Tikka T3 Varmint S/S Synthetic
- Thread starter tjdrent
- Start date
I am a big fan of Tikka. They have the smoothest action in their price range, they are as accurate as you are going to find in a factory gun AND they are available in 6.5X55.
I'm not going to wade into the Remington vs Savage debate because that's like the Chevy vs. Ford thing, but If you want an accessory for your rifle, you are guaranteed that it will be made to fit a remy, and if you want to customize, remy is a great action. Both brands have excellent and affordable rifles, with Savage having an edge in price.
I have owned Tikkas in the past but have sold them because they are not an action well-suited to customization, but I think they are one of the most accurate out-of-box rifles going and I like the option of the 6.5 swede calibre.
I'm not going to wade into the Remington vs Savage debate because that's like the Chevy vs. Ford thing, but If you want an accessory for your rifle, you are guaranteed that it will be made to fit a remy, and if you want to customize, remy is a great action. Both brands have excellent and affordable rifles, with Savage having an edge in price.
I have owned Tikkas in the past but have sold them because they are not an action well-suited to customization, but I think they are one of the most accurate out-of-box rifles going and I like the option of the 6.5 swede calibre.
You know I was just going to ask the same thing about the Tikka Varmint. I was looking at one today in 300 win mag and was wondering if anyone had any input on that rifle in that exact caliber. A couple guys I met told me that they had one in a 22-250 and it was awsome, but I was wondering about the bigger calibers????
I have a Tikka Varmint in 6.5x55 and it's a real tackdriver. You won't be disappointed with a Tikka from an accuracy point of view. Some people are turned off by the amount of synthetic material used but that's a personal preference.
Epps recently got a few in - they sold them all very quickly. Give them a call and see if they can get more in - it takes quite a while so you have to get your order in as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed in this combination. Every manufacturer makes a heavy barreled rifle in 223, 22-250 and 308 but only Tikka makes one in 6.5x55. It's something a bit different! 
FYI
I ordered a 6.5 Tikka T3 Lite with stainless barrel and synthetic stock from Epps Epps about a year ago.
I also bought a Leopold Var-X III 2-8 scope for it. A smoother rig you will never see. It had fantastic ergonomics, a very slick action and undoubtedly would have been a tack driver. But I never actually fired the thing, as I was so disgusted by its soulless, artless visage, it made me feel sick just putting it to my shoulder.
I sold that rifle, never having fired a single shot. No doubt, it went to a nice, practical fellow, who pays his taxes and takes out the garbage when his wife tells him to. He can keep the T3. I want a man’s gun, one with a bit of character and flash. I will take a Winchester, a Remington, or just about anything else besides.
There is a good argument in favour of the Mercedes Smart Car, and many may be forced to own one for economic or other reasons of practicality. But would any man really want to own one? Could any man love such a thing?
And if you don’t understand any of this, then there is no point in me trying to convince you. You either have a pair or you don’t. As far as I am concerned, guys who own the cute little Tikka rifle are the same kind of guys who are members of the Liberal Party of Canada. They have big smiles on their simple faces and a yellow stripe down their spineless backs. Tikka should issue coupons with their guns. Buy a Tikka and you get a free decaffeinated cappuccino and a box of tampons.
The Tikka was made for such “men.” Or is it the other way around?
Bigbill
I ordered a 6.5 Tikka T3 Lite with stainless barrel and synthetic stock from Epps Epps about a year ago.
I also bought a Leopold Var-X III 2-8 scope for it. A smoother rig you will never see. It had fantastic ergonomics, a very slick action and undoubtedly would have been a tack driver. But I never actually fired the thing, as I was so disgusted by its soulless, artless visage, it made me feel sick just putting it to my shoulder.
I sold that rifle, never having fired a single shot. No doubt, it went to a nice, practical fellow, who pays his taxes and takes out the garbage when his wife tells him to. He can keep the T3. I want a man’s gun, one with a bit of character and flash. I will take a Winchester, a Remington, or just about anything else besides.
There is a good argument in favour of the Mercedes Smart Car, and many may be forced to own one for economic or other reasons of practicality. But would any man really want to own one? Could any man love such a thing?
And if you don’t understand any of this, then there is no point in me trying to convince you. You either have a pair or you don’t. As far as I am concerned, guys who own the cute little Tikka rifle are the same kind of guys who are members of the Liberal Party of Canada. They have big smiles on their simple faces and a yellow stripe down their spineless backs. Tikka should issue coupons with their guns. Buy a Tikka and you get a free decaffeinated cappuccino and a box of tampons.
The Tikka was made for such “men.” Or is it the other way around?
Bigbill
Ah yes, the American made Remchestington. A half finished rifle for a few hundred bucks more that it's worth. After you buy one you can replace the J-lock bolt, crown the muzzle, tweak the trigger, bed the action or better yet replace the stock entirely. Then it might shoot decently but probably not. After you decide it's still not shooting the way it should you can put down more money on an aftermarket barrel, an aftermarket trigger and getting the action trued. After all this you should have a rifle that shoots straight and you will have a happy gunsmith seeing as you have just finished paying his kids way through college. You could also have saved yourself a good deal of time and money by getting a Tikka and going shooting!
Snow Dog said:You could also have saved yourself a good deal of time and money by getting a Tikka and going shooting!
Yes, just like the tikka T3 I just bought for ####s and giggles, to see what they are really like cause I hear nothing but how great they are. Had to twig the crappy trigger, free float the barrel as the crappy plastic stock rubs one side of the barrel and sounds like an empty milk jug if you tap your finger on it. Rediculously small ejection port. You cannot load the plastic magazine through the ejection port. You have to remove it to load it. Pain in the ass to single load through that tiny hole when shooting at the range. Cannot function or work the bolt unless the safety is off. Finally after pissing around with it, it shoots ok but no better than my remchesters and a whole lot uglier. Scores a five out of ten in my books.
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
well Snowdog you hit the nail on the head. After building several tactical remingtons I needed a cheap coyote rifle and bought my first Tikka. long story short, sold all my rem's except my first for sentimental reasons and haven't looked back. Added. small ejection port is what makes action stiff , good thing!
Added. small ejection port is what makes action stiff , good thing!
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I also have Tikka T3 S/S Varmint in 6.5x55.
When I got this rifle, I was so disappointed with overall quality, which in my opinion is going south with Tikka rifles, however when I took it to the range and the rifle spoken, I couldn't believe it.
The best so far group from my Tikka was: 0.186" with 5 bullets at 100yr.
Here is the pic:
When I got this rifle, I was so disappointed with overall quality, which in my opinion is going south with Tikka rifles, however when I took it to the range and the rifle spoken, I couldn't believe it.
The best so far group from my Tikka was: 0.186" with 5 bullets at 100yr.
Here is the pic:
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
I guess we better be careful with our hvy barrel Tikka's, according to "experts" the reciever is so thin they will probably bend under all the weight. Thanks for the warning Oscar
my Tikka T3 light in 300 WSM is my first gun (as a new hunter).
I've only taken a moose, a caribou and a nice four by four white tail.
I've never owned a 'real man's gun' so I can't compare it to anything else.
Sure does the job for me though. Can't really say it's pretty.
- but if I want pretty, I'll go buy a Playboy.
I've only taken a moose, a caribou and a nice four by four white tail.
I've never owned a 'real man's gun' so I can't compare it to anything else.
Sure does the job for me though. Can't really say it's pretty.
- but if I want pretty, I'll go buy a Playboy.
