Tikka T3 Varmint & Savage 12 FV

[COhntr]

Went to an estate sale today with a hunting buddy, hoping to score some hunting and possibly reloading supplies, as the estate owner was an avid hunter. So long story short, i scored an older tikka t3 varmint with less than 200 rds down the tube and an older savage 12 fv with a 24" barrel as apposed to the normal 26" that was unfired. I heard great things about both of these rifles, i'm hoping some members have some insight into these rifles and possibly a good starting point for reloads. Scored some new and 1x fired brass, bullets, and redding dies as well. Thanks in advance

[Tom Kat]

1. What caliber is the T3? 2. you got a picture?

[COhntr]

Both guns are chambered in .204 ruger and i will get a pic here shortly. And after doing a little research, neither i nor the gentleman selling the tikka knew anything. The rifle i purchased is just the regular stainless varmint model not the super varmint

[Tom Kat]

My Tikka T3 is chambered in .223 It was new/old stock and I got a deal on it. It seems as though Tikka barrels need a little longer to break in than other guns. Its very well made and designed for a production rifle. After doing research I found that my twist rate favored medium and heavy .223 which is not what I had hoped. SO I have a decent group with a .55 gr bullet but more testing is needed....

[COhntr]

I also have another t3 lite also chambered in .223 with the 1:8 twist barrel. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it will shoot 50gr up to 75gr accurately and you are correct with the tikka barrels taking a little longer to break in.

[Tom Kat]

I also have another t3 lite also chambered in .223 with the 1:8 twist barrel. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it will shoot 50gr up to 75gr accurately and you are correct with the tikka barrels taking a little longer to break in.

I am glad to see you write that because my T2lite has been a big challenging to get that TIKKA group I know it has in it. Maybe I need to keep shooting and scrubbing

[skipper]

COhntr, look in the Reloading the .204 Ruger Forum. You could start with Favorite Powders thread. Loads of good information about getting up and running reloading the .204 Ruger.

[jpx2rk]

My FV12 204R has the 26" barrel, and shoots the 32g vmax and 39g Sierra very well. The 12T barrel doesn't shoot the 40's nearly as well. YMMV.

[Bill K]

Don't know why, but most 20 caliber's, especially the 204R seem too not favor the 40 grn, but will shoot the 39 grn very well, if the twist is 1/12 or 1/14, but put them now a 1/11 twist and both work.

[COhntr]

Both rifles are the 1:12 twist, so the 40's are probably a no go but i have plenty of 32's and a few 39's. Skipper, that section was going to be my next visit and see what everyone else is using. Thanks for the info

[Tom Kat]

If you were going to reccomend a coyote hunting rifle in .204 for less than $1,000 which one would it be? Poor men have poor ways LOL

[Bill K]

If you could find a CZ 527 in 204, good one. Otherwish I would get one in a Howa. I have the CZ and it just great for a coyote, walk about, calling one.

[Tom Kat]

So! I have the 527...it shoots good...but I dont really care for it much. I know, I know...I dont like the grip and trigger, and I am afraid of scratching the beautiful stock. I was thinking maybe a Ruger or a Savage with an aftermarket stock.

[Bill K]

cheap, but they do shot. Look at the savage Axis II . Boyd stock and a trigger job, will make it nicer.

[Tom Kat]

cheap, but they do shot. Look at the savage Axis II . Boyd stock and a trigger job, will make it nicer.

Thanks Bill. I thought about Boyds or maybe a Magpull Hunter stock