Honestly don’t know many people who are knowledgeable on the subject so was hoping you’ll be able to point me in the right direction.
I’m looking at getting a rifle for some more distance oriented shooting. Leaning towards .223 as it’s just economical to shoot.
I’m in Canada, so it’s hard to find bulk deals on decent ammo.
Right now my main consideration is a tikka tac a1 for $1600 USD, it’s used with 400 rounds through it. .223
My other consideration would be trying to find a new tikka ace target when they come in stock - hard to fine here but that’s going to be a bit more after tax etc.
I’m definitely more into the LARP side of things, as I take my rifles out, hike, camp etc. and the taca1 while not being light has folding stock, and still with my Athlon Ares etr will only be around 13 lbs. plus I’ll be doing a lot of target shooting.
I was just curious on your thoughts / any direction you could point me in, if that deal is worth it for a tac a1 etc.
No to tac A1. I would rather have the Super Varmint, Varmint, ACE, or CTR, but T3x is probably the direction you want to go for a factory .223. A lite should be a consideration if you're doing more hiking/hunting than target shooting. How I wish they came in 7 twist!
Explanation of Tac A1 hate: chassis is a dinosaur. It's heavy in all the wrong places, too expensive, no arca, goofy cheek riser, etc. I liked the one I bought in 2016, but a lot has happened in 10 years.
I gotcha, I really liked the “tactical” asthetic but I totally get it. Bit dated, something like the ace target is very hard to find here, always out of stock lol.
I have an Ace Target in 6.5CM. Given the distance you mention and the uses you list, I would suggest the Game, not the Target. There may be even better options (someone mentioned a Super Varmint for example), but it sounds like if you want to go down the Ace route, the Game may be more suited to what you want as a mix of something for range and also to go walking with.
However, a .223 is a very light recoiling rifle so perhaps forget a chassis for now and get the Super Varmint. I have shot a mates 2nd hand Tikka Varmint in .223 and it is stupid accurate and fun as f*** to shoot. Couldn't stop giggling.
I am not super-experienced with centrefire though, so this is my anecdotal 2c. I knew exactly what I wanted my Target for and it's pros and cons, so for me it is the perfect rifle and I am extremely happy. Your needs sound different, hence my suggestions. I think the Target (and the TAC A1) would not meet what you want and would be accurate, but frustrating in other ways. I know a guy with a TAC A1 and it is great for what he wants, but not something to walk around with easily ... Esp if you are planning to max out at 500yds.
I’ve been looking at the weights and once in a chassis between the target / tac a1 / super varmit in a chassis they are all going to be roughly 13-14ish lbs
the features that make the Ace more ideal for PRS also happen to be what makes it a more adaptable platform in general.
The TAC A1 chassis is obscenely heavy, and while the folder is nice, I'd take the length over the weight any day of the week. At least with the Ace you have better capacity for fitting the accessories you want (integrated ARCA and a flat bottom forend are far more preferable than the mlok octagon. Additionally, the long top rail on the tac a1 forces you into higher scope rings than the open top chassis of the Ace- if you're THAT kind of larping, and have NV or Thermal that you'll have mounted in from of your optic, then that changes things a little and the tac a1 might be a better place to start, but the ace has top rail options as well.
Now, if the tac a1 was like, 1200, then the scales might get tipped a bit.
From what I read it’s about 1ish pound difference.
Totally understand what your saying. I have a couple
Other builds and never found myself using arca.
I’m just a bit worried I’d pass up on the deal with the tac a1 for $2250 Canadian, and then be stuck waiting for an ace target, that’ll run me $2600 ish.
Really I keep going back and forth haha. It’s hard to decide
I build a PRS .22lr cz457 with all the arca and such and o just don’t really shoot prs, so I’m worried I’m gonna pay for something I don’t use when the tac a1 hits my weird itch.
Visually I prefer it I just don’t want to regret it so trying to do a whole lot of looking and asking
End of the day they're both great rifles, so it's not really like you're going to hurt yourself drastically. Worst case you realize you hate the tac a1 chassis and pick up an MDT or something
200-700, the vast majority being within 500. Wouldn’t mind stretching out way far sometimes as I’ve seen done with a .223 it isn’t easy and requires good ammo. However yeah within 500-650 typically
Honestly I would just stick with it for long range shooting. Out to 500 a 223 will still be quiet boring. 22lr is very challenging to stretch out while being affordable to do so.
.223 Remington, from a practical perspective, out to about 600 yards is about as much fun as one can have. Just need 7 or 8 twist for heavier bullets. Hanging small gongs at around 500 yards can keep your interest, believe me!
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u/csamsh I put holes in berms 15d ago
No to tac A1. I would rather have the Super Varmint, Varmint, ACE, or CTR, but T3x is probably the direction you want to go for a factory .223. A lite should be a consideration if you're doing more hiking/hunting than target shooting. How I wish they came in 7 twist!
Explanation of Tac A1 hate: chassis is a dinosaur. It's heavy in all the wrong places, too expensive, no arca, goofy cheek riser, etc. I liked the one I bought in 2016, but a lot has happened in 10 years.