chevy1562004
Active Member
@CarlHoward Enjoy your new rifle mate and let’s see some pictures on here when you’ve got it put together.
New Stalker - First rifle - Advice
- Thread starter CarlHoward
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- ace game
Would you mind if I borrowed that for my signature? It sums up the full-day SD experience perfectly!
Utectok
Well-Known Member
All true but a great deal of wind drift and drop. 6.5 is much better for competition (at least to start with) and also a very capable deer round. Modern cartridges are better mostly speaking as a man who shoots a 6.5x55 but still lol
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
@CarlHoward Cartridge choice and the rifle to fire it will always get polar opposite opinions as to if it's "right".
I will offer some insight into my lad and my own route to what we have rifle wise. I have had a FAC for thirty years or so, started with whatever I could afford. Old BSA's, Parker Hale BRNO etc. Chopped and changed (Mainly rimfire) over the years. But found out the hard way a rifle that is target oriented is not pleasant to take stalking. Regardless of the quarry.
I have a Sako 75 in 20 Tac (223 based wildcat) in a laminate stock with bipod mod etc on it's heavier than my stalking rifle (Sauer 202). It's taken a while but I finally have a 223 to go with the 6.5x55 etc. So the plan is to have all my CF cartridges in 202 barrels. This all started with my gunsmith as he has two 202's, consider that he can build whatever he wants (and has done in the past). His choice is the Sauer albeit with custom barrels.
My lad has Howa small action 223 in a GRS stock it has a 26" heavy barrel. You don't feel recoil but you don't want to carry it far. He is getting a second 202 with a donor barrel to get it shortened and basically try lose some weight.
You could (possibly still can) get an adapter to M16/AR15 pistol grips and buffer tubes to fit whatever stock you liked. wide fore ends, heavy barrels etc. Plus the stocks already available, thumbhole, adjustable etc.
Personally I have wood and synthetic stocks for mine and they keep zero when swapping barrels (I do use a torque screwdriver). So I can change them to the to suit where I am going.
The hassle of a variation does make it awkward to change your mind. FLD's don't look too kindly on repeated variations (ask me how I know) so being sure before you buy is a good idea. At there end of the day it's you choice and you will have to live with it (or stand the loss when selling and wait for the variation). But you do need to like what you buy, because if you don't it will spoil your enjoyment of shooting. Been there done that, it's not the best way to enjoy shooting.
It's taken me thirty years and a very helpful RFD. But I finally have a setup that I want to stick with. Every cartridge in the same rifle (beware the man with one gun and all that) and a very well made one at that. I can and will just get custom barrels whenever I need to change or add to the current ones.
Hopefully you find the right rifle to suit you, and get out in the dale to enjoy it soon.
I will offer some insight into my lad and my own route to what we have rifle wise. I have had a FAC for thirty years or so, started with whatever I could afford. Old BSA's, Parker Hale BRNO etc. Chopped and changed (Mainly rimfire) over the years. But found out the hard way a rifle that is target oriented is not pleasant to take stalking. Regardless of the quarry.
I have a Sako 75 in 20 Tac (223 based wildcat) in a laminate stock with bipod mod etc on it's heavier than my stalking rifle (Sauer 202). It's taken a while but I finally have a 223 to go with the 6.5x55 etc. So the plan is to have all my CF cartridges in 202 barrels. This all started with my gunsmith as he has two 202's, consider that he can build whatever he wants (and has done in the past). His choice is the Sauer albeit with custom barrels.
My lad has Howa small action 223 in a GRS stock it has a 26" heavy barrel. You don't feel recoil but you don't want to carry it far. He is getting a second 202 with a donor barrel to get it shortened and basically try lose some weight.
You could (possibly still can) get an adapter to M16/AR15 pistol grips and buffer tubes to fit whatever stock you liked. wide fore ends, heavy barrels etc. Plus the stocks already available, thumbhole, adjustable etc.
Personally I have wood and synthetic stocks for mine and they keep zero when swapping barrels (I do use a torque screwdriver). So I can change them to the to suit where I am going.
The hassle of a variation does make it awkward to change your mind. FLD's don't look too kindly on repeated variations (ask me how I know) so being sure before you buy is a good idea. At there end of the day it's you choice and you will have to live with it (or stand the loss when selling and wait for the variation). But you do need to like what you buy, because if you don't it will spoil your enjoyment of shooting. Been there done that, it's not the best way to enjoy shooting.
It's taken me thirty years and a very helpful RFD. But I finally have a setup that I want to stick with. Every cartridge in the same rifle (beware the man with one gun and all that) and a very well made one at that. I can and will just get custom barrels whenever I need to change or add to the current ones.
Hopefully you find the right rifle to suit you, and get out in the dale to enjoy it soon.
Although I concur
If you really want to go with that combo, (which me and my wife were also originally thinking about, but after some real life ecperienced ditched quickly) you could consider a barrel which is tensioned with a carbon shroud to keep it stable, but is relatively light. Ad that to a light (carbon?) chassis and you have a combo that is light but should shoot well enough for competition.
Although I concur, even a broken clock is right two times a day....Would you mind if I borrowed that for my signature? It sums up the full-day SD experience perfectly!
If you really want to go with that combo, (which me and my wife were also originally thinking about, but after some real life ecperienced ditched quickly) you could consider a barrel which is tensioned with a carbon shroud to keep it stable, but is relatively light. Ad that to a light (carbon?) chassis and you have a combo that is light but should shoot well enough for competition.
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CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
As in most sports, to have everyone in agreement will never happen. We seek advice and do the research then make our mind up and then if we make the wrong choice we only have ourself to blame. Carl you sound like you know what suits you, so fair enough. I was undecided about the Tikka Ace Game in .223 for foxing until I went to the Shooting Show this year and actually got to handle one. It felt much lighter than I anticipated and the adjustability to improve the ergonomics is excellent. Given all the feedback on here and my own research from online reviews mine is now on the way. I will be using a Vorn LT12 or the EV30 that I would also use for Fishing hikes and it will take a tripod. Planning to fit a Svemco Hunter 1 titanium core, which at 285 gram is barely noticible. There is a reason why the Tikka T3X Ace was voted rifle of the year.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Yes I thought exactly the same ShotKam - it barely weighed anything IMHO. I'm not sure if the push back I've had is about weight or really just about looks.
Are you UK or elsewhere?
Carl
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Except it isn't heavy - I've literally held it. My 308 Barnard target rifle is heavy, very heavy. But I wouldn't take that hunting.
Down in Devon. I met a few people at the Shooting Show who use chassis rifles far heavier than the Ace. Depending on your physique, how far you travel, how you transport the rifle etc. weight may or may not be an issue for the person doing the shooting. With the Vorn, it will not be an issue for me and I am small. It amazes me how much stalker's overseas take on their stalking hikes, covering terrain unheard of in the UK !
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CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Yes, my definition of heavy and other people's definition of heavy seem divergent. I used to go hiking, 30 miles, with a 65 litre rucksack.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Interesting that they didn't seem to gralloch the deer and just take the meat of it.
davegixxer
Well-Known Member
Yes weight is down to the individual yomped all over carrying either an SLR or an LMG in my past so a tikka in an MDT chassiss is not a real issue it is probably the look that puts a lot off but each to their own. If like me you are prepared and able to carry it.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
I do wonder if to some (clearly not all) it is a tradition vs innovation thing. It looks I guess like an American youtuber's rifle to a degree rather than a bearded ghillie in tweed.
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Again, no. You are just ignoring all arguments made.
A chassis is (mostly) not made for hunting, so not the ergonomically best for it and weight is an issue as you will probably find out.
Just buy the riffle, you are looking for confirmation, not advise. Discussion makes no sense that way, buying it is the way to go.
Just give some feedback in a years time or so how you get on with it.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
I've reviewed all comments made Emilio. I appreciate your input.
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