[Waltert3varmint]

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 checks before firing the rifle.  I want a light trigger, but I don't want an unsafe firearm! 

[Waltert3varmint]

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!  😉

[Waltert3varmint]

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

[Waltert3varmint]

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

[Waltert3varmint]

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 about my doing a search, in order to find your “trick.”  The search feature on this fairly rudimentary website leaves a little to be desired.  😉

[Waltert3varmint]

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 ARs.  Have never seen a bore guide with an o-ring for a bolt rifle.  I've used Dewey and a bunch of other brands over the years

What the heck do I know? I can't even find Yukon Al's magic trick for reducing trigger pull!! 😮

[Waltert3varmint]

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

[Waltert3varmint]

Yukon”s “secret” trick??7

[Waltert3varmint]

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 weight down. Try a search?

I read a previous thread, in which there was a link to something that you'd posted earlier.  Since I didn't follow the link, I (perhaps incorrectly), assumed that you were advising how to get the pull below the advertised 2#.  Now I think that my trigger pull gauge might be out of calibration, as the trigger seemed fine at the range.

Thanks for the help.  Might look into your method and/or might buy a spring from Ernie, or I might install an Ernie spring and try your method, also.  8)

[Waltert3varmint]

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 about 1″ above center after this pic was made.

Although Bud's advertised the rifle as a 10″ twist, it's the more desirable 8″!  Got a bunch of 69gr. SMKs that I'll be loading soon.

[Waltert3varmint]

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 and load up some ammo customized for my rifle.  Pretty sure it'll shoot in the low 2s.    🙂

Thought a friend had messed up my scope, but, apparently not. 

[Waltert3varmint]

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 I'm leaving it alone.

First five-shot group, after getting scope sighted in.  I later moved the group up to about 1″ above center.

[Waltert3varmint]

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 off and I just need to get used to the pull.  I don't mind changing the spring, but hope that I didn't just get a defective trigger that got by QC.  It kind of disturbed me that the adjustment screw was already backed almost all the way out, when I received the rifle. 

Heading for the range in a few minutes.  Will see how she shoots.

[Waltert3varmint]

Hi change the spring

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

[Waltert3varmint]

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.