r/canadaguns • u/True_Picture_2692 • Aug 12 '26
Buy recommendations First advice
Any recommendations for a first gun
I love the look of tikka ace game .223 look but the 24 inch barrel seems way too much for range shooting max out at 200 yard. And I just can’t find anyone sells the 20inch version. Any other good option without spending more than $2k that’s within the tacticool feeling
Thanks.
4
u/Vituperate250 Aug 12 '26
A good .22 with a tacticool stock. CZ makes some real great.22s including more tacticool versions, I would recommend them every day of the week.
4
u/preferablyoutside Aug 12 '26
For that $1300 mark you can get into a pretty damn nice Bergara in .223, little heavy but damn fine shooting rifles despite what the inside kids on here think.
As far as long barrels go, guys on here absolutely fetishize them to an extent that they’re compensating for something, god forbid you buy something that can’t be used as a flagpole.
2
u/Remarkable_Vanilla34 Aug 13 '26
I have bergara 223. With an 18 inch barrel and its a tack driver. I wish it has a bit fast of a twist rate but for 200 yards you don't really need ELD bullets. Plus its the R700 foot print so i put it in a chassis and it has a trigger tech diamond.
2
u/Remarkable_Vanilla34 Aug 12 '26
Bergara
0
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1
u/canadacal Aug 12 '26
If you want tactical style with ability to accessorize Renegade 2 is the best fit with a 16” barrel.
1
u/CanadianGunBunny Aug 12 '26
Black Creek Labs Bronco 12.5 or 9.5 (.223/.308), or the CZ Trail 600 16" (.223/300blk/7.62x39) are both good options. I have shot both and they definitely have a place as a tacticool range toy.
1
u/Lego_Kode Aug 14 '26
So here's a question, aside from the rifle- what is your budget for accessories? What is your budget for shooting? How much shooting do you want to do?
I was looking at getting a 223 as my first rifle because I wanted a practice rifle with cheap ammo.
I actually ended up going with a 22lr. Specifically a cz457.
The good ammo (not match ammo) is about the same price as the super cheap 223 ammo. (Eley Club vs Remington Bucket of Bullets)
I can shoot way more with the 22lr than I could with a 223. Plus, it's actually kind of easier for long range practice. For example, if i shoot 22lr out to 50 yards, thats similar ballistics to a 270win out to around 200 yards. So you can practice in a smaller space.
On top of all that, if you ever want to go rabbit or squirrel hunting, you won't turn it inside out like you would with a 223.
Recommendation for tacticool: Tikka t1x ace target CZ 457 LRP
Or buy a base model and get one of the base MDT Chassis.
That being said, I don't think you can go wrong with tikka in any case. 223 is a popular caliber for a reason. So if that's what you want, and you don't think 22lr is a good fit for you, totally makes sense.
0
u/Acc4Wtf Aug 12 '26
Big/heavy/long, this is typical of guns designed for bench rest shooting, regardless of your 200m distance. You will not regret buying a T3X Ace for this purpose, assuming you're okay with the price.
. Could you achieve similar/slightly worse accuracy with a CHEAPER smaller/lighter/shorter gun? Yes, more than likely. Don't forget you'll need a good scope too. Also budget for a buffet of ammo to find the best one for your rifle.
-1
u/Iokua_CDN Aug 12 '26
some options for you.
there are some Tikka 223 rifles on sale for 1k like the Tikka t3x lite. Then wait for the mdt black friday sale or something and get a stock for under 500 bucks. 1500 bucks and you'll have a great 223 bolt action.
Or
For about 1k, howa makes a tactical 223 bolt action. 20 inch barrel and a buffer tube stock. That buffer tube stock is important. It comes with a folding adaptor so you can fold it to the side if you want. And since its a buffer tube, you can replace the end with any kind of buffer tube stock and there are tons. Or you can even get a Buffer tube to 1913 adapter and then you can put any kind of tactical 1913 stock on it. Bonus of this one is the price. For 1k you get a tactical look, folding stock and detachable magazines.
Or
One of my favourites, the cz 600 trail. The 223 version is likely going to cost at least 1200 so more than the howa. But it's got a shorter 16 inch barrel and an even more tactical look with a full length rail and handguard. Awesome looking PDW stock is pretty dang unique but it dies have some wobble. I fixed mine with some heat shrink on the end to take away the wobble. Of course there are also options to throw on a buffer tube or 1913 adapter if you really want a different look.
Or
MRA Renegade for a straight pull AR 15! Doesn't get more tactical than that! With the ability to swap barrels and such, you also get a lot of modularity. And it's a straight pull!
Or
BCL Bison is a Canadian made bolt action with a tactical look like the cz trail. Can fit a larger 20 round magazines, but I here it's lacking in quality so it might take since warranty work if you buy one.
This are my suggestions! I personally went cz 600 trail and love it. My father in law went with the tactical howa and loves his. He liked the stock better on his, better adjustment for the length of pull and more solid. I liked the shorter barrel and more compact size on mine, plus the long rail that let me throw on some folding iron sights and coziness them with a reddot. Both of us are happy, so those two options I can fully recommend
12
u/CanadianBoyEh Aug 12 '26
For 200 yards max, and strictly target shooting, you’d be better served with a precision 22lr. Grab a T1X to stay with the Tikka ecosystem, since most chassis/accessories for the T1x will also fit the T3X.
I have a CZ457 LRP that I absolutely love. For comparison sake, my .22 needs about 7.2 mils of elevation for 200 yards. My 6.5 Creedmoor competition rifle doesn’t need that much until almost 900 yards.
.22lr at those ranges will teach you more about adjusting for elevation, wind reading etc than any centerfire round will. Anything centerfire will be essentially point and shoot at that distance.