[Ericbc7]

I recently ordered and recieved a couple boretech bore guides. They are a big step up in quality from the Tipton universal bore guide I was using.  I haven't tried them yet in my Sporters, but I don't expect any problems.  This type of bore guide will not prevent leakage back into the action like one with an O-ring fitted to the chamber and is not as precise in centering the rod in the bore.
  unfortunately the smaller one (.17-.25 cal) doesn't fit through the action of my 17wsm rimfire.  Rimfires are a bit of a special case since the ejector often protrudes into the bolt area.  As a side note, some guys use an appropriately sized pen barrel as a bore guide for these small calibers.

[Ericbc7]

Glad you figured it out (as I wasn't familiar with the mechanism).

[Ericbc7]

There is a post on Accurate shooter on shooting “bugholes” using a bipod. http://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/bugholes-from-bipod/ . 
Things like loading the bipod and proper rear bag use make a big difference.  You should not see a lot of hop at the shot.  Personally I find technique is even more important when shooting off a bipod than off sandbags.

Good luck!

[Ericbc7]

What velocity are you seeing with your load?

[Ericbc7]

Thanks guys!

[Ericbc7]

I would like to get an 8-twist ss lite or super lite in .223 as a companion to my Sporter. 

[Ericbc7]

There are a lot of threads on accurateshooter.com that will give you a starting point for most brands of components.  Good luck!

[Ericbc7]

Hey dog, is the twist rate (1:11 i believe) working for the 208 amax?  One of the reasons i have not bought the tikka in 300 wm or the wsm is the 1:11 twist (thinking that it would not properly stabilize the 208 amax).

[Ericbc7]

Ok you have a bit of a conundrum here.  on the one hand you don't reload currently.  this means the .260 factory ammo is loaded at higher pressures and performance than most factory 6.5z55.  If (on the other hand) you did reload you could get better performance from the 6.5×55.  The question you need to ask is “am i going to reload”?

You will have to judge how hard it is to find 260 rem ammo vs how likely you are to get into handloading if performance is your key criteria.

I doubt you will be disappointed with either caliber.

[Ericbc7]

scooter700, your history lesson is greatly apprecieated!  I love hearing about the the history of my favorite brand!!

[Ericbc7]

so conceivably a package deal would run $300-500 plus barrel?

[Ericbc7]

Hey beast, look at the video on lop by Boyd's stock to determine best lop

13.5 seems standard

[Ericbc7]

Dog where did you see a high caliber varmint model in North America? Hard to find I think, (I may be wrong of course).

I have seen several fluted barrel mags at cabelas in Rogers MN and south at Owetana mn.

[Ericbc7]

Hey beast, (sorry if you don't like the abreviation), one of the great things about the 300wsm is that it, along with the 338 win mag and 300 Win mag are often found used and sold by folks that can't handle the recoil of the light.  Don't order new until you have looked through the used sections of whatever gun store you frequent.  I almost gaurentee that any used high caliber tikka light you find has not been shot much.  You might find a deal! Further I would bet that any used high caliber tikka light has not been fired more than 50 times (prob less than 20).

[Ericbc7]

Hey dog, do you have the light/synthetic stock?