Thoughts on a Training Rifle

[he_lives]

Question for the group:

Starting in 2027, laws in my state are creating additional hoops to jump through for buying firearms. In preparation, I’m trying to make any serialized firearm purchases in advance of these laws taking effect.

I’ve got a good supply of AR’s, a couple tikkas (6.5cm and 300wsm), and a few Remington clones (280ai, 6.5cm, 6.5 prc, 308, 300wm) mounted in XLR chassis’s. I don’t feel like there’s anything I need, but I’m trying to prepare for teaching my young kids when they’re of age - likely 2 to 4 years away still.

I have a 22lr Tikka T1x on the way that I will start them out on. Next, I was planning to move them to a 223 bolt action when they’re ready.

I have an older r700 223, but it’s a 13 twist and would require a re-barrel to shoot heavier bullets.

I also have a 20” threaded heavy varmint contour 223 barrel that can be spun on to one of the Remington clone actions. It’s a 65 ounce barrel and pushes the rifle weight a little past 10.5 pounds in an mg chassis. I don’t know for sure yet, but the weight doesn’t seem manageable for a kid for anything outside of shooting off a bench.

I thought I was set on picking up a tikka in 223 to bridge the gap between rimfire and what they’ll eventually hunt with. Reading about the lack of inexpensive magazines that are reliable has me second guessing going that route.

Is reliable feeding with the factory 4-round mags a big issue? Or maybe I’m focusing on a small percentage of negative reports?

Do you think a tikka in 223 is the best choice for teaching kids?

Other options would be rebarreling my older r700 with a faster twist Remage barrel. Or having a lighter profile prefit made to swap onto one of the Remington clone actions that sit in chassis.

I have spare scopes available, so the couple hundred dollar difference between a tikka rifle and a quality barrel isn’t a deciding factor.

Curious your thoughts.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Folks were killin shit long before heavy 223 stuff came out.

Keep the ranges sane and 55gr sp's will smoke anything your kids throw them at.

I'd buy the tikka before that 700. But I sure wouldnt dump the thing just cuz the internet says so.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Just get the Tikka. You won't regret it

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I haven’t personally had any issues with the factory magazines in my .223. I have heard of issues with the OEM 6-round .223 magazines, but not experienced them myself. I do most of my shooting with Waters or Mamba 10-round magazines.

If I was in your situation, I would get a Tikka now. Getting a barrel later on should not be much trouble if you decide you want to upgrade one of your current rifles.

 

[he_lives]

Folks were killin shit long before heavy 223 stuff came out.

Keep the ranges sane and 55gr sp's will smoke anything your kids throw them at.

I'd buy the tikka before that 700. But I sure wouldnt dump the thing just cuz the internet says so.

Agreed.

I actually load 55gr SP for it and it shoots them reasonably well. I can identify that adding a tikka in addition to a perfectly fine r700 bolt action is more of a want than a need. Permit to purchase laws with undefined training requirements have me prioritizing the “wants” more than I may typically.

 

[he_lives]

I haven’t personally had any issues with the factory magazines in my .223. I have heard of issues with the OEM 6-round .223 magazines, but not experienced them myself. I do most of my shooting with Waters or Mamba 10-round magazines.

If I was in your situation, I would get a Tikka now. Getting a barrel later on should not be much trouble if you decide you want to upgrade one of your current rifles.

I’ve read of issues with both the 4 and 6, but maybe not much of an issue on the 4 round mags.

The potential issues with factory mags and hearing how some have switched to $100 to $150 mag solutions like you mentioned, is what I’m considering most.

 

[mtnbound]

Question for the group:

Starting in 2027, laws in my state are creating additional hoops to jump through for buying firearms. In preparation, I’m trying to make any serialized firearm purchases in advance of these laws taking effect.

I’ve got a good supply of AR’s, a couple tikkas (6.5cm and 300wsm), and a few Remington clones (280ai, 6.5cm, 6.5 prc, 308, 300wm) mounted in XLR chassis’s. I don’t feel like there’s anything I need, but I’m trying to prepare for teaching my young kids when they’re of age - likely 2 to 4 years away still.

I have a 22lr Tikka T1x on the way that I will start them out on. Next, I was planning to move them to a 223 bolt action when they’re ready.

I have an older r700 223, but it’s a 13 twist and would require a re-barrel to shoot heavier bullets.

I also have a 20” threaded heavy varmint contour 223 barrel that can be spun on to one of the Remington clone actions. It’s a 65 ounce barrel and pushes the rifle weight a little past 10.5 pounds in an mg chassis. I don’t know for sure yet, but the weight doesn’t seem manageable for a kid for anything outside of shooting off a bench.

I thought I was set on picking up a tikka in 223 to bridge the gap between rimfire and what they’ll eventually hunt with. Reading about the lack of inexpensive magazines that are reliable has me second guessing going that route.

Is reliable feeding with the factory 4-round mags a big issue? Or maybe I’m focusing on a small percentage of negative reports?

Do you think a tikka in 223 is the best choice for teaching kids?

Other options would be rebarreling my older r700 with a faster twist Remage barrel. Or having a lighter profile prefit made to swap onto one of the Remington clone actions that sit in chassis.

I have spare scopes available, so the couple hundred dollar difference between a tikka rifle and a quality barrel isn’t a deciding factor.

Curious your thoughts.

I have several factory 223 mags, and the only issue I have had is that they do not allow for longer COAL loads. I also have Mamba and NDR mags, which do allow for longer COALs. I bought some new 6rd factory mags, and they have been working with no issues.
IMO, a Tikka in 223 is a perfect rifle for all kinds of situations, and if I had to pick one cartridge for the rest of my life, it would be the 223.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I prefer my m77 over the tikka if I'm being honest.

Tikka 223 didnt do much for me until I swapped in some AICS bottom metal.

Being able to buy and swap out cheap barrels at home, is a big selling point IMO

 

[he_lives]

I have several factory 223 mags, and the only issue I have had is that they do not allow for longer COAL loads. I also have Mamba and NDR mags, which do allow for longer COALs. I bought some new 6rd factory mags, and they have been working with no issues.
IMO, a Tikka in 223 is a perfect rifle for all kinds of situations, and if I had to pick one cartridge for the rest of my life, it would be the 223.

I have several factory 223 mags, and the only issue I have had is that they do not allow for longer COAL loads. I also have Mamba and NDR mags, which do allow for longer COALs. I bought some new 6rd factory mags, and they have been working with no issues.
IMO, a Tikka in 223 is a perfect rifle for all kinds of situations, and if I had to pick one cartridge for the rest of my life, it would be the 223.

That’s good feedback on the factory mags. Appreciate it.

 

[43.6N]

Dude, if getting seriaized firearm parts is about to get a whole lot harder, you need to prioritize getting quality actions in multiple different bolt face diameters.
Looking at your current tikka chamberings, you’re missing the 223 bolt face. You should get a 223 tikka for that reason alone.

 

[he_lives]

Dude, if getting seriaized firearm parts is about to get a whole lot harder, you need to prioritize getting quality actions in multiple different bolt face diameters.
Looking at your current tikka chamberings, you’re missing the 223 bolt face. You should get a 223 tikka for that reason alone.

Adding a 223 tikka is how I’m leaning.

I also have a few custom actions that have swapable bolt heads making a 223 with aics mags a possibility as well.

 

[43.6N]

Adding a 223 tikka is how I’m leaning.

I also have a few custom actions that have swapable bolt heads making a 223 with aics mags a possibility as well.

If I was in that situation I’d probably get two, and send one off to get the bolt opened up for a 6ARC.

Is your state also going to restrict suppressors? Or have they already? Those would be right up there with some of the most important serialized parts to get in my mind.

As for your question about teaching kids to shoot. My suppressed 223 tikka is one of my most used guns. My oldest daughter took her first deer with that rifle. It is hard to overstate just how good it is at helping people become good shooters. That stands true for both kids and adults in my mind.

 

[he_lives]

If I was in that situation I’d probably get two, and send one off to get the bolt opened up for a 6ARC.

Is your state also going to restrict suppressors? Or have they already? Those would be right up there with some of the most important serialized parts to get in my mind.

As for your question about teaching kids to shoot. My suppressed 223 tikka is one of my most used guns. My oldest daughter took her first deer with that rifle. It is hard to overstate just how good it is at helping people become good shooters. That stands true for both kids and adults in my mind.

Since the older Remington 700 has a less useful barrel, I was actually considering having that bolt modified for 6arc or rebarelling to 6x45.

Currently no plans for a suppressor ban in WA, but I fully expect it to happen before long. I have a few luckily.

Appreciate your insight on the usefulness of a 223 bolt action. It’s not legal to hunt deer with 223 here, but would be a great training tool.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’ve read of issues with both the 4 and 6, but maybe not much of an issue on the 4 round mags.

The potential issues with factory mags and hearing how some have switched to $100 to $150 mag solutions like you mentioned, is what I’m considering most.

The printed mags @pods8 (Rugged Stitching) is making seem to be working well for a good price. I've only got maybe a little over 100 rds through them but nary a hiccup thus far. I dont recall issues with factory 4 rounders either but i've primarily used Waters or in an AICS pattern chassis until recently getting the Pods mags. Factory 4 rd dont allow longer COAL.

I wouldn't avoid a tikka 223 due to magazine issues right now. Seems to be adequate options.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

The only negatives that come to mind for the 4rd factory mags are limited cartridge length and sounds like there was an era where the springs were wearing out or defective.

For those unaware the 223 mags I rolled out (complete with spring) fit ~2.55” (I conservatively said 2.5” in the listing) but don’t have issue feeding factory 223 rounds. 4rd is a similar footprint to the factory mag and also a 3rd that is nearly flush (protrudes ~1/16”).