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My Last Rifle, what is your thoughts?

National match High Master, top 3% w/Grand and Springfield at Perry, oh the glory days! Those days have passed and because of nerve damage from surgery I can no longer get into position and even shooting at the bench can be a challenge sometimes. I can’t believe this happened to me in my prime (65 LOL). I would like to find something in 223 since I have enough components to last a lifetime. I want to shoot off the bench to 300 yards and offhand when I can. I don’t enjoy shooting something that isn’t very accurate so I’m not sure a “hunter” profile barrel will do. I would prefer something with nice wood if possible, I know laminate or a polymer stock would be more stable but I don’t like the looks but I do want it free floated. I have been intrigued with the idea of owning a Tikka or Sako but Im hoping to keep it around $2500. I know Savages can be accurate out of the box but want something a bit more refined. Am I being unreasonable or am I looking for a unicorn? I respect the opinion of the experts here and wonder what you think.

Thank you for your time reading this long post.
Bumped to $2500

Chet
 
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I also like to shoot .223. The most accurate one I have seen is a Savage Model 12 BVSS my friend has that shoots consistent 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards. My Remington 700 SPS Varmint in a Magpul Hunter stock pretty much shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100. What I like about the Savage is that if the factory barrel isn't to your liking you can screw on a Bartlein or other match quality barrel and still be under your $2,000 bogey. Lastly, I will say that every Tikka I see at the range (and I see quite a few as I go weekly) has shot bug holes right out of the box.
 
I would do a Tikka varmint 223 and have mcmillan make you a nice stock in mcwalnut molded color.
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If you HAVE to have a wood stock you could maybe have one made but that will really stretch the budget unless you pick up a takeoff tikka hunter stock. Or find someone retired that does it for the love of the craft and not for a living.
 
I would do a Tikka varmint 223 and have mcmillan make you a nice stock in mcwalnut molded color.
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If you HAVE to have a wood stock you could maybe have one made but that will really stretch the budget unless you pick up a takeoff tikka hunter stock. Or find someone retired that does it for the love of the craft and not for a living.
The bolt handle and fluted bolt look sharp on that Tikka!
 
If you can bump your budget up there’s foundation stocks….they are heavy and designed really well. Their design makes recoil management really nice. But they are like $1200 stocks.
 
I can't find a new Tikka varmint anywhere that isn't at least 50% over retail right now. I'll guess I'll have to wait for a while. A custom build would like not be ready for summer too. :(
 
The Tikka Sporter was made in .223. They are 'out of the box' accurate as hell - I used one in .308 for 300M prone competition for a time, and did well enough to win my class. They have a classic position stock profile, in a desert rose laminated stock color. New, they are right around $12-1300, which leaves you plenty left over for a passable scope, rings, etc. The triggers are easily modified to lighten the weight below 2.2 lbs, the actions are as smooth as buttered ball bearings, and the barrels are good coming straight from the factory.

Finding them, since they were discontinued two years ago, can be a trick. Try Europtic to start - they had a decent selection for quite awhile.
 
If you like to do the work yourself buy a custom action for around $1000, Criterion prefit barrel for $450, decent trigger for $150. I recently finished a nice walnut stock for $300, you you are on budget. It will shoot!
 
I suggest another approach.

Find a used Rem 40X wood Range Master stock and go Rem all the way,
including a Jewell trigger and a high quality barrel.

Such a rig won't compete with serious BR rifles but shoots very well off
the bench----and the stock was originally intended for serious target shooting.

If you want a better action than a 40X or R700 actions there are quite a few
custom actions.

A good rifle building guy could take these components and assemble a very
good rifle.

Also might be a good idea to just go ahead and let your "last" rifle be a serious
BR rig----built by a guy who has earned a good reputation in this field.

Here's wishing you success in this.

A. Weldy
 

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