Is the Tikka Tactical worth the $$$?

I have a feeling that if you look at what goes into them and compare, all the tactical style rifles are about in around there ( the factory ones, anyway)

The Super varmint is almost the same money but without thhe picatinny rail, and without the matte finish .
It is a very nice rifle.
Cat
 
You pay a significant premium for the ubiquitous Picatinny rail and faster twist on the barrel for the Tactical over the regular Varmint..
Are those differences...ability to use non-Tikka rings, and to use heavier
bullets worth the 50% premium...you be the judge.
 
foxbat said:
You pay a significant premium for the ubiquitous Picatinny rail and faster twist on the barrel for the Tactical over the regular Varmint..
Are those differences...ability to use non-Tikka rings, and to use heavier
bullets worth the 50% premium...you be the judge.
Click to expand...

The Super varmint is drilled and tapped for standard bases.
The regular varmint , BTW, is a little different rifle than the Super varmint.
There is 100 millimeters difference in the barrels.
Cat
 
FN SPR
Rem 700P
Savage 10fp LE 2b

If i was to do it again, i'd probably pick the FN instead of the 700P. Those rifles are worth the money, not the Tikka
 
I wanted an accurate rifle for punching paper and have chosen the Tikka T3 Varmint in .223. This rifle has the 8:1 twist barrel and is conducive for bullets 70 gr and above for long range shooting. Although Savage has a great reputation for accuracy, I don’t think I will be happy with their fit and finish. The rest of this posting will tell you if the extra $550 for the Super Varmint or Tactical is worth the money.

I have installed a Weaver base and a set of Millett Angle Loc rings. The Leupold VXiii 3.5-14 Varmint scope is being delivered. The $550 saved for the Super Varmint is used on a better scope and I think this is a great decision. I also have some 69gr match bullets on order.

For the time being, I have used the Tasco 6-24 Varmint Scope for my fist range session. I took the rifle to the range with some rounds (55 gr) I loaded for another 223. Here are the results:

1. It took me four rounds to get on paper.
2. The 55 gr FMJ three shot groups: 0.75” and 1.5” (with a flyer)
3. The VMax 55 gr with four separate loads – 3 shot groups: 0.45 (three holes touching), 0.7, 0.95 and 0.95.

The Varmint likes the 19.9 gr of H4198 55gr VMax best. Keep in mind these loads were developed for another rifle.

I didn’t shoot any more as I was too excited with the results. And more importantly, I didn’t have the small caliber cleaning patches with me for cleaning.

The T3 Varmint is a keeper for sure. It has the potential to produce more accurate results. I might have got more accurate shooting with the Tactical or the Super Varmint. But I don’t think I can justify the additional $550….

The Varmint is heavy as compared to my Brownings and I would not recommend this for hunting except for a tree stand. Due to the extra weight, I didn't feel an recoil at all.

Cheers!

Danny
 
I have a Tik-Tac in 308 and it has been a great rifle for punching reasonably small groups in paper at long distances and it has a nice smooth action and a good trigger, but it approaches the cost of a custom rig. If you want a cool-looking rifle, it's right up there, but in terms of accuracy, it isn't as good as a custom target rifle.

On this board I have seen lots of fans of the Savage for two thirds the cost although I have not used one.
 
I wanted an out of the box rifle for shooting out to 300 yards. My top 2 choices were the Tikka Tactical 308 and the Savage 10FP McMillan, and althought that Tikka action was smoot as silk, it just could not out match the A2 stock on the Savage, also, the Savage is about $500.00 cheaper.
 
Steve David said:
I wanted an out of the box rifle for shooting out to 300 yards. My top 2 choices were the Tikka Tactical 308 and the Savage 10FP McMillan, and althought that Tikka action was smoot as silk, it just could not out match the A2 stock on the Savage, also, the Savage is about $500.00 cheaper.
Click to expand...
So the only rifle worth buying is a Savage?
Great seeing's how I own three!!:D

Non are what you would call "off the shelf shooters", for sure, and only one has an aftermarket barrel on it.
I still like the Tikka however.....
Cat
 
For what the Tikka sells for, you are so close to the cost of a custom that, a)really fits the shooter, and b) really shoots well, why not save up a few more bucks and get something truly unique?
 
I am really happy with my T3 TAC in .223. I use it for varmint hunting and it is the finest shooting bolt action rifle I have ever owned. Very very accurate, extremely smooth action and it looks great. I really wanted the adjustable stock and the rail so for me it was a great option...I am seriously considering getting one in .308 as well. I got a really good deal on mine...but it is still an expensive rifle...but you certainly get what you pay for.

Cheers....
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
For what the Tikka sells for, you are so close to the cost of a custom that, a)really fits the shooter, and b) really shoots well, why not save up a few more bucks and get something truly unique?
Click to expand...
I bought mine before I knew the joys of gunnutz and all the custom Canadian gunmakers. My Rem 700 is good enough for my shooting and I got it cheap.:D
 
UncleWalther said:
Is the barrel on the tactical of a different or higher quality than the barrel on the standard varmint model?
Click to expand...

The Tactical has a shorter barrel and looks a little different. I assume it is made of better quality since you are paying 50% extra $$ overall. No idea how much better it is.

Danny
 
Danny Boy said:
The Tactical has a shorter barrel and looks a little different. I assume it is made of better quality since you are paying 50% extra $$ overall. No idea how much better it is.

Danny
Click to expand...

What is the barrel length on the varmint? My .223 Tac. has a 24 inch barrel so I doubt the varmint is longer than that. Does the varmint have a heavy barrel as well? That might be the other difference since the Tac has a heavy barrel and is threaded for a muzzle break or silencer.
 
nashorn said:
What is the barrel length on the varmint? My .223 Tac. has a 24 inch barrel so I doubt the varmint is longer than that. Does the varmint have a heavy barrel as well? That might be the other difference since the Tac has a heavy barrel and is threaded for a muzzle break or silencer.
Click to expand...

Varmint Stainless comes in 23 3/8 heavy barrel (223, 22-250 and 308). It also has the blue barrel version l but I haven’t seen it in Canada.
http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_rifles_main.htm

Tactical come in long barrel – 24” or standard 20”
http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_rifles_main.htm

I like to think the Tactical barrels are better quality.

Danny
 
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