Fluted Tikka T3 in 223??

[MarshallDodge]

I was looking at a few Tikka T3's at a gunshop and one of them was stainless Lite model with a 1:8 twist fluted barrel.

Did Tikka make a lot of these or was this a special run? I thought the 223's were 1:10 unless you were able to find a Sporter or Varmint.

 

[rbernie]

Tikka makes enough of them, but Beretta rarely brings them in to the States - that makes them rare here, but not in general. If you want it, then I suggest that you buy it soon enough, because you'll not see many 1:8" Tikka 223's....

 

[RainDodger]

Wow, that must be a light rifle!

 

[Gtscotty]

It sounds like one of the special edition T3 Superlites that Sportsman's Warehouse sells. I picked up one in .270, and they are quite light. I think Cabelas sells a similar special edition, but they have camo stocks and cost quite a bit more.

I bet it looked about like this:

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...roductDetail/Rifles/prod99999041855/cat100003

Btw, the local SW is clearing T3's out to make way for the T3x's, I think the Superlites are $650.

 

[6.5swede]

The T3 you describe is a Superlite. I have the one you mention. The T3 223's were originally produced in 8" or 12" twist. The production of 10" twist 223's began a few years ago.

 

[6.5swede]

Weighs 7lb 4oz as pictured.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Thanks for the replies.

What kind of accuracy could I expect? Will the slimmer barrel heat up and change point of impact quicker than say a varmint model?

 

[viking499]

Tikka will guarantee 3 under an inch at 100.

Theoretically, the groups from the slimmer barrel will open up faster than from the varmint barrel, but not always so. How many rounds do you plan on putting through it in a minute, 5 minutes?

I also think the ideas behind the flutes is that it will cool quicker than the standard barrel due to its increased exterior surface area.

 

[Gtscotty]

My .270 Superlite barrel gets hot pretty quick, but that is with 2x to 3x the powder you would have in a .223.

 

[6.5swede]

Accuracy with mine has been excellent esp with 60gr NBT's. It's pretty consistent 1/2 MOA to 200yds and MOA at 300. As Scotty mentioned, you can put quite a few rounds down range with a 223 before the barrel heats up enough to affect groups. As you would expect, the SL can't keep up with my Varmint model during long strings of shooting though.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I would be shooting bullets between 68 and 80 grain through it, with a focus on the 75 A-max.

My question on the barrel heating up was based on experience with a Mossberg MVP Predator in 223. It would throw the first shot about 0.6 inches high left and then the next four would be in a nice little 0.5" cluster. This was shooting in a 1-2 minute time period on an 80 degree day. If I kept shooting I would have to slow down or the groups would begin opening up again.

This was acceptable to me but I would think that the Tikka has a better quality barrel, etc. and wanted to see what the forum thought before making a purchase. I really liked the way the gun felt on the shoulder and the lightweight barrel profile.

BTW, Nice looking rifle there 6.5swede

 

[6.5swede]

Thanks. I'm a big fan of the 75 Amax. Haven't tried it in this rifle...yet.

I haven't had an issue with POI for the 1st cold bore shot. I just shot it last week to check zero. First 3 shots.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Well that group has me sold. That is 1/2 MOA with the cold bore