Tikka T3 Varmint - worth the premium?

B

buckchaser

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Ottawa
I'm looking to add a 243 to my gun safe.

My local gun shop has both a stainless synthetic Tikka T3 and a stainless synthetic Tikka T3 Varmint in 243. Price difference is a few hundred dollars.

As a dual purpose rifle (some coyote hunting, some "open country" deer hunting), is there any convincing reason to purchase the Varmint? I'm willing to spend the extra cash if it actually nets me a benefit - not convinced of that at the moment, perhaps sometime can enlighten me.
 
It's a heavy barrel and a higher cheek piece. No guarantee it will shoot any better, just takes longer to get hot. With the crazy prices right now I'd opt for the non-varmint model, better for hunting anyhow.

Patrick
 
My T-3 Varmint in 6.5x55 was easily sub 1/2moa, as was my T-3 Tactical. I actually just ordered a T-3 Varmint in 223 today, to use as my small bore range gun. They have a good trigger, and they tend to be very accurate. The factory stocks are plastic, but they are still quite rigid.
 
The varmint was worth it for me over the 'Lite' - I use it for gophers and felt the extra heavy barrel would heat up slower. In reality, it's a super accurate rifle.

Definitely the 'super varmint' is not worth the premium to me. Top rail can be had for $50 or so, and the cheekpice isn't great.

I put mine into a GRS stock, and couldn't be happier with the setup.
 
Your choice should be determined by how far you intend to walk with the rifle. The varminters are heavier than the standard rifle and thus barrel 'heavy' on a balance basis.

I have two varminters, but both are used for paper punching from a prone / seated position. For hunting that involves a lot of hiking I would go the standard rifle route. Both are usually very accurate for at least the first shot.

Candocad.
 
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