Savage model 10 or tikka varmint in 223

C

Cajohn7

New member
Hello every one,

New member and first post. I read the forum every day and have to say i have learned alot and this is the only one I have ever joined. Im looking to purchase a 223 with a heavy barrel for mostly target shooting. I want to try and learn to shoot at longer distances, up to maybe 600yrds. I currently have a pair of Tikka's one in 223 and 243 and have owned a couple of savage's.
Im debating upon a Savage model 10 fp-sr with 22in. Barrel. Gun is unfired price is 450. Or a used tikka varmint with 1-8 twist(savage is a 1-9) price on the tikka is 800 and does include a Nikon buckmasters scope 4x12x50 and bipod. Owner says less than 50rnds. I have done alot of research on both. I know the stock on the Savage would probably have to go and I would also need an optic for it.
So I guess I'm just looking for some imput. Or experience with either.

Thanks Cajohn7
 
For 600 yards, you will have a wider variety of bullet weights with the 1/8 twist barrel in a .223...The 1/9 will pretty well limit you to 70gr bullets for consistent accuracy, while the 1/8 will let you work with the longer/heavier rounds, even though you will probably have to load them single fire, and that is pretty common with 600+ yard matches..

I have a 1/12 twist .223 and at 600 yards, while limited to 60gr bullets with the barrel, have found that if there was much breeze at all, the bullets were just a little light for consistent accuracy..
 
Thanks OT,
Thats what i was thinking about the 1-8 and I should mention I do handload and have most everything on hand for the 223
 
between those two I would go tikka all the way JMO

The 1 in 8 twist is going to be a plus. As far as the stock on the savage or even the tikka I would look at a boyds they are reasonable and will make a difference on both guns I would think.
 
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I have two Savage 16s, and two Tikkas, and while I am fond of both brands, one advantage of Savage rifles, is that beautiful barrel nut, that makes swapping barrels easy, if you ever decide you want to go a new direction. My first Model 16 started out as a factory 22-250 Rem. and while it shot well, I grew bored with it...It became a very nice 6mm Rem., with a barrel change, a stock change, and a Accu-Trigger spring change. The second Model 16 swings between a 204 Ruger(from the factory) and a 260 Rem. with a Shilen barrel, bolt head, box magazine swap. Both of my Tikkas, T-3 223 Rem(1:12), and a M695 25-06 Rem. will always be factory rifles due to the cost of making them something else.

Something to consider in your choice.

Squeeze
 
Originally Posted By: Squeeze
I have two Savage 16s, and two Tikkas, and while I am fond of both brands, one advantage of Savage rifles, is that beautiful barrel nut, that makes swapping barrels easy, if you ever decide you want to go a new direction. My first Model 16 started out as a factory 22-250 Rem. and while it shot well, I grew bored with it...It became a very nice 6mm Rem., with a barrel change, a stock change, and a Accu-Trigger spring change. The second Model 16 swings between a 204 Ruger(from the factory) and a 260 Rem. with a Shilen barrel, bolt head, box magazine swap. Both of my Tikkas, T-3 223 Rem(1:12), and a M695 25-06 Rem. will always be factory rifles due to the cost of making them something else.

Something to consider in your choice.

Squeeze

+1. Also why I bought a savage
 
I owned a Tikka Stainless Varmint in .223 and it was a fabulous rifle. Probably the most accurate .223 that I have ever owned. Sadly I let it go to fund another project. Tikka is a great choice.
 
I'd really lean more towards the tikka. The savage maybe the way to go if your planning on doing any novice gun smithing. Most savages will shoot half inch out of the box. From what I've seen one ten will shoot well under that. My only complaint with savage is most of them that I've owned have had ejection issues. Not a big deal if target shooting, heck you might just want to make it a single shot anyway. If you plan on hunting and target shooting, then IMO the tikka is the best choice.
 
Sell one of the tikkas, add it to your current funds and buy a tikka sporter in 223, I have one, the adjustable stock will assist you in your longer range quest.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I have thought about the savage barrell swap. And have met and spoke with Jim at Northland shooters supply about it. I know I would have to invest in a few tools.
 
I have a Tikka varmint. Extremely accurate for a stock rifle. Did some trigger work which only made it better. Shoots the heavy's into little tiny groups.
 
I shot both, bought the Tikka. They'll both shoot about the same (as in- both are awesome!), but the Tikka quality and functionality is better.
 
Not trying to hijack here, but I have a question as to max overall length and still feed from mag in Tikka t3. Would a 2.5" cartridge feed from mag?
 
Originally Posted By: whyNot trying to hijack here, but I have a question as to max overall length and still feed from mag in Tikka t3. Would a 2.5" cartridge feed from mag?

I have tought about that. The Tikka 223 I already have the OAL lenght isnt much more than 2.260 or ar mag length. I know they make bottom metal and different mags for the Tikka to increase case length. But that would be another 250 to do that. And at that price I could almost rebarrel the Savage. I had a Savage with internal box mag and if I remember it would feed a longer round than a stock mag. Not sure if anybody can confirm that. I was actually gonna go look at the Savage tonight and we are down to 420 for a price. That leaves me alot more room for an optic and maybe a stock. And thanks again for all the advice. And I agree the Tikka action is very nice
 
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Just an update on the Savage and Tikka. I should have listened to everybody. I went and bought the Savage last night and only got to look it over a little bit. It was dark and dang cold outside 4 degrees. Got it home and after a few test loads with some dummy rounds I was not impressed. So I got up this morning threw it on armslist at 11am and had it sold by 12:30pm. I did loose 40 bucks. Took the cash and went and bought the Tikka and it is just as nice as the other 2 I have. And the nikon buckmasters scope actually isn't to bad. So I learned a lesson and it didn't cost me too much.
 
A few years ago I had a Savage 10fp in .223 Rem. Darn that was a good shooting rifle, .5" groups as long as I was shooting the 69 gr Sierra match bullet. Even with the cheap stock that rifle was good.

It did have a very annoying problem. At least 30% of the time the next round would not feed. For some reason the tip of the bullet wouldn't enter the chamber and catch on the barrel. After 4 years of trying to correct that I gave up and sold it. But darn could it shoot.
 
Originally Posted By: Cajohn7That is exactly what this one was doing

I don't blame you for getting rid of it. I tried 2 different gunsmiths in hopes of fixing the problem. Nothing did any good.
 


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