Tikka M55 project

[Jethro]

G,day All
Well I've finally found a rifle to use as a base for my custom/budget project.
After nearly 6months of purusing the S/Hand shelves of the local supplier's of fine firearms I finally found a reasonably priced Tikka m55 in 17rem.
I was hoping to get hold of either sako 461 (all very pricey no matter what the condition) or a BSA Royal (rare as rockinghorse S**T, plenty of CF2s around but they are not suited to my ultimate outcome).
So I ended up with a Tikka M55 because Ive owned one before in 22.250 and despite the fact that the calibre didnt thrill me I liked the rifle. I only sold it because I hadn,t fired a shot out of it in 3 years, got nearly what I paid for it too.
Anyway the plan for the tikka is to build it up to a fine custom in walk around varminter weight and style in stages & to a budget as funds become available. At the moment the first thing I need is a decent scope & mounts that will not make the rifle top heavy. I am considering Burris, Nikon, Lynx and Leupold vx11 in a variable up to around 12x or 14x with an objective of around 40 to 44mm. Has anyone got any recommendations or experiences with these scopes. And what about mounts:?: Id like to use the integral dovetails on the reciever/bridge if possible.
The next thing will be to have a good quality barrel fitted and chambered to something 20cal. Any suggestions bearing in mind that the action takes a single stack box mag that will take a 223 lenght round.
And finally perhaps a custom stock ( the stock on the gun at the moment is pretty nice with plenty of figure in the grain and only a couple of small dings. Has anyone ever tried to build one out of australian native hardwood
Any suggestions on the above will be a great help.
Cheers Jethro

[The Kiwi]

I have a M55 .17 rem, just the same as you have bought. Why not try it in .17 Rem first, mine shoot like all hell getting about 4200FPS with moly coated 25gr Berger HP'S. The only down fall is the rear action screw, which goes in from the top of the action requiring the scope to be removed before you can take the action of out the stock.

How much would you be gaining changing from .17 to .20 cal except the satisfaction of doing it???

The Kiwi.

[bushchook]

I'm with the kiwi unless the barrel is shot out . Otherwise straight .204 if you have enough magazine length . .20 practical if not .
Burris scopes (although some like them) have a very poor reputation for quality control so would not be my choice . The others are OK .
I have a 4 - 16 x 40 Bushnell Elite 4200 on my Sako L461 .17 . These are equal to or better than the others you have mentioned at a reasonable price . I paid about $665 , 10 months ago .

[Rinso]

Jethro,

I mauch the same as The Kiwi owned an M55 in 17 rem years ago and it was a fine rifle, very accurate and made me a lot of money in fox skins. The poor old 17 rem has been overlooked a lot in recent years having had a reputation for being a fox rifle which was affected by wind.
What a lot of bullshite the 17 will do much the same as the 20 cals but if you want one ..then you want one.

As far as scopes go what sort of distances are you looking to shoot over and how often ?

As for mounts if you want to use the dove tails you need to buy good mounts I have used Bristish Sports Match on rimfires and they are great I would think they would hold your scope just fine.

cheers
Rinso

[kjd]

Either way it sounds like when you do the work Jethro that your rifle is gonna be sweet!!!

[Archfile]

for any prone use, go the side focus scope, i'm never going back

[Jethro]

Thanks Bushchook & Rinso
Looks like the Burris will not get a run although I particularly like the look of there long range reticle. (drop compensating) Nikon does one too although it looks a bit cluttered to me as does the Nato reticle on the Lynx.
I want to try and keep the scope length to around 12-13 inches max if possible with about 14x to 16x magnification.
Usable range for the calibre I have in mind will be about 400m on rabbits foxes & dogs Rinso.
Heres a couple of pics of the rifle as it stands now.

I hope to be able to eyeball a good selection of scopes at the SHOT show in melbourne at the end of the month, and talk my brother into rebarreling his worn out rem788 22.250 to 6.250 (if mag length allows)
Cheers Jethro

[Rinso]

Jethro,

Have a look at Weaver Grand Slam, Bushnell Elite and Sightron all available from the Opticzone (http://www.theopticzone.com/)

cheers
Rinso

[Col. Pogy]

One of those Burris compact variables with the ballistic plex reticles would look very nice and they generally do well too. A duplex type reticle is helpful in a field gun, and I sure like those reticle hash marks once a load is worked out for the field too. 17 or .20 caliber effective range is what, 400 yards?, so 4 X 12 might suit you. That is very nice wood on that gun, perhaps you might slim down a bit and refinish. What a nice project and first class starting material too! pogy

[Jethro]

Rinso & Col,Pogy
Yes I will be trying to eyeball as many different scopes as possible. I have just recieved the SHOT show guide and checked out who will be displaying what. Importers of scopes such as Arctic Fox ,Alpen & Pentax will be there. Id like to get a scope on this gun so I can shoot it in 17rem and try it. Before deciding if I will change to .20cal.
Col.Pogy Have you had any experience with PacNor barrels in the states? Your opinion (and all others) much appreciated.
Cheers Jethro

[trevort]

I agree with Bushcook on the calibre selection. I have 3 Burris scopes, 2 fullfield 11 and a black diamond 4 - 16x50. Impressed with them all.

Just bought a loopy VX111, had considered a VX11 6-18 for same reason as you (it was 13 inches long) compared to a Burris and weaver grand slam looking down the street in front of the shop. All were very comparable with the loopy winning out with the finer centre of the cross hairs making it better for target groups. I doubt if I would have noticed any difference between them in a hunting situation tho.

Good luck with your project

[Rinso]

Jethro,

Any reason why Pac Nor ???

I have heard a lot of good things about Pac Nor barrels although I have used one myself, but Lilja & Krieger are excellent as well. Maddco make some very good barrels here in australia as well.

Scopes have a look at Weaver Grand Slam and Sigthron as well the Optic Zone sell both. Also the current value in the aussie dollar may make a Leopold worth a look will your on the Optic Zone web site.

[/url]http://www.theopticzone.com/[url]

cheers
Rinso[/url]

[trevort]

I believe JB 747 recently had a pac nor barrelled 204 built. Post is on AHN

[Col. Pogy]

Hello Jethro. The Pac-nor have the very highest reputation for varmint and match barrels, but I have no personal experience. My belief is that any of the several top barrel makers make barrels will provide first class accuracy in a field gun, and certainly more than I can use. I also think that a first class gunsmith can fit up and a chamber a fine quality, but even less than stellar barrel, and the work will make the superior combination in a field rifle. I'd put my extra money in the smith and in the optics, then into first class reloading tooling and components. Good luck on your project. pogy

[Jethro]

Thanks Col. & Trevort & Rinso
Will post an update/progress report when I get a scope and mounts set up.
I,ll do a bit more research on barrels in the meantime.

cheers Jethro