I'm looking @ a new Savage 12VBSS .223 stainless heavy barrel fluted laminated stock for $600 vs. a used Tikka 22.250 blued heavy barrel with a Nikon Monarch 6-20x44mm scope for $1000. Please let me know best deal & best cal. for hunting P.dogs to coyotes. Thanks, DJ

Tikka is a $1000.

Depends on what you want in a varmint rig. The Tikka is more of a "on the go" type of varmint rig and the Savage is more of a stationary type of rig.

Personally I would take the Savage over the Tikka. I prefer the stock design with the vertical grip and palm swell, the extra weight over the Tikka for a steadier shot, the longer barrel for increased velocity, the pillar bedding, and the accutrigger.

i have a T3 varmint in 22/250. it is outstanding. as bigbullls said, it is more of a carry around varmint rifle, and it shoots sub- 1/2MOA.it depends on your style of hunting -i like to roam, so a twelve pound set-upwas not an option.if both rifles were new, i'd definitely take the tikka. however, second hand rifles in 22/250 are not my cup of tea - especially in a varmint rig. you buy these things to drive tacks. unfortunately, a hot handloader can take the edge off a 22/250 barrel in less than 1500 rounds. ( of course these things are relative- you might go from .5 Moa to averaging .75-1.0 MOA. still good, but not what you really want when trying to take bunnies at 300 yards ). i'd want to have a real close look at the throat and bore, and preferably know the history, of the tikka. good luck with your choice.

I usually avoid used varmint rifles like the plague. It's very easy for a varmint hunter to burn out a 22-250 or 220 swift with regular hunting.

But of the two rifles you mentioned, the Tikka is a much more refined rifle. I've owned a number of Tikka and Savage rifles and the Tikkas are generally more accurate.

I think the Savage is more gun for the money. My Savage Varmit rifle weighs 8.75 lbs. 26 inch barrel 270 WSM.

Just what kind of 1000 pound varmints do you expect to kill with that thing?

Sabor tooth ground hogs. The elk and such are not the only critters that are getting tougher. Its spreading to the little critters too. Their Varmit model comes in 300 WSM too but the critters are not that tough yet.

I have an Ithaca lsa 65 which is a Tikka,I also have a savage 13 LB 223 and I agree on the portibility issue. But if I want to hit a verry small target a long way off It's the savage I want against my shoulder. If I need to hit a running target it's the Ithaca hands down. So I think you need them both!

Thanks for all the great advice & am leaning towards the .223 but sounds like I can't go wrong with either Savage/Tikka. forna's idea of both sounds good but not enough $. Avoid like the plague on used varmit rifles makes sense seeing the owner of the 22-250is a P.dog regular & reloads.