Thanks for that GH.
Another question:-
The rifle in question has had the original iron sights removed. As I shall be using this as a tool in a very demanding and damaging environment, and shots will rarely be further than 50yds, I shall either be replacing the iron sights or fitting one of the cheaper red dot type sights. What fixing system is used on Tikkas?
Most of the red dot sights use a 20mm or 11mm clamp onto a groove just like an air rifle scope. Is this going to work? Alternatively are second hand bits like original open/iron sights easily available?
Thanks again,
Mark
TThe other issue is that one may be stalking along in the thick stuff of an evening with no joy. As it looks darker in the wood than in the open you declare shooting light to be over and head back to your car. you are an experienced stalker so you take nothing for granted and move quietly and with proper field craft. You poke your head out of the tree line and spot 3 deer peaceably browsing in the field 200 yards away, utterly oblivious.
You then realise you have open sights you can't really see to make a 200 yard shot with.
I was the world's biggest fan of open sights on hunting rifles, I also and possibly not co-incidentally hadn't used them in earnest before. My old uncle laughs at me whenever I get nostalgic, he would have used Swarovski Z6i scopes and beanfield rifles if he could have in the 50's and 60's when he started out if he could.
Gutted.....I'll see my old M595 in a different light nowthat rifle was possibly the last series of really rather pukka Tikkas that they made before the takeover.
Gutted.....I'll see my old M595 in a different light now
You're a braver man than I Mark!
Of the Italian boar hunters I know all use Semi-autos and two of those have them in 9.3!
I would wear a bit of orange, I think....
For what you want I would recommend a aimpoint or similar. The dot moves with your head position and is great for boar. Don't be afraid of getting the larger dot as shots will be close and even 6 MOA is only 1.5 inches at 25 yards.
My other bit of advice if the rifle is a boar rifle is to check the magazine spring and also that of the little steel plunger on the underside of the "bottom metal" to make sure they are in good condition or you may have feeding troubles. My own occasionally fails to pick up a round from the magazine, really shouldn't happen to a single stack mag but there you go, if one babies the action or knocks the mag enough. Needless to say feeding is vital for the sort of shooting you want to do.
Finally, hassle Joe_bloggs of this site to hurry up and make the extended mag for the long action Tikka so you can have more than four in the rifle or at least see if you can find another mag to keep in your pocket.
Good hunting buy the way mate, I'm quite jealous!
I'll come to terms with it, I just need a little time! If you have the chance to buy one of the older Tikka's in good condition, do it, you won't regret it. They are well made, solid rifles, and there are a lot of bargains out there in some of the less popular calibres.
Buckup, Amir's advice on aimpoints etc notwithstanding, if this rilfe is is going to be a dedicated boar gun, you need to think about the best straight tube scope you can afford. MacLeod's have a few SH Swaro 1.1-4x24's, perfect for pigs and can be useful for stalking in decent light conditions. Any scope of this type is a better option than irons. I cannot get my head around the various red-dot/holograph type scopes.
KISS.
Thanks Amir........
No, you're alright Amir...I was only killing time whilst I'm sat in the office in Swindon (now you understand!). I managed to find my M595 last year in a local dealers- new & unused at £495. I nearly sold it, but got rid of my Heym instead; that's testament to how good I think these older Tikka's are.
If you're buying a .270, 30.06 or another larger calibre, you can probably assume that it is unlikely to have had heavy use at the range. There are a couple of nice looking LSA65 in .270 on guntrader at less than £500, which I might get tempted by....they just seem a lot of gun for very little money.
There are a couple of nice looking LSA65 in .270 on guntrader at less than £500,
Amir, given my left eye is only an orament, that might explain why I can't fathom the holograph's, there is no "both eyes open" benefit for me, maybe that is why I would have a scope every time.
The Kiwi seems like a good guy, but he was f##ked with jetlag the weekend I was over, he fell asleep with his face on the dinner plate. Maybe he is just a jonah for deer.
The Ampton dates don't look to clever for me at the moment. I will have to re-negotiate with herself. I will get to speak to Nigel also, he seemed keen the last time we talked about it.