First advice

[u/True_Picture_2692]

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.

[u/Iokua_CDN]

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