My new do-all rifle

Nice looking rifle, the more I look at Tikka’s in aftermarket stocks them more I’m leaning towards one for a LH .223, the CTR’s do check all my boxes and it seems there’s options for changing to aics mags.

If you're after a lefty with aftermarket support the options get pretty thin after Rem 700 and Tikka T3 thats for sure.
 
If you're after a lefty with aftermarket support the options get pretty thin after Rem 700 and Tikka T3 thats for sure.

Rem, Tikka, Savage all check my required needs basically. Ruger does in .243, 6.5 etc but does not in .223, I’m looking for 20”-22” barrel, detachable mag or ability to use lar10 or aics, aftermarket options for stocks. Basically I want a LH bolt action .223 that’s similar to my 700ltr or Howa 1500, mainly for target shooting but some hunting use would be nice. Field stock and not a chassis unless I feel the need for it.

.223 for relatively easy and cheaper factory loads but will do some handloading for it as well.
 
Haha ya right. Those stupid drop tests make me stay up at night lol. I'm always afraid my vx3hd will miss a deer after riding around in the back of the truck for a few miles.

the drop tests can affect a lot of good riflescopes but nothing worth a ride in a sled in the middle of the winter ... i had a few scopes including the strongest that did not like it at all ...
 
I’m looking for 20”-22” barrel, detachable mag or ability to use lar10 or aics, aftermarket options for stocks. Basically I want a LH bolt action .223 that’s similar to my 700ltr or Howa 1500, mainly for target shooting but some hunting use would be nice. Field stock and not a chassis unless I feel the need for it.

LH Tikka T3x Lite, Varmint, or CTR, (depending on your weight limits) and switch out the bottom metal to Mountain Tactical? It’s a easy modification. Cut and crown barrel to preferred length?

There’s a huge aftermarket for Tikkas now.
 
Will the mods let you change your handle to tikkalh now?

Nice project. The tikka thing is fun, i haven’t done one since the t3 days but did a handful. Doing a t3x up now and it’s a hoot, such a great platform.
 
Nice looking rifle. I have always liked the 280 ai idea.
I do have a question though. Does a 22” barrel limit the ai that much in speed? I had a 7mm-08 built on a long action with a 26” and was shooting 139’s at 2950-3000fps and 180eldm at 2750 easily.
 
LH Tikka T3x Lite, Varmint, or CTR, (depending on your weight limits) and switch out the bottom metal to Mountain Tactical? It’s a easy modification. Cut and crown barrel to preferred length?

There’s a huge aftermarket for Tikkas now.

That’s where I’m leaning if I can’t luck into a LH Rem 700 sps tactical, not in a rush and the T3x ctr’s are easy to get. Have a couple lgs’s to pop into and see what they have tucked away as well. I’d like to handle a few things in person before I make up my mind, I’m fine with used as well. I’m not really concerned with weight, any of the Tikka's would be fine weight wise. 7.5-9 lbs is fine, lighter is better but it wouldn’t be the first time I hiked a 10lb rifle around the bush.
 
Nice looking rifle. I have always liked the 280 ai idea.
I do have a question though. Does a 22” barrel limit the ai that much in speed? I had a 7mm-08 built on a long action with a 26” and was shooting 139’s at 2950-3000fps and 180eldm at 2750 easily.

I would maybe gain 50fps with a 24" barrel. I did 22" thinking i would put a brake on it. After shooting it twice with a brake I put the muzzle protector back on. Brakes just aren't for me and it's a hunting rifle.im not wearing ear pro to hunt and I'm not shooting a braked rifle with no ear pro. When I stretch it out next year I may put the brake back on but recoil isn't bad at all. Those 180 at 2750 sound like the answer to a lot of problems. When I messed with 7-08, I got 145s to 3k quite easily with 6.5 staball. Accuracy was good too. Never tried anything heavier.
 
Will the mods let you change your handle to tikkalh now?

Nice project. The tikka thing is fun, i haven’t done one since the t3 days but did a handful. Doing a t3x up now and it’s a hoot, such a great platform.

Now that's funny. I'll admit I used to be a savage fan boy. I guess my tastes have changed. Savage still makes a decent rifle and I still have my original 308 that I hunted with exclusively for over 20 years.
 
That’s where I’m leaning if I can’t luck into a LH Rem 700 sps tactical, not in a rush and the T3x ctr’s are easy to get. Have a couple lgs’s to pop into and see what they have tucked away as well. I’d like to handle a few things in person before I make up my mind, I’m fine with used as well. I’m not really concerned with weight, any of the Tikka's would be fine weight wise. 7.5-9 lbs is fine, lighter is better but it wouldn’t be the first time I hiked a 10lb rifle around the bush.

My next build is a rh tikka in 223 with 1 in 8 twist. Should be a great range toy and good for getting the boys some trigger time. Plus I have 8lbs of blc2 to burn up and small rifle primers are easy to get for now.
 
My next build is a rh tikka in 223 with 1 in 8 twist. Should be a great range toy and good for getting the boys some trigger time. Plus I have 8lbs of blc2 to burn up and small rifle primers are easy to get for now.

Right on, should be a fun one. I’ve been thinking about getting my Howa back out over the winter and working a load up for it, I don’t mind rh bolts off a bench as I’ve shot them up until the last couple of year when I switched to lh hunting rifles. I could sell the Howa to up the .223 budget but I really like it, and having a loaner if a friend comes hunting isn’t a bad thing.
 
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