Tikka T3X Varmint 22-250 vs Remington 700 Varmint Stainless ADL 22-250

[Crumster]

I'm going to buy one or the other. I'm an experienced varmint/benchrest shooter. Both of these are 1:14 twist, which one shoots better? Not interested in a rifle that does not shoot at least 1/2 moa.

 

[nakneker]

I’m a fan of both Tikka and Remington rifles, especially older Remingtons. If you shot a dozen Tikka 22-250 varmint rifles and a dozen Remington 22-250 varmint rifles I think you would find that accuracy varies from rifle to rifle and it’s hard to say whether one brand will be more accurate than another. I can tell I just sold a Tikka super varmint in 6.5 PRC that would touch five at 100 consistently, my tikka sporter barrel 22-250 will also touch five at a 100, most of my tikkas will. So would the Remingtons I’ve had in 22-250, which was a LVSF and VSSF. Very accurate rifles. That being said, if I was buying a new production rifle off the shelf today I would choose the Tikka. The nice thing about both of those rifles is the aftermarket parts you can buy. Good luck in whatever you choose. Remember that a 1/14 twist will stabilize the light 22 caliber just fine, if you want to shoot heavier than 55grain Tikka offers a 1/8, that’s what I went with so I could the 80.5 grain Bergers. The 22-250 slow twist rifles I’ve had shot 50/55 grain ballistic tips very well.

 

[Crumster]

I love your "goal". I can say "Hell, I was there" with a straight face.
I guess I was just looking for someone to cement the choice that I had pretty much made....Tikka. I have a Lite sporter in .270 Win that shoots lights out, with the smoothest action ever. Being somewhat of a fossil, I always load 52 gr. Sierra HP in my varmint guns, thus the 14 twist. Chucks and Yotes love em'.

 

[Gary in MD]

If buying right now, I'd take my chances on a Tikka. I have the Tikka T3 Lite 8 twist and a Remington varmint special, both in 22-250 and the little Tikka will shoot as well as the heavy barrel.

 

[STOMP442]

The Tikka will never disappoint. I love a Remington but if I was buying a factory rifle I would start and stop with the Tikka. They are simply the best there is out of the box off the shelf.

 

[DGP4]

Tikka! I love my Remingtons, but the Tikka is on average a much more accurate rifle.

 

[B23]

I've been a Rem 700 fan forever and I have far more Rem 700's than all others combined including Tikka's, but, Tikka does a very good job making their barrels and they probably have some of THE best barrels out there that I've ever seen on factory rifles. Also, with Tikka's having a integral recoil lug and the fact they make a pretty true action it makes building on them easier with the different prefits that are available for them.

I'll always have a soft spot for Rem 700's and I don't see myself getting rid of any of mine anytime soon but if I was purchasing a new off the shelf factory rifle tomorrow it would be a Tikka or Sako.

 

[joshb]

Tikka.

 

[K22]

I have the Tikka Varmint Model in 223 Rem, 8" twist. This is one of the most accurate, out of the box rifles I have ever owned, and I've owned a bunch in the last 50+ years. With tuned reloads, mine is a 1/2 moa rifle.

I have owned several Remington 700's in the past including a few varmint models and one in 22 250. All shot in the 1/2 moa range also. However, these all had bedding blocks and free floated barrels in high quality factory stocks, not the cheap plastic stocks. Also, all of these had the old trigger design. I am not sure of the quality of current Remington's or their new triggers.

I like the Tikka Varmint model features, namely the easily adjustable triggers, the smooth actions, the superior to Remington extractors, the vertical pistol grip which is standard on the factory Varmint Model that enables me to shoot better, the raised comb and of course the outstanding accuracy. My only reservation is the polymer magazine, not sure how it will hold up over the long haul of heavy field use.

Bottom line, I would choose Tikka. Keep in mind that with a 14" twist, you will be limited to 55 grain and under bullet weights for the best accuracy. I see that as a positive, not a negative for varmint hunting.

 

[Crumster]

Woo Hoo. Tikka it will be. I too have been a Rem 700 guy. That perfectly simple action is the basis for every high end benchrest action ever made, but there's room for Tikka's in my safe.
Thanks to all!

 

[B23]

You probably already know this but not all of the mid weight 22cal bullets do well in 14tw barrels. The 53gr Vmax is one of those that doesn't play well with the 14tw.

I think you mentioned shooting the 52 or 53 grain Sierra SMK both of which have always been extremely accurate bullets in just about anything I've ever shot them in. The only downside to those two is they tend to pencil straight through on small critters and don't reliably expand much.

If you are looking for a tipped bullet that'll expand on a more consistent basis and also shoots extremely well in 14tw 22-250's I would give the 52gr ELD-M a go. I've used them in a few different 22-250's with 14tw barrels and they always shot very well and were hell on coyotes. Nosler ballistic tips have always shot well for me too and they'll knock the stuffing out of coyotes too.

 

[joshb]

Woo Hoo. Tikka it will be. I too have been a Rem 700 guy. That perfectly simple action is the basis for every high end benchrest action ever made, but there's room for Tikka's in my safe.
Thanks to all!

Whoa there, slow down a little. Flat bottom Panda, Kodiak, etc. actions are some of the finest made, too. The older Tikka 595s and 695s are flat bottom actions. They make fine guns. Round actions save machining costs.
I own a few Remingtons but when I shot my first Tikka, I became a convert. I own more Tikkas now than anything else. When a friend wants me to find them a good gun, I get them a Tikka.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Whoa there, slow down a little. Flat bottom Panda, Kodiak, etc. actions are some of the finest made, too. The older Tikka 595s and 695s are flat bottom actions. They make fine guns. Round actions save machining costs.
I own a few Remingtons but when I shot my first Tikka, I became a convert. I own more Tikkas now than anything else. When a friend wants me to find them a good gun, I get them a Tikka.

I was wondering just the other day about flat bottom receivers!!

 

[Murray Brook]

You probably already know this but not all of the mid weight 22cal bullets do well in 14tw barrels. The 53gr Vmax is one of those that doesn't play well with the 14tw.

Right on

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

There is no 1/2 moa guarantee with either rifle, so flip of the coin. Or use secondary factors, barrel availability, trigger quality/parts availability, familiarity with firearm, weight.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

If you stumbled upon a Rem 700VS flat safety that is not beat to death, I would give it a good look. That said, one of the very best riflesmiths on this site recently suggested a Tikka action for a custom action. They are that good. I believe him.

 

[SecondsCount]

I'm more of a Remington guy, due to popularity of components, but my experience with Tikka is that they shoot better out of the box.

 

[Pyscodog]

Been a Remington fan for years but I have a couple of Tikkas now and have had several in the past. I've yet to get a Tikka that won't shoot and shoot extremely well. I have a 595 in 243 that cuts hole at 100yds and my new T3x Viel in 6.5 PRC is showing the same accuracy after only a few range trips. When Tikka was first coming to the states I had a store in Tulsa order me a T3 22-250 varmint. It was stupid accurate. The factory trigger can be adjusted and with a little work on the spring it can get nice and light......really light. My vote goes to Tikka.

 

[Crumster]

Whoa there, slow down a little. Flat bottom Panda, Kodiak, etc. actions are some of the finest made, too. The older Tikka 595s and 695s are flat bottom actions. They make fine guns. Round actions save machining costs.
I own a few Remingtons but when I shot my first Tikka, I became a convert. I own more Tikkas now than anything else. When a friend wants me to find them a good gun, I get them a Tikka.

So you're saying true accuracy started with the Model 70? Just joking. Have a good week.

 

[Crumster]

There is no 1/2 moa guarantee with either rifle, so flip of the coin. Or use secondary factors, barrel availability, trigger quality/parts availability, familiarity with firearm, weight.

I have flipped many coins.....with uncanny luck!