Texas Hunting Forum

Long Range 223 rifle

Posted By: DLALLDER

Long Range 223 rifle - 07/29/16 11:56 PM

Has anyone had any experience with the Tikka HB varmint in 223? I am looking at it for a semi LR gun. What can you tell me, good or bad?
Posted By: Kevin1

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 12:21 AM

For 223, Tikka varmint is the ONE SINGLE factory gun everyone who knows his stuff recommends.
Nice action (much nicer than Remington or Savage)
Good trigger
1/2 moa or better accuracy.

Try to find one with 1:8 twist (the most common is 1/9).
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 12:37 AM

be sure and look at the Remington 5R 20" barrel, its a rock star




Posted By: J.G.

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 01:24 AM

Originally Posted By: Kevin1
For 223, Tikka varmint is the ONE SINGLE factory gun everyone who knows his stuff recommends.
Nice action (much nicer than Remington or Savage)
Good trigger
1/2 moa or better accuracy.

Try to find one with 1:8 twist (the most common is 1/9).


Truth.

Load it with 75 or 80 grain bullets.
Posted By: Korean Redneck

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 12:22 PM

We have one and it's very fun and accurate to shoot. Have no complaints with it.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 02:14 PM

or u could step up and get a big boy tikka called a SAKO 85

butt I guess I don't know my stuff violin
Posted By: Kevin1

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 04:16 PM

That SAKO 85 is sooo nice! I'll probably buy one. It's two to three times more expensive than a Tikka though. The Tikka is the best value for the money. The SAKO is obviously a much nicer and more refined gun.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/30/16 06:51 PM

yes and yes

The Tikka is really a great gun, never heard anyone say anything bad about them. You will love it!!!!


Be sure and get a really good scope with BDC turrets...
Posted By: glocker17

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 07/31/16 03:44 AM

I have an 8" twist Tikka, very accurate right out of the box with good ammo, loves 75gr Hornady Match.
Posted By: charlesb

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/01/16 11:13 AM

Savage makes a number of outstanding precision rifles chambered for .223... A few of which are known for winning matches just as they come out of the box.

Prices are reasonable too, considering what you get.

Having said that, my son and I have have been looking at the Tikka varmint model too. I have heard nothing but good reports about that firearm.
Posted By: SingleShot85

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 03:52 AM

I got the Tikka 8 twist promptly chopped it to 22" and dropped Ito a Whiskey 3 chassis. It is the most accurate rifle I own. I'm burning 75gr amax pills at 2950......800 and in is a walk in the park and sooooooo easy to shoot it's causing quite a jealous fued w my AW😂
Posted By: Texan Til I Die

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 02:48 PM

Does Tikka make a 7 twist barrel for their varmint model?
Posted By: 603Country

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 02:56 PM

Single shot made a point that I agree with. My Tikka in 260 is absolutely the easiest rifle to shoot well with that I have ever owned. I don't know why that is, but it's a fact. If I didn't already have a 223, I'd absolutely buy a Tikka with the varmint barrel (8 twist or 9 twist, I don't care).
Posted By: SingleShot85

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 02:57 PM



Originally Posted By: Texan Til I Die
Does Tikka make a 7 twist barrel for their varmint model?


7twst? good luck even finding an 8twst
Posted By: DLALLDER

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 07:35 PM

Ok, I have another question for the gurus. I have found a Savage 12 model 223 with 26" ss barrel, 7 twist. Here is the main question in my mind, it is a right hand bolt with left hand ejection port & single shot. What are the positives and negatives about the left hand ejection port? How difficult is it to get used to loading it with the left hand. Give me your opinions. Thanks Daniel
Posted By: SingleShot85

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 09:37 PM

sick

the ejection port is the least of your problems... the fact its a single shot is a deal killer.
Posted By: Kevin1

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 09:59 PM

Originally Posted By: SingleShot85
sick

the ejection port is the least of your problems... the fact its a single shot is a deal killer.


Yeh....To start with, the Savage must be able to eject....
Seriously tough...The Savage and the Tikka are in different leagues. The Savage can be as accurat, but the Tikka will function better and is overall more refined.
Posted By: NY700

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/02/16 10:35 PM

The savage your looking at is an excellent rifle. But it is really meant for Fclass and true varmint hunting.
I love Tikkas and think the tikka varmint is one of the best bang for the buck out there.

But if you intent is to just sit at abench or lay prone I think the savage may be a better out of the box choice for long range 223. The model you are probably looking at is savages target action and trigger which has a much lower pull weight down into the ounces.

The 1-7 is a big deal and since you will be single loading you can go 80,82,85 and even 90gr. Check the BCs of the 90gr Berger in 223 and you have better wind deflection than a 155 or 180 for 308

And yea it's a single shot but is that a real issue for your intended use. The left port allows you to stay on the trigger with the but of the stock in the pocket with very little movement which is a huge plus
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 12:36 AM

Originally Posted By: DLALLDER
Ok, I have another question for the gurus. I have found a Savage 12 model 223 with 26" ss barrel, 7 twist. Here is the main question in my mind, it is a right hand bolt with left hand ejection port & single shot. What are the positives and negatives about the left hand ejection port? How difficult is it to get used to loading it with the left hand. Give me your opinions. Thanks Daniel


If FTR is your game this is a winner. I had one it was a great shooter with a Leupold 8.5-25X50. If you need a repeater keep lookin, if not and you can get this gun under a grand new, might be a winner
Posted By: ChadTRG42

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 01:36 AM

My 10 yr old son shot a Tikka T3 varmint model in the thf rifle match last time, and did really well with it. It is a sweet shooting rifle. I loaded up some 65 grain Sierra gamekings and we plink out to 700 with it. The scope runs out of travel just after 600, and we hold for 700. The only draw back to it is the short magazine box, where you can not load the long heavy bullets to fit in mags.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 02:03 AM

sounds fun !!
Posted By: BushFamilyNine

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 04:04 AM

I've been watching this topic with interest, as I have been thinking about something similar for one of my kids. Just on a whim today, I stopped by a gun shop a couple hours from home. Lo and behold, out in the rifle rack was a right hand Tikka T3 hunter in 223 with 8" twist. One could tell it was a used truck gun with the muzzle bluing worn off, a couple fine specks of rust along the underside of the very free floated barrel, looked like new inside the bore though, and a couple of small impressions in the wood stock. I was eyeing the $500 price tag, and also eyeing the $350 price of the new Ruger American in 223 next to it. Spent some time chatting with the owner of the business, priced a few items, and then was going to do some investigating later. Got home, looked around online, and can't find another identical one of these around anywhere. Are they really that scarce???
Posted By: SingleShot85

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 02:06 PM

Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
My 10 yr old son shot a Tikka T3 varmint model in the thf rifle match last time, and did really well with it. It is a sweet shooting rifle. I loaded up some 65 grain Sierra gamekings and we plink out to 700 with it. The scope runs out of travel just after 600, and we hold for 700. The only draw back to it is the short magazine box, where you can not load the long heavy bullets to fit in mags.


accurate mags are super easy to modify and are steel, I've got plenty of room for the Amax bullets..... +1 on 65gk my favorite .223 bullet behind the the Amax.
Posted By: BushFamilyNine

Re: Long Range 223 rifle - 08/03/16 08:25 PM

Originally Posted By: NY700
The savage your looking at is an excellent rifle. But it is really meant for Fclass and true varmint hunting.
I love Tikkas and think the tikka varmint is one of the best bang for the buck out there.

But if you intent is to just sit at abench or lay prone I think the savage may be a better out of the box choice for long range 223. The model you are probably looking at is savages target action and trigger which has a much lower pull weight down into the ounces.

The 1-7 is a big deal and since you will be single loading you can go 80,82,85 and even 90gr. Check the BCs of the 90gr Berger in 223 and you have better wind deflection than a 155 or 180 for 308


The Mossberg MVP LR 5.56 is made with a 1-7 twist.

http://www.mossberg.com/product/mvp-lr-rifle-27696/
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