Kotupod: What an absolutely wonderful problem to have. Young man, I hope you hug your mother ... a lot! It seems like you fairly well have your mind made up as far as the rifle with the Tikka. It is a fine rifle, but, it does not float my boat. Then again, I'm not the one lucky enough to have his mother forking out money for a pretty decent investment. If it were me, I'd go with the CZ 550, or better yet, the CZ 550 Full Stock (both well within your price range) and then I'd take my new rifle into my bedroom, or any room where you won't bother people, and work the action several hundred times. My CZ 550 in 7x57mm came from the factory with an action that felt about the same as the brand new Rugers I've owned, or the brand new Winchester Model 70 my buddy bought last year. It was a bit gritty, but like any rifle, working the action took that problem out of the picture. My rifle's action is now as smooth as the finest custom rifle. With it, I have shot many, many sub half minute of angle groups at 100 yards with sandbag rests off a bench rest. I love the fact CZs have the single set trigger mechanism, which means you can push the single trigger all the way forward until it clicks and it then becomes a set trigger with a let-off of about 12 ounces for target work. Or, just don't push the trigger forward and it is a highly adjustable trigger with no creep, no after travel and a crisp let-off. I adjusted mine to break clean at 3 pounds. A CZ 550 Full Stock in .308 Winchester would be one very sweet little package and something that not everyone at the gun range has by the way. Just for the heck of it, go to CZ-USA on the internet. Push the "large rifle" section and scroll down to the full stock version. My brother owns one and it is one of his most prized rifles. However, it appears as though you have your mind made up on Tikka. Just remember, every company making firearms has the capability to turn out a lemon. It happens, even with Sako, Winchester, Remington and yes, even CZs, though you don't hear quite as many complaints about them on the internet as you do other firearms. That might be attributed to there being more of the other rifles in the hands of the shooting public than there are CZs, but I like to think it is just a better quality of rifle. As far as scopes, get back on the internet and go to S.W.F.A. and take a look at the Leupold VariX-1 scopes. It does not come nickel plated though, however, you can get one for about $219 plus $10 shipping and handling and there is no taxes to pay. Or, click on the Burris Scopes. The fullfield II line has a 3x9x40 silver scope, weighs 13 ounces, is 12 inches long, has duplex crosshairs and the scope comes with a 20 power spotting scope with a 50mm objective lens for no additional money and a $10 shipping charge. Burris has good optics. I am not all that pleased with the company's service department, but that is just me. Both the Leupold and Burris scopes have lifetime warranties. As for caliber, I would still go with the .308 first, the .30/06 second and the .270 third. I take it you do not handload and you can buy a lot of very cheap .308 ammunition for practicing and the cartridge has enough guts to reach out and take an elk if you are ever fortunate enough to go elk hunting. Tom Purdom
