[Ericbc7]

Any guess as to the price range?

[Ericbc7]

I would like to have that follower made longer to fit the .223 mag length project discussed here before!

[Ericbc7]

Going Pheasant hunting in western ND next week.  We have plans to set up long range targets from 200m to 900m to try out our rifles.

We are hoping to get some of the coyotes that populate our area and I am bringing 2 Tikkas one a hunter stainless 30-06 and the other a Sporter .223 24 inch that I intend to hit steel at 900m or 1000yds .

the sporter shoots 80 gr smks in 1/3 inch at 100 yds with prelim powder tests.

[Ericbc7]

Good luck, I hope you find one, these seem few and far between.

[Ericbc7]

6.5 … you mean 6.5×55? I absolutely love that cartridge.

if you mean any other 6.5, I really like them too lol
that said welcome and I hope the long wait for response is not a turn off.  we are shy of activity but for Tikkas, this is the place to be and welcome!!!

That said the plastic stocks can be abused and painted to your hearts content, the wood stocks (like mine) are fine without changes.  the aftermarket stocks in the tikka store are gorgeous and I would love to try em but am too happy with factory for now.

[Ericbc7]

Got any posts Robert? I look forward to em 🙂

This site has so many helpful posts, how can we get the traffic up?

[Ericbc7]

while you might get away with shooting a bolt .223 30-40 times in a row (bolt action not black rifle) the .308 and 7mm tikka light will get way hot after 5 or 10 fast.  that said you might be able to find a varmint .308.

if you go with the available light .308 (or 7) you wont be prarie dog hunting but will have the accuracy that would need.

Don't settle for the light if you plan to do a lot of target shooting.  that said, you will have to spend $1400 min to get the Tikka sporter (new in box) in .308 if you plan to do relatively fast shooting.  The sporter is awesome and heavy barrel with adjustable stock and I love it, but from a pracktical standpoint you can get a cheaper package that might do what you want (savage maybe?).  I for one will not spend less to get what I don't really want – If Tikka options fill your requirements, then by all means go with Tikka. 

The main test is “does the gun fit your needs and budget”? 
You need to look at the ballistics and choose your bullet and find which gun fits that bullet.  Twist rate and quality are the 2 key factors in choosing a rifle.  Then decide if you should change bullet or rifle.
Good luck friend !!

[Ericbc7]

that is impressive, personally as a handloader the 20 inch barrel is limiting, but I am cheering you on if you get the velocity you need with that kind of accuracy !!!

[Ericbc7]

Cant go wrong with 7-08 or 308 if you are willing to handload.  Both have decent factory ammo avail that would perform well.  The Russians have been shooting red deer with worse for 50 years. (not an excuse for underperformance calibers though).

I was just reading the 34th anniversary edition of gun digest (1980) and and John T. Amber was describing his hunt for red deer in Russia in 1978 or 1979 and they gave him an auto-loader in caliber similar to 9.3X53R to use.  I gather that he was not impressed, but both rounds you contemplate are soooo much more capable. 
pm me if you want a scan of the article.

[Ericbc7]

I think Berger has loaded 300 win mag ammo for sale now.  Sorry if I am mistaken but they would supply quality stuff if pricey.

Look up Berger loaded ammo

ABMammo has 300 win mag hunting rounds by Berger.

I have no experience with 300 win mag or Berger loaded rounds but Berger is leader in quality projectiles.

[Ericbc7]

I don't know much about the creedmoor other than its a record maker, but i love the 6.5 caliber, if i could afford it i would have a 6.5×55 Tikka Sporter (ideally Ackley style improved).
Get one of the Tikka -familiar gunsmiths mentioned on this site to do the work.  Tikka- unfamiliar smiths seem to make mistakes…

[Ericbc7]

how big is the plate?
that said judging by the splashes that is less than or close to MOA ! very nice!

[Ericbc7]

Nice to meet you 🙂

[Ericbc7]

I have a T3 stainless Hunter (not fluted) in 30-06.  I bought it at Scheels in Fargo 5 or 6 years ago but have not seen anything similar in a few years.  Its a great hunting package!

[Ericbc7]

I would definitely try the stock barrel before deciding on a barrel change.  The 7mm-08 in a 22+ inch barrel combined with appropriate ammunition is adequately powerful to take deer sized game in excess of 500 yards given precise bullet placement.  Your rifle should be capable of producing sub MOA accuracy out of the box with several long range factory ammunition choices and any number of hand loaded component combinations. 
Without getting into the ethics of your proposition, yes you could use the rifle in factory configuration to take game at 500 yds.
That said, I would expect a long range hunter to be highly familiar with all of the variables affecting the decision to pull the trigger and your question implies that you will need to do a lot more research and practice before sending that bullet on its way.