Tikka CTR or Varmint for dedicated range rifle

bluesclues

bluesclues

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I am seeking your opinion on a dedicated range rifle. The choice is between the Tikka CTR or Tikka Varmint in .223.

I have handled both and am comfortable with both. I prefer the 10 round metal mags with the CTR and the "handiness" of the 20" bbl but, keep coming back to the heavier bbl on the Varmint.

Looking for a rifle to shoot a lot when I get time at the range. While half inch groups are awesome, it will mostly be shooting steel gongs at 300 + meters.

Background:

- range is 100 to 500 meters
- primarily from a bench using a bi pod
- regularly shooting 6 - 10 shot strings
- could be used in club level fun matches
- not planning to compete seriously
- Not going to put it in an aftermarket chassis
- bi pod and scope, no other mods are planned
- I will be hand loading for it

I know this has been asked before and I have read numerous threads. I appreciate your input.
 
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If you like the heavy barrel get the varmint and buy 10 round aluminum mags from a Canadian company. I have their T1x and CTR mags. Great products

not a sponsor so you'll have to fix the link - I buy mine directly from NDr.
http s://ndrshootingsupplies.com/10-round-magazine-tikka-t3-t3x-223-rem/

note: out of stock at the moment but maybe their dealers have some.
Some are CGN sponsors:

http s://ndrshootingsupplies.ca/canadian-dealers/
 
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Major question, are you reloading your own rounds? Or factory?? I have the 223 Tikka but in a T3X Tac A1 and it is absolutely terrible (5-7 MOA) groups at 100 yards with factory ammo.... Reloads with 77gr bullets and it's less than 1 MOA or even through the same hole.

As for your original question, get the rifle with the thickest barrel.
 
A 24" barrel over a 20" will have about 3% more velocity. The thicker barrel will take slightly longer to heat up before accuracy is effected (probably a very minor difference between the two practically speaking. also takes longer to cool down fwiw). Is that worth the extra weight and length? If it is 100% technically going to be a bench rest range gun there's no point not springing for the longer heavier model. But personally id take the lighter shorter model that performs 99% as well. If you ever find yourself having to shoot offhand for any reason it will be well worth the minor trade off in velocity.
 
They'll both fit the bill, I have an ace target, ctr and varmint stainless, all hammers. Threaded barrel and fluted bolt on the ace are nice but the chassis didnt do it for me the way some aftermarket options do. Ctr is threaded too but shorter than the ace if a few inches matter to you. I would 100% keep the varmint stainless over the other two because it's stainless and the barrel is equal in length to the ace, not threaded but not necessary to me in 223. I've replaced the stocks on all three, a worthwhile upgrade that can be done down the road if so desired. Some nice options from mdt and krg to bolt on and be close to the price of the ace, try to fondle a few before making a decision.
 
Jimothy said:
The tikka varmint plastic stock is 💩 you will want to put it in a chassis for extra $$
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I don't think it's special but I don't think it's sh*t either. In fact, might be among the better plastic stocks out there from what I've seen..certainy leaps and bounds above anything Savage and at least as good as any plastic 700 stock I've had in my hands.

To the question-it's a good one, but I'd pick the CTR of the 2 myself. I used to have one, and it shot Hornady BLACK 75gr. BTHPs into one ragged hole @ 100 yards. I never loaded for that gun-no need. Only sold because it WOULDN't shoot the lighter weight, frangible stuff I like for varmints. Don't let the $200 mags scare you off, I never felt the need for spares anyway and reloading my 1 forced a little cool-off time. Really great, and handy-sized rifles.
 
The Varmint is the slightly better choice if you are convinced that you will not need a muzzle device (the Varmint isn't threaded). The heavier barrel makes more sense for a flat range gun.

You will be reloading a bit more with the Varmint than the CTR (10 rounder), at least with the factory magazines. But as Paul_T mentioned, NDR makes a 10 round mag for the non-CTR/TAC A1/Ace actions now.

Think about also how you'll be mounting your optic. The Varmint doesn't come with a rail so that will be an extra expense unless you go with the Tikka dovetail rings.
 
I bought a used CTR, sold the cheapo factory stock, threw the barreled action into a KRG Whiskey Gen 6 folding chassis with a Trigger Tech and have never looked back nor regretted my choices for an instant. All Tikka Barrels are warrantied to shoot MOA or better, and I consistently get .75 MOA out of mine with factory SAKO 143gr 6.5 CM bulk FMJ ammo. It would no doubt do .50 MOA or better with handloads, but I don't have the time or the space to get back into handloading right now. In any case, you will not go wrong with a Tikka, regardless of your choice. Get the barreled action that you prefer and ignore the Stock, as you will likely sell it off in favour of an MDT or KRG after-market Chassis or adjustable Stock anyways. You simply cannot beat the glass-like throw of a Tikka action. Not without spending big custom action bucks, anyways.....


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I have a Tikka T3X Super Varmint in .223. It has a rail, adjustable cheek piece and heavy threaded barrel. It shoots light bullets OK but it is a tack driver with heavier bullets. Currently loading 69 grain Sierra Match King HPBT. Several loads give 1/2 inch and better with a few .20 inch or better. It is my first true target rifle (I have several hunting rifles) and I really like it.
 
Boltgun said:
If no muzzle brake is wanted, consider the varmint and put it in an MDT chassis and switch to AICS mags.
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I appreciate your and others suggestion of an aftermarket chassis. While I was not really considering that option, the more people that suggest it, it makes me think that there may be some added value in it.

Now, I am looking at options.
There may be project here after all.
 
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