Tikka T3 Super Varmint: A rare bird in Canada?

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Inoxy

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I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Tikka T3 in .223 and have settled on a Super Varmint with a fast twist & a single set trigger. This is a direction that took me some time to arrive at and I'm disappointed that I'm still facing some headwind. I've reached the point at which I thought would be the easy part, just pay the money & bring the thing home!

I'm finding that this gun seems to be a rare bird in Canada & seldom seen in captivity. Am I hunting in the wrong place? (Maybe I'm trying to find an Upland bird where only Waterfowl exist!).

Been to 3 big box hunting suppliers and they all agree the animal exists, but no one has it on their list of "preferred species". 1. can't order what head office doesn't list on their website, a 2nd will need a week to tell me if their supplier can even supply & price it, and a 3rd said he was having a "busy day" and could I E-mail him? instead of talk to him by phone (in so many words).

I've even picked out a new-for-2016 scope, a VX3i and been told that it might be a year before we see that scope in Canada and Leupold is slow to deliver product to him right now.

I've never tried to buy a rifle like this before, please tell me you all didn't experience this to buy your chosen object of your affections.

Any tips to stalking this exotic animal would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
 
Stoeger Canada is the importer/distributor for Sako/Tikka.

I just went through their 2016 offerings (to dealers) and they do not even list the Super Varmint models.

In fact, they don't list the blued Varmint models either.

Their only offerings in that line are the T3 Stainless Varmint in either right or left hand (more limited in calibers than the right).

I am totally unaware of any other (wholesale) source for Tikka in Canada.

This may be one of those rifles that you would have to find in the US (or any other country) and go through the hassle of privately importing it into Canada. That may tend to put it way beyond what you want to spend but it certainly could be done.

Unfortunately in Canada, having a rather small market, our importers only handle what they think they can move in some sort of volume. Browning (Canada) does entertain a "hey could you try and get me this" for something that is not available in Canada but have never personally gone that route with Stoeger (I'm lucky if the rep will even answer an email, much less go after something special for me).

If you can find a dealer that handles a lot of their product (Sako, Tikka, Benelli, Beretta, Stoeger) they might have some "pull" and could inquire on your behalf, but I certainly wouldn't hold my breath. The 2016 import orders have been "in" for a couple of months now, so it could be a long wait - but worth investigating.
 
Great choice. I have one in .300WSM....they're out there.

Check the EE and the other gun sale sites too....

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the SV is just a V with a cheek rest??? You could add a rest or get a Boyd's stock on a V??
 
galamb said:
Stoeger Canada is the importer/distributor for Sako/Tikka.

I just went through their 2016 offerings (to dealers) and they do not even list the Super Varmint models.

In fact, they don't list the blued Varmint models either.

Their only offerings in that line are the T3 Stainless Varmint in either right or left hand (more limited in calibers than the right).

I am totally unaware of any other (wholesale) source for Tikka in Canada.

This may be one of those rifles that you would have to find in the US (or any other country) and go through the hassle of privately importing it into Canada. That may tend to put it way beyond what you want to spend but it certainly could be done.

Unfortunately in Canada, having a rather small market, our importers only handle what they think they can move in some sort of volume. Browning (Canada) does entertain a "hey could you try and get me this" for something that is not available in Canada but have never personally gone that route with Stoeger (I'm lucky if the rep will even answer an email, much less go after something special for me).

If you can find a dealer that handles a lot of their product (Sako, Tikka, Benelli, Beretta, Stoeger) they might have some "pull" and could inquire on your behalf, but I certainly wouldn't hold my breath. The 2016 import orders have been "in" for a couple of months now, so it could be a long wait - but worth investigating.
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Thank you for the well thought ( and excellently written) post. I'm believing more like you as time passes. It WAS a US site that shows the Super Varmint (in US$) and it may well be that I'll have to settle for less, here in Canada. I think the adjustable Cheek and Picatinney rail would be my preferred choice if the price differential is only 50-100$ but truly not deal breakers for me. The stainless IS my deal breaker so a blued barrel is out for me.
What I really would prefer is a laminated stock with a stainless barrel (as on the Sako 85) but that has never appeared an option on any site I've seen Tikka listed. (I'm not thinking of a black/grey laminate but more like a walnut: just not solid wood, so I've already had to justify a compromise, . . what's a few more?)
Thanks to all for some other "hunting grounds" to visit.
Much appreciated.
 
I'd suggest a tikka tac in .223.
They tend to be slightly more accurate than the super varmint/sporters.
The set trigger I honestly didn't like. Pain in the rear to have to #### it every time, or use a 5 pound trigger. It was also kind of indistinct when cocked, I found the standard tikka trigger with a $15 spring off of ebay, for pull weight reduction, to be superior.
 
ntm said:
I'd suggest a tikka tac in .223.
They tend to be slightly more accurate than the super varmint/sporters.
The set trigger I honestly didn't like. Pain in the rear to have to #### it every time, or use a 5 pound trigger. It was also kind of indistinct when cocked, I found the standard tikka trigger with a $15 spring off of ebay, for pull weight reduction, to be superior.
Click to expand...

The tactical is certainly a fine upgrade to the varmint and I'd be pleased to own that instead. Is that a rifle you are fortunate enough to own/afford? If so I'd feel privileged to know more about how yours is set up. What glass do you have on it, if I may ask?
 
Inoxy said:
The tactical is certainly a fine upgrade to the varmint and I'd be pleased to own that instead. Is that a rifle you are fortunate enough to own/afford? If so I'd feel privileged to know more about how yours is set up. What glass do you have on it, if I may ask?
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I had one, sold now.
Was one of the most accurate factory rifles I've owned. Had a sightron 6-24 ffp on it. Great bang for the buck.
 
I am in a similar situation. I want a CTR but they are hard to find. I live in a city with two big box gun stores and a third independent gun store, all of which sell Tikkas, plus Canadian Tire, and nobody carries the CTR. Those who do carry them on the web sell out pretty quickly.

What about the Tikka "Tacktical" model instead of the Super Varmint? It has the adjustable cheek piece and a rail. Though I think I have only seen them with blued barrels and not stainless. And the price is exceptionally high. Around $2,000 vs. $1150 for the regular Varmint model.
 
I have the Tikka T3 Super V in .223. I purchased it a couple years ago from SFRC. I have a Vortex Viper first focal plain mounted on it and it shoots very well. When I purchased it I thought you were paying a lot of extra money for a rail and cheek piece
 
circlingvulture said:
I am in a similar situation. I want a CTR but they are hard to find. I live in a city with two big box gun stores and a third independent gun store, all of which sell Tikkas, plus Canadian Tire, and nobody carries the CTR. Those who do carry them on the web sell out pretty quickly.

What about the Tikka "Tacktical" model instead of the Super Varmint? It has the adjustable cheek piece and a rail. Though I think I have only seen them with blued barrels and not stainless. And the price is exceptionally high. Around $2,000 vs. $1150 for the regular Varmint model.
Click to expand...

They are phosphate finished, so very durable.
My experience with a bunch of tikka's has shown that they are the most accurate tikka you can buy.
The sporters, varmints seem to be half moa rifles usually. Every tac I've had has shot better than that after load development.
 
Dennis N said:
I have the Tikka T3 Super V in .223. I purchased it a couple years ago from SFRC. I have a Vortex Viper first focal plain mounted on it and it shoots very well. When I purchased it I thought you were paying a lot of extra money for a rail and cheek piece
Click to expand...

Tks for sharing. If I may ask, do you remember what the price differential was to step up to the Super Varmint from the Stainless Varmint?
I'm not up to speed on the Vortex Viper, could I ask what are the main specs.? (ie: power & fixed or adj., objective lens dia. and tube dia.) I'm leaning to the Leupold VX3i with a 30mm main tube, 40 mm objective lens, side focus, 4.5-14X and the varmint reticle) unfortunately they are new for 2016 so it looks like I'm in for an uphill battle on that front, also.
I'm hoping to use mine on a family of coyotes that have taken up residence near the back of our farm. Attacked and bitten our Sheltie once and the Wife doesn't want to take walks back there any more.
 
ntm said:
They are phosphate finished, so very durable.
My experience with a bunch of tikka's has shown that they are the most accurate tikka you can buy.
The sporters, varmints seem to be half moa rifles usually. Every tac I've had has shot better than that after load development.
Click to expand...

Excuse my ignorance with all the questions, I'm truly interested in learning all I can. If I understand right, Phosphatizing is a surface treatment to help prevent wear & oxidation. If/when it wears, oxidation can begin. Stainless is through & through and doesn't lose it's hardness or oxidation resistance as it wears the thin outer skin off.
The tac. comes with a threaded muzzle for a brake or a suppressor, (not included and not cheap either). A brake is used to redirect barrel gases to help prevent muzzle rise upon firing & especially valuable for rapid fire weapons of larger caliber. A .223 should have very little recoil & little muzzle rise upon firing.
The tac. comes with multiple threaded holes for sling/bipod attachment, in places the Varmint doesn't have.
How am I doing with my understanding (or misunderstandings,) so far? The varmint barrel is longer and heavier than on the Tac. but it does not make the rifle as accurate as the Tac.
Here I thought I had the selection process all done with and you've shaken my foundation and have me questioning whether I can find the extra for a Tac.
now!
Thanks for keeping me thinking.
 
1-200$ difference

Twist aside, i'd spend the extra on an aftermarket 20MOA rail and a better stock later on.

People love their Leupolds, not a bad choice.

Vortex is also a good choice IMO. Great value. Your spec choices sound good. 30mm tube will be enough. Look for a vortex HS LR or a PST 4-16 or 6-24.

I'm pretty sure there's choices for both on the EE right now.
 
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