Someoldguy
Damn it! Why can't anything be easy?
I am still using the factory rings, largely because I have not had a chance to research what rings to buy. Tikka no longer provides rings with their rifles, and there might be good reason for that. However, they feel solid and have a snug fit. I put the scope on my Creedmoor for its only shooting session with the same rings, and didn't even have to resight the scope to test the rifle. Easily within 2" of the original position on the .223. Maybe a coincidence or just dumb luck.
I'd like to spend a lot more time shooting, but even hand-loaded ammo is expensive (although, I have been saving all of my brass). The closest range is a 30 minute drive, and the closest public lands are more than an hour drive. After working all day in the blazing heat with no shade, the last thing I want to do is spend more time in the sun. I'm actually in the process of trying to sell my house and buy some land outside city limits where I can shoot any time I want and put up a 12-foot fence if I feel like it. The lifestyle change has more to do with paying off student loans than shooting, but I welcome the benefits of escaping city code. I wouldn't be surprised if they started making you buy a permit every time you want to use the toilet. Sorry . . . had to vent some frustration.
I hope your plans work out for you. I just sold my rural home and property. I got tired of spending 3 hours a day behind a steering wheel. 3 hours on a lawn mower and an hour with a string trimmer at least once a week. And let's not even begin to talk about ice, snow and the unreliability of weather forecasts.
Not to rain on your picnic, but as you said, nothing is easy.
