Surprised to hea that Tikka controls prices. Bought my .223 Varmint from Bud's for about $100 under other vendors. Free shipping and no sales tax. What's not to like?

I'm not giving up shooting, but will shoot indoors mostly. Still have plenty of guns.

You'll need a f.l. sizing die, even if you plan to neck size for that rifle only.  I don't know if it'd be safe to fire your loaded rounds or not, but I probably wouldn't shoot cartridges that required a lot of force to close the bolt.  IF you're going to reload, you should also probably get a Wilson or other brand case gage, for setting up the s… Read more

F.l.size, then neck size subsequent reloads.

What about goof off? Wouldn't a wire wheel scratch the receiver?

My only bolt rifle now is my Tikka T3 Varminter in .223.  I don't see any deforming of the case mouths, regardless of how I eject the brass.  I can't understand how the brass could be deformed, when he gently retracts the bolt.

Still makes no sense to me.  Please keep us posted.  A shoulder that's been bumped too much absolutely won't cause the bolt to be hard to close, unless you've somehow buckled the shoulder slightly when seating/crimping?? 

I've never loaded a rifle case whose shoulder needed bumping that didn't require a “cam-over” of the ram during the sizing pr… Read more

I have it from a Sako corporate officer that the new Tikka rifle will be a joint venture with Glock/Austria.  It'll be a pistol-caliber carbine.  8) It'll be called the Glikka.

Well I ended up backing the fl size die back some so it doesn't bump the shoulder and now it's better and I'm able to get 2.282 with 55gr amax.  The only thing I'm worried about is the neck is only getting halfway resized which might mess with my neck tension.

This makes no sense to me, but what should I, a class 06 ammo manufacturer know,… Read more

While I have used jags, I like slotted patch holders.  One 30 cal patch shouldn't jam up the works. 

If you're not already using a Wilson or some other brand of case gage for setting up your Lee die, that could be the problem.  I load almost exclusively with Lee dies on a couple of Dillon 650s.  I have to screw the die down until I'm getting a “camming over” of the handle.  In other words, you'll have to screw the die down until it touches the sh… Read more

So, if you seated a few thousandths off the lands, is there a problem?

Get the Hornady device with the dummy case for measuring freebore with the bullet design you're using.

I'm more inclined to embrace Tikkas that don't need to be worked on by a gunsmith!  ;D

I like Hornady's bullets, but I don't shoot anybody's ammo except that which I manufacture.  I never have misfires!  8) 8)

We don't need an answer from Tikka.  The Tikka website shows that the .223s come in 8″ and 12″ twists.  Bet nobody in America's got a .223 Tikka Varmint with a 12″ twist!  Folks here actually own Tikka .223s with 10″ twist barrels. 

You guys do get a lot of models that we don't get.  I was joking, of course, in my previous post.  Years ago, I rea… Read more

I´m not trying to get anywhere. I just quote those dealers – and Tikka Brochure specs – who say that there´s no 1/10″ barrel available for a .223 cal T3. Maybe Beretta US re-barrels those guns for US market ?
I don´t care in which twist rate they come but i wonder where those 1/10″ barrels origin from.

Beretta's not doing any rebarreling.  Tik… Read more

Make sure you actually had 7mm mag ammo!  ;D

Tikka has NO 1/10 factory threaded .223 barrels. Only 1/8 & 1/12.

What does a “factory threaded .223″ barrel have to do with this thread?  :-[  Pretty common knowledge that the Tikka Varmint in .223 comes in 8″ and 10″ twist barrels, with the 8” being the most sought-after.  Neither is threaded.

Somebody posted the muzzle o.d. in another thread.  I have a Tikka .223 Varmint, but I'm away from home at the moment and can't do any measuring.  Will be happy to provide measurements when I return home.

Bud's lists the Super Varmint, but shows them “out of stock.”  Never knew that they weren't being imported.  I bought the “regular” Tikka Varmint and can't imagine that the Super version could group a lot better than my “regular” Varmint.  8)

Rifle, as noted, was my Tikka Varmint, 1-in-8″ twist barrel.  Scope is 8-32x44mm Burris Signature series.  Load was 23.8gr WC844, Wolf small rifle primers, LC brass.  69gr Sierra Matchkings.

I don't remember the wind and/or weather, but I don't shoot when it's cold and/or rainy, so it was probably a pretty calm, mild down down heah on Tobaccy Ro… Read more

Yes, .223.  I'm claiming that shot @ 5 o'clock as the flyer, even though I really don't know if it was the 1st or 6th shot!  8)  I'm really happy with the Tikka rifle and pleasantly surprised at the 844 surplus powder.  Glad I bought 90# of it, when I had a chance, @ $8 per #!  😉

I bought a Tikka Varmint in .223 from Bud's.  Was “settling,” because I wanted a 1-in-8  twist, and the Bud's listing was for the 1-in-10.  Much to my pleasant surprise, when I took the action off the stock to adjust the trigger, I discovered “8” stamped on the barrel.

I bore-sighted @ 25 yds. by actually looking through the bore and conforming th… Read more

I recently purchased a Tikka T3 Varmint from Bud's.  Ad said it was 1/10 barrel.  Was I surprised, when I took the  action off the stock, in order to adjust the trigger and saw 8″ stamped on the barrel. 

Does your barrel actually have 10″  stamped on the barrel?  just curious.

Please, Einstein Al, do explain that!! I'm always eager to be edified. Thanks for all your help. I suspect that my discussing firearms mechanics with you would be tantamount to Einstein's discussing astrophysics with Gump!

Do I really need to explain simple equation theory to you? JHC!!!!

Don't know where the 2oz came from. The Ernie spring gives me 1.5# trigger pull, which is perfect for my purposes.

Filing the adjustment screw accomplishes the same thing as filing the larger screw. If I were going to file either, it'd be the larger. I'm happy with the trigger…working on loads now.  Might buy another Tikka soon.

go with YukonAl's advice before you start playing with springs.

And what, exactly, is Yukon Al's advice?  So far, I'm getting nowhere with Yukon Al.  First, he posts about how his “trick” will lower the trigger pull, then he refers to previous posts, none of which I can find. 

When I finally hear from him, he won't give me any info, as he's co… Read more

I have a T3 Sporter in .223 and I could not get the stock trigger to go below 2 lbs. I tried the Ernie spring and the trigger pull went down to about 1lbs 10 oz. Then, I got the JARD trigger with the 10oz spring. That one went down to 16oz. Acceptable, but not as light as what I would have liked the trigger to be for my strictly target shooting.…

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When YukonAl speaks, those of us that love Tikkas listen lol.

His lips seemed to be sealed, at least where I'm concerned! 8)  My T3 Varmint already shoots great.  I'm sure the Ernie spring will get the trigger down to a pull that I like.  Will be doing some loads specific to my Tikka over the weekend. 

Already ordered the Ernie spring.  Should be here today or tomorrow.  Had already thought about filing the big screw head off a little, but planned to see how many threads were left on the adjustment screw, when it contacts the screw that acts as a stop. 

When I'm adjusting triggers, (dozens of Remmy 700s and Win 70s), I do several safety ch… Read more

23.37″  Don't know what the barrel weighs, but the rifle weighs about 8#.  I recently bought the Varmint in .223, and it balances well.  I like it a lot better than I liked my 700 Varmint rifles…and I liked them a lot!  😉

My post probably should have been a question, rather than a statement.  Why would a .223 require a steel recoil lug?  😀

I'd hazard a guess that my new .223 Varmint will never damage AT ALL the factory recoil lug.  8)  Since I'm shooting in the mid 3s with bulk ammo that I loaded for my ARs, I'm pleasantly shocked at my new Tikka's accuracy!  ;D

I can appreciate your concerns, however, I don't believe you'd have any liability issues, since we don't know who each other is.  I'm getting pretty good groups with the trigger as-is, but am just used to a lighter trigger.  I'll try the Ernie spring and see what the results are.

I, frankly, don't see what the point was in your previous posts a… Read more

Mine measure:

.688″ at front, middle, and rear.

So call it .690″ and you'll be good.

All bore guides use an “O” ring up front, so size isn't extremely critical. And most manufacturers have the measurements already, for Tikka T3. You might want to get ahold of Mike Lucas. I like his guides.

Only bore guides that I've used that employ o-rings were for… Read more

Just ordered a spring from Ernie.  Will consider the “Yukon Al” method, if and when I ever discover how it's done.  8)

Yukon”s “secret” trick??7

I do have one complaint about my new Tikka.  With the trigger adjustment screw dialed all the way out, I'm getting an unacceptable 3.5# trigger pull, as measured by my RCBS Premium Trigger Pull Gauge. 

Any thoughts/suggestions?  The advertising says it's adjustable from 2# to 4#.

I've posted several times on this forum on how to get the pull we…

Read more

My  new Tikka .223 Varmint arrived a couple of days ago.  Took it out to the local WMA range and sighted it in, using some bulk .223 ammo that I'd loaded rapidly on my 650. 

I'm pleasantly stunned at the accuracy.  Having done no load development, etc., I shot a .356″, five-shot group right after I got it sighted in.  I moved the p.o.i. up to abou… Read more

Well, I was using 5.56 LC brass, that doesn't make my reloads 5.56s, does it?  🙂  Nah, I don't shoot any 5.56 in anything…only my reloads/original manufactures. 

Really sweet-shooting rifle. Exceptionally smooth.  No buyer's remorse!  8)

Heading for the Gulf Coast for a few days tomorrow.  Will measure leade using 69gr SMKs when I get back… Read more

When it's time to eat crow, I just have to dive in and swallow hard! 8)  Took some bulk, 55gr Midway Dogtown bullets that I'd loaded for my ARs to the range with the new Varmint.  I'm sure that the O.A.L. is too short for optimal performance.

I was pleasantly stunned at how well this Tikka shoots.  AAMOF, the trigger felt just fine at the range, so… Read more

When was your gauge last calibrated?

Gauge has never been calibrated.  I don't know how one would calibrate a gauge like the RCBS.  However, I've adjusted dozens of rifle triggers before this Tikka, mostly 700s, and the Tikka trigger feels heavy to me. 

Could be that it's just heavier than the AR triggers that I've been using, so maybe my scale is… Read more

Hi change the spring

I might change the spring, but shouldn't have to change spring to get advertised 2#!!

Received my T3 Varmint in .223 from Bud's today.  Although it had been listed as a 10″ twist, it is, in fact, the more desirable 8″ twist, so I'm a happy camper.  Paid about $100 less than the Wholesale Hunter price.

Now, if I could just get that trigger to adjust lower than 3.5#, I'd probably be totally satisfied with my new Tikka.

I do have one complaint about my new Tikka.  With the trigger adjustment screw dialed all the way out, I'm getting an unacceptable 3.5# trigger pull, as measured by my RCBS Premium Trigger Pull Gauge. 

Any thoughts/suggestions?  The advertising says it's adjustable from 2# to 4#. 

While it's true that I've done a lot of loading (I'm a class 06 manufacturer.), I also don't care to reinvent the wheel. ;D Accordingly, I'm not going to start as close to the lands as I typically have done in the past.  Based on the experiences posted in this thread, I'll start at maybe .030″-or-so and see how it goes.

I'm kind of committed to… Read more

My new .223 Varmint will arrive in a few days. Bud's only had the one-in10″ model, so I won't be shooting heavy, long bullets. I have about 100# of wc844 on hand. Loads like h335. Always had good luck with 844.

Please take this as a totally benign, friendly suggestion, but I'd advise the OP to brush up on his h.s. physics.  8)

I have no Tikka experience, but my new Tikka Varmint in .223 will be here soon; however, I do have a lot of experience in loading for precision rifles.  There's nothing magic or different about a Tikka.  You have to experiment with different distances off the lands with different loads and bullet designs, for optimal accuracy, as with any other r… Read more