Forums › Forums › General Discussion › Looking to buy a Tikka for ground hogs coyotes and fox. Opinions wanted
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Looking to buy a Tikka for ground hogs coyotes and fox. Opinions wanted
Posted by Mustangman_99 on January 24, 2013 at 6:41 pmOk I have been looking at the Tikka T3 Varmint blued in a .204 and can't find one anywhere. I have found a super varmint in a .204 on gunbroker but I don't want the stainless barrel. I'd like to have a gun where I can do some really long ground hog shooting and some long range out west yote hunting and maybe prarie dogs too someday when I make it out there. Some tell me go with the .223 and some say for coyotes the .204. I'm not worried about ammo prices and you can't really even get your hands on .223 at the moment anyways. I really really like all the features or the varmint but my 2nd choice might be a T3 Lite if I can't get a varmint. Please give me your opinions. Thanks
mrbigtexan replied 11 years, 1 month ago 8 Members · 12 Replies -
12 Replies
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1 Bullseye
Have you considerd 22-250? I have a T3 Lite Stainless in 22-250 that makes a great coyote rifle. If you don't like stainless, a little rattle can camo is a cheap remedy.
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1 Bullseye
My friend has a 22.250 and I'm just not really wild about that gun and the price of its ammo. I found both the .223 and the .204 but now I'm just undecided and what caliber to go with and doesn't seem like anyone has any advice to give.
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1 Bullseye
I'd never spray paint a $1000 gun I'd get it dipped before I did any thing like that to cover up the stainless but this gun shop has the 204 and 223 in the blued finish. Just i hear people say the 204 is a good flat shooter and then people say the wind screws with the 204 and i know alot of the ar guys that are shooting yotes are using the 223 caliber so i'm just confused.
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66 Bullseyes
So in the case of the .204 you're not worried about ammo prices, but for the 22-250 you don't like the price of the ammo?
If you think you're going to be doing any long range shooting, you may want to consider what the wind does to the bullet. The 22-250 would deflect less than the .223, and the .223 less than the .204.
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1 Bullseye
Well my friend always says how expensive his 22-250 ammo is and I'm not impressed with his gun at all. He couldn't get it to group at all a the range the 1 day using my lead sled and blamed it on his brand new scope. I know the gun wasn't moving because i don't think ive ever seen a steadier way to shoot than the lead sled. I'm kinda leaning more towards the .223 more and more. I coyote competition i was in last year 17 were taken by the 223 and 5 by a 204.
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66 Bullseyes
I've got a T3 Varmint in 22-250. It's been a 1/2 MOA sort of gun. I've shot groups less than that but I can count on 1/2 moa. I did some load development early last year and posted some results here:
I've been using the Sierra 55 gr HPBT Gameking and Varget powder.
I don't think you can go wrong with the .223. That's a good cartridge.
– Todd
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1 Bullseye
Well my friend always says how expensive his 22-250 ammo is and I'm not impressed with his gun at all. He couldn't get it to group at all a the range the 1 day using my lead sled and blamed it on his brand new scope. I know the gun wasn't moving because i don't think ive ever seen a steadier way to shoot than the lead sled. I'm kinda leaning more towards the .223 more and more. I coyote competition i was in last year 17 were taken by the 223 and 5 by a 204.
22-250 has higher velocity than 223 = flatter trajectory and more energy with same bullet.
My T3 22-250 has taken a few coyotes and it's pretty accurate:
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1 Bullseye
I have taken a lot of coyotes with my stainless T3 Lite .223. It will do the job in a heartbeat and shoots groups that made me sell my heavy barrel bolt action Savage. Mine is an 8 twist and with 52 grain SMKs it will shoot into the .2s and .3s over bags.
Between the T3 lite and my precision built ARs, I found no need for a heavy bolt .223 any more.
Don't over look the 22-250, but understand if you are shooting high volume, such as at ground squirrels out west, a barrel does not last long. Another option is a .308. I have two T3s in .308 and both are uniformly excellent shooters. Choose a load that meets your needs and go for it.
The .308 may seem heavy, but it will do the trick on anything and is a good medium range cartridge.
Food for thought.
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1 Bullseye
The 223 is an excellent choice for varmints out to 250 yards but if you plan on shooting consistently beyond that the 22 250 is far superior. I used both calibers for many years hunting varmints and predators and both are very good.
The 22 250 is just as capable as the 223 accuracy wise however you will be handicapped with factory ammo in both cases. Federal Preimum ammo is a good option for the non reloader but you many have to try different bullet weights to get the best accuracy.
Ground hog and predator hunting is not a high volume activity so the I wouldn't be concerned about barrel wear or the price of ammo.
Its hard to imagine going wrong with either of these calibers for your purposes.
I have no experience with the 204 Ruger so I'll defer to others however I'd be concerned shooting the light bullets long range in the wind.
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1 Bullseye
Mustangman,
I have a T3 Stainless lite in 243 that is truly one of the most accurate rifles that I own. 85 grain Sierra HPBTs over 37.7 of Varget will shoot 5 shots that can be covered with a dime. My 6.5×55 will do the same or better with 120 Nosler Ballistic Tips. (Don't think you can get the 6.5×55 or the 260 here in the US at this time).
The 243 will be a lot more versitile, not like you are hunting PDs.
No need for a heavy barreled rifle… Those Lites just shoot lights out! Top 'em with some good optics and you will be very happy.
Great for carrying, put the bullets where the cross hairs are.
Mike
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1 Bullseye
Mustangman,
I have a T3 Stainless lite in 243 that is truly one of the most accurate rifles that I own. 85 grain Sierra HPBTs over 37.7 of Varget will shoot 5 shots that can be covered with a dime. My 6.5×55 will do the same or better with 120 Nosler Ballistic Tips. (Don't think you can get the 6.5×55 or the 260 here in the US at this time).
The 243 will be a lot more versitile, not like you are hunting PDs.
No need for a heavy barreled rifle… Those Lites just shoot lights out! Top 'em with some good optics and you will be very happy.
Great for carrying, put the bullets where the cross hairs are.
Mike
Very good advice – I brought the same rifle last year but primarily as a back up deer rifle. Shot fantastic with IMR 4350 and Nosler 90 BT's – groups in the sub 1/2 moa range. This summer I tried some Sierra 85 BTHP's with Varget and was very impressed with accuracy and performance – totally deadly on a ground hogs. You're correct – don't over look the 243 especially if you want a dual purpose rifle and are a low volume varmint hunter.
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1 Bullseye
have you considered a 25-06? i built a 25-06 outta my stainless 695, it was originally a 30-06. my intentions were the same as yours-prairie dogs,coyotes.
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