Ruger Predator or Tikka T3X Super Light

[hylander]

So just looking for some input on these two in .223
I have a Predator in 6.5 Creed and it is sub 1.5" at 300yds.
So now I need new .223 bolt gun.
Accuracy is the key here, better than 3/4" MOA

What say you?

[kevins750]

Does either have a heavy barrel......

[JackEllis]

I have a Tikka T3 Lite in .223. It's plenty accurate for squirrels. I also have a Howa 1500 in .223 and it's just as accurate.

Both would be even more accurate for me if I could shoot worth a darn. The only modification to the Tikka was a recoil pad that's really not necessary.

[FishnHunt]

I love my tikka 223, but wish I still had my howa 223. regret selling that thing.

[hylander]

Does either have a heavy barrel......

They are both a Medium weight barrel.
The Super Light is Stainless/Fluted.

[JackEllis]

I you're gonna shoot varmints with it, the conventional wisdom says to get a varmint (heavy) barrel. I've shot squirrels with my Tikka and it's never gotten hot enough to worry about.

What you really want is two rifles, one to shoot and one that's cooling.

[rm1911]

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/35380/redirect

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[hylander]

This will be a Coyote rifle, so no Precision type rifles, I need a carry rifle.
Need to reach out to say 300yds. with Sub MOA accuracy.

[oak18]

Tikka will probably be more accurate. They’re well known for their high quality barrels. I would no doubt go with it if I were you and I’m saying that as someone who’s a fan of Ruger.

[sigstroker]

They are both a Medium weight barrel.
The Super Light is Stainless/Fluted.

It's kinda generous to call the SuperLite barrel a medium weight. It's too skinny to thread the muzzle, if that tells you anything.

I don't think you can count on any normal hunter-grade rifles to shoot .75 moa. You might get lucky and it works out that way. But none of these type of rifles even have a hand-lapped barrel. Like the Tikka is factory guaranteed to shoot 1 moa, but the one you get might shoot only that at best.

Probably your best chance of getting .75 moa is to buy a rifle you want, but be prepared to put a high quality barrel on it if it falls short.

As for Ruger vs Tikka (or even Howa), you can buy at least 2 Howas, and probably 2 Rugers for the cost of 1 Tikka. If the Predator has the same type of stock as the regular American, I would say the Tikka has a somewhat better stock.

BTW, the Howa with lightweight barrel weighs only 5.7 pounds and the heavy barrel only 6.4 pounds.

[ar15barrels]

The predator barrel is heavier than the Tikka superlight.
Lighter barrels are better for carrying.
Heavier barrels are better for shooting.
Choose accordingly.

[Isacpotatoes]

The predator barrel is heavier than the Tikka superlight.
Lighter barrels are better for carrying.
Heavier barrels are better for shooting.
Choose accordingly.

This is really all you need to know. I find the fit & finish of Tikka to be of a higher quality. A friend of mine has a T3 Lite in .308 (fluted). Tikka mags don't sit flush but I prefer them to Ruger American mags.


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[TMB 1]

There is the Ruger American Predator that uses AR magazines. If I didn't already have a Mossberg MVP Varmint I would probably give the Ruger a try.

[sigstroker]

This will be a Coyote rifle, so no Precision type rifles, I need a carry rifle.
Need to reach out to say 300yds. with Sub MOA accuracy.

Actually, for a coyote rifle, you won't carry it much. For coyotes, just sling the rifle until you get to your spot, where you call in the coyotes.

The Savage 12FV weighs about 8 1/2 pounds, but it has a fairly heavy 26 inch barrel. The Savage is about $419 at Cabela's, has a good rep for accuracy, and comes with a 2 pound trigger. It's available in .204 Ruger and .22-250, as well as .223.

[Paradiddle]

My Tikka 223 is an absolute laser beam. The most accurate rifle I own.