Tikka 223: 16” or 22”

[Bratch]

I’m ready to get my first Tikka, a .223. I can get a new 16” blue or a used stainless 22” for the same price. Plan would be to shoot the factory barrel. Both are threaded and would be shot suppressed. Primary use would be range and <100 yard whitetail from a tree stand.

Which would you recommend?

 

[Taudisio]

I’m ready to get my first Tikka, a .223. I can get a new 16” blue or a used stainless 22” for the same price. Plan would be to shoot the factory barrel. Both are threaded and would be shot suppressed. Primary use would be range and <100 yard whitetail from a tree stand.

Which would you recommend?

Maximum hunting range?

 

[Bratch]

Maximum hunting range?

Where I hunt currently, 200 yards but would like to expand with new property.

 

[Aussie Dan]

I would always buy new if I could.
16in barrel wont hinder your stated use case.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’d get the 16” one. You are good to well past your maximum range with a decent bullet (it’s an easy 400 yard rifle).

 

[sargent]

16

 

[TradLife406]

If 224 is legal in your state I could make a decent argument to get a 18" 223 Ackley barrel. Or have the oem barrel improved.
You could run your cheaper factory in training which would fire form your brass. Then you can load 88's or even 77's at a decent clip.

Looking forward to hunting with my "trainer" this fall after shooting it so much.

 

[Bratch]

223 is legal. Killed a couple two seasons ago with AAC 77TMK and a RAP.

 

[TxxAgg]

16” all the way for your purposes. That’s what we do.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

In your situation, I got the used 22” 1:8” twist stainless steel one. I probably should have bought the 16” blued one. Once you add a suppressor, even a nice short one like a Nano or OG 22, it starts to feel a bit longer than I prefer for a woods rifle. Don’t get me wrong, I have used 24-28” rifles in the woods for years, but if I am going with a .223, I want a relatively light, compact rifle.

I am holding out hope for a 16” stainless steel one, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen in the near future.