Tikka T3 lite or varmint in .223?

[COhunter]

I have been thinking real hard about a new walking varminter rifle and the T3 looks like the perfect candidate. Has anyone here shot one or have one? They aren't pop[ular in my neck of the woods, so i can't get a real world opinion here. Any input would be helpful, likes, dislikes, etc.. Thanks in advance

 

[johnu]

I have one in .308 - deer hunting rifle. Smooth action and accurate. Not sure there is a better factory rifle for the money (CZs and Howas might come close.) For a walking varmint rifle I would go with the T3 lite and work up a load it likes - rather have any extra weight in the optics than the barrel.

John

 

[sdbob]

A little harder to find but the Tikka Tactical in .223 is a great gun. Mine has a 20 inch 1 in 8 twist barrel. It likes Hornady 75 grain A-max bullets.

 

[GSPV]

I have a T3 Lite in 243 for coyote hunting. Can't say enough good things about it.

Smooth action. 100% reliable feeding. Great trigger for a factory.

If I was shooting from a rest, I'd prefer a model with more weight.

 

[bigwoodsman]

i have 3 Tikkas,great accuracy with handloads,i love the glass smooth action on them



Jeff

 

[K22]

For walking around, the T3 Lite would be my choice. I have one in 243 and I'm very pleased with it. It has an excellent trigger and the smoothest action I've ever owned. With tailored reloads mine shoots in the .5's.

I highly recommend it. The 223 would be an idea caliber for a walking around varmint rifle. The new ones around here have 10" twist as opposed to the older model's which had an 8". I personally like the slower twist for shooting the lighter weight varmint bullets.

 

[Bangs OH]

Another option might be the Sako A7 Varmint now being sold by Cabela's. Up to .243, they have a fluted 24" barrel and a synthetic stock (by B&C according to one ad but can't confirm that; the barrel is floated), with a little wider forend than a sporter. Size-wise they fall between the two Tikkas you mentioned. Possibly a bit overpriced, but I'll wait for a sale or gift-card.

 

[HTDuckman]

I've got a T3 Lite in .223 with a 1/8 barrel.
Pros:
Great trigger right out of the box.
Light handy little rifle, handles great.
Shoot very well with hand loads in the 55-65 grain range.

Cons:
The 1/8 barrel is conducive to shooting the heavier bullets but it doesn't work well.
The magazine severely limits OAL.
Don't lose the magazine, a replacement is about $65.00
Rifle also hard to feed single shot due to the ramp into the chamber.

 

[roadkill61]

We have had such good luck with ours that we are using t3 actions to build our "ultimate" coyote rifles in 20BR. The 223 magazines fed the BR case perfectly.

 

[Marksman]

I picked up a T3 Scout in 223 last year. My only initial complain was the extremely short factory magazine. I swapped it out for the CDI bottom metal and now I can load as long as I want. I added a manners stock to finish it out. Honestly, this has been one of the easiest rifles I've ever owned to load for. I ended up with a heavy 75 Amax load and a 52 gr Berger Varmint load. Actually, it took so little load development that it kinda took the fun out of it for me.

 

[sdbob]

For longer bullets using the factory mag, get a single shot follower from Tikka Performance. It snaps into the factory mag and works great $20.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Got my first Tikka, a T3 Lite in 7mm-08 two weeks ago. Here is my input:

Do not get this gun in anything larger than a .243. My 7mm-08 feels like it has more kick than my 30.06 because it is so light. My gunsmith got the trigger to 1.5 lb and it is the best trigger I have...very nice. Also, we put in a large action magazine and changed the bolt stop so I could shoot longer bullets. Nice gun but much to light for the 7mm-08 IMHO. Don't like the plastic magazine...I'd prefer metal.

 

[yukonal]

I have been thinking real hard about a new walking varminter rifle and the T3 looks like the perfect candidate. Has anyone here shot one or have one? They aren't pop[ular in my neck of the woods, so i can't get a real world opinion here. Any input would be helpful, likes, dislikes, etc.. Thanks in advance

T3 Lite will do everything you want a varmint rifle to do. Easy to carry, and several of my .223's are scary accurate to 200 yards.