New or Used Tikka Save a few hundred or buy new?
- Thread starter Ipscshooters
- Start date
you can get good deals, anyone buys from me does, I generally set up to hunt so it's minimal rounds, clean without brushes (wipe out and patches), decent break-in, factory ammo only, then get bored and off to the next project, I lose money like crazy doing it, trader rating is good as things always show up better than advertised...had a much higher volume of trader ratings on AO but got banned a few times for fighting the good fight lol, anyhow...when you find guys like me to buy from...you will save mad dollars 
I like to buy new, maybe not the smartest way to go all the time, that's a lottery as well.
I like to buy new, maybe not the smartest way to go all the time, that's a lottery as well.
I have Tikka CTRs and Varmints, and have played with the 223 in that platform
My thoughts:
The Varmint has a slightly heavier barrel profile than the CTR, but I've never had either walk with heat.
The barrel on the regular varmint isn't threaded, while the CTR is. Even with the 223 being tiny you'll probably want to get your varmint threaded.
The magazines on the varmint are regular Tikka mags, and they limit COAL in the 223. Those mag3D mags are maybe the only option for loading 80s somewhat close to the lands as Tikka 308 mags will not feed 223 reliably at all. With a dremel you may even get a bit more out of them.The CTR mags are expensive but are higher quality and allow for ~2.55" COAL.
The factory stocks for both rifles suck. The varmint has a bolt-on wider forend that actually makes it noticeably stiffer than the CTR. Both stocks need 3 minutes of dremel work near the front of the action to free-float the barrel. If you go with an AICS-compatible chassis be warned that 223 AICS mags limit COAL as well. Many of us have modified expensive Accurate mags go load heavies in the ~2.6" range. There are videos online on how to do that.
The 223 CTR (I believe) only comes in a 20" barrel. My 223 varmint is 23.7". Probably 100fps faster with the longer barrel.
My $0.05 - get the varmint and have the barrel threaded. And get some of those mag3D mags if you plan on sticking with the factory stock.
My thoughts:
The Varmint has a slightly heavier barrel profile than the CTR, but I've never had either walk with heat.
The barrel on the regular varmint isn't threaded, while the CTR is. Even with the 223 being tiny you'll probably want to get your varmint threaded.
The magazines on the varmint are regular Tikka mags, and they limit COAL in the 223. Those mag3D mags are maybe the only option for loading 80s somewhat close to the lands as Tikka 308 mags will not feed 223 reliably at all. With a dremel you may even get a bit more out of them.The CTR mags are expensive but are higher quality and allow for ~2.55" COAL.
The factory stocks for both rifles suck. The varmint has a bolt-on wider forend that actually makes it noticeably stiffer than the CTR. Both stocks need 3 minutes of dremel work near the front of the action to free-float the barrel. If you go with an AICS-compatible chassis be warned that 223 AICS mags limit COAL as well. Many of us have modified expensive Accurate mags go load heavies in the ~2.6" range. There are videos online on how to do that.
The 223 CTR (I believe) only comes in a 20" barrel. My 223 varmint is 23.7". Probably 100fps faster with the longer barrel.
My $0.05 - get the varmint and have the barrel threaded. And get some of those mag3D mags if you plan on sticking with the factory stock.
I don't think I have a favorite rifle I bought new.
Lots of favorite rifles bought used.
I am kinda frugal, but really the prices of some of these things new is pretty crazy, and in my experience high $$ doesn't mean great things.
Lots of favorite rifles bought used.
I am kinda frugal, but really the prices of some of these things new is pretty crazy, and in my experience high $$ doesn't mean great things.
I don’t understand, are these used guns that fragile?
A few hundred rounds wears them out?
I mean there’s guys buying sporterized Enfeilds for 5 , 6 hundred bucks and they have thousands and thousands of rounds through them, plus whatever other torture they’ve been through and still shoot acceptable hunting groups… lol
A few hundred rounds wears them out?
I mean there’s guys buying sporterized Enfeilds for 5 , 6 hundred bucks and they have thousands and thousands of rounds through them, plus whatever other torture they’ve been through and still shoot acceptable hunting groups… lol
It is a personal choice...
As mentioned already, you can get some lightly used and well cared for firearms used online...but use a trusted site that has a user rating so you can gauge and review the seller's feedback.
While there are definitely some shady characters out there, you will spot them quickly if you know what to watch for, or they do not have a good trader rating. For the most part, I have bought many rifles at gun shows and online over the years and haven't had any problems to date...most people that buy and sell regularly are good people and can be trusted. And many will allow you to return the rifle after a physical review, without shooting the firearm, for a return of your funds if you are unsatisfied. Ask the question before buying. But, buyer beware; many are "As Is".
When buying online it can be a little more difficult as you cannot cycle the action or shine a borelight down the barrel to check for pitting, or in the chamber to look at the throat. Most people do not have a bore scope, so may not be able to tell you anything other than that the rifling is clean and sharp by using a borelight...so take it with a grain of salt.'I also see a lot of people asking about round count...I wouldn't put a lot of stock in this, ads there are guys that will have shot 5 or 10 rounds as fast as they can pull the trigger without allowing the barrel to cool between shots, let alone strings and with high velocity cartridges, this will erode the throat faster than the guy who has shot a few hundred rounds or more, in a slow methodical manner where they allow the barrel to stay cool, and/or cool down more between shots and strings. Huge difference in what the barrel life is going to be after that.
If you are a high volume varmint shooter, this may mean more to you, but if you are an average shooter/hunter, you will rarely shoot out a barrel in a lifetime of hunting and practice.
For new, there is piece of mind in knowing that it is brand new and you have total control of what you have bought, and if there is an issue, warranty should take care if you.
As fo the model you are looking to buy, what is your priority?
What features are on your wish list vs needs list?
And would you rather put the savings of used into the scope or ammo, or pay the full price for what you are after?
As mentioned already, you can get some lightly used and well cared for firearms used online...but use a trusted site that has a user rating so you can gauge and review the seller's feedback.
While there are definitely some shady characters out there, you will spot them quickly if you know what to watch for, or they do not have a good trader rating. For the most part, I have bought many rifles at gun shows and online over the years and haven't had any problems to date...most people that buy and sell regularly are good people and can be trusted. And many will allow you to return the rifle after a physical review, without shooting the firearm, for a return of your funds if you are unsatisfied. Ask the question before buying. But, buyer beware; many are "As Is".
When buying online it can be a little more difficult as you cannot cycle the action or shine a borelight down the barrel to check for pitting, or in the chamber to look at the throat. Most people do not have a bore scope, so may not be able to tell you anything other than that the rifling is clean and sharp by using a borelight...so take it with a grain of salt.'I also see a lot of people asking about round count...I wouldn't put a lot of stock in this, ads there are guys that will have shot 5 or 10 rounds as fast as they can pull the trigger without allowing the barrel to cool between shots, let alone strings and with high velocity cartridges, this will erode the throat faster than the guy who has shot a few hundred rounds or more, in a slow methodical manner where they allow the barrel to stay cool, and/or cool down more between shots and strings. Huge difference in what the barrel life is going to be after that.
If you are a high volume varmint shooter, this may mean more to you, but if you are an average shooter/hunter, you will rarely shoot out a barrel in a lifetime of hunting and practice.
For new, there is piece of mind in knowing that it is brand new and you have total control of what you have bought, and if there is an issue, warranty should take care if you.
As fo the model you are looking to buy, what is your priority?
What features are on your wish list vs needs list?
And would you rather put the savings of used into the scope or ammo, or pay the full price for what you are after?
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
Hello,
I’ve been a long time hunter with a 6.5 Swede tikka and I’ve done the whole 95 to 160 gr thing but have hunted with 120 ttsx a lot and 140gr partition a bunch. I have a lot of bullets and a few pounds of 7828 kicking around so I admit, I’m curious about the load. I’d work up of course.
I operate a university ballistics research lab, I’m not an expert but I try to keep the dumb stuff in the bunker.
Ryan
I’ve been a long time hunter with a 6.5 Swede tikka and I’ve done the whole 95 to 160 gr thing but have hunted with 120 ttsx a lot and 140gr partition a bunch. I have a lot of bullets and a few pounds of 7828 kicking around so I admit, I’m curious about the load. I’d work up of course.
I operate a university ballistics research lab, I’m not an expert but I try to keep the dumb stuff in the bunker.
Ryan
I disagree, have sold many great rifles, not a fan of safes full and collecting, and gear junky people need to try everything that tickles their fancy along the way so as soon as possible the last one goes down the road to fund the next toy. All my tikka's, Sako, blaser went down the road, ran into a savage 99 eg in 358 that was mint numbers matching that went down road, pretty sure I know who has that here.
so yes people sell good rifles, people will also help others sell great rifles that came to them and it's not their thing etc.I disagree, have sold many great rifles, not a fan of safes full and collecting, and gear junky people need to try everything that tickles their fancy along the way so as soon as possible the last one goes down the road to fund the next toy. All my tikka's, Sako, blaser went down the road, ran into a savage 99 eg in 358 that was mint numbers matching that went down road, pretty sure I know who has that here.
Sold a lot here too just cause I didn't like em as much as something else I already had, or just wanted to try something too.
No kidding? Awesome! Good luck working up that load!
True...but that's an accurate observation on life in general, and doesn't relate only to the EE.
Nonsense. Shooting...like anything else...is rife with people who are constantly buying and selling things that they use little or not at all. I have bought many firearms that were very clearly in near-new condition. Ask questions...review trader ratings...exercise caution.
If you doubt this, read a few threads in any of the gun-specific sub-forums on here, rather than the EE. I must be in the minority among CGN members, because when I buy a gun, new or used...it is very unusual for me not to at least try it out the same day that I get it home. It gets a going-over, a quick barrel-clean, and then I'm out the door to my shooting table, year-round, hot or cold. Rain or snow will make me wait till the next day; very few other things will.
But then I read threads about someone buying this rifle or that shotgun, receiving it, perhaps mounting a scope, perhaps changing the stock or the sights or whatever...and then suggesting that they hope to be able to try shooting it 5 weeks into the future, because they foresee having a 30-minute window of opportunity in their oh-so-busy lives. Some of these folks have an attention span measured in nano-seconds; many times a new shiny bauble will appear before they get to try out the old shiny bauble, and that represents an opportunity for a buyer.
Other reasons for selling? Well, I can list at least 5 rifles I own that were purchased new, fired a box or a few cartridges or in one case a single cartridge!!!...and then the owner decided that they kicked too much and he was getting a booboo, so up for sale they went!
Guns purchased "for a hunt that's not going to happen..." are another fertile ground for buyers.
Finally...there are clearly plenty of people like myself who have just decided they have too many guns, and need to sell some.
Long and short...there are plenty of guns on the EE that are functionally perfect, sometimes even cosmetically perfect as well, and if purchased at a decent price they represent a far better value than any new gun.
True...but that's an accurate observation on life in general, and doesn't relate only to the EE.
Nonsense. Shooting...like anything else...is rife with people who are constantly buying and selling things that they use little or not at all. I have bought many firearms that were very clearly in near-new condition. Ask questions...review trader ratings...exercise caution.
If you doubt this, read a few threads in any of the gun-specific sub-forums on here, rather than the EE. I must be in the minority among CGN members, because when I buy a gun, new or used...it is very unusual for me not to at least try it out the same day that I get it home. It gets a going-over, a quick barrel-clean, and then I'm out the door to my shooting table, year-round, hot or cold. Rain or snow will make me wait till the next day; very few other things will.
But then I read threads about someone buying this rifle or that shotgun, receiving it, perhaps mounting a scope, perhaps changing the stock or the sights or whatever...and then suggesting that they hope to be able to try shooting it 5 weeks into the future, because they foresee having a 30-minute window of opportunity in their oh-so-busy lives. Some of these folks have an attention span measured in nano-seconds; many times a new shiny bauble will appear before they get to try out the old shiny bauble, and that represents an opportunity for a buyer.
Other reasons for selling? Well, I can list at least 5 rifles I own that were purchased new, fired a box or a few cartridges or in one case a single cartridge!!!...and then the owner decided that they kicked too much and he was getting a booboo, so up for sale they went!
Guns purchased "for a hunt that's not going to happen..." are another fertile ground for buyers.
Finally...there are clearly plenty of people like myself who have just decided they have too many guns, and need to sell some.
Long and short...there are plenty of guns on the EE that are functionally perfect, sometimes even cosmetically perfect as well, and if purchased at a decent price they represent a far better value than any new gun.
lol
university ballistics lab eh? sounds fun, I assume it's an 'inflight ballistics' lab and not a terminal one...too bad because we're way behind on the terminal ballistics objectivity as compared to inflight, one we can get bullets into milk jugs at 2 miles, the other we squabble about silly things like headstamps, ft/lbs, and bullet diameters with a splash of temporary/permanent wound cavities/channels like kindergartener's fighting over their favourite colours
as for buying used, you must use the force but you can choose wisely lol
university ballistics lab eh? sounds fun, I assume it's an 'inflight ballistics' lab and not a terminal one...too bad because we're way behind on the terminal ballistics objectivity as compared to inflight, one we can get bullets into milk jugs at 2 miles, the other we squabble about silly things like headstamps, ft/lbs, and bullet diameters with a splash of temporary/permanent wound cavities/channels like kindergartener's fighting over their favourite colours
as for buying used, you must use the force but you can choose wisely lol
