Buying a .223

[NukeBOMB88]

Perhaps it's better the Howa guys and us Tikka guys leave it at that.

Cheap sh*t.

Nah the Tikka and Howa are both damn nice guns

[bigfellascott]

Not trying to go one up.
Just the first shots after bolting on my new Leupold.
8 shots to the left of the $2 coin was ripped through quickly and only waited 5min before shooting the central confirmation 5 shot group. Barrel pretty warm. I was sure I'd shank one of em!
I'm not sure I'll bother with the MDT chassis I have for it.
Maybe it can go on the 223.....

Looks good to me mate, I wouldn't touch it, should be able to roll the ferals well with it.

[bigfellascott]

To be honest, looking at current prices from some online store, the Howa is starting to ask a bit much for what it is. Yes it is accurate but a Tikka hunter (timber stock) is only another $200 or so and no matter what you say, the Tikka IS a slicker piece of kit. When you could get a Howa for $600 and a tikka for $1300 (heavy barrel), it was a no brainer to get the Howa. Now they are going for near a grand.....

One thing I will warn all Howa owners of is the bolt stop. It is held on by the tiniest screw that WILL fail if you slam that heavy bolt around too much. Had to learn to be a bit more delicate with mine after I replaced it. The good thing is the bloody thing ejects like a mutha ..... without having to slam the bolt back, like I was to start. If your Howa starts going all over the place all of a sudden, check the bolt stop because it even when the screw fails, the stop will stay in place but float around and foul on the bedding, sending any consistency out the window.

The Howa Mini's aren't bad for price.

HOWA 1500 CUSTOM
20" FLUTED BARREL
HOGUE ALLOY BEDDED
BLACK STOCK
223REM 1 IN 9" TWIST
308WIN 1 IN 10" TWIST
About $600

TIKKA T3 VARMINT
308WIN, 5 SHOT
BLUED FINISH
SYNTHETIC STOCK
24" BARREL
About $1250.

Howa's 1/2 price compared to the Tikka, leaves you a lot of $$ left over for scope or reloading gear or even another Howa in a diff cal

[Gwion]

Yeah, I did see those short barrelled 'customs' but they are limited to 223 & 308. Other stores and other models are $900+ for complete rifle and $700+ for barrelled action.

[bigfellascott]

Yeah, I did see those short barrelled 'customs' but they are limited to 223 & 308. Other stores and other models are $900+ for complete rifle and $700+ for barrelled action.

Yeah you definitely have to shop around, there are some bargains out there if you look, I know a mate who bought a 3006 from em for around that price a couple of weeks back, cheap shooting in anyones language hey.

[bigfellascott]

I reckon the Original Tikka's will be cheaper to buy soon once the T3X or whatever it's called gets going (I imagine most will want it rather than the older version (the new version addresses a lot of those issues people had with the original T3 design (plastic shroud/small port/alloy recoil lug/hollow stock etc) should be an allround better package I would imagine going by the changes.

[scotty87]

Tikka real challenge for its t3x will be against the new entry level sauer 100. You can get them for around $1300 with two mags.

[bigfellascott]

Good point mate, they seem quite popular the Sauer's.

This one looks like a nice little outfit too.
http://www.sauer.de/en/products/bolt-ac ... tures.html

[Tank]

Perhaps it's better the Howa guys and us Tikka guys leave it at that.

Cheap sh*t.

Not a 'happyhunter'.......

[bigfellascott]

Some cheap options from HPGS

http://www.hpgs.com.au/#!specials/c21om

[Wes]

Not a 'happyhunter'.......

Yeah but CrankySod doesn't have as nice a ring to it

[MR. WINCHESTER]

Not a 'happyhunter'.......

Yeah but CrankySod doesn't have as nice a ring to it

Maybe - 'Blokewithgoodtaste' ? Lol

[happyhunter]

Not a 'happyhunter'.......

Yeah but CrankySod doesn't have as nice a ring to it

Maybe - 'Blokewithgoodtaste' ? Lol

Now that's more like it.

Maybe it's cos most the blokes on this forum are relatively new to guns they wouldn't know, but I'm sure there are a few people here that remember just how cheap the T3s were when released as the 'new' model. They were cheap to buy because they are cheaply made but some how with all the marketing hype followed a huge markup, and a healthy margin is why the dealers started pushing them.

[Gwion]

Cheap doesn't always mean sh@t.

I can think of others that fit that category more suitably.

[happyhunter]

It's all relative. Tikka would be a nice rifle for 5 or 6 hundy. What they retail at is criminal.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

True ....

Which has the Sako price of 2 Grand - RIDICULOUS !

[Sam45]

Tikka real challenge for its t3x will be against the new entry level sauer 100. You can get them for around $1300 with two mags.

I'm actually looking at the Sauer 100. Had 2 Tikkas a 308 and a 223. Both gone. Howa 1500 in varmit S/S .223 awesome rifle. Even a couple of my mates bought them and they shoot the same as mine. Under 1/2" moa @ 100

[Gwion]

It's all relative. Tikka would be a nice rifle for 5 or 6 hundy. What they retail at is criminal.

Totally agree... Particularly when you start talking their species up varmint versions.

Wish I had the cash to get a Sako a few years ago when they could be picked up for the same price as the Tikka CRT is going for now. $2.4k for a Sako hunter or varmint now. I could almost build a custom rifle on a Montana action for that price. I really think the Finns build some great stuff but that is getting exxie!!!

[bigfellascott]

Tikka real challenge for its t3x will be against the new entry level sauer 100. You can get them for around $1300 with two mags.

I'm actually looking at the Sauer 100. Had 2 Tikkas a 308 and a 223. Both gone. Howa 1500 in varmit S/S .223 awesome rifle. Even a couple of my mates bought them and they shoot the same as mine. Under 1/2" moa @ 100

Those Sauers look great and have some great features at a reasonable price too I wouldn't mind one either

Why did you sell the ticklers mate.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

3 plus for a Sauer ?

( Similar to a base grade Cooper )

I don't get it !!!

[Sam45]

Tikka real challenge for its t3x will be against the new entry level sauer 100. You can get them for around $1300 with two mags.

I'm actually looking at the Sauer 100. Had 2 Tikkas a 308 and a 223. Both gone. Howa 1500 in varmit S/S .223 awesome rifle. Even a couple of my mates bought them and they shoot the same as mine. Under 1/2" moa @ 100

Those Sauers look great and have some great features at a reasonable price too I wouldn't mind one either

Why did you sell the ticklers mate.

Not suited to what I was doing. The .223 was a Hunter and I do a lot roo culls, it just heated up too quickly and accuracy came into play.Nice rifle without a doubt.I think overpriced a little too.Just the wrong tool for the job. The Hunter's stock was awesome. Very accurate rifle out of the box. The Howa was way cheaper than a Tikka varmint. The synthetic stock on the tikka varmint is horrible to me and was really hollow. Seemed really cheap. The Howa in S/S with the heavy barrel has shot brilliantly out of the box. Blew me away actually, pardon the pun.It's a cheap rifle. It groups and shots like a lazer all day and night. Oh and the top loading The hogue stock for that one is perfect. Feels solid.

The .308 was just sitting in the safe doing nothing. So sold it and bought a .22 Lithgow. (with no issues lol ) So now it is the big toss up for my .270 another Howa with a Boyds stock or an entry level Sauer for about $1350.

[bigfellascott]

Thanks for that Sam. We all learn from doing (best way IMHO) we can all read as much as we like but doing will show you the best way.

[KaoTiC TaiPaN]

Hi Macca. There are a number of manufacturers that have very nice rifles at very reasonable prices. My girls both own a Howa mini light in 223 and at just over $500.00 were great first rifles for them. I own a Remington 700 SPS tac in 223 and could not be happier, a straight shooter right out the box. I teamed it with a Vortex Crossfire scope in 4-12x44. All up my set up came in around $1200.00 with rail and rings included.

[Macca666]

Sorry for the late reply, I have been away.
Your contributions and advice are much appreciated.

Craig