Looking at a T3X Varmint and CTR, both in .223

Anyone own either? Could use help to determine which to get. It seems the CTR 223 is scarce, atleast in my search. Will be used to shoot steel targets up to 400 yards.

No hands on experience with the CTR or Varmint.

The cost of a CTR magazine in 223 is $125; about 1/8th the cost of the firearm. That, plus the ability to find replacement magazines in the future, would sway me to going with the Varmint.

I just got a Tac A1 in 223. Look and feel is outstanding as you’d come to expect from Tikka. Either will do you just fine and if you want to be versatile get a Tikka Performance DBM that’ll fit in your factory stock but will accept AICS mags

Thanks for the info. It may boil down to whichever is the best deal. If anyone has insight on a good deal for either, let me know.

I've got the T3X Varmint in .223 with the 8 twist barrel. Running 24 gr of Varget behind a Hornady 75 gr BTHP match. It will hold .5 MOA easily out 600 yards, and 1 MOA or better at 700 and 800. Haven't tried it beyond 800 yet, but I think I can take it to 1000 and still be fairly consistent.

I also have a T3X CTR, but it's in .260, not .223. It's good to 1000 yards and would easily go past that, but that's where I run out of dial on my scope.

600 yard group with the .223 - that's a 2 inch bull on a 16 inch gong



Another 600 yard group on a different day - again a 2 inch bull

I bought my varmint 1/8 from Whitaker’s country

^^^^ Pretty impressive groups TTID

Those groups are legit!

Very nice. If anyone knows where the t3x varmint 223 is in stock around the metroplex, let me know.

Very rare to find them in a store. Bass pro or cabelas may have one.

If you're planning to take it long, make sure you get one with a 1:8 barrel so you can run the long/heavy bullets in it. They also make the Varmint model with slower twist barrels for the lighter/shorter bullets.

You should be able to find either at Grab a Gun. I've bought a handful from them and have always been able to find what I was looking for. Their prices are good, if you pick up at their retail counter. If you have it shipped and pay FFL xfer their prices are still good but closer to average retail. I do have a ctr and a t3 in .308 & 6.5. The ctr is a great hunting rifle. The t3 is as well but the ctr has some field advantages.

Boy, your not kidding..lol

I've looked and called all over. Of course, I'm wanting the stainless model. So, if anyone runs across a stainless t3x varmint or ctr in .223 with 24" barrel, let me know.