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Good choice in gun, caliber & scope.
Welcome to group.

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Guys have used the Lumley kit with great success but I'm not fan of the kit they sell for the same reasons you are asking… The steel side walls are plenty strong but i don't like the amount of play around the action screws.  I prefer a thicker side wall on the pillars regardless of material.  But thats just a preference.

I've ordered these pillars for 2 rifles and they work great, http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Aluminum-Pillars-for-Tikka-Actions/161851401788?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140620091118%26meid%3D9b7bab21dc274ce19e27e80ee3ba86c1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D161918621858…but honestly after doing a few bedding jobs I'll be making my own next time around with brass tubing from a local metal supplier…

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UPDATE….

http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hide/forums/5514-bolt-action-rifles/15069584-sniper-s-hide-bullet-point-tikka-t3x-update

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If both barrels are 8 twist you will be looking about 150fps drop in velocity with the shorter 20″ barrel…on average in my testing I lost 35fps per/inch on a shorter 223 barrels, but some shorter barrels are pretty slick and have above average velocities.

I've compared and shot the factory TAC 20″ barrel side by side against the factory Varmint barrel, same day with handholds / same bullet for each…both rifles shot equally well out to 500yrds but stretch that to 1000yrds and the Varmint was superior by a large margin.  I was shooting 80.5gr bergers out of both rifles and I can tell you the extra barrel weight and velocity out the varmint model was clear winner on the targets.

You won't be sorry with the factory Varmint barrel as long as its still got life left in it…might want to have it inspected by a qualified person first.

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Any of the 3 choices mentioned will do the job just fine.
Comes down to preference and availability…

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http://nightforceoptics.com/accessories/ultralite-rings-30mm

I go with the A107…will give enough room to properly fit a scope cap without it being too tight a fit to the barrel…assuming you are still using the factory rail.

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Hi Chris,

I shoot 2 – 300wsm rifles…1 rifle is mounted with Nightforce Ultralites, and the other is mounted with Leopold PRW steel rings….the cheaper Leupolds are holding just as good as the Nightforce rings…

I did have trouble with cheaper “aluminum” rings on a 30mm tube and the 300wsm though…including Vortex. The scope would move during target shooting.

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As far as I know the only model you can now purchase off the shelf with a threaded barrel is the Tac…
I could be wrong but from what I've read and understand this is the case.

Cheapest why to get what you want…purchase a varmint model and have a smith do the work.

If you are just looking for a shooter…the Tac model is over priced IMO and the barrel does not shoot any better than a regular varmint model.  The regular varmint has actually proved to be the winner for all range shooting we do. 

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I totally agree with you Larry…but I think Tikka is trying to do a better job with marketing…the launch of the T3x wasn't too bad…the simple changes and additions to the rifle was a direct response to consumer feedback.

The aftermarket parts list is growing each year but it will never be a main stream rifle and have support like the Rem 700…especially in North America.  Way more support overseas in Europe and Australia, etc…

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Both my 308's shoot 150gr Hornady whitetail better then you would think…can't beat the performance and accuracy it gives me for the price…worth trying if you have not shot it.

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I think this is the first time anyone ever posted this…I wish I could help you out but I've never received any promotional material like this with any of the guns I've purchased.  Thinking it maybe more marketing related to gain some ground on ammo sales…

I wish they would include more testing details with the guns to back up the 1moa claims…but good luck getting that information.  If they went as far as providing the “actual” test target and “exact” ammo details with each gun,  I think it would help substantiate their claims and win over more new buyers…

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You are correct…

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Take a look at the DNZ Game Reaper if you are dedicating a scope to a particular rifle…probably the best T3 mounting system available “for the money” in my opinion if you don't go to a rail and ring combo.
I've installed them on 2 T3's…30-06, and a 7mm Rem…rock solid mount!

For your scope:
Low if going with a 0 moa base…
Med if going with 20 moa base…

That should put the scope nice and close to the barrel like the attached picture…
Picture shows a Vortex HS 4-16 x 44 mounted with a low 0 moa mount…approximate 2-3mm spacing from barrel…Med would give you 7-8mm spacing from the barrel depending on scope placement.

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The Viper HS is a great scope…I use a Viper HS LR 6-24 x 50mm on my 300wsm and like it alot…
Good luck.

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Hi Harry,

If you are looking for a really accurate load out your Tac 223, try this recipe.

Projectile (Hornady) – 75gr Amax
Brass (Hornady) –  1.755″
Powder (Varget) – 25.2grs
CCI Br4 primer
COAL = 2.46″ (single loading)
***Roll the Amax projectiles to make sure tips are centric – they wobble if not centric**
***Weight sort your brass and projectiles***

This load shoots dime size targets at 200yrds out of my Varmint and Lite model T3 – 223's…
Also extremely good in wind…

Here's some previous info for you to look over:
https://tikkashooters.com/public_html/general-discussion/75gr-amax-100yrd-groups-load-data-for-tikka-223/

https://tikkashooters.com/public_html/general-discussion/75gr-amax-range-test-tikka-223-load-data-200-yrd-groups/

Work up from 24.5grs of Varget in .2gr increments to find the sweet spot for your barrel.