American Gen II Ranch vs Begara Stoke for daughters (.223)

[Mfritts]

Looking at these 2 options for a .223 to get my 10yr old, followed by 5yr old daughters, into shooting pigs and deer. I like the shorter LOP and threaded 16" barrels. Begara only has a 1:9 twist which is the biggest hold up I have (77 TMKs?). What's everyone's experience with these 2 options?

Also, I liked Tikka and Weatherby compacts but have 20" barrels. Tikka seems to make 16" barreled .223 but have full size stocks. How easy is it to cut the stock down on a 16" Tikka with full stock?

Thanks!

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Get a Tikka compact 223 and have a gunsmith chop and thread the barrel. I did this, and I want to say the smith charged me $120. The gun shoots great.

Or buy a 16" factory threaded Tikka, and look for a compact stock in the classifieds or ebay.

 

[amassi]

Looking at these 2 options for a .223 to get my 10yr old, followed by 5yr old daughters, into shooting pigs and deer. I like the shorter LOP and threaded 16" barrels. Begara only has a 1:9 twist which is the biggest hold up I have (77 TMKs?). What's everyone's experience with these 2 options?

Also, I liked Tikka and Weatherby compacts but have 20" barrels. Tikka seems to make 16" barreled .223 but have full size stocks. How easy is it to cut the stock down on a 16" Tikka with full stock?

Thanks!

Tikka stocks are easy to cut but compact stocks can be found relatively easy


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[Brix8984]

16” tikka 223 threaded with an l length can. Throw it in a krg echo with a slim recoil pad and put an Arca Swiss rail on the forend. That’s an amazing killing machine for a kid off a tripod.

 

[Mfritts]

16” tikka 223 threaded with an l length can. Throw it in a krg echo with a slim recoil pad and put an Arca Swiss rail on the forend. That’s an amazing killing machine for a kid off a tripod.

just looked up that stock, that does sound like a hell of a set-up

 

[Brix8984]

My 8 year old loves it.

just looked up that stock, that does sound like a hell of a set-up

 

[Mfritts]

My 8 year old loves it.

Perfect, and congrats on her buck!

 

[kkp005]

I’ve got a Ruger ranch and had a Bergara stoke (but in a different caliber)… I’ll echo what everyone else has said and say go tikka. My daughter is tiny and last year when she was 7 she got really proficient with a tikka 223 in a MDT chasis. I put an AR stock on it to give it a short LOP

 

[Mfritts]

I’ve got a Ruger ranch and had a Bergara stoke (but in a different caliber)… I’ll echo what everyone else has said and say go tikka. My daughter is tiny and last year when she was 7 she got really proficient with a tikka 223 in a MDT chasis. I put an AR stock on it to give it a short LOP

Good to know! Very nice rifle and congrats to her! That’s the goal for my girls.


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[RWT]

I bought a Bergara 223 in the 18” SP model. 1:9 twist. It shoot so poorly i sent it jn for warranty and they sent me a new rifle. I was a fan if there’s but have since moved on. I would consider their premier line as the 3 of those I’ve handled all shot well. I still have 2 of the SP models 18” in 6.5 CM. They shoot as well as my tikkas. I keep then as loaner rifles for friends.

For a kids rifle I have a Tikka 223 in a Bravo and a Ruger Ranch g1 6.5 grendel in a bravo. Both work well. The bravo stock forced me to use AICS mags in the ruger and it eliminated the feeding issues. The bolt on the ruger is still poor. Once kids graduate to a larger recoil impulse I move them to the 6.5G.