22-250. Tikka or Savage

[32 Point Buck]

I have inherited a .223 S&W 1500. It had a cheap Bushnell sharpshooter scope which would not hold point of impact. I am awaiting on a scope from The Optic Zone. The Banner 4-16X40 IR will not ship until late Jan-Feb. I am not confident the 18 inch .223 is a shooter yet but seems to have potential. I use a Tikka T3 Hunter 25-06 for whitetail in the midwest. First purchased this cal to double as a Coyote gun also. I will keep the .223 as a Yote killer if it shoots because of cost and time I get to spend hunting Yotes. I newly moved to Nebraska and am having issues finding a lot of land to hunt. Too many doctors and lawyers buying hunting rights for unreal $$$. Anyway I have been reading threads and comparing ballistics between .223, 204, and 22-250. I don't reload right now so if .223 turns out to be a shooter I will keep. Otherwise I will sell and purchase 22-250. I love my Tikka 25-06 T3 Hunter by the way.
I see the Savage has a 1 in 12 twist rate while the Tikka has a 1in 14. I chose the 25-06 for my whitetail hunting because the flat shooting ballistics and less error in distance estimation. I would rather use lighter bullets in 22-250 for flatter ballistics. Will the twist rates in these two rifles matter that much for 40-50gr bullets? Also I was wondering if the Tikka Varmit series would typically shoot more accurate than the Hunter series? Not worring about heat build up of course. I'm not shooting prairie dogs. 

[spy231]

I am really thinking about getting the Tikka Hunter in the 25-06. How do you like it and how does it group? Do you like the trigger? I just want to make the right decision so any help would be great. Would you recomend the tikka?

[32 Point Buck]

Spy,
The gun was one of my better choices. I don't have any fancy gun rest. It shoots MOA groups off shot bags and Nikon Monarch 3-9X40 scope at 100yds. Be aware if you put a scope with an objective lense over 40mm you may not be able to use the factory rings. I have had no issues with my rings and scope holding point of impact on this gun. It seems to really like the expensive Federal 100gr Triple Shock ammo the best of the types of ammo I have tried so far (Core-Lokt 100gr, Speer Hot-Cor 117gr). I don't reload yet. I just don't shoot often enough to warrant it. I reloaded trap shooting shot shells fo years and it was a fun science project. I could easiliy turn rifle reloading into another science project in the future. The trigger is very crisp. In fact I left it at factory setting because how good it is and this is a field gun not a target gun. 
I did a lot of research before buying this gun and after a year I still feel I made te right choice. IMO best gun for the money. I was thinking of trying to save $200 on Savage 22-250 if I purchase a new gun. They are supposed to be very accurate out of box as well.

[spy231]

Thanks for the help. I think I am sold. I have been looking and looking and I think I am going to get one. Sorry to take over your post. I hope somebody comes along that can answer your questions.

[SDS-GEN]

I have been using a 22-250 savage heavy barrel for several years, the Tikka is a fine gun (at least that is what I've heard from anyone who has owned one) but the savage is a tack driver and I've never had a problem with it.  You will love the accu trigger and the gun is going to be cheaper than the Tikka (money you can use towards a nice scope).  As far as ammo goes mine loves Federal premium 55gr sierra gameking hollow points.  I've shot coyotes out to 460yards with this bullet and it has never failed as long as I hit em square.

[spy231]

I can get the Tikka Hunter (wood stock)for $580 out the door. What model of Savage can save $100-$200 and still be wood?

[SDS-GEN]

Guns america lists a new model 11 blue/wood for $479.  I checked on a stainless synthetic at the local gunshop and it was $500, which was a little high.

[Old English]

I have 2 Tikkas and have only tried out a few Savages. The difference in quality is black and white, just rack the bolts!! The Tikka trigger is excellent from the factory but....take the action out, lighten the trigger, test and then replace into the action. Go shoot. You are now a Tikka addict. These rifles are fantastic and quality versus price, an absolute bargain. The only drawback is that they are distributed by Beretta in the US and they have the suckiest customer service in the world.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

     Tikka is OWNED now by Berretta and the T3 is basically a Berretta design. I would prefer the older model 595 there is something about the T3 which does not sit right with me. As for Savage I ahve handled a 110 oleder model  but never shot any Savage rifle so aprt from feeling a bit thick around the wrist  my experience with them is Nil.

     A friend has just brought a Tikka T3 Tactical  with 20" barrel and Muzzle break etc in .308. Brought it round to show me and I suppose it's OK but as you can tell I am not overly impressed and doubt very much that I would ever buy one.

[superjay01]

tikka is better made higher quality gun. The tikka has the smoothest action around. Both guns will shot sub MOA, but the Tikka quality is much better. I have both savage and tikka rifles-- both are good the Tikka is just a better quality gun.

[32 Point Buck]

Anyone know if there is a large difference between a 1 in 12 barrel twist from the Savage and 1 in 14 from the Tikka? My biggest concern is the Tikka not being able to shoot heavier than 55gr bullets. The 55gr should work in the 1 in 14 Tikka rifle, 60gr may not. That is my issue now with my 18 inch 1 in 12 barrel with the .223. I have to stay below 55gr bullet and I have heard Winchester 45gr JHP max range is about 250yds, while shooting Coyotes.
I just bought a box of CORBON .223 40gr Blitzking ammo to sight in. Got home and did some research and I read some thread stating the Sierra Blitzking is too thin of jacket for longer range Coyote shooting. Has anyone had any experience with 40-45gr loads in .223 and shooting Coyotes at longer ranges (300-400yds)?

[just bill]

Tikka Varmint 22-250 most accurate rifle I have ever owned.................50 grain VMAX

BTW- It shoots the 55 gr VMax too.  Best groups at 100 = 50 gr VMax .  Best @ 300 = 55 VMax

[dalv]

All,

Another Tikka devotee here.... I have a LH 595 Whitetail hunter in .223 with Leupold Var-X III 6-20AO.  Out of the box most accurate gun I have ever owned.  It shoots tight groups with Blackhills blue box (reloads) 50 gr V-max at 100 yds all day long.  Been playing with 60 gr as well - about the same.  I plan on getting back to handloading, adjust the trigger, and bed the stock when I get the nerve up....hard to do when it shoots so good as is!  Bolt is glass smooth which is the thing that caught my attention when comparing to other brands.  All the others were way rough compared to the Tikka.  Now if I could just find one in 6mmBR!

[nomosendero]

All,

Another Tikka devotee here.... I have a LH 595 Whitetail hunter in .223 with Leupold Var-X III 6-20AO.  Out of the box most accurate gun I have ever owned.  It shoots tight groups with Blackhills blue box (reloads) 50 gr V-max at 100 yds all day long.  Been playing with 60 gr as well - about the same.  I plan on getting back to handloading, adjust the trigger, and bed the stock when I get the nerve up....hard to do when it shoots so good as is!  Bolt is glass smooth which is the thing that caught my attention when comparing to other brands.  All the others were way rough compared to the Tikka.  Now if I could just find one in 6mmBR!

Yes, I have thought about the Varmit version, good guns.  I am not sure about glass bedding with such a small recoil lug, do you know of any big
smiths doing this?

[jro45]

My 22-250 is a Remington 700 action. I use 55gr HPs at 3640 fps. It kills groundhogs dead.

[TrenchMud]

My brother uses the Savage 110 in 22-250. For the price of the rifle, I was astounded at the accuracy of it. Tears one ragged hole at 150 yards. Now he has a substantial scope on it too.
not sure who made it but it is a 3-20x50mm and will let you see WAYYYY out there! If there is a rifle out there that can produce any better than one ragged hole at 150 yards, I will bet it costs a whole lot more too. besides, How much more accurate can something be? I know it is not the best choice for deer but sometimes things just happen, His son shot a Whitetail with it at pretty close range a couple of years ago, I have never seen a wound like that before ! The deer went no where, but I would not recommend it for deer. You could almost pour the guts out the hole with a texture similar to Ketchup.