If a rifle ain't accurate-it doesn't interest me. That's why if I like something,that means it either shoots darn good out of box-or needs very little work to do so.
I build rifles for a living and am a gunsmith and I call em the way I see em. The a-bolt is a much better design to start with and is combo of good design,features the others don't have,quality,materials,and workmanship. If you like tikkas-that's great,they are good rifles,just NOT as good as a-bolts!
By the way,I can give you a BUNCH of examples where people bring them(tikka) to me to "make em shoot".
How much work does an abolt need out of the box in your experience???
I mean after all a portion of your income or business isgetting off the rack rifles to shoot...is it not??? I find it a little contradictory a gunsmith is makingstatements that out of the box accuracy or very little tweaking....she's down the road. Kind of like biting the hand that feeds you...NO???
For the record I never saidI don't expect accuracy from my rifles, I merely said I haven't seen all of these out of box and off the shelf MOA or sub MOA shooters. I mentioned I have one rifle that consistently shoots sub MOA with off the shelf ammo.Most others I have shoot moa or better consistently as well though they have either been tweaked and/or usehandloads. I only buy off the shelf rimfire and shotshells, everything else I develop/tailorhandloads to get the best out of the rifle.BTW I have seen factory mo turn in MOA or better results, though not consistently. When I say my rifle isx" MOA that is the ave - taking in account all (good and bad) groups not just the best ones.
Ox if you want a Browning Stalker and it fits you- buy one!!!!Maybe have a gunsmith install a grind to fit recoil pad, that way if you need it shortened for length of pull your set. However if your long armed and a pre-fit will work that is certainly a viableoption to help ease felt recoil. Then have dad's buddy download it if need be to reduce free recoil until your able to handle it full power. Buying a heavier gun on the sole purpose of reducing recoil is flawed thinking, it must still fit, feel good and you must be able to handle/use it. At 13 you should be more concerned with finding a rifle that feels good in your paws, on shoulder, etc instead of concentrating so heavily on therecoil. I may be miles off but I think your scared of recoil since being knocked on your can with that 300wm BAR and IMHO your looking for the wrong answer here. Is it possiblevia Dad, his buddy, your pals, etcthat you can get behind a few different cartridges (maybe a 300wsm which you seem to want) to set your mind at ease or find answers to what you can handle and shoot???Hateto see you pick one for the wrong reasons and effect your enjopyment of this great sport. Good Luck
