Vanguard vs T3

Prairiekid · #1 12-06-2018, 08:53 AM

If you guys were looking at new .223's and both come in Syn Stainless

Would you pick up a Vanguard or the T3 Lite? Seems like the Vanguard is a bit cheaper.

elkhunter11 · #2 12-06-2018, 08:56 AM

I have owned both, the T-3 has a better trigger, and is lighter, and if you prefer a detachable magazine, the T-3 also offers that. Both are excellent rifles.

Jeron Kahyar · #3 12-06-2018, 09:01 AM

I would say pick them up and shoulder them. Let the rifle decided Wich one feels better. Make your decision accordingly. Nothing wrong with either rifle.

IL Bar · #4 12-06-2018, 09:01 AM

Depends on your budget and what feels good to you when you shoulder it. I own both and I prefer the lighter weight and the detachable magazine of the Tikka. Both rifles shoot well for me. If you are on a budget tho the you could buy the vanguard and spend the difference on better glass for it.

Sorry elkhunter11 beat me to it.

mattthegorby · #5 12-06-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeron Kahyar

I would say pick them up and shoulder them. Let the rifle decided Wich one feels better. Make your decision accordingly. Nothing wrong with either rifle.

That is what I did when faced with this same decision!

Prairiekid · #6 12-06-2018, 09:53 AM

Thanks. Easy enough to do. I like the familiarity I have with Tikka so I’m a bit biased

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Smokinyotes · #7 12-06-2018, 09:58 AM

The old vanguards didn’t have a very good trigger. I think the vanguard 2’s are better. Myself, I would buy the tikka.

Kurt505 · #8 12-06-2018, 10:21 AM

I like the Tikka better. The 70 degree bolt throw is nice especially if you have a large ocular bell on your scope it leaves you more clearance which is nice when you have gloves on.

Scottmisfits · #9 12-06-2018, 10:23 AM

I had a Tikka, my son has a Vangaurd. I prefer the Vangaurd. To me it just felt better. Accuracy wise I’d put it up against any other production level rifle.
That being said, I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either

Prairiekid · #10 12-06-2018, 04:17 PM

right after posting this I was on CGN and found a Tikka .223 Syn Stainless that was posted this morning, it was eery, didn't move fast enough and it sold.

What would be the ultimate bolt action make/model for coyotes?

It seems that probably the most popular Christensen or Cooper elite brands.

The most important item on a hunting rifle for me is the trigger, I competed in biathlon for years and the specialized Anschutz Fortner I sold had a two stage trigger that broke at just over 500 grams. I wish I could find something that nice.

Hawkeye · #11 12-06-2018, 04:23 PM

I few years ago, I had a Tikka T3 in .223.
It shot well but had a 'pencil' barrel that really heated up fast, even after just a couple of shots. I prefer a heavier barrel, as those don't heat up nearly as fast....but they are much heavier to carry.
Really depends on how you expect to use it....

elkhunter11 · #12 12-06-2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

right after posting this I was on CGN and found a Tikka .223 Syn Stainless that was posted this morning, it was eery, didn't move fast enough and it sold.

What would be the ultimate bolt action make/model for coyotes?

It seems that probably the most popular Christensen or Cooper elite brands.

The most important item on a hunting rifle for me is the trigger, I competed in biathlon for years and the specialized Anschutz Fortner I sold had a two stage trigger that broke at just over 500 grams. I wish I could find something that nice.

Although I have owned several two stage triggers, and still own one on a Fortner action Anschutz, it wouldn't be my choice on a coyote rifle. A good single stage trigger works much better after sitting in the cold calling coyotes. My go to coyote rifle is a Cooper model 21 in 20 Tactical, but I would do just as well with a T-3 in 204R.

Smokinyotes · #13 12-06-2018, 04:47 PM

If a 500 gram crisp trigger is what you want buy a Tikka T3 in your choice of cartridge and put a yodave triggerspring in it. That would get you down to a lb but personally i wouldn’t want a 1lb trigger on a hunting gun. Top it with a ballistic reticle and know the range for each hash mark.

Prairiekid · #14 12-06-2018, 05:43 PM

You have a Fortner, I sold mine a year after I was done using it. I guess I knew I would be looking at other rifles.

Maybe I should just stick with the T3, I have also considered this Cooper in the past. Seems like a nice deer/coyote gun. https://store.prophetriver.com/used-...less-22barrel/

sns2 · #15 12-06-2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL Bar

Depends on your budget and what feels good to you when you shoulder it. I own both and I prefer the lighter weight and the detachable magazine of the Tikka. Both rifles shoot well for me. If you are on a budget tho the you could buy the vanguard and spend the difference on better glass for it.

This ^^^^^^

elkhunter11 · #16 12-06-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

You have a Fortner, I sold mine a year after I was done using it. I guess I knew I would be looking at other rifles.

Maybe I should just stick with the T3, I have also considered this Cooper in the past. Seems like a nice deer/coyote gun. https://store.prophetriver.com/used-...less-22barrel/

That is a very nice rifle, at a good price.

Justfishin73 · #17 12-06-2018, 07:51 PM

Love my Vanguard 2

koothunter · #18 12-07-2018, 08:42 AM

Buy a new tikka T3x with the factory set trigger. Set the trigger to what you want to hunt with and have the option to push it forward and shoot it at targets with an 8oz pull. Best of both worlds. Plus it's a tikka and will shoot lights out.

boah · #19 12-07-2018, 08:49 AM

Without a doubt... vanguard

6.5 shooter · #20 12-07-2018, 07:05 PM

Buy a CZ .204 change the trigger if you feel the need to. Flatter shooting the the .22 calibers, long enough barrel so you can shoot 40 gr. V-Max bullets. Rifles are about $1000 so not going to break the bank.

elkhunter11 · #21 12-07-2018, 07:10 PM

I just purchased a new T-3 CTR today. The CTR has a metal trigger guard, and magazine, as well as a metal bolt shroud, and steel recoil lug.

Smokinyotes · #22 12-07-2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I just purchased a new T-3 CTR today. The CTR has a metal trigger guard, and magazine, as well as a metal bolt shroud, and steel recoil lug.

Which caliber

Kurt505 · #23 12-07-2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Which caliber

elkhunter11 · #24 12-07-2018, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt505

I will be shooting .264" bullets. I wanted a rifle chambered in 260rem because I have neck bushing dies and Lapua cases, but nobody seems to be stocking them, so I took what I could find. It was almost as difficult to find another Nikon Monarch 3 5-20×44 scope with the standard reticle.

Smokinyotes · #25 12-07-2018, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I will be shooting .264" bullets. I wanted a rifle chambered in 260rem because I have neck bushing dies and Lapua cases, but nobody seems to be stocking them, so I took what I could find. It was almost as difficult to find another Nikon Monarch 3 5-20×44 scope with the standard reticle.

No. Say it ain’t so. I’m hoping stinky and Kurt didn’t get to you and you bought a Creedmoor.

elkhunter11 · #26 12-07-2018, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

No. Say it ain’t so. I’m hoping stinky and Kurt didn’t get to you and you bought a Creedmoor.

Kurt knows, but it had nothing to do with them, it was simply availability. Since everyone is pushing the 6.5CM so hard, even the distributor isn't bringing in the model I want in 260rem. It really didn't matter to me which of the two I bought, but I would refer not having to buy more dies and cases. Given that my previous 6.5x55, 260rem, and 6.5x47 rifles all shot sub 1/2moa, I don't expect any improvement accuracy wise.

Kurt505 · #27 12-07-2018, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Kurt knows, but it had nothing to do with them, it was simply availability. Since everyone is pushing the 6.5CM so hard, even the distributor isn't bringing in the model I want in 260rem. It really didn't matter to me which of the two I bought, but I would refer not having to buy more dies and cases. Given that my previous 6.5x55, 260rem, and 6.5x47 rifles all shot sub 1/2moa, I don't expect any improvement accuracy wise.

That was one of the deciding factor for me. The fact that it’s so popular will make finding ammo and components cheap and easy. I had a 260 and really wanted a 260ai, but decided I have more powerful rifles if I need, the convienience of the Creedmoor was too practical to pass up.

Smokinyotes · #28 12-07-2018, 09:59 PM

With Lapua making Creedmoor brass and the CTR it should be a very accurate combination. Should be a fun accurate gun for the bench or hunting.

elkhunter11 · #29 12-07-2018, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt505

That was one of the deciding factor for me. The fact that it’s so popular will make finding ammo and components cheap and easy. I had a 260 and really wanted a 260ai, but decided I have more powerful rifles if I need, the convienience of the Creedmoor was too practical to pass up.

Components were never an issue with the 260rem, I just bought Lapua cases, from the same source that I will buy the 6.5CM Lapua cases. And I only use my own loads, so factory loads are not an issue either..

sns2 · #30 12-08-2018, 07:52 AM

I think I am going to change Elk's avatar and sig line to .... President of Camrose Creedmoor Fan Club