Tikka 223 Heavy Varmint

S

SRay53

Inactive
Newbie here and my first post.

Been reading it for a while - great site!

What is the general consensus of the Tikka 223 Varmint Bull Barrel.
Have a opportunity to pick one up from a somewhat desperate buddy.
Has a steel recoil lug (he replaced the aluminum)
Trigger spring kit (reduced to 1.4 Lb)
Anodized aluminum bolt shroud
4 and 6 round mags
EGW scope rail (no scope)
Low round count
He has all the original parts as well.

He needs cash for a car project.
Don't want to insult him, what would a fair offer be?
 

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Great rifle, no doubt about that.

Looks like it retails for $713 at buds. The 6-round magazines for the Tikkas run $60 at Midway. The rail looks like $40 at opticsplanet. Recoil lug, perhaps $20? Spring kit around $10?

Around $850 if bought new. I believe Tikkas retain their values pretty well. Perhaps $650 - $750 would be a fair offer depending on round count and if there are any blemishes? Would also depend on how much you want this specific rifle and how much he is aching to sell it.
 
I dont know how much your buddy wants for his Tikka but I have one with a sporter barrel and I get 1/2 in groups at 200 yds with my reloads and 1/2 in groups with factory ammo at 100 yds. its a great no frills rifle.
 
Going to meet him at the range today & take a look at his car (I'm an ASE Master Tech).

What kind of reloads you shoot from one of these with a 1x8 twist barrel?

55 up to 80?
 
I shoot mainly 50 to 55 gr solid, hollow point and ballistic tip with great results, cant tell you about a 1 in 8 because mine is a 1 in 10 and if you have a question about what twist a tikka is, it is stamped right on the barrel just to the rear of the caliber..
 
It is a 1x8 twist.
Shoots awesome - nice little cloverleafs at 100 yards with 69gr Black Hills.
Working on a deal with him.
 
Got it for $450 + my diagnostics and labor (few hours, wires, solder, connectors, shrink tubing, & electrical tape) = $200-300

Had a mouse or rat eat the wiring harness in the corner of his engine compartment, fixed a few like this in my years as a tech.
Time for some peanut butter traps in his garage.
 

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Well done sir. Fine rifle you've acquired. A Tikka T3 is on my list for a new deer rifle come fall. My 700 got HEAVY this year. :rolleyes:
 
I will not only fix his truck, I will even bring some Skippy Crunchy peanut butter/traps to clean the little suckers out.
He's a nice guy and a friend & I'm sure he'll get to use my/his T3 223 Hvy Vmt rifle as well.
Thanks guys - wasn't going to let it get away!
 
It says 1x8 on barrel, just driving them at 2800+ seems to spin them about right.
 

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I'm super happy with my Tikka T3 Lite Stainless. Like somebody said earlier, my other rifles suddenly got heavy. Interesting to note that rifles gain weight over time.....:D
 
I am happy with mine too, have had a few rifles in my life, and my first Tikka. Really amazing accuracy for a basically box stock rifle.
 
I have the T3 Scout in 223 which basically the same gun but with a 20" barrel. I've been having really good luck with 55 gr V-max bullets. I'll have to try out some heavier bullets and take advantage of that 1-8" twist barrel. Looks like you got a keeper.
 
I recently purchased a left hand Tikka T3 light in .223. I was disappointed that they changed the spin from 1:8 to 1:10 recently but I bought it anyway. I had the bottom metal replaced so I could use AI 10-round mags which is a real treat.
Sounds like the OP got a great deal. I'd prefer the lighter weight barrel versus the one he got, but at those prices it's a fabulous gun for the price.
Now take it out and practice. With a rig like that you can be sure that any MOA will be shooter induced :)
B
 
I found my FTR mid range load for my Tikka T3 Varmint 1x8 twist Heavy barrel
Shot really tight groups (range finder says 153 yards) other than the guy behind the trigger and one bi-pod slip.
Will have to see how it fairs at 600 yards in a few weeks,

03092014MorningRangepractice.jpg
 
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