Tikka Tact A1 in 223

T

teddy12b

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Minuteman
Dec 22, 2008
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#1
Has anyone seen a Tikka Tact A1 in 223 in the real world? I was looking for one and haven't been able to find one for sale anywhere online. Maybe my googlefu is weak, but I keep striking out. I'm looking for the 20" 223 version because there's a few groundhogs out back that I'm getting fed up with.

Thanks,
 
#5
Why not grab one of the T3X Varmint variants and either run it as-is, or, if you want a chassis, pick one up from MDT or elsewhere and end up with about the same overall price as the Tact A1 (have to pick up a couple of AICS mags too). There's a Super Varmint in stock at EuroOptic now.

Here is my old T3X Varmint in an MDT LSS-XL chassis with what MIGHT have been an Anarchy Outdoors bolt handle (it's been years; fuzzy memory) to replace the puny little nub the Tikka insisted on using. Also had to add a pic rail for the scope - standard Varmint varient didn't have one - and later I stuck a piece of MDT ARCA rail on for best bipod functionality. Sold it all after I picked up a Terminus action cert off a prize table, MDT ACC chassis on Black Friday, and built a full-blown custom.
IMG_2559.jpeg
 
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#6
DownhillFromHere said:
Why not grab one of the T3X Varmint variants and either run it as-is, or, if you want a chassis, pick one up from MDT or elsewhere and end up with about the same overall price as the Tact A1 (have to pick up a couple of AICS mags too). There's a Super Varmint in stock at EuroOptic now.

Here is my old T3X Varmint in an MDT LSS-XL chassis with what MIGHT have been an Anarchy Outdoors bolt handle (it's been years; fuzzy memory) to replace the puny little nub the Tikka insisted on using. Also had to add a pic rail for the scope - standard Varmint varient didn't have one - and later I stuck a piece of MDT ARCA rail on for best bipod functionality. Sold it all after I picked up a Terminus action cert off a prize table, MDT ACC chassis on Black Friday, and built a full-blown custom.
View attachment 8446311
Click to expand...
He might want the 2 stage trigger and threaded.
 
#7
LeftyJason said:
He might want the 2 stage trigger and threaded.
Click to expand...
Super Varmint has Tikka's 2-stage trigger, bolt knob, and a pic rail. The photos look like the barrel is threaded - why else would there be a knurled cap on it.

The original Varmint I had shows as discontinued. It was much cheaper than the Super Varmint, but I had to add a pic rail and bolt handle and the tupperware stock came out of the box only long enough to be replaced by the MDT chasis. I replaced the single-stage trigger spring and had the pull down to a crisp, SAFE 24 ounces.

He said Tikka Tact A1. I tried to get him close to that. I started PRS competition with a TAC A1 in 6.5CM in 2017. Fine rifle. Accurate. So I bought the Varmint and put it in the MDT chassis to have a cheaper-to-shoot "trainer." Knowing what I know now, I'd have engaged an outfit like Southern Precision Rifles to advise me on building a custom from the get-go for a similar investment and not be locked into the Tikka ecosystem.
 
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#8
DownhillFromHere said:
Super Varmint has Tikka's 2-stage trigger, bolt knob, and a pic rail. The photos look like the barrel is threaded - why else would there be a knurled cap on it.

The original Varmint I had shows as discontinued. It was much cheaper than the Super Varmint, but I had to add a pic rail and bolt handle and the tupperware stock came out of the box only long enough to be replaced by the MDT chasis. I replaced the single-stage trigger spring and had the pull down to a crisp, SAFE 24 ounces.

He said Tikka Tact A1. I tried to get him close to that. I started PRS competition with a TAC A1 in 6.5CM in 2017. Fine rifle. Accurate. So I bought the Varmint and put it in the MDT chassis to have a cheaper-to-shoot "trainer." Knowing what I know now, I'd have engaged an outfit like Southern Precision Rifles to advise me on building a custom from the get-go for a similar investment and not be locked into the Tikka ecosystem.
Click to expand...
Face palm. Sorry didn't notice you said super varmint. I know the sv has those options.
 
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#9
Further looking at my previous posts on the sv. Can't use the tac a1 or ctr mags or bottom metal in an sv.
LeftyJason said:
You are asking 3 questions at once.

Will the barreled action fit? Yes. Hence viking78's response above.

Will the ctr magazine fit into the bottom metal of the super varmint? No. Pic is lite bottom metal in a ctr stock.
View attachment 7681051

Can you feed the ctr barreled action with the super varmint bottom metal and 308 magazine? Yes.

Now you have info so you can make your own decision.
Click to expand...
 
#10
I've looked at the Tikka Super Varmint as well and from what I'm seeing at about $1,600 for a good deal another couple hundred bucks and I'm into a folding chasis. I've got a T3X CTR in 308 in a Grayboe that I'm very happy with and I'm a big fan of Tikka rifles for the smooth action and accuracy. The appeal of the Tact A1 was just that everything was already done and I wouldn't have to source a folding chasis. AI pattern mags or Tikka mags doesn't make a big difference to me as they're both great and in 223 they'd be the less common version of either anyway so it's not like there's a big cost savings on that. I've thought about a custom rifle and I've got a full custom in 6.5cm, but as smooth as a T3X is and as accurate as it is I don't think I really need a full custom for a backyard plinker. Maybe, and I mean maybe... it could possibly be used at a match just for fun but that's not the intent of the rifle.

I like the ideas guys keep them coming.
 
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#11
teddy12b said:
.... but as smooth as a T3X is and as accurate as it is I don't think I really need a full custom for a backyard plinker. Maybe, and I mean maybe... it could possibly be used at a match just for fun but that's not the intent of the rifle.
Click to expand...
Same as me, exactly. My T3X Varmint went away only because I was able to build a custom very similar to my main match rifle at a huge discount (prize table cert + amazing Black Friday sale) - and it was really easy to sell the Varmint in original config at minimal loss and the chassis went to another Tikka fan.

I've thought about shooting the custom .223 in PRS tactical... just never got there. I put a 6BR barrel on the match rifle (swapping with 6.5CM) and that was that. Interestingly, my 6BR and .223 loads are so close in much of their trajectory that, in a day of colossal dumbassery, I shot an entire match with the 6BR but using the .223 profile in Strelok. I didn't do as bad as I would have thought.
 
#12
DownhillFromHere said:
Same as me, exactly. My T3X Varmint went away only because I was able to build a custom very similar to my main match rifle at a huge discount (prize table cert + amazing Black Friday sale) - and it was really easy to sell the Varmint in original config at minimal loss and the chassis went to another Tikka fan.

I've thought about shooting the custom .223 in PRS tactical... just never got there. I put a 6BR barrel on the match rifle (swapping with 6.5CM) and that was that. Interestingly, my 6BR and .223 loads are so close in much of their trajectory that, in a day of colossal dumbassery, I shot an entire match with the 6BR but using the .223 profile in Strelok. I didn't do as bad as I would have thought.
Click to expand...
I've seen guys at team matches where one person is restricted to a 308 or 223 do that same thing. The one I remember in particular had his 223 loaded so hot he said the dope was identical to his partners 6mm something out to 800 yards. I'm not one to push my luck with a controlled explosion right in front of my face, and when it started to rain panic was starting to set in for that guy. For him though, it was a price table free barrel and he figured why not just burn it out in a summer.

Don't get me wrong, if I came across half the gun on a prize table I would do the same thing.
 
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