tikka t3 varmint 223
- Thread starter Grant123
- Start date
bryanstanley
New member
Talk to bill1227. I had talked to him not so long ago about the tikka. And he sent me a few pics. As for the silencer. I have not ideas about them. They are not anything I want to get into just yet.....have not seen a need for them.
hope this helps
bryan
hope this helps
bryan
Bayou City Boy
New member
I'm not bill1227, but I do own several Tikkas, both in the 595 Series and in the T-3 Series.
I have bought a lot of factory rifles in the past, but I truly feel that, dollar for dollar, you get a whole lot more rifle with a Tikka than anywhere else. Good adjustable triggers (probably won't need adjusting), excellent accuracy, and overall good quality right out of the box.
I own one of the 8" twist 223's, and it shoots 70 grain Speer semi-spitzers and 50 grain Noslers both extremely well. Very accurate.
Again, from my perspective, you can't go wrong with a Tikka.
JMO - BCB
I have bought a lot of factory rifles in the past, but I truly feel that, dollar for dollar, you get a whole lot more rifle with a Tikka than anywhere else. Good adjustable triggers (probably won't need adjusting), excellent accuracy, and overall good quality right out of the box.
I own one of the 8" twist 223's, and it shoots 70 grain Speer semi-spitzers and 50 grain Noslers both extremely well. Very accurate.
Again, from my perspective, you can't go wrong with a Tikka.
JMO - BCB
CV32
New member
I have nothing but good things to say about the Tikkas. I have a T3 Lite and a friend has the T3 Varmint Stainless. Both are chambered in .223 with a 1-in-8 twist.
The Varmint Stainless was brand new; first time at the range was Sunday past. It was shooting 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 yd straight out of the box (with 55 gr FMJ and Winchester white box 55 gr PSP, and a 3x9 Bushnell Elite 3200), much the same as I experienced with my own Tikka.
The rifle is reasonably priced, lightweight, tough, has a very slick action, and the twist is fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets). I have found the detachable magazine to be an asset rather than a problem (but you don't want to lose one, they are expensive !). You won't be sorry buying a Tikka.
The Varmint Stainless was brand new; first time at the range was Sunday past. It was shooting 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 yd straight out of the box (with 55 gr FMJ and Winchester white box 55 gr PSP, and a 3x9 Bushnell Elite 3200), much the same as I experienced with my own Tikka.
The rifle is reasonably priced, lightweight, tough, has a very slick action, and the twist is fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets). I have found the detachable magazine to be an asset rather than a problem (but you don't want to lose one, they are expensive !). You won't be sorry buying a Tikka.
Squeeze
New member
I have a Tikka T-3 in .223 Rem, with a 1:12 twist barrel,
and it puts 55 gr. TNT bullets, with a Varget charge under
it into .3-.4 MOA groups. Nosler 55 gr BTs, are still a
work in progress. I have a batch worked up with N-133, and
am anxious to see what these will do.
I started my Tikka battery with a Tikka M695, in .25-06,
in a SS/Laminate version, and was extremely impressed with
this rifle. I couldn't pass up the T-3, when it's price was
reduced, due to the twist rate change. I have fast twist
AR-15s, and I always wanted a 1:12 twist .223 Rem. When I
found this lonely Tikka, on the rack at the local rifle
store, it called to me. I brought the poor little orphan
home, and it has made me proud.
IMHO, Tikkas are about the best value, in the market
today, for a factory rifle. It needs no accurizing,
it needs no trigger work, or replacement, or any other
work, to get into shooting shape. Just bolt on a scope,
and pick a couple of different brands of ammo, and start
impressing yourself. I have always had a snicker at
the people that won't buy something because of some
style quirk, even when the functionality is reputed
to be excellent. Oh well, more Tikkas for me to choose
from /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a couple of those "butt ugly" Savages, but if you
put a bag over them, and just show everyone their groups,
on paper, they will think you have a "custom" gun.
Actually, I have broken into the Savage barrel changing
realm, and I now have a Model 16, with a magnum contour
6mm Remington barrel on it, that is shooting some pretty
impressive groups, and I have only put 6 test load groups
of 3 down the tube. It is all original equipment, including
that "flimsy" plastic stock, except for the new barrel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I can only imagine how tight this thing will shoot, when I
find it's favorite load, and the barrel settles in. Another
example of where many brand loyal types insult a brand on
looks, ignoring functional excellence.
Today, when I go rifle shopping, if a Tikka comes in the
chambering, I am looking for, I buy it. If I want a rifle
to shoot for awhile in a factory chamber, and in the future
do something else, I buy a Savage. I quit looking at
Remington, Winchester, and Browning bolt action rifles.
The value just isn't there anymore.
A previously loyal Remington guy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Squeeze
and it puts 55 gr. TNT bullets, with a Varget charge under
it into .3-.4 MOA groups. Nosler 55 gr BTs, are still a
work in progress. I have a batch worked up with N-133, and
am anxious to see what these will do.
I started my Tikka battery with a Tikka M695, in .25-06,
in a SS/Laminate version, and was extremely impressed with
this rifle. I couldn't pass up the T-3, when it's price was
reduced, due to the twist rate change. I have fast twist
AR-15s, and I always wanted a 1:12 twist .223 Rem. When I
found this lonely Tikka, on the rack at the local rifle
store, it called to me. I brought the poor little orphan
home, and it has made me proud.
IMHO, Tikkas are about the best value, in the market
today, for a factory rifle. It needs no accurizing,
it needs no trigger work, or replacement, or any other
work, to get into shooting shape. Just bolt on a scope,
and pick a couple of different brands of ammo, and start
impressing yourself. I have always had a snicker at
the people that won't buy something because of some
style quirk, even when the functionality is reputed
to be excellent. Oh well, more Tikkas for me to choose
from /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a couple of those "butt ugly" Savages, but if you
put a bag over them, and just show everyone their groups,
on paper, they will think you have a "custom" gun.
Actually, I have broken into the Savage barrel changing
realm, and I now have a Model 16, with a magnum contour
6mm Remington barrel on it, that is shooting some pretty
impressive groups, and I have only put 6 test load groups
of 3 down the tube. It is all original equipment, including
that "flimsy" plastic stock, except for the new barrel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I can only imagine how tight this thing will shoot, when I
find it's favorite load, and the barrel settles in. Another
example of where many brand loyal types insult a brand on
looks, ignoring functional excellence.
Today, when I go rifle shopping, if a Tikka comes in the
chambering, I am looking for, I buy it. If I want a rifle
to shoot for awhile in a factory chamber, and in the future
do something else, I buy a Savage. I quit looking at
Remington, Winchester, and Browning bolt action rifles.
The value just isn't there anymore.
A previously loyal Remington guy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Squeeze
Thats a good choice.
Bayou City Boy is the guy to talk to I am just a varmint hunter who punchs some paper.
I did not have to do anything with my Tikka. All I did was turn the trigger pull down........thats it.
I wish they made rimfires. I just bought another 17hmr (love hate thing traded one last year) for walking varmintclose range and off hand shooting. I went with the new CZ 453 (set trigger) American. It's nice but, I have had to fiddle with it. Smooth up the bolt, triggers, open the barrel channel (rubbing on the right side). Put a Burris scope and national match shooting sling BTW.
If Tikka made one thats what I would have got. I did not want to spend the money on a Sako.
Tikka are very well engineered modern factory rifles. I think they are far the best in that price range imo. I like the "Varmint" for bi-pod,sticks,rest,bench shooting. The lite would be better if you shoot off hand / sling etc. The varmint is a little barrel heavy for that. I always shot the varmint off a bi-pod (prone & sitting) or a rest at the range..........very accurate.
That 1-8 Twist .223 is one I would like too. Might want to check out the T3 Tactical .223 too. The Tactical cost's more and the Varmint is pretty much the same but, the tactical is cool and more collectable imo........if you can swing it.
Scope- If it's a "Varmint" as in bi-pod and bench set up personally I would put at least a variable up to 20 power on it and I like the mil dot reticles.........there fun imo.
Put a good quality cushy sling on it if you get the varmint. BTW- they are not like a "heavy" bench gun, the Varmint models weight about 8.5 lbs.
Welcome and good luck.........your on the right track. I think you will find as many Tikka shooters here as anywhere. Now if they would just add some rimfires and twenty calibers for those who want them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Bayou City Boy is the guy to talk to I am just a varmint hunter who punchs some paper.
I did not have to do anything with my Tikka. All I did was turn the trigger pull down........thats it.
I wish they made rimfires. I just bought another 17hmr (love hate thing traded one last year) for walking varmintclose range and off hand shooting. I went with the new CZ 453 (set trigger) American. It's nice but, I have had to fiddle with it. Smooth up the bolt, triggers, open the barrel channel (rubbing on the right side). Put a Burris scope and national match shooting sling BTW.
If Tikka made one thats what I would have got. I did not want to spend the money on a Sako.
Tikka are very well engineered modern factory rifles. I think they are far the best in that price range imo. I like the "Varmint" for bi-pod,sticks,rest,bench shooting. The lite would be better if you shoot off hand / sling etc. The varmint is a little barrel heavy for that. I always shot the varmint off a bi-pod (prone & sitting) or a rest at the range..........very accurate.
That 1-8 Twist .223 is one I would like too. Might want to check out the T3 Tactical .223 too. The Tactical cost's more and the Varmint is pretty much the same but, the tactical is cool and more collectable imo........if you can swing it.
Scope- If it's a "Varmint" as in bi-pod and bench set up personally I would put at least a variable up to 20 power on it and I like the mil dot reticles.........there fun imo.
Put a good quality cushy sling on it if you get the varmint. BTW- they are not like a "heavy" bench gun, the Varmint models weight about 8.5 lbs.
Welcome and good luck.........your on the right track. I think you will find as many Tikka shooters here as anywhere. Now if they would just add some rimfires and twenty calibers for those who want them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Jay Johnson
New member
I purchased a t3 varmint 223 in February. All factory ammo shot thus far has yielded 1-1.5 MOA. With Black Hills 77 gr BTHP I get sub MOA groups with many at .3 MOA. Fit and finish are as I expected (ordered mine sight unseen) and the price was right - $499 NIB.
Only one problem - out of five rounds fired, 2-3 cases will not eject. All are extracted from the chamber then are released form the bolt inside the action. Gun has to be tilted to remove those spent rounds (not good when hunting).
I sent it back to Beretta. They sent it back to me (well sort of...) with at work order report stating they fired 20 rounds with no malfunction. Writing a detailed letter explaining the problem and requesting a call back once repairs were made was in vain. Apparently the letter was lost, along with my return mailing instructions. The rifle was shipped to the gun shop I originally purchased it from - about 500 miles from my home! Thankfully, the shop was gracious enough to ship it back to me at no charge. Given the hassles of shipping one off myself, I’ll probably just deal with the ejection issue.
I would be very happy with my T3 Varmint if the above problem did not exist. Would I purchase another? No, but only because my next firearm will be a DTech AR. But if I were going to purchase another bolt gun I would consider the Tikka. Also, I would consider the varmint model with the picatinny rail, as currently there are limited options available for mounting scopes on Tikka rifles.
FYI, Warne Maxima medium rings will not accommodate 42mm or larger objective scopes on the varmint model. The package (and representatives at Warne) state otherwise but only my 40MM scope with fit, which is too bad because I bought a new 5Omm scope just for this gun. Guess it will be going on the new AR!
Good luck with whatever rifle you decide.
Only one problem - out of five rounds fired, 2-3 cases will not eject. All are extracted from the chamber then are released form the bolt inside the action. Gun has to be tilted to remove those spent rounds (not good when hunting).
I sent it back to Beretta. They sent it back to me (well sort of...) with at work order report stating they fired 20 rounds with no malfunction. Writing a detailed letter explaining the problem and requesting a call back once repairs were made was in vain. Apparently the letter was lost, along with my return mailing instructions. The rifle was shipped to the gun shop I originally purchased it from - about 500 miles from my home! Thankfully, the shop was gracious enough to ship it back to me at no charge. Given the hassles of shipping one off myself, I’ll probably just deal with the ejection issue.
I would be very happy with my T3 Varmint if the above problem did not exist. Would I purchase another? No, but only because my next firearm will be a DTech AR. But if I were going to purchase another bolt gun I would consider the Tikka. Also, I would consider the varmint model with the picatinny rail, as currently there are limited options available for mounting scopes on Tikka rifles.
FYI, Warne Maxima medium rings will not accommodate 42mm or larger objective scopes on the varmint model. The package (and representatives at Warne) state otherwise but only my 40MM scope with fit, which is too bad because I bought a new 5Omm scope just for this gun. Guess it will be going on the new AR!
Good luck with whatever rifle you decide.
juliang
New member
I got a Tikka varmint in 223 a few months back. Mine functions flawlessly and with the right ammo, extremely accurate, seems it likes Winchester ammo.
I have bought the Picatinny rail from Beretta for better sight mounting, it's the same as that used on the tactical, bolts onto the receiver. Any gun which can pick off little squirels at 200 yards is plenty accurate for me.
I have bought the Picatinny rail from Beretta for better sight mounting, it's the same as that used on the tactical, bolts onto the receiver. Any gun which can pick off little squirels at 200 yards is plenty accurate for me.