I've also just found that the Sako range of Hunters has a 1:8 in .223, and 6-shot magazine. Might be worth considering.

sako/tikka barrels are identical. Superb rifle in .223 but to be honest the sako is no more accurate. I sold many more Tikkas than Sako when I was in the trade and theTikka was the one that surprised us most often. Stocks are a bit pump but with a heavy bipod and a decent steel scope it starts to feel like a grown up rifle

Originally Posted by JonnoJonno

sako/tikka barrels are identical. Superb rifle in .223 but to be honest the sako is no more accurate. I sold many more Tikkas than Sako when I was in the trade and theTikka was the one that surprised us most often. Stocks are a bit pump but with a heavy bipod and a decent steel scope it starts to feel like a grown up rifle

I've found the latest Tikkas a bit wobbly; I don't like the slightly shaky feel of the bolt. The older models were engineered; the new ones are fabricated. Now several enraged Tikka users will leap on me with shouts of condemnation.

I like the sound of those Armalons. Had a look at the web site and will give them a call tomorrow. Do the SGC ARs ever have much trouble cycling?

SGC is the only one I would touch. He's a slow old grumpy t*at to deal with but if you give him your precise spec, stick to it, get the quote in writing etc, you will have an accurate rifle. His .22 conversion upper (cz made IIRC) was excellent if you got the ammo combination right and cleaned it well. I favour Blaser, and if you went for the heavier barrel I think it's a tighter twist (1-10 or 11). Have a look at Mauser as well; that's a proper rifle www.mauser.com

I would go deffo with the Remington 700 answer, I have several in various calibers................a better rifle you will not find , stock too heavy as was said earlier..............change it with anyone of the zillions of custom stocks out there. I have to admit all mine wear new trousers.

Originally Posted by TRAZTAZ

I would go deffo with the Remington 700 answer, I have several in various calibers................a better rifle you will not find , stock too heavy as was said earlier..............change it with anyone of the zillions of custom stocks out there. I have to admit all mine wear new trousers.

They look gorgeous with aN AICS KIT.

Originally Posted by TRAZTAZ

I would go deffo with the Remington 700 answer, I have several in various calibers................a better rifle you will not find , stock too heavy as was said earlier..............change it with anyone of the zillions of custom stocks out there. I have to admit all mine wear new trousers.

Pete Sarony (Armalon) prefers to use the HS Precision, AICS or Bell & Carson stocks as they all have an aluminium bedding block. Personally, I reckon that these are all a bit chunky if you want to use the rifle for field use. If it were me, I would prefer a McMillan, although I know that Sarony isn't too keen on these.

I've been very tempted by the Armalon... was on the very verge of ordering one and about to open my wallet, when I was told it would take min. 8 weeks to get one. Charlie is getting his breeding season under way and I need to be in among him.

Might forget competition shooting for now and get a Steyr Pro Varmint, despite the horrible shiny stainless barrels.

I sprayed one of my stainless AR15 barrels with black Plastikote oven paint from B&Q. Worked a treat.

http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4327

Originally Posted by steven04

I sprayed one of my stainless AR15 barrels with black Plastikote oven paint from B&Q. Worked a treat.

http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4327

Any chance of posting a photo so we can see how it looks? How hard wearing is it