Tikka T3 Super Varmint for Target?

[Flying_Irishman]

First off this is the greatest site on the internet!

I’m wondering if anyone here has experience with the Tikka T3 Super Varmint rifles. Looking around on the site, I’m much more interested in the tactical shooting than the benchrest shooting. Would you recommend the T3 SV for a for such work? Am I spinning my wheels here? Would I be better off building a rifle with a custom action?

Also, what would you recommend for a caliber? I’d really like to shoot out to 600-800 yards. I’m inheriting hand-me-down reloading equipment, and would like to have the recoil be light enough for my wife to be able shoot it. However, I'm more interested in learning good form.

The calibers I’m thinking about are .243, 6.5x55mm, and .308,in that order no less).

My shooting background: I used to shoot a lot on the farm, but have lost it after going to college and moving to the city. Most of my shooting has been pistols and assault rifles. The only time I’ve ever gotten into high power centerfires has been right before hunting seasons. I've just purchased a Tikka T3 270 WSM and really like the workmanship and performance of the rifle.

 

[Flybuster]

Howdy, The stock on my T-3 Varmint may not be pretty but the gun feels right to me when I hold it. The features I like are the slick bolt cycle, 5 round detachable mag and the half inch groups I get from it. Mines a 22-250, I originally was going to buy a .243, sometimes I wished I had. You can't beat the versatility and light recoil of the .243.

P.S. Your right about this being the greatest site on the net.

 

[Flying_Irishman]

I have no problem with the Tikka stocks... They're made to be lightweight, and lightweight they are. Does anyone know how "true" Tikka actions are? I'm reading all the hoopla on getting a blueprinted Rem700 or custom action... The Tikka trigger seems like glass, and the action is smooth as butter. But are the bolt faces true?

 

[ReedG]

I don't know much about tactical shooting, Irishman, so cannot give you much advice on it. I have a Tikka M595 Master Sporter which has a similar action to the Tikka 3,the 3 replaced the 595) and it is one of the finest factory rifles made. If you will be shooting against custom rifles, then you will be outgunned. If there is a class for factory-based rifles, you will be able to hold your own.

Also, my caliber choice would be the .223 Remington. It will shoot with anything at the ranges you want, recoil is nonexistent and it's less expensive to load for.

There are some Savage models that are shooting very competitively and are easily upgraded. The Tikka action is an odd size and I'm not aware of hardly any aftermarket equipment for it. I don't remember ever seeing a Tikka,or even a Sako) actioned rig in the equipment lists.

I would go with a Savage or Remington for factory; buy a good used one that suits your type of shooting; or have a custom built -- in that order. I recommend starting as inexpensively as you can until you find that you like it and have the time for it.

Good luck.

 

[Flybuster]

I was curious about the older Tikka's Reed, What type of recoil lug do the actions have on the 595? The T-3 recoil lugs are not even attached to the action or barrel. The recoil lug is fitted into the stock and the action has a slot for it to fit into. Kinda different.
Like you said aftermarket parts I cannot find anywhere. Extra magazines are expensive.
It makes a fine coyote rifle though.

 

[smike308]

Is the Tikka Super Varmint available in the 6.5x55 chambering?

 

[ReedG]

The older Tikka 595s have a similar recoil lug. Not even sure it's metal. It is sort of a horizontal "L" with a round protrusion. The vertical part of the "L" goes into a slot in the stock and the round protrusion fits into the bottom of the receiver. Seems to work. Mine makes a great varmint rifle and I love the way it shoots and handles, but it's not a good base for a custom shooter in my eyes.

Looks like the T3 Varmint is only availabe in .223, .22-250 and .308 at this time.

 

[tripcrow]

There are 2 articles on Tikka rifles in this site's old Daily Bulletins that you may find interesting. Do a search for Tikka in the Daily Bulletin’s right hand side panel and you’ll find them. Outstanding accuracy for the money.

 

[Flying_Irishman]

So I was thinking of getting the varmint in the 6.5x55... Tikka's webpage says they make it, Beretta's webpage says they're only importing the .223, .22-250, and .308. What gives? Is there any way to get the T3 varmint in the Swedish?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[olympian]

Irish,

Let me know if you find a source of a 6.5x55 in a T3 varmint.....that looks nice to me.

I held a Varmint and Tactical version today for the first time. I first thought was how low quality the stock seems to be as the stock material appears to be very, very thin. The Remington M700 ADL synthetic stock feel to be of much greater substance. The adjustable cheekpiece on the T3 Tactical is equally cheap, rather than inexpensive. The magazines are equally bad being made again of thin plastic rather than metal.

The good points to me were a good feeling trigger, a great feeling action, and good barrel weight. The salesman, whom I know very well, said they shoot very well for factory rifles and are very popular. Wish Tikka would import what they list on the Tikka website.......

Get a Surgeon and do not look back.