Tikka Lite vs. Varmint

[Shadowhunter]

What's the difference between the Tikka Lite and the Varmint. I know the Lite has a lighter stock but it says the Lite is cheaper on their site. So is their any other little goodies on the varmint or is it just that the Lite stock is cheaper to make? If the stock is the only difference I might get the Lite. Thanks in advance.

 

[ArmedBear]

What's the difference between the Tikka Lite and the Varmint. I know the Lite has a lighter stock but it says the Lite is cheaper on their site. So is their any other little goodies on the varmint or is it just that the Lite stock is cheaper to make? If the stock is the only difference I might get the Lite. Thanks in advance.

Varmint has heavier barrel contour, a beavertail foreend and a different barrel length. It's available in far fewer calibers. It would feel pretty different due to different balance and different foreend. If you can get your hands on them, compare.

Interesting that it weighs under 7 lb.! That's really good if it's a true varmint gun, made to shoot a lot of rounds accurately.

 

[Fumbler]

The Varmint has a larger capacity magazine.
In standard calibers like 308 Win the Varmint mag holds 5 and the Lite mag holds 3.

The difference in price between the two mags is about $20 (they are expensive at $70 for a 5 shot mag).

So to sum it up, the Varmint has:
-Heavy barrel
-Longer barrel
-Higher cheek piece and beavertail forearm
-+2 magazine

 

[atblis]

I've heard that

the varmint stock is kinda cheesy. Apparently they took a regular stock and glued some crap onto it.

 

[Rockstar]

the varmint stock is kinda cheesy. Apparently they took a regular stock and glued some crap onto it.

Where'd you "hear" that?

 

[Essex County]

I've got a T3 lite in 22-250 that I can't get all of the inherent accuracy out of in field positions. Unless you're in prarrie dog country I don't see what the varmint version will do for you. I have four HBbl varmint rifles and I do love them dearly. If you're not going to shoot off the bench a lot my vote goes to the T3 light, It's a much handier package.....Essex County

 

[Shadowhunter]

Essex Country, do you ever have troubles with the Lite heating up when firing alot or plinking? Also, if you have a picture of it can you post it? I like the looks of the Varmints but the only pics I've seen of the Lite have been on beretta's site so if you show me a good pic you may persuade me.

 

[Fumbler]

Also, if you have a picture of it can you post it? I like the looks of the Varmints but the only pics I've seen of the Lite have been on beretta's site so if you show me a good pic you may persuade me.

Here is my T3 Lite blued.

YOU MUST COPY AND PASTE THE ADDRESS INTO YOUR BROWSER! The server doesn't allow hotlinking.

http://www.thewolfweb.com/photos/00310291.jpg
http://www.thewolfweb.com/photos/00315380.jpg
http://www.thewolfweb.com/photos/00349750.jpg
http://www.thewolfweb.com/photos/00404590.jpg

The last pic is my T3 refinished in digital camo. I have since redone it (looks better now)

Essex Country, do you ever have troubles with the Lite heating up when firing alot or plinking?

The second to last pic is a 100 yard group with Black Hills 168gr BTHP Match.
It measures somewhere around 0.60" (Don't remember).
With that ammo, it will do as well as 0.300", but I have to let the rifle sit at least 2 minutes between each shot.
Without waiting and from a cold bore, it will do 0.5-0.75 with 3 shots and about 20-30 seconds between shots. Shooting 5 rounds that quick will open it up to 1-1.5".

BTW, it weighs in right at 7 lbs with scope.

 

[Shadowhunter]

Wow, very pretty gun and those groups are really nice. Thanks for the pic, now I have some thinking to do on what I'm going to use it for but I have a good idea now on what I want.

 

[Essex County]

To Shadowhunter

I don't really plink much with my .22-250. I'll often take four or five rifles to the range and rotate them so barrel heating isn't too severe problem. When I do plink it's usually with an AR or a mil-surp. Good shooting.........Essex

 

[LT 102]

I was looking at lite in 30.06. and was a little concerned about the plastic mag.
Has anyone had issues withit?

 

[45crittergitter]

You can get the higher cap mags for the Lite as well - all T3 mags interchange within their respective cartridge family, I believe. My .223 stays under 1 MOA all the time, and no probs with the mags, though they (mags) are expensive.

 

[Fumbler]

There is nothing at all wrong with the magazines.
They may be plastic but they feed perfectly and are rigid.

One cool thing about the T3 is the follower in the mag. When the mag is empty you can drop a round into the ejection port and feed it without any problems.