Tikka T3 caliber question

[Tarfur]

Hello

I am thinking of adding a Tikka T3 varmint stainless to my collection and could use some caliber info. I´m going to use it for everything from varmints up to caribou and I have 3 calibers in mind. I would like to be able to shoot up to 500 yards on calm days when shooting varmints.

25-06 Rem. I like the idea of something flat shooting and hard hitting but is the 23 ¾” Tikka barrel long enough for this caliber? And what about accuracy?

7mm-08 Rem. I know it´s accurate and that’s about it.

6,5x55 My father has one like this and it seems to do the job but for varmint shooting????

Any info would be good

Greetings from Iceland, Tarfur

[muskrat30]

Have you considered a 308? It would do well from varmints to caribou and has a good selection of ammo and reloading options. Keep weight in mind when you look at a "Varmint" rifle. I don't know the weight of the rifle you are looking at but I would not care to lug a 10lb rifle all day. I would rather use a lighter rifle for the varmint hunt.
Nothing wrong with your rounds listed. Local availability of ammo would be a factor. Another idea is to get a 22-250,223, or 243 for varmints & a dedicated big game rifle.

[JackRabbit]

What varmints do you have in Iceland? I'd think 243 or 25-06
would both be good for game up to caribou size.As well as most any varmints.

[Tarfur]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Regarding the 308 I don¡¦t like the rainbow trajectory and would like something flatter. I have one rifle in 30-06 and one in 22-250 and would like to try something different. Even though I have these to rifles I would like to have one tack driving, flat shooting and accurate rifle that would be capable of doing all the work. The more I read about the 25-06 the more I want to purchase a rifle in this caliber. Looks like a sweet varmint/deer caliber. Few times a year I go to Sweden to shoot roe deer (small European specie) and I think the 25-06 would do the job nicely.

I live in a area protected with special law. The area has been designated a RAMSAR site, i.e. as an internationally important wetland, especially as bird habitat. The predator control in my area mostly consist of shooting ravens, seagulls and the arctic fox. These species can cause serious troubles when the ducks are nesting in the spring time, eating a tremendous amount of eggs. As well we have minks that we usually don¡¦t shoot with big bore riflesƒº. We shoot seals in coastal areas both for eating and to protect fishing rivers (salmon rivers). I would also use it for goose.

The Tikka T3 varmint is 8 lbs and would be ok for me to carry around with a double sling (like a backpack).

Overall length T3 1110 mm (43 3/4")
Barrel length T3 600 mm (23 3/4")
Weight T3 3.6 kg (8 lbs)

Happy Easter, Tarfur

[joecool]

I have both the .25/06 and the 6.5x55. Like them both. Most .25/06's have 24" barrels, so you aren't giving up much. Shoots flat and does the job. Also is a little louder and wears the barrel a little more than you really need for a varmint gun. The 6.5 can be loade with some bullets under 100 grains that move out at well over 32-3300fps. Makes a right nice varmint gun, although I might want a little lighter gun in that caliber. both are great, and either will serve you well.

[Esox357]

If you have a 22-250 already than I would move up to the 25.06. I would think the 22-250 would have ended your quest for a varmit rifle but if not the 25.06 would be my next choice. Esox357.