Tikka T3x 223 Varmint
- Thread starter joshb
- Start date
group therapy
Gold $$ Contributor
I've got a 6.5 cm in the same rifle, thing shoots like crazy!! checked it out with the Hawkeye and dang if it dont look my kriegers
. so far ive only shot 2 groups, one measured in the .4's and it was 6 shots. the other measured in the .3's(5 shots here). this is just the same load I shoot in my custom 6.5!! no load development at all, just wanted to get on paper for 600 and had rounds left over so I shot the groups. can't wait to see what I can get out of it once I get around to actually developing the load for this rifle
. I think you are going to like it a bunch!! btw......nice workbench top
!!
. so far ive only shot 2 groups, one measured in the .4's and it was 6 shots. the other measured in the .3's(5 shots here). this is just the same load I shoot in my custom 6.5!! no load development at all, just wanted to get on paper for 600 and had rounds left over so I shot the groups. can't wait to see what I can get out of it once I get around to actually developing the load for this rifle. I think you are going to like it a bunch!! btw......nice workbench top!!
Nice price and nice rifle, my ctr shoots hilariously good for what I paid for it.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I've got a 6.5 cm in the same rifle, thing shoots like crazy!! checked it out with the Hawkeye and dang if it dont look my kriegers
Oh, I’ve owned three of these and gave them to close relatives and friends. I wanted them to have shooters. I have one in Creedmoor, too. I expect it shoots like the others but we’ll see. After giving away the ones I had, I felt remorse and looked for another one for myself. I just couldn’t go forward without one in my collection.
I just wanted to mention that these deals are out there. I just happened to walk into a shop at the right time. It’s an 8 twist. I’ll probably make a new stock for it in the future but for now, it’ll stay as is. No time, these days. My wife is blind and needs my attention. Lately, her blood pressure went wacky and she collapsed twice. Not sure on the future.
Last edited:
I purchased one, same caliber, in January. Not my first Tikka but first one in this model, i.e. the varmint model.
I'm extremely pleased with mine. It shoots sub 1/2 moa groups with Hornady 60 Vmax bullets, H4895, and Federal 205M primers. I haven't done much load development and it might shoot even better with more load testing but I was satisfied with this level of precision. With the shortage of components I opted not to engage in more bench testing instead I opted for practical shooting at the range with this load which is more fun and useful for me.
I removed the flat forearm attachment (glad it's removable) so it would fit better on my shooting sticks but for bench guys this flat forearm should work great. The raised comb is also excellent for eye alignment with the scope.
No doubt the excellent trigger aids greatly in precision shooting. I adjusted mine down to about 2.5 lbs. Crisp let off and no over travel. The extractor design is very reliable. The extra barrel weight also aids in precision shooting. The stock is stiff enough. The only aspect of the rifle that I'm not crazy about is the polymer magazine. I had one wear out in one season of heavy varmint hunting on a Browning X Bolt. Browning replaced free of charge. Maybe the Tikka's use different and more durable material in their magazines - time will tell.
I'd give the rifle a 5 out of 5 star rating.
I'm extremely pleased with mine. It shoots sub 1/2 moa groups with Hornady 60 Vmax bullets, H4895, and Federal 205M primers. I haven't done much load development and it might shoot even better with more load testing but I was satisfied with this level of precision. With the shortage of components I opted not to engage in more bench testing instead I opted for practical shooting at the range with this load which is more fun and useful for me.
I removed the flat forearm attachment (glad it's removable) so it would fit better on my shooting sticks but for bench guys this flat forearm should work great. The raised comb is also excellent for eye alignment with the scope.
No doubt the excellent trigger aids greatly in precision shooting. I adjusted mine down to about 2.5 lbs. Crisp let off and no over travel. The extractor design is very reliable. The extra barrel weight also aids in precision shooting. The stock is stiff enough. The only aspect of the rifle that I'm not crazy about is the polymer magazine. I had one wear out in one season of heavy varmint hunting on a Browning X Bolt. Browning replaced free of charge. Maybe the Tikka's use different and more durable material in their magazines - time will tell.
I'd give the rifle a 5 out of 5 star rating.
group therapy
Gold $$ Contributor
well, we'll remember y'all in our prayers and the best to you for the future sir and ma'amOh, I’ve owned three of these and gave them to close relatives and friends. I wanted them to have shooters. I have one in Creedmoor, too. I expect it shoots like the others but we’ll see. After giving away the ones I had, I felt remorse and looked for another one for myself. I just couldn’t go forward without one in my collection.
I just wanted to mention that these deals are out there. I just happened to walk into a shop at the right time. It’s an 8 twist. I’ll probably make a new stock for it in the future but for now, it’ll stay as is. No time, these days. My wife is blind and needs my attention. Lately, her blood pressure went wacky and she collapsed twice. Not sure on the future.
Thoughts are with you and your wife Josh ,hope she gets things figured out soon . Seems it was not long ago you were in CO when she was approving of your Tikka purchase . Prayers being sent out.Oh, I’ve owned three of these and gave them to close relatives and friends. I wanted them to have shooters. I have one in Creedmoor, too. I expect it shoots like the others but we’ll see. After giving away the ones I had, I felt remorse and looked for another one for myself. I just couldn’t go forward without one in my collection.
I just wanted to mention that these deals are out there. I just happened to walk into a shop at the right time. It’s an 8 twist. I’ll probably make a new stock for it in the future but for now, it’ll stay as is. No time, these days. My wife is blind and needs my attention. Lately, her blood pressure went wacky and she collapsed twice. Not sure on the future.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Hope the wife gets better soon!! Tell her we’re thinking of her
well, we'll remember y'all in our prayers and the best to you for the future sir and ma'am
Can’t say it any better
J
Make a stock !!Just picked this up. I put a Weaver t36 on it for now. Load development next. Waiting on a 20 MOA rail. We’ll see if it shoots. It was bought as used but I can’t see any wear on it. I paid $599 at a gun shop in Colorado.
View attachment 1198866
argrendel
Silver $$ Contributor
Just picked this up. I put a Weaver t36 on it for now. Load development next. Waiting on a 20 MOA rail. We’ll see if it shoots. It was bought as used but I can’t see any wear on it. I paid $599 at a gun shop in Colorado.
View attachment 1198866
if I have a rifle that always makes me smile, it’s my Tikka!
I did a test yesterday. 100 yards, 5 shot groups. First group with front rest and rear bag (included cold bore shot).
second 5 used an Atlas bipod.
Pretty sure you’ll be happy..
Hoping the best for you and your wife. My favorite bullet is the 64 Berger in both my Tikka 223's . They are 12 twist older model's. The 64 grain are discontinued but i suspect the 60 grain Berger would be just as good???? My two are boringly accurate. Same hole, same hole. On and on. Varget of course.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Member ARGrendel has produced some very good groups. But, honestly, don't expect that kind of accuracy for most Tikkas out of the box.
We tested a Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifle in .308 Win. It shot slightly under 1" 5-shot groups, both with cold barrel and warmed up. This was off a high-grade front/rear rest, with wind flags, factory stock, no bedding.
I like the trigger for a factory gun. The action is good. The factory has a 1 MOA (for 3 shots) accuracy guarantee.
We tested a Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifle in .308 Win. It shot slightly under 1" 5-shot groups, both with cold barrel and warmed up. This was off a high-grade front/rear rest, with wind flags, factory stock, no bedding.
I like the trigger for a factory gun. The action is good. The factory has a 1 MOA (for 3 shots) accuracy guarantee.
Last edited:
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.