Tikka T3 Varmint or Tactical?

CannonFodder41

CannonFodder41

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I'm looking to drop some money on my first real long-range rig. I've heard a lot of fantastic stuff about Tikka, in particular their heavy barrel variants. So, I've come to the decision. Do I get the Varmint, or the Tactical? The Varmint looks like a great base rifle to build off of, but I'm having a terrible time trying to find one NOT in stainless (I despise stainless). So that leaves me with the Tactical which is at least $600 more. Are those bells and whistles really worth it? I've heard the stock is not the greatest, which doesn't help it's case, but that phosphated coating Tikka uses looks nice. Also, it comes with a picatinny rail already installed, which is something I would need to do with the Varmint version myself.

So, other than the rail, stock, colour, and barrel threading (which I have no use for), is it worth it to drop the extra money on the Tactical? If not, where the hell can I find a Varmint NOT in stainless steel? (The Tikka site says they exist).

Also, I am 100% deadset on .308.
 
If you don't want to spend the extra cash on the tactical, just buy the stainless version and arma/dura-coat it whatever colour you want. Black, green, pink, polka-dot, whatever. I have the tactical in .308 and I love it, but if you never plan on using a muzzle brake and you don't care about the adjustable cheek comb (I actually can't remember if the varmint model is adjustable or not) then just get the varmint and save a couple bucks, use the extra money for a pic. rail and rings.
 
*MALICE* said:
If you don't want to spend the extra cash on the tactical, just buy the stainless version and arma/dura-coat it whatever colour you want. Black, green, pink, polka-dot, whatever. I have the tactical in .308 and I love it, but if you never plan on using a muzzle brake and you don't care about the adjustable cheek comb (I actually can't remember if the varmint model is adjustable or not) then just get the varmint and save a couple bucks, use the extra money for a pic. rail and rings.
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That's not a bad idea MALICE, I may just do that if nobody carries the standard blued model anywhere (which I find difficult to believe...)
 
johnnyreb65 said:
I'd look into the Savage Model 10FCP HS Precision with AccuTrigger..in .308 goes around $1125
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Not knocking Savage/Remington etc. but I would much rather have a European manufactured rifle... I've handled and shot both Tikka and Sakos and they pretty much blow any stock American-made rifle I've used out of the water in all aspects except accessories (even that is fast changing).
 
I dont think they make the varmint in anythong other than stainless.

I've never seen one anyway.

If the idea of attaching a muzzle brake is weight for you one way or the other, it can be very difficult to find a brake to fit the TicTac's metric threads.

The stock on the Tactical is different from that on the varmint aswell. The Tactical stock's cheek rest is adjustable. Its molded in on the varmint.

If you get the Super Varmint it has the same stock though and I think it comes with a picatinny rail too.
 
i have a t3 tatical in 300win mag. i love the thing to death!!! all i have to say is that for the money it offers alot.

comes standard with rail which is nice, the stock is alittle light but is very nice to shoot " adj cheek piece and LOP spacers are a nice feature" and the tatical version has side mount sling adapters. keeps the bolt from digging in you back.

the barrel comes standard threaded for the TRG 22/42 muzzle break. " which in my case the 300win mag is unreal, felt recoil is like a .223 and i get very nice groups at 300yd with 168 hornady A max " the old stuff"

308 t3 tatical comes in either a 20" or 24" barrel "nice to have a choice"

the tikka rail made by sako is a very nice rail for the money also! install is easy
all T3 tikka's come drilled and taped out of the box. burris also offers two piece steel rails for the tikka which are pretty cheap in price.

also oversized bolt knobs are easy to come by these days you just gotta ask your local dealer.i got mine from williams arms.
 
BabySeal said:
I dont think they make the varmint in anythong other than stainless.

I've never seen one anyway.

If the idea of attaching a muzzle brake is weight for you one way or the other, it can be very difficult to find a brake to fit the TicTac's metric threads.

The stock on the Tactical is different from that on the varmint aswell. The Tactical stock's cheek rest is adjustable. Its molded in on the varmint.

If you get the Super Varmint it has the same stock though and I think it comes with a picatinny rail too.
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They do.

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?varmint

I may just end up getting the Tactical, but I really don't have any need for the "tacticool" features, if you know what I mean ;)

Although Armacoating the stainless one would work just fine as well.

Decisions decisions.
 
If they made a 7 Rem mag in a Tactical..it would be in my safe already..
One thing I don't like about the adjustable cheek peice on the Tikka..is that you have to drop it down to get the bolt out.
I will post some pics tommorow/today..of my range session groups, with my S.V Tikka 204 Ruger..just grabbed some loaded cartidges from a different rifle I had and went out..

I only uploaded one

P1000043-4.jpg
 
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They come or (use to come with) or didn't use to..come with a pinned one piece rail, adjustable spacer stock,threaded muzzle..extra flush mount cups if you want to call them that, larger bolt knob, manganese phosphatized..
If a guy were to ask a gunsmith to do all this and buy the parts,,you would be way over $600.
 
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I have owned 2 Tikka Tacticals and have owned several other T3's and older Tikkas as well. The TikTac is a terrific gun and needs nothing. The stock was comfortable, the trigger was crisp, the bolt was as smooth as butter. Only those who didn't own them had criticism for the stock. I liked them.

The only criticism I HAD was the difficulty in finding an after-market bench-friendly stock, but Mr. Robertson makes stocks that take that gun to a whole different level.

It is my subjective opinion that Tikka makes the most consistent and accurate factory rfles going, but alas, this forum is all about the tedious Savage vs. Remington, whereas Tikka has shown it is at LEAST the equal of the best of both these other brands.

I liked the finish, the rail, and the option of a brake, but would never pass up a stainless if you had the chance. I believe the super varmint is basically a tactical in stainless clothing.
 
I had a blued T3 Varmint in 300WSM... Big varmints I guess. LOL
Anyhow, I sold it but might buy another (different caliber and stainless).
My 2 cents on the experience:
- the extra weight made shooting it a breeze (lower felt recoil) but was a bit more of a pain to carry (not by much though).
- The finish corodes fairly easily, it started rusting real quick in the bush (compared to the other blued rifles in the group) so I'd go stainless and coat it.
- the stock is nothing more than a plain T3 stock with two additional plastic moldings screwed on. Personally I removed the cheek piece as it fit better with a low mounted scope (for me).
I went to a Sako 85 stainless synthetic, it's a great gun, I'm keeping it but I have been thinking about rebarreling (6.5 x 55 heavy barrel) a T3 light in one of Ian's stocks. Seems you can even ditch the plastic bolt shroud now...
 
North American dealers don't stock every sort of rifle that Tikka makes. I inquired about getting HB .270win and I was told a 50% deposit was required up front and it would be about one year before I got the rifle.
 
/\ LOL 50% deposit f:P: which dealer asked for a deposit like that. so i know to stay away.

more like 6 months from date of order lol still long but not a year.
 
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