Budget Build

[morgaj1]

After lurking on this site and reading for a couple of years, I finally started getting serious about long range shooting. My 15yo son and I attended a long range shooting school in December and have been hooked since. I am assembling a 223 for 100-300 yard practice and a 6.5 Creedmoor for out to 1,000 yards. I finally found a Tikka factory 223, followed @Formidilosus recommendations and assembled the rifle with an SWFA MRAD scope. Here are the components:

1. Tikka T3x stainless
2. Factory bottom metal and recoil lug
3. Mountain Tactical Raptor mount. Found on their blemish sale for cheap. Screws degreased and blue loctite applied
4. SWFA MRAD scope
5. Stocky's NextGen stock

I typically handload, but didn't have time. So, I bought 2 boxes of Sierra 55gr HPBT factory ammo. I fired 4 rounds to foul and sight in. The pictures below are the next three 5-round groups. I am very happy with the results and am looking forward to loading some Sierra MatchKing 77gr's.

 

[JRay]

That’s a damn good start

 

[Taudisio]

Well done! You can stretch a 223 beyond 300 yards! I spotted for a buddy the other day and he hit the 500 yard gong (12”) 8 for 10 with a medium grade ar and a trijicon 4 power acog. He was shooting 2moa at 100 yards. You’re a quarter of that!

 

[BLJ]

Well done! You can stretch a 223 beyond 300 yards! I spotted for a buddy the other day and he hit the 500 yard gong (12”) 8 for 10 with a medium grade ar and a trijicon 4 power acog. He was shooting 2moa at 100 yards. You’re a quarter of that!

I’ll agree with this. Give it a shot. A lot of fun. 223 is capable well beyond 300.

 

[Taudisio]

 

[Pat McGroin]

Interested to see how the 77s shoot. Nice build.

 

[Tannerlowe]

Can’t beat a tikka action for a budget build. I’d take a tikka over a cheap custom action any day.

 

[morgaj1]

Got out this weekend and shot some more. 77gr Sierra MatchKings with IMR 8208 XBR worked well.

 

[OverInfinite]

If you have enough elevation (30+MOA) you should be able to stretch those 77s out to 1,000.