Varmint rifle dilemma.

C

cdn shooter

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Well after saying no more customs...I'm doing another custom. Problem is my barrels on it's way and now I'm second guessing what to put it on.

Goal is lightweight varminter. Barrel is a Krieger .224 8 twist that will be turned to sporter so it can be profiled to fit whatever. I was planning on rebarreling a tikka to 22-250, but turns out quality stocks are either going to be macmillan or manners...either will be an extensive wait. Or I could rebarrel a vanguard RC in .223. Seems to be a few more stock options out there. Or I could pick up a vanguard with a .308 bolt face and do that to 22-250. With the vanguards I really like how they feed out of the legacy mag system, but the Tikka is pretty good from factory mags. With restocking and ability to choose barrel profile they should be able to come in pretty light...the Tikka will finish a few oz lighter.

What would you guys do?
 
I don't want a B&C stock for this one. I want something in the 20-23oz range. The vanguard in stock trim is a bit heavy but I think it can get down to below 6lbs with the right parts.
 
I'm a tikka fan, but the McMillan stock will only save you about 5 ounces over the synthetic. 2-3 more if you want to screw around with a flip flop recoil pad. If you start with a fluted superlite, I don't see the benefit of a custom barrel for hunting, other than the twist.

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A kind of off the wall idea, since you like the vanguard, is a Howa Alpine in 243. Same action as the vanguard, 5.7lbs, good DBM, light stiff stock and talley 1oz rings. You could re-barrel to 22-243 or 22-250 to launch 75gr amax. The 243 DBM may help you with longer bullets seated farther out also.
 
cdn shooter said:
What is it about the tikka thats turned you?
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Accuracy leaves a lot to be desired ($300 axis is a lot more accurate), I don't like how short the mags are, A real recoil lug would be nice, and it feels like a cheap gun made from aluminium. Gf has a $399 vanguard it is 10x more accurate, machined in recoil lug, 3 position safety, nicer trigger, and feels better.
 
DMS1 said:
I'm a tikka fan, but the McMillan stock will only save you about 5 ounces over the synthetic. 2-3 more if you want to screw around with a flip flop recoil pad. If you start with a fluted superlite, I don't see the benefit of a custom barrel for hunting, other than the twist.

" rel="nofollow">s614.photobucket.com/user/DMS1...jpg[/IMG][/URL]</a>

A kind of off the wall idea, since you like the vanguard, is a Howa Alpine in 243. Same action as the vanguard, 5.7lbs, good DBM, light stiff stock and talley 1oz rings. You could re-barrel to 22-243 or 22-250 to launch 75gr amax. The 243 DBM may help you with longer bullets seated farther out also.
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I'd trade the Tikka+cash for a Howa Alpine in a heartbeat! I should have bought the one that Prophet river had a while back. The .243 re-done to 22-250 would be a really nice rifle. Mag would be long enough and would work well, nice stock, lightweight, good trigger. Just wouldn't have the short throw bolt.
 
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