. The 308 won’t hammer your body either for being a 30 cal.

You may want to consider the Sig Cross in 308, if you don’t mode the look of a chassis.

I love Bergara, but I agree that 24” is too long suppressed. You could also look at the Sako S20 or a Tikka Supervarmit.

Get a steel barrel, not CF. Your time at the range will be better spent as you will sling more lead. CF heats up too fast for a range gun.

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Thanks Ben. Will look at the Sig cross I did look at the s20 looks very good and the Tikka Super varmint will get poured over tonight. I guess that has the thicker? From watching all of Jim’s vids It would seem the TIKKA would be the call but benefit from a different trigger (JIm recommends the Timney it is a 2 stage trigger is that what id look at?) and possibly chassis. Being said the items i’ve put up there are much more money than that and I could start there. and build on it as i mature. Ill do some reading Thanks Again

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I largely agree with Ben and truth be told, he has more experience with bolt action rifles than I do. I too started as a pistol shooter then took up shotgun and started bird hunting, and then finally picked up the rifle. I had shot .22 and AR platform guns before, but nothing for serious accuracy or range.

As for cartridge, my first was a 308 and so I largely agree with Ben’s comments and think that is a good choice. It will work just fine for what you describe. You will definitely have an easier time getting ammo and it will cost less. I would also seriously consider the 270 Win. Out to 400 it’s almost a ballistic twin for the 6.5 PRC.

As for how much training at the range, I would say, think hard about how much you think you will need and what ever the number, do more. I am over the steep part of the learning curve, but just like pistol, it takes a while to develop basic proficiency and then consistency, not to mention it is a perishable skill. I don’t do as much as I would like due to life demands (work, kids, etc.), but you have to put in the time.

Lastly, rifle choice. Sounds like you have done your homework and have an idea what you want. I am partial to Tikka, but I think a lot of it is personal preference. I find Tikka actions to be very smooth and reliable. If you have the opportunity, shoot some different manufacturer’s rifles (maybe with rifle shooting friends), and spend some time at the store holding, shouldering, and inspecting different rifles. I think most major brands, SIG, Tikka, Bergara, Browning, etc., will shoot, if you do your part. I also think it’s important to like what you choose, not purchase just based on the reviews or recommendations.

Keep us posted. I look forward to hearing what you decide to go with.

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I will second Ben’s SAKO S20, and 2nd recommendation would be to look into Benelli LUPO. Gunzonedeals.com right now has a sale on Benelli plus $200 manufacturer rebate as well. And they have both 22” 308 W, and 24” 6.5 PRC as well. I just placed a down-payment on one of their Benelli LUPO 24” PRC. Good luck on your first rifle. It’s exciting.

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Mark thanks for that. Yes on all counts Im shouldering a bunch in stores and on my one to one now LOL. The 270 Looked interesting There is also the 270 Short Mag. I have friends who swear by It. Are they waining? Im going to hold the tikka super varmint vs some of the others.

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Thanks I heled the Benelli its a work of art Beautiful fit and polish. Love my M4 but Its a proprietary rifle and on my list I sort of checked the box to be more Open in architecture

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I would say that for rifle 1, stick to a rem 700 or tikka. You can tweak those. Sako, not much aftermarket but it’s a great rifle out of the box. Bergara is rem 700

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I would avoid the 270 short mag like the plague. It’s a very capable cartridge but isn’t just on life support it’s practically dead. And it’s replacement, the 6.8 western, isn’t doing much better. Ammo is going to be rather expensive, difficult to find, limited, and since it’s a magnum it’s going to require much better shooting fundamentals given its recoil.

The best, easiest to find cartridges are going to be things like the 243 winchester, 6.5 creedmoor, 308, 270, and 30-06. 6.5 PRC not too bad but still not as good as the above.

You could make a very good argument that if you’re wanting to learn fundamentals and practice you should go even smaller with something like a 223. That would allow you to build up some reps and get your fundamentals right before graduating to something bigger and heavier. Plus 223 ammo is super cheap and easy to find. You can also hunt with it in certain areas of the country depending upon the laws of your state.

6.5 creedmoor, and 308 though give you great availability, low cost, easy to find, and very easy to shoot, and definitely capable for hunting game at reasonable distances.

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Thanks for that. I’ll look into the 223 just left the shop and checked out a bunch gonna digest it and I’ll post something. Thanks for all of your input.

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Hey so back from the store. Leaning towards 308 just can’t kick the 6.5 Creedmoor or PRC out of my head.

Checked out the Sig cross and its impressive. I just don’t know if I can get around how It looks. It has everything going for It. You can do anything to It. stock folds will fit nicely in a pack. I have to sit with that for a while.

The Tikka t3x UPR was really nice. Adjustable cheek pad. smoothest action heavy barrel and Its threaded. It seems to be a great platform that I can upgrade. I could just put the UPR in another chassis it I wanted at some point. The Super varmint comes with teh 2 stage trigger so that might be It. I looked at the Ace as well wow looked very cool. If I did that id be getting the game version of the ACE and if I ever really want out west with It or hiked into the mountains here I could if I wanted out It in a carbon fiber chassis and It would get lighter. Its a single action trigger though. So I’m leaning towards the Tikka Super Varmint. and just get a different chassis some day if I want It. Its heavy for sure. The price points are better than then the Bergara’s I was looking at although those have carbon fiber Chassis.

so 20” or 24”barrel. NYS Its impossible to get a suppressor that can change. But for walking in the woods etc Im thinking 20” tell me why not if you dont agree.

So still a bit un settled AND I’m sure that no matter what I settle on in this range I will be just fine. I don’t know why I’m struggling over the decision to go 308. The owner of the store who is a friend said 308 before I could open my mouth as did a few others and you all here too. I get hung up on the accuracy of the 6.5’s at distance and I probably should just find a way to shed that as every one I’m asking is saying the same things. They all say the 6.5 creedmoor is amazing. I get stuck on It not having the stopping power of the 308 so I lean towards the 6.5 PRC and I’m a total newb who never fired any of them. :person_facepalming:

I found you all through Backfire and all of Jim’s amazing content. Some of which has put me in this quandary LOL So anyone who wants to talk me off the proverbial ledge have at It :slight_smile:

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I think you’re on a great track here. Regarding barrel length, im In Tn, so a similar type of hunting. Im gonna throw a twist in your thinking…The gun I hunt with the most is an 18” 6.5prc, which pretty much matches the velocity of a 6.5 creedmoor. It’s awesome in the woods or out of a blind, super light weight and plenty of fun at my range out to 900 yards. I personally love fierce rifles, and now have 5. I had mine built in a carbon rogue, would do it 100x over. All that said, if you want something off the rack, a tikka in .308 is hard to beat. I have a soft spot for that rifle, as it was the first rifle I ever bought, and quite honestly could have been the last. There is nothing that rifle can not do, nor is there any game In N. America in can not handle out to 400 yards, with the right bullet. You’ll get a ton of opinions on this, but you’re on the right track; and I think the most important thing you can do is make sure you buy exactly what YOU want, and don’t settle. If you do, you’ll just be buying again shortly after. It’s a easy rabbit hole to go down, but a fun one! Keep us all updated on what you get, and welcome to the community!!

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Thanks Johnathan that does help big time. It’s easy to get all caught up in the details. Some say the devil is there lol.. Kyle Defoor says buy once cry once. The fierce stuff looks great and feels really nice too. I’m leaning more and more to the 308. I’m sure this is the first of a few rifles and having a really heavy barrel and a chambering that won’t break the bank will give me a place to learn work out my process and hone skills so that when I do move to something else I’ll be coming to It with experience and not just what I think but what I’ve integrated. The more I look at It the tikka action looks to be the best base and I can customize from there and eventually figure out what I want long term. So it’s down to which one is the starting point. Is It the ace Game, upn, or super varmint.

So for those of you out there what do you think? Is It the two stage triggers. Or the one stage. I can put a timiny t3 in the upn and It will be a lighter build than the varmint. At the same price. At some point I could get a new chassis if I wanted. The ace looks to be super accurate out of the box and unless I wanted It lighter for some reason it’s an out of the box winner.

I’m leaning to the upn I can always change the trigger the 20mm barrel will Save weight and is still thicker it’s threaded the super varmints 22mm barrel will prob be just a bit heavy. does the standard steel bolt vs the fluted matter? The hat could change things :man_facepalming:t3:

What say you? Thoughts ?

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Personally, I like after market triggers. Bix n Andy particularly. But, when buying a rifle, it’s best to find one with a trigger you like and shoot it as it came for a while then make considerate changes based on what you know about your gun.

don’t over think the 308. I have never met anyone who thought the 308 is an outdated round, doesn’t get the job done, isn’t versatile, kicks too hard, is a poor man’s xyz.

For rifle number 1 it’s 308, 30-06 or 223. 30-06 was my first cause it’s what everyone had and I had a ton of ammo for it. 223 is cheap and super easy to shoot. You won’t develop a flinch. The 308 can shoot a really light bullet and do that same as the 223, just a bit heavier. All My opinion by the way.

The other guns that follow should be based on what you know from the thousands of rounds you put through that first rifle. My second rifle was a 223. Then a 300 blackout and then a 243. They all fit a different profile. But i shot my 30-06 till my shoulder was bruised. I shot myself into a flinch and then out of it with that same 30-06. But if i had to do it over again, i would have bought a 308.

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Thanks that’s a big help. Now it’s just which one :roll_eyes:

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I prefer bix n Andy as well. However, I don’t mind the stock tikka trigger all that much. I’d run it for a while and see if you think the upgrade is necessary. You can also by a cheap m carbo trigger spring and it lightens it up a ton, but almost too light. It’s like 1.5 lbs.

As far as the rifle, the option of the ace game is killer. You can go on pure precision and buy a carbon fiber tikka stock right now for $525 ($200 off), if you ever want to swap it out for a lighter package, then you almost have 2 guns in one. Here is mine that started as a T3x roughtec

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For a first rifle and without handloading, I would have to agree with @cchilds and say avoid the 270 WSM, even though it pains me to say. I am admittedly a fan of the WSM. I have a Tikka in 300 WSM that I love. Yes, it’s a magnum, but with a brake and with Jim’s Backstop recoil pad, the percieved recoil is very managable.
I think the updated version of the 270 WSM, the aforementioned 6.8 Western looks really awesome, at least on paper (haven’t shot one), but it has recieved little support since launch. Not many manufacturers make rifles chambered in the 6.8 and few ammo companies are turning out factory loads.
Full disclosure, I didn’t get my 300 WSM until I had started handloading, though it is probably doing the best of all the short magnum family. If you were going to consider a .270 cal rifle, I would recommend the tried and true 270 Win. I recently gave mine to my oldest son and will definitely replace it!

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I don’t mind the Tikka trigger either, but it could just be that I don’t have enough experience yet to appreciate the difference.

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Agree with just sticking with the standard Tika trigger at least to start with. I Put A two stage Timney In a Tikka CTR, and I hate to say it but I really just don’t like it. And I say that as a person who will not own an AR-15 without putting a two-stage trigger in it, and who has multiple other examples of Timney triggers that I love. In fact I just placed an order for a new one yesterday to replace a trigger in another rifle

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On the final stretch here

So the tikka tx3 ace game chambered in 308 20” looks to be the call there is a 24.4” barrel but I would think that is to long for the north east woods and if I ever get to suppress It would be way to long it’s the only option with a heavier not heaviest barrel and fluted bolt the chassis looks great I’m thinking the cerekote finish. It is 8.8lbs and after adding scope bipod sling and full mag it’s going to be somewhat heavier

The models that fit this are the TFTT2968A1TC973 & TFTT2968A1TC973B trust need to see difference In color finishes to finalize has anyone seen the difference between the midnight bronze and black?

Thanks everyone for all the input. @jferreira414, and anyone else for that matter, which carbon fiber stock Manufacturer should I be looking at to be a good lighter alternative to the heavier chassis or the tx3 ace game to have another option long term? With the heavier barrel what considerations do I need to keep in mind to maintain some balance on the gun when swapping out chassis ?

Again you have all been great @backfire if you have any final thoughts for this newb I’d be really grateful For the input🙏