After lurking around the 223 thread for a while, I finally decided to get a 223 for my youngest daughter to use for deer hunting. I was frozen with "analysis paralysis" trying to decide between a CZ 600, Tikka compact, RA gen 2 ranch, or Howa mini. I waited too long and missed out on the killer deal CZ had last year on the Alpha's so that was out.
I was really leaning towards the Gen 2 RA. I have an original RA and it is okay, but I'm not wild about the trigger or the way the safety uses a transfer bar that is pinned in place. When the Gen 2 came out, I handled one and the trigger felt the same and it continues to use the transfer bar.
I had the Tikka in my cart a few times when they had the rebate, but was stuck on the price over the Howa mini. The only thing holding me back on the mini was Brownells customer service Q&A said the weight is 6.5 lbs for a barreled action! After researching the weight of complete rifles, I figured this had to be incorrect. So I waited until they ran a sale and picked up the 20" HB version.
When the action came in, I threw it on the scale and it came in at 4 lb 8.5 oz with Burris two piece bases (got impatient and mounted them before getting a raw weight).
I ordered a Stocky's VG and it came in at 1 lb 5 oz.
So for about $760, I have a 5 lb 13 oz rifle with a carbon fiber vertical grip stock. I saved about $350 vs having a Tikka threaded and adding the carbon stock, and used the savings to stock up on powder, 77 tmks and 77 smks for practice.
Part 2 will be a range report....
I was really leaning towards the Gen 2 RA. I have an original RA and it is okay, but I'm not wild about the trigger or the way the safety uses a transfer bar that is pinned in place. When the Gen 2 came out, I handled one and the trigger felt the same and it continues to use the transfer bar.
I had the Tikka in my cart a few times when they had the rebate, but was stuck on the price over the Howa mini. The only thing holding me back on the mini was Brownells customer service Q&A said the weight is 6.5 lbs for a barreled action! After researching the weight of complete rifles, I figured this had to be incorrect. So I waited until they ran a sale and picked up the 20" HB version.
When the action came in, I threw it on the scale and it came in at 4 lb 8.5 oz with Burris two piece bases (got impatient and mounted them before getting a raw weight).
I ordered a Stocky's VG and it came in at 1 lb 5 oz.
So for about $760, I have a 5 lb 13 oz rifle with a carbon fiber vertical grip stock. I saved about $350 vs having a Tikka threaded and adding the carbon stock, and used the savings to stock up on powder, 77 tmks and 77 smks for practice.
Part 2 will be a range report....
