So, ultimately I’m keen to drive a 6.5 bolt gun, and while I’d like to get into hand-loading and all that to lessen my cost, in the meantime I just want to be able to go to my local indoor range and get accustomed to precision shooting without any huge expense in ammo. I’ve had a shitty rimfire automatic for most of my life but have always wanted one with a bolt action.
Some more info on the T1x: https://gununiversity.com/tikka-t1x-review/
The scope listed is damn expensive and hard to find, so from the comments:
Nice writeup, Matt. For those considering their own precision rimfire build, another optic to consider is the Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm FFP. It doesn’t have the magnification of the Vortex, but it does have an FFP reticle, and the parallax adjusts down to 10 yards. Plus, it’s just $240. https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot-pa4-14xffp I’ve got one on my Ruger Precision Rimfire, and I’m pleased with it.
More on that scope: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gear-review-primary-arms-4-14x44-mil-dot-ffp-scope/
Now I know that probably nine times out of ten, you probably want to spend more on glass than on the rifle, but this seems like a good entry-level scope for the price.
With how expensive ammo is this last year, I might have to do the same and get a cheap 22LR. I was looking at getting a tikka t3x in 308 before this, but now I’d only do it if I could do hand loads.
That’s the thing about these, is you’re supposed to spend as much on the scope as you are on the rifle.
I’ve never tried 6.5 but I want to bad, i hear good things.
I figure there’s probably a bit more wiggle room on value of glass with rimfire. If I were seriously entering a competition or something, I’m sure I’d want better, but I think small game and logging a little extra range-time spent on precision fundamentals would probably prove forgiving enough.
Yeah, I saw recently that 6.5’s decent for deer hunting. I’ve never hunted deer, but it’s something I’ve meant to try eventually. In any case I think that if I ever spring for a T3x tact a1, it’s too intriguing not to get it in 6.5.
