xswanted
Gold $$ Contributor
Hi guys,
I just thought I'd write up a little review on the Tikka T3x Varmint in 223.
I purchased this gun new, for $849.99 from my local gun shop. I decided to put good glass on it so I picked out a Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 with the MOAR reticle and exposed top turret.
After I got the gun home I looked it over and only a few things stuck out that needed to be "tinkered" with. The barrel was not floated all the way back to the receiver. I used some sandpaper on the edges of the stock and with about 20 minutes or so of work, I had the barrel floated all the way back.
I wanted a larger bolt knob. The Varmint version has the standard T3x bolt handle so I ordered a larger "tactical" style handle and replaced the factory one with it.
After mounting the scope I spent 35 minutes or so with JB bore paste and polished the bore thoroughly. I've found over the years that with many barrels, especially factory ones, this helps smooth the barrel out as well as speed up the break in process.
The trigger was breaking at 3lbs out of the box. Using the factory adjustments I got it down to 2lbs while a fired case was in the chamber. Very clean break. No overtravel, no creep. Its a great trigger.
I loaded 25 rounds with 80gr SMKs and Varget and headed outside to break it in and get it on paper for load development. Initial accuracy was promising and velocity was about where I expected. I decided before I'd get into any serious load development to fully break in the barrel. So a fairly standard Varget load as well as H322 was used to fireform 100 pieces of Lapua brass.
After firing all 100 cases of the course of a few days, I realiezd H322 was not going to work and Varget still had promise. Most of the Varget groups were under 1" (5 shots) and velocity SD numbers were better than the H322.
I tried quite a few different loads of Varget and finally gave up on it. I was looking for 2900fps with the 80s from the factory 24" barrel and sub MOA accuracy. Accuracy was almost there all the time but I couldn't velocity above 2850 and my SD numbers never came down to where I wanted them. I thought I was possibly expecting too much from a factory gun. Then I tried old IMR 4320.
25.5 grains (safe in this rifle) yielded 2950fps with an SD over 20 shots that was 12. Accuracy was very good, most groups were at 1/2" at 100 yards (5 shots)
Over the course of the last 4 weeks with this gun, I've fired just under 300 rounds and spent quite a bit of time with it from 400-715 yards. I'm beyond impressed. The best 3 shot groups at 715 yards have been right at 5". The gun is a pleasure to shoot. Overall a guy really can't go wrong.
My gripes......
The pistol grip was too big, however Tikka has utilized an interchangeable grip for the T3x. I swapped mine for the narrow grip and was happy.
The magazine is silly. If a gun company is going to make an 8 twist 223, lets get a magazine with it that a guy can seat the bullets out. I ordered a single shot adapter for mine as my OAL is 2.460. I have a custom magazine coming for the gun that will allow me to use my current load.
I purchased this gun for a cheap way to shoot a lot of bullets down range and hopefully have long barrel life. So far I'm very impressed!!
I just thought I'd write up a little review on the Tikka T3x Varmint in 223.
I purchased this gun new, for $849.99 from my local gun shop. I decided to put good glass on it so I picked out a Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 with the MOAR reticle and exposed top turret.
After I got the gun home I looked it over and only a few things stuck out that needed to be "tinkered" with. The barrel was not floated all the way back to the receiver. I used some sandpaper on the edges of the stock and with about 20 minutes or so of work, I had the barrel floated all the way back.
I wanted a larger bolt knob. The Varmint version has the standard T3x bolt handle so I ordered a larger "tactical" style handle and replaced the factory one with it.
After mounting the scope I spent 35 minutes or so with JB bore paste and polished the bore thoroughly. I've found over the years that with many barrels, especially factory ones, this helps smooth the barrel out as well as speed up the break in process.
The trigger was breaking at 3lbs out of the box. Using the factory adjustments I got it down to 2lbs while a fired case was in the chamber. Very clean break. No overtravel, no creep. Its a great trigger.
I loaded 25 rounds with 80gr SMKs and Varget and headed outside to break it in and get it on paper for load development. Initial accuracy was promising and velocity was about where I expected. I decided before I'd get into any serious load development to fully break in the barrel. So a fairly standard Varget load as well as H322 was used to fireform 100 pieces of Lapua brass.
After firing all 100 cases of the course of a few days, I realiezd H322 was not going to work and Varget still had promise. Most of the Varget groups were under 1" (5 shots) and velocity SD numbers were better than the H322.
I tried quite a few different loads of Varget and finally gave up on it. I was looking for 2900fps with the 80s from the factory 24" barrel and sub MOA accuracy. Accuracy was almost there all the time but I couldn't velocity above 2850 and my SD numbers never came down to where I wanted them. I thought I was possibly expecting too much from a factory gun. Then I tried old IMR 4320.
25.5 grains (safe in this rifle) yielded 2950fps with an SD over 20 shots that was 12. Accuracy was very good, most groups were at 1/2" at 100 yards (5 shots)
Over the course of the last 4 weeks with this gun, I've fired just under 300 rounds and spent quite a bit of time with it from 400-715 yards. I'm beyond impressed. The best 3 shot groups at 715 yards have been right at 5". The gun is a pleasure to shoot. Overall a guy really can't go wrong.
My gripes......
The pistol grip was too big, however Tikka has utilized an interchangeable grip for the T3x. I swapped mine for the narrow grip and was happy.
The magazine is silly. If a gun company is going to make an 8 twist 223, lets get a magazine with it that a guy can seat the bullets out. I ordered a single shot adapter for mine as my OAL is 2.460. I have a custom magazine coming for the gun that will allow me to use my current load.
I purchased this gun for a cheap way to shoot a lot of bullets down range and hopefully have long barrel life. So far I'm very impressed!!
Completely unnecessary. Moving right along, nothing to see here...
