Help me chose a new rifle

G

Gsjcky

Member
I’ve shot prairie dogs as a target of chance for many years. It’s time for a dedicated PD rifle. I know I want a 22-250, as I have the brass & dies. I also want a faster twist, so I can try some higher BC bullets for the fun of it. I’m planing on using a 53 gr vmax, but plans change.
Anyway, I have it narrowed down to 2 rifles. Bergara HMR, or a Tikka T3x. Slightly different platforms, but after a few upgrades, I think they will both work as a dedicated PD rifle. Both are in the same ballpark price wise. One is a true target gun, Begara, with heavy barrel, target stock, and 9.5 lbs without scope or suppressor. The Tikka is a sporter, thinner barrel, lighter weight, 6.5 lbs without scope. But an accurate platform.
I plan on using a tripod for 95% of my shooting.
Not sure which would be a better match. Opinions & suggestions would be appreciated
Thx. .
 
B14 HMR 1:9T
Tikka T3x appears to be 1:14T across the board in 22-250 ... maybe I missed a model that offered a fast twist?
 
CVA Cascade Varmint Hunter might be a good choice…I have one in .243…checked all the boxes I was looking for…Heavier barrel profile, threaded, detachable mag, adjustable cheek rest, Cerakoted…Also ability to use Remington 700mtriggers, but the factory seems excellent, no need to replace it…I have not shot the rifle yet but I think it will be a good shooter, has same Bergara barrel as the HMR you are looking at.
 
Tikka offers the 22-250 in 1:14 & 1:8. There were / are varmits & super varmits with heavy 24" pipes too. I have a 1:14 varmit i bought for coyote, should have bought the 1:8, but at the time I wasn't handloading & there are no factory ammo offerings utilizing the heavies. Personally id go with a tikka heavy barreled 223 instead of the 22-250 for just praire dogs as the barrel life is 4x as long but the 22-250 is alot of fun, mine is silly accurate with 55gr nosler varmegedon's. Silly being cloverleafs at 100 yards.
 
cropdamage said:
What's the average distance and how many shots a day ?
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I wish I could answer that question. I’ll be hunting public land, and will be shooting smaller towns, alternating spotting & shooting with a buddy. If I had to guess, 50-100 rounds a day?? As for range, again a guess, 300 yards??
I realize a 223 would be a better choice for shooting a higher volume of rounds, but I think a 22-250 would be a better match for me.
 
Don't worry about barrel life. Barrels are consumables, like tires.
Tikka is the superior platform, and it's not even close. There may not be a better "factory" action.
If cartwheels and explosions are your thing, you definitely want the 22-250. I would personally go with the 8 twist Tikka. It will shoot the 53 v-max just fine, and you will have some incredible results on those little vermin.
 
I own 9 high power rifles 5 of them are Savage's . 2, 22-250's both are boring to shooting @100 yards because they put a hole in a hole about every time. I can swap a barrel on a Savage in less than 30 minutes. I setup 2 of mine in the Accu stocks with AICS bottom metal and they function smooth as silk. I have way less than $1,000 in each of them, more like $700. I bought a Savage Trail hunter on sale in 6.5 creedmore sold the barrel and stock on EBAY and ended up with the action for $75. I bought what I needed for the build for around $350.

In no means am I knocking ANY other brand or what you or other might like/want to own/shoot. But for me for a rifle I planned on shooting a high volume I would want a rifle that I could rebarrel myself. My way of thinking is the less I spend on one item the more I will have to spend on other items, like ammo, scopes,Thermal, suppressors, bird dogs, boats, livescope, fishing gear, you get the idea.

100 Yard 5 shot group.

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I googled the Tikka's and they must be really nice for the price they are asking. I've never handled nor seen one in person. Good Luck to you whatever you choose and have fun.
 
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Gsjcky said:
I wish I could answer that question. I’ll be hunting public land, and will be shooting smaller towns, alternating spotting & shooting with a buddy. If I had to guess, 50-100 rounds a day?? As for range, again a guess, 300 yards??
I realize a 223 would be a better choice for shooting a higher volume of rounds, but I think a 22-250 would be a better match for me.
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I like a heavier rig for a varmint shoot from a bench. If doing a walk about shoot/hunt ,lighter is easier to tote around. Scope power may have to be a little less on a lighter rifle for spotting shots. The 22-250 will give you good splat factor that you will want to watch !

I like Tikka for a factory rifle.
 
22-250 is my go to varmint rifle. My avatar is a Ruger 77 target. Shot a lot of PD in Wyoming with it and my son shot his first deer with it using 55 grain reloads.
 
I belive I’m going to invest in the tikka T3x in 22-250, and put it in a MDT chassis. I would have been interested in the Tikka Ace, but as has been said… 1-14 twist. When it’s said & done, I should save a few $$ going that rout.
Anyone have experience with a MDT Oryx?
 
Gsjcky said:
I belive I’m going to invest in the tikka T3x in 22-250, and put it in a MDT chassis. I would have been interested in the Tikka Ace, but as has been said… 1-14 twist. When it’s said & done, I should save a few $$ going that rout.
Anyone have experience with a MDT Oryx?
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Ive got 1 in tikka, had 2 in ruger. They are good economy chassis'. Really made a difference with the rugers, necessary as attachment points for night hunting. A little heavier than some but not bad.
 
I've been chasing prairie dogs over 30 years, the Tikka super varmint is the best factory rifle I've ever owned, and I've owned a bunch. Factory and custom jobs, it's got em all beat. Comes threaded, if you don't have a suppressor get one, big difference in spooky dogs.
 
Gsjcky said:
I belive I’m going to invest in the tikka T3x in 22-250, and put it in a MDT chassis. I would have been interested in the Tikka Ace, but as has been said… 1-14 twist. When it’s said & done, I should save a few $$ going that rout.
Anyone have experience with a MDT Oryx?
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MDT Stock and AICS mags and you will be happy. My son has a Field stock for his Tikka Varmint in 223. It’s very accurate but heavy. Its slings 53 gr Vmax Superformance at 3600 fps. I cant seem to find a powder that will produce that speed.
 
You won’t go wrong with Tikka…for a factory hunting rifle they are the best thing out there…I do agree with a high volume rifle Savage is a great choice due to ability to easily swap the barrels..my 22-250 is a Savage. Hopefully this weather will cooperate soon, I need to get to the range badly and shoot in a bunch of stuff.
 
Gsjcky said:
I belive I’m going to invest in the tikka T3x in 22-250, and put it in a MDT chassis. I would have been interested in the Tikka Ace, but as has been said… 1-14 twist. When it’s said & done, I should save a few $$ going that rout.
Anyone have experience with a MDT Oryx?
Click to expand...
The Oryx is not bad. The XRS is a lot nicer. If you can wait till black friday to swap stocks, MDT runs a big sale every year, and you should be able to get one quite a bit cheaper. And if you want to run a 10-round magazine, you definitely want MDTs 22-250 specific mags. Due to the body taper on the 250, regular '308' type mags won't work very well past 5 or 6 rounds.
 
greengt88 said:
You won’t go wrong with Tikka…for a factory hunting rifle they are the best thing out there…I do agree with a high volume rifle Savage is a great choice due to ability to easily swap the barrels..my 22-250 is a Savage. Hopefully this weather will cooperate soon, I need to get to the range badly and shoot in a bunch of stuff.
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A few places make barrel nut style barrels for Tikkas as well. I have one from Urban Rifleman. Once you get the Tikka factory barrel off, it's just like rebarreling a Savage.
 
Kwarw1 said:
I own 9 high power rifles 5 of them are Savage's . 2, 22-250's both are boring to shooting @100 yards because they put a hole in a hole about every time. I can swap a barrel on a Savage in less than 30 minutes. I setup 2 of mine in the Accu stocks with AICS bottom metal and they function smooth as silk. I have way less than $1,000 in each of them, more like $700. I bought a Savage Trail hunter on sale in 6.5 creedmore sold the barrel and stock on EBAY and ended up with the action for $75. I bought what I needed for the build for around $350.

In no means am I knocking ANY other brand or what you or other might like/want to own/shoot. But for me for a rifle I planned on shooting a high volume I would want a rifle that I could rebarrel myself. My way of thinking is the less I spend on one item the more I will have to spend on other items, like ammo, scopes,Thermal, suppressors, bird dogs, boats, livescope, fishing gear, you get the idea.

100 Yard 5 shot group.

View attachment 28100

I googled the Tikka's and they must be really nice for the price they are asking. I've never handled nor seen one in person. Good Luck to you whatever you choose and have fun.
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Just give all of us your credit card number and I'm sure we'll pick you out some really nice rigs! Lmao
 
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