Not really an answer to your question, just kind of interjecting my opinion (in the finest Campfire tradition.) The last thing I want on a “hunting rifle for shots under 300 yards” is a 4.5-14 scope. I only have one such scope (the Leupold you mention) and it’s on a varmint rifle. I have several hunting rifles (including a 7mmRM) with 2.5-8’s and think that’s about ideal from the standpoint of usefulness and proportionality. Your Tikka is a lightweight rifle, why stick the Hubble Telescope on top? Both my Ruger No. 1’s are nice handling and perfectly adequate for up to 300 yards with 1.5 -5’s.
I don’t know how you plan to use the rifles. If you’re just going to sit in a box over beanfields, rock on. If you’re going to be actually hunting on the ground, maybe have opportunities that come close and sudden, you may want to reconsider your options.
Just my thoughts…
