Tikka T3 Lite in .223??

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Grasshopper86

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I was looking into purchasing this rifle in a .223 mainly for varmiting use and some target shooting, I have a couple questions about this gun.

How does it shoot?
What are the advantages/disadvantages that you know of?
Would you buy this gun in this caliber?

I was also looking at a Bushnell Elite 3200 for a scope, possible 3-9 or 5-15, does this sound like a good choice?

I held it in the store today and it felt very comfortable and felt good in my shoulder.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Adam
 
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They had a sweet deal on Tikka Varmints in .223.
These are the heavier barrell stainless ones!

Grasshopper86 said:
I was looking into purchasing this rifle in a .223 mainly for varmiting use and some target shooting, I have a couple questions about this gun.

How does it shoot?
What are the advantages/disadvantages that you know of?
Would you buy this gun in this caliber?

I was also looking at a Bushnell Elite 3200 for a scope, possible 3-9 or 5-15, does this sound like a good choice?

I held it in the store today and it felt very comfortable and felt good in my shoulder.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Adam
Click to expand...
 
They shoot well...I have a varmint for sale right now..no load data..just shot what I jad left over from an VSSFII I had..first 5 shots out of the gun at 100 yrads.

P1000120.jpg
 
The tikka t3 lite always seemed like a quality rifle to me.
I would only see the light stock as being an issue if you were going with a big calibre which you are not.

You may also want to look at the Winchester model 70's or a browing xbolt before you make a final decision
 
Ellison said:
The tikka t3 lite always seemed like a quality rifle to me.
I would only see the light stock as being an issue if you were going with a big calibre which you are not.

You may also want to look at the Winchester model 70's or a browing xbolt before you make a final decision
Click to expand...
Its actually not as big an issue as you think. I had a T3 lite in .338 win mag, and I have to say, it was the best shooting .338 I ever had. It shot better than my current .338 ruger 77 . And I of course put a big juicy recoil pad, and it felt like shooting a stout .30-06. The stock design kept the recoil in a linear line straight back , instead of back and up.
(I only sold it for financial reasons)
And like mentioned above, brownings are always a sure thing - my A bolt is bedded from the factory, engraved, and super accurate. I've never shot an inaccurate browning. (at least not a bolt action or lever) and these X bolts look great, and already have a good reputation.
And the new winchesters are the best of all the generations of model 70's
I've never had one in a synthetic, but the metal is the same, and mine was made super nice. Oh my god.
If you stay with one of these three you pretty much will be sittin pretty.
 
I had a .223 T3 Lite blued, in right hand, with a 1 in 12 twist. Sold it and acquired a T3 Lite stainless lefty with 1 in 8 twist. No complaints with the rifle. Lightweight, durable, shoots very well.
 
Thank you very much guys!!

I was also thinking about getting it in .243 have not decided yet..... what do you guys think? it will be for varmiting and target shooting. What is the proper twist rate for the tikka T3 lite stainless in .223 and .243?
 
There are a couple of versions out there I believe, But find the quickest twist rate for either that you can get. A 1:12 twist will stabilize about 62 gr bullets or smaller in the .223 but the 1:8 twist will let you shoot 75 to 80 grainers if the mag will allow the length.
In the .243 you'd be good with a 1:10 twist for most uses.
By the way, the bolt was the SILKIEST , SMOOTHEST, bolt I've ever used. I could just tip the gun slightly and it would open of close. It was like it hardly touched anything. I've surely never handled another rifle with that kind of action.
 
The 1 in 8 twist 223 will allow you to shoot bullets in the 55 and over grain weight. For target shooting at long range this would be more desirable.
 
22-250 would have a considerably lower barrel life than the other two due to the higher pressures needed to reach the high velocity.

I think I'm correct on that...

I would say that .243 would make it a more all around gun but .223 may have cheaper ammo (definitely cheaper than 22-250)
 
Thanks Ellison and Jeepster.

I am a little worried about the barrel life as Ellison stated but have read that if you shoot slow and make sure to maintian your gun then will be ok.

If this is not true please tell me because I think I will be going with the 22-250

Thanks,
Adam
 
I think the .243 would make an excellent choice. If you're using it for varmiting you can shoot 55 grain bullets out of it that will be smoking fast or you can use heavier bullets for larger animals. Very versatile calibre. I currently own 3 T3's. .204 Ruger, .22-250 and .243. Thinking about getting a .270 WSM. Love the Tikka T3.
 
I had one a few years ago in 1:8 twist. I got rid of it because the mag only allowed me to seat bullets to 2.260 (ie. AR mag-length), but the chamber was throated for a much longer bullet. Not sure if they fixed this mismatch by now. Kinda stupid, since they use a much longer mag than necessary and then block it. Unfortunately it is molded plastic and not easily opened up.
 
Grasshopper86 said:
Thanks Ellison and Jeepster.

I am a little worried about the barrel life as Ellison stated but have read that if you shoot slow and make sure to maintian your gun then will be ok.

If this is not true please tell me because I think I will be going with the 22-250

Thanks,
Adam
Click to expand...

I was going for a 22-250 but got the 223 instead.
I'm glad I changed my mind.
223 is a better long range gun with heavier bullets.
It's also has slighlty longer barrel life, slightly easier on powder, & definatly less noise intrusion :)
 
If i was going to stay with the 22-250 do you think it would be a good idea to go with a fluetted barrel to let off more heat?

for example I have been looking also at the Modle 70 coyote light.

They did not have any in the stores that I went to so I do not how they fit and feel in my shoulder or how the action operates. I will handle this gun befor I make up my mind but am also looking for any input that might help me in picking my new 22-250.
 
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