Which .308 Rifle - Tikka T3 Varmint or Savage 12 VLP?

[Quinny]

I hope this is in the right place, I couldn't see a "rifles" specific section.

I am buying my first rifle, and I am trying to decide which one to get. I have decided on .308 calibre because there is plenty of factory ammo available at a good price, and it seems to be acceptable for most types of competition.

I will be using the rifle pretty much exclusively for target shooting - mostly for fun, but also for entry level competition as well. I am pretty new, so I won't be competing "seriously" for a little while.

Anyway, I have narrowed my choices down to the Savage 12 VLP and the Tikka T3 Varmint.

If it were your money, which would you buy?

 

[Travelor]

One thing that is always good it to go to a range that shoots what you are wanting to shoot and look at the competitors guns and talk with them BEFORE buying a gun.

I am a huge Savage fan and own and shoot a bunch of them. I recommend new shooters get a 10 FP (http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/10FP ) and then add a Bell & Carlson stock ( http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-110/Bell-Carlson-tactical-700/Detail )for an all around target gun.

If I wanted a bench rested rifle, it would be the 12 Bench rest ( http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12%20BENCH%20REST ). If I wanted a gun that I could shoot from the sling or a bipod, I would get the 12 BVSS ( http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12BVSS )


I would spend my big money on ammo and range time learning to shoot my new gun.

George

 

[2644ever]

Right on! Savage anytime. With Savage you not only own a rifle but you get access to a complete system with endless options. On the other hand with Tikka you get a very good barrel, a decent action and not much else. I used a T3 in .308 for a while and consider myself lucky not to have owned it, because the stock was terrible and barely fit to go hunting, I didn't like the cheap plastic trigger guard and the plastic bolt shroud, the magazines were extremely expensive (about the price of AICS magazines but plastic made!) and the availability of aftermarket accessories was a real problem. I really believe the Tikka T3 to be an unfinished project hastily dumped on the international market.
JMHO.

 

[usmc1986]

Either rifle will be a good choice. They're both known for excellent accuracy out of the box. Pic the one with the features that you like and the one that fits you the best and go from there. I'd recommend looking at the twist rate of the factory barrels. 1-10 or 1-11.x will allow you to shoot a wider range of bullets with sufficient stability should you handload in the future, or decide you want to use a suppressor (if legal in your area).

Both of the aforementioned twist rates allow a bit more stability than a 1:12 twist - Factory Remington. Although, 1:12 seems to do fine from 150-178gr bullets for many people - it's not optimal when introducing a suppressor. Something to think about.