I don't have a centerfire rifle, and I want to get into long-distance shooting. I don't want to buy anything super expensive, but quality is important to me.
What do you think of Tikka UPR Creedmoore?
I am also thinking about getting a Vortex Diamondback scope for it.
Is it a good choice for Known Distance?
Can't go wrong with a tikka. As for using it at a KD if your comfortable with a bolt action then i say go for it but if your new to longer range shooting I would recommend an AR of sorts ammo is half the price of 308 and 6.5 and just a better experience overall not having the recoil aspect in the back of your mind it makes a huge difference trust me. especially it being your fist centerfire rifle. This is what I recommend is find an AR in your budget (I've heard good things about the Ruger ARs) with preferably a 18-20 inch barrel find some decent ammo a decent optic. But do some research and I'm sure someone else will chime in after me with their own recommendations. Disclaimer these are just my opinions don't take them to heart. Does this kind of answer your question?
Also in an AR-15 you could also shoot 22ARC and 6.5Grendel. I shoot them out to 1000 yds (20"-24" barrels) at my local range.
On an AR-15 you can swap the upper receiver and change calibers.
The Tikka UPR looks to be a close cousin to the Bergara HMR.
I used my Bergara HMR (in .308) at my first centerfire KD and did well with it.
As for long distance shooting, what yardages are you looking at? Shooters disagree as to what long distance means, but from what I read, 600 yards is considered medium range. So, figure a distance past that and you're getting into 'long range'.
As for a KD and a bolt action here's my experience: Be absolutely sure of your mags as to which has 2 and which has 8 in stages 2 and 3! during one of the AQTs at my first shoot in Alaska I managed to fumble my mag change and run out of time. With a bolt action you have no time for error.
Also, and this was passed on to me by a master instructor at my first KD: Center hits are nice, but you don't have time with a bolt action in stages 2 and 3 to make one-hole groups at 300 yards! :) This advice falls in line with the Appleseed 'old saying': Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough. Find your Rifleman's cadence early, stay in rhythm, and you'll keep 'em in the black.
A 6.5 Creedmoor is at once an outstanding choice and a very expensive choice if you buy your ammo. If you are a reloader, your ammo costs much less.
It is true that the course of fire (COF) is set up with semi-autos in mind, and, it is very hard to better a good AR-15 in 5.56 for a KD.
However, if you're looking to buy ONE rifle for, say, hunting big game, KDs, Precision Riflery (out to a 1000 yards-maybe further), then a bolt action 6.5 is a fine choice. If you can run a bolt action smoothly, The Tikka and a Vortex scope would be a good choice for a KD (especially for flat trajectory and minimal wind drift at 400 yards) and a solid entry level choice if competitive long range shooting is in the cards.
If you're looking to buy one rifle for KDs, I'd advise an AR in 5.56. It's better suited for the COF and ammo is the least expensive of any suitable caliber. Make sure the barrel is 1-7 or 1-8 twist and with the right ammo, you can make hits out past 600 yards.
My two cents.
In Liberty,
Gus
Quote from: Gus on November 04, 2025, 01:09:19 PMThe Tikka UPR looks to be a close cousin to the Bergara HMR.
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Thank you very much for this and other informative responses. It's very helpful.
Quote from: Eagle Keeper on November 04, 2025, 12:40:53 AMAlso in an AR-15 you could also shoot 22ARC and 6.5Grendel. I shoot them out to 1000 yds (20"-24" barrels) at my local range.
On an AR-15 you can swap the upper receiver and change calibers.
I second the notion of multiple uppers on a single AR-style lower. I have uppers in 5.56x45 NATO and 6.5 Grendel.
Having said that, I am a huge fan of bolt action rifles. The timed stages of any KD event are a little easier because there is only one target, vs 2 or 3 on the AQT.
My $0.02,
Jon
Sound advice presented here O0
I would like to contribute in another way. The main takeaway for our shooters at KD Events is to learn their equipment. To be honest, I get a kick out of having shooters with rifles that are not AR15s. Coaching them to the goal of getting their DOPE is rewarding and builds confidence in the shooter. The lessons learned and applied at KD events are 100% transferable to other rifles. I often tell shooters that whatever rifle you think you will use when "that day comes" is the one you should being to a KD. On "that day", it's too late to learn your come-ups, hold-overs and such.
Bottom line - don't assume you need to build a rifle for KD events. Bring your rifle and learn it. That's the Rifleman way and that's how Appleseed will continue to build a nation of Riflemen.