Tikka t3 lite 223 in tikka t3 Varmint stock accuracy

[Annie4Me]

This may have been discussed before.

Has anyone dropped a t3 lite in a Varmint tikka stock to see if it has helped with accuracy helping to free float the barrel and eliminate the pressure points found in the t3 lite.

Thanks everyone

 

[K22]

I have both models in 223 Rem and both shoot outstanding for precision varmint hunting. Mine leave nothing to be desired.

I don't believe that there is any difference between the stocks other than the larger channel of the varmint stock to accommodate the heavier varmint barrel. Both of mine came free floated from the manufacturer. The pressure point that you may be referring to is in front of the recoil lug on both of my models. I would not alter this in any way.

The varmint model stock does have flat removable forearm attachment for shooting off a front rest. I removed mine because it fits better on my shooting sticks without that forearm attachment.

For a factory rifle, I found the Tikka stocks stiffer than most in this price range and entirely adequate as is from the factory.

I wouldn't mess with the stocks only as a last resort if your having accuracy issues.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I don't bother to, change stocks as the Factory Stocks seem to, work fine for, us. HOWEVER, I have seen the Barrels RUB UN-evenly on one side or the other of the forend channel when, New. I always, check and Modify them, as necessary for, the amount of, Free Float, "space" around my T-3 Lite, Barrels ( 2 to 3 sheets of, Paper or, .008 to .012 clearance ). I do NOT remove, the first SUPPORTING Rib under, the Shank of, the Barrel, tho ! My .270 WSM shoots, 1 3/8 ths inch dia. Groups at, 200 yards ( Sub 3/4 MOA ) with, full Power, Hunting Loads and my .243 Win. shoots, in the .2's to .4's using, THIS Process with, MOST of my Target and Hunting, Loads. I RE-do, the Free float, at the same time, ( just AFTER, I "test shoot", the NEW Gun, to check accuracy with, factory ammo) that's WHEN, I put in Steel recoil Lugs and YoDave Trigger springs, along with, a little, Lap / Polish / clean, the Bore THEN, a couple of, careful, "Break IN", sessions ! I "Blue Print" ( Fit ) the FIRST Rib supporting the bbl. "Shank" area, carefully, to make sure that, it "rubs" (fits) all, the way around bbl. but not, too tight of, upward pressure ! Like K-22 Said, do NOT remove this, Rib ! My sons, 7mm-08 shoots 1/2 MOA using, the SAME free floating, process ! Good Luck, hope this, helps !

 

[Annie4Me]

Thanks for the replies,

The 223 is a t3x lite 8 twist
I’ve only shot factory ammo so far thru it

It shoots most 3/4 - 1 inch
I know it can and should shoot better

And it does free float til about 3 inches before it the receiver

I’ve tried about 20 different factory loads

I just have not shot the right one yet

the best so far has been
50 gr. Fiocchi v max
55 gr. Sierra blitz king

I’m looking for a hunting round so I’ve only tried a few heavy weight loads just to see if them shot better but saw larger groups

Thanks

 

[dolek]

My Son has a Tikka varmint ,not the same as yours but same twist . His loves Norma ammo that is loaded with 77 grain Sierra Match kings . He is getting sub one inch groups at 200 yards . He also has very good luck with loads I make for him using 69 grain SMKs . Have you tried any loads with bullets in the 60-80 grain range ?

 

[Annie4Me]

Thank you for your suggestions

Yes

I had some Hornady 75 gr.
They shot the largest group of all about 1 1/4”

but didn’t have anything else in the heavyweights for the 223.

I did find some Fiocchi 69 gr. I’ll try them next time out.

looking for a 1/2” factory hunting load.

I’ll keep searching
Thanks for the help suggestions.

 

[JAlfred]

What are you hunting? Have you looked at Black Hills selection?

 

[Annie4Me]

I have

it seems most of the black hills 223 ammo is out of stock

just a yote gun

but I know these tikka can shoot half of what I am currently getting

I’m going to break it all down again tonight

I’ve adjusted the trigger to 2lbs

I’ve tried different scope and ring set-up as well

I want to find the most accurate ammo then adjust the torque settings it try to squeak out a bit more if possible

Thanks for the black hills suggestion

Are you shooting the black hills 223 out of your tikka 8 twist

 

[dolek]

"And it does free float til about 3 inches before it the receiver"...

If you are not happy with it soon I would float the barrel all the way to the recoil lug and see what happens . You can always bed that area if no improvement.

 

[COhunter]

I have the exact same rifle and mine loves the 53 gr v-max with benchmark powder, winchester brass, and cci primers. It shoots way better than i can and has killed coyotes as far as i care to shoot. Haven't tried anything heavier yet, not going to mess with a load that shoots so good and my rifle is completely unaltered. This may help if you reload.

 

[Annie4Me]

I am glad to hear everyone has great results with different ammo for different situations.

That is encouraging for all tikka owners and future first time tikka buyers

I have tried the 53 gr. Vmax Hornady Superformance with a group measurement of 1 3/8”

Enough of that I’ll put it away for something else
It didn’t care for any type or style of the Superformance ammo that I tried.

I will head out in the morning to try some different ammo configurations

Thanks again for different suggestions all

 

[xswanted]

I’ve got both rifles.

It took about 15 minutes or less on each stock to free float them with some sandpaper.

Both rifles shoot exceptionally well with hand loads.

 

[Annie4Me]

Thanks guys

Sounds like I may need to lightly sand the barrel channel

I did make it to the range for a bit one day but the wind didn’t help

I managed to shoot the best group so far that morning that measured .372

I’ll keep searching adjusting

Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[Annie4Me]

xswanted did you sand everything but leave the pressure points in

or did you removed those

did you shoot before you sanded and if so how much did it improve

thanks

 

[xswanted]

xswanted did you sand everything but leave the pressure points in

or did you removed those

did you shoot before you sanded and if so how much did it improve

thanks

Mine free floats to the action. So I believe the pressure points were removed.

I didn’t fire either gun before hand. I sold a lot of Tikka rifles over the years though that, from the customers reviews, all shot well.
MI don’t know that it makes a huge difference but I’d rather have the barrel float, than not.

The Varmint has shot a few sub 3” 20 shot groups in 300 yard F Class with 80 SMKs since I’ve owned it.

 

[Annie4Me]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I’m trying to avoid hand loading due to limited time.

I may try a Varmint stock to completely free float it and see if it helps or not

 

[grovey]

I tried switching my superlite into my ctr stock a few yrs back thinking I might have a bedding issue. It shot worse free floated in the CTR stock. Your rifle doesn't need bedded or floated. My problem turned out to be a bullet problem. A problem that started with an H and ended with a ornady.

 

[dolek]

I just received a Tikka Varmint a couple days ago, it was not completely floated to the reciever ...shy by a 2 inches . A little work with the dremel and it was floated .