Tikkas are great rifles but dollar for dollar and if you are talking about out of the box long range accuracy, a Savage 110 precession or the Savage Ashbury is very hard to beat. On average, these two rifles are around $300 less expensive than the Tikka varmint and offers so much more. After all it is in the name, Varmint rifle vs Precission rifle. The Savage has things like adjustable butt stock, a metal chassis, compensator, etc. If you purchase a Tikka as your one gun and all you want to do is punch holes in paper and compete in long range competitions, you will eventually up grade to a rifle that looks more like the Savage.
Not crazy about the Savage name, there is always the Bergara B14 which is around the same price as the Ruger Precission and Tikka Varmit which sounds like close to the top of your budget if you include taxes and delivery. I hope that you bugeted a scope separately. Even a half decent budget scope is around $300 to $500, which is the price point where I hover around. I know shooters with $3000 scopes who are always talking about the quality of the glass but I am not one of those. As for my main rigs, I have two customs built rifles along with a heavily modified Savage 10 and a Mossberg MVP Varmint. One of the custom rifle is built off of a p14 action. I got the idea from a couple of professional long rang shooters in the US who swear by the p14/p17 action. My other custom is off of a Marlin action which people make fun of it until they actually see it. I literally had money shoved into my hand on several occasions for that rifle. The Savage 10 I got new for around $500 and out of the box, it could reach 1000m which is quite impressive. I spent so much money making it look like a Ashbury that in the end it would have been cheaper and easier just buying one. I bought the MVP Varmint because of the stock and the use of AR10 style magazines it uses, that and the fact that you can still pick up one for $650. I bought one even though I knew that the QC on the barrels are hit or miss. In the end I bought one knowing that eventually I would be doing something with the barrel. I am still planning to tread it or replace it with a custom heavy barrel but so far it shoots as it should. By the way, the m14 and the 10 round AIA magazines work in the rifle which is neither here or there if you are working up loads but if you are just running factory and it is just a lazy day of punching holes the mags are really nice to have especially if you have a tonne of them and no other rifle to use them in... for now. As for the MVP Varmint being an actual varmint rifle, I prefer my stainless Axis because it is lighter to carry and I would think it holds up to the elements better. I got it new for the no regrets price of $275, once upon a time. Hope that give you some perspective.
