.223 trainer

RussDXT

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So if someone already has several accurate suppressed AR’s in 5.56 is there any large benefit to adding a Tikka .223 other than to be one of the cool kids at rockslide?

Thanks!
 
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Some of the reasons I prefer a 223 bolt gun:
-Actually quiet when suppressed
-Prefer the general gun manipulation - aligns with my other hunting and precision rifles
-Can shoot higher BC bullets without the AR mag constraints
-Doesn't trash brass

I've tried but i cant get too excited about shooting ARs in precision applications.
 
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RussDXT

RussDXT

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Littleton, CO
Some of the reasons I prefer a 223 bolt gun:
-Actually quiet when suppressed
-Prefer the general gun manipulation - aligns with my other hunting and precision rifles
-Can shoot higher BC bullets without the AR mag constraints
-Doesn't trash brass

I've tried but i cant get too excited about shooting ARs in precision applications.

If I had it to do over I’d go bolt, but with a PWS, LaRue, and LMT I figure I should attempt to utilize what I have.
 
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I should say i've kind of tried.. Have had as nice of ARs as you do. Maybe something that runs a little smoother or is tuned up better would be a better experience.

A guy can get a tikka compact 223 for sub $700 last i looked, maybe even sub $600 with recent rebates. So that is pretty hard to skip over.
 
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RussDXT

RussDXT

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I should say i've kind of tried.. Have had as nice of ARs as you do. Maybe something that runs a little smoother or is tuned up better would be a better experience.

A guy can get a tikka compact 223 for sub $700 last i looked, maybe even sub $600 with recent rebates. So that is pretty hard to skip over.

For sure, Can’t hardly give an AR away in the current market and reluctant to add another .223 if there isn’t a huge benefit.
 

TxLite

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I prefer bolt actions in general. But any trigger time is good practice and there’s nothing wrong with shooting what you’ve got. As mentioned above you’ll be more limited on your COAL for high BC bullets.

I hate getting gassed out with a suppressed AR but the piston guns are a much better experience than a standard DI. In my experience they are not typically going to be as accurate as DI or a bolt gun though.
 

SloppyJ

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Feb 24, 2023
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As a guy who just built a 223 trainer, a bolt gun shoots so much better than an AR. Now, I'm not a huge fan of shooting ARs though. If for nothing else, it's more similar to your hunting rifles more than likely so it should be better to train with. The number one deal is that it suppresses so well.
 

TaperPin

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Jul 12, 2023
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We put together an AR from misc sources and a no-name barrel - it is capable of shooting as well as many factory bolt guns, but the milspec trigger is horrible. One of the kids had a friend recommend some POS replacement trigger - waste of money. I’d rather use a sharp stick than shoot an AR with schitt trigger. :)
 

ElPollo

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Aug 31, 2018
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I have an AR and a Tikka in 223. My AR isn’t nearly as nice or likely as accurate as the ones you mentioned. But my suppressed Tikka is hands down the most fun rifle I have.
 

Ajsomp

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There’s merit to having a gun set up identical to a gun you’d shoot less often- say your 6/6.5 creedmoor or PRC. You can get a lot of practice for cheap, there’s plenty of evidence that you can hunt with it, and it’s going to last 20k rounds on the factory barrel.

By that accord, you can get your primary rifle broken in, trued etc. and then use it marginally less than your practice rifle. If you’re only putting 100 rounds per year down your primary, it could last you a lifetime while still getting practice at 10 times that per year on your 223.
 
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RussDXT

RussDXT

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There’s merit to having a gun set up identical to a gun you’d shoot less often- say your 6/6.5 creedmoor or PRC. You can get a lot of practice for cheap, there’s plenty of evidence that you can hunt with it, and it’s going to last 20k rounds on the factory barrel.

By that accord, you can get your primary rifle broken in, trued etc. and then use it marginally less than your practice rifle. If you’re only putting 100 rounds per year down your primary, it could last you a lifetime while still getting practice at 10 times that per year on your 223.

Looks like I need to start looking for a tikka optic for my new .223
 
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I must be the weirdo because I’m not a fan of bolt guns and the 556 bolt gun I do have is the least shot rifle I have, even suppressed. I will always take one of my ARs over the bolt gun when I go out to the woods.
 

Anschutz

Lil-Rokslider
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Mar 19, 2017
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Fairbanks, AK
So if someone already has several accurate suppressed AR’s in 5.56 is there any large benefit to adding a Tikka .223 other than to be one of the cool kids at rockslide?

Thanks!
If your primary hunting rifle isn't a Tikka, I'd say no and get one to match your primary. If your primary hunting rifle doesn't come in .223, I'd say yes.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
 
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RussDXT

RussDXT

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If your primary hunting rifle isn't a Tikka, I'd say no and get one to match your primary. If your primary hunting rifle doesn't come in .223, I'd say yes.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

My primary is a 6.5 PRC Element.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Ajsomp

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You coul
My primary is a 6.5 PRC Element.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
you could call seekins and see if they would do a custom shop and put a 223 barrel on an element- or you could get one of their 223 havak hit and put a different chassis/stock on.
 
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