Sako/Tikka/T3/Cabelas/Superlite?

35 Whelen · Apr 7, 2016

Looking into to a new Tikka T3 and didn't realize that Cabelas had an exclusive gun they had built for themselves that features the fluted barrel and a Woodland camo stock. All the stuff I wanted on my next rifle! What a cool option over the standard T3 Lite!
May have to get one coming my way.....

BretN · Apr 7, 2016

I think they'll let you order it and put it on layaway. I've purchased my last two guns from them that way. Or, if you buy it the same day as when you trade in a gun, you avoid paying tax on the new gun. Did that with them too.

Cabela's often times doesn't have great prices on new or used guns in my opinion, but then you'll go in there and they have a crazy low price on a nice used gun in the used rack, or a new gun on clearance/sale. Three guns came home with me last year as a result of Cabela's goofy pricing. They even gave me what I thought was a fair trade in price on a Browning O/U that I just wasn't happy with. Replaced the Citori with a used BPS and a new bolt gun. I guess their goofy pricing works, I keep going there and looking at the gun racks.

rjm158 · Apr 8, 2016

I have one of those in 30-06. When I bought mine years ago it was only available in 30-06, 270, and 300 Win Mag. As light as they are, I knew I didn't want the magnum version and I've never been a fan of the 270 (sorry fellas) so the '06 was it.

It is really nice to carry and shoots great like most Tikkas do, but you definitely know when it goes off. A Limbsaver pad is highly recommended (by me). If I'd had the caliber options they offer now, I'd own it in 308.

Ron

35 Whelen · Apr 9, 2016

Ron,
What would be your reasoning , for wanting a 308 over a 30/06 ? Since the weight would be almost identical, the gun would be identical, just curious what there would be about a .308 you would find more desirable?

rjm158 · Apr 9, 2016

Many moons ago when I was going to buy my first centerfire rifle I researched it (long before the internet was even thought about by Al Gore) as much as I could and virtually everything I read about the 308 said it was about 100 ft lb/fps behind the '06 in equivalent bullet weights and, rifle for rifle, was a bit more accurate. I bought one, killed my first deer with it, and currently own/have owned more rifles in 308 than any other.

Also, in this particular rifle, the recoil would be a bit less and for the hunting I do (whitetails) it has all the power I need. I bought the '06 because I love my Tikkas and this was a very cool looking rifle so I wanted to add it to my collection. I've killed one deer with it so far. As an aside, if they offered it in 25-06 I'd own one so fast there'd be a vapor trail behind it. I've never had a rifle in any caliber that put deer on the ground faster, right now, than the 25-06.

I've found the 308 easy to reload with many bullet/powder combos that work well and so far (pretend you hear knocking on wood) I've not had a 308 that didn't shoot good to excellent depending on the platform.

So, much of my reason would be sentimentality, with some personal preference and experience thrown in.

Ron

BretN · Apr 9, 2016

I have a T3 Lite in 308. I have done nothing to it other than adjust the trigger. My 30-06 is a T3 hunter in walnut. I have adjusted the trigger, added a limbsaver pad, and eventually will put in a steel recoil lug. The added recoil from the 06 warranted a good pad for me. Made it much nicer to shoot. Even the walnut stocked gun is still lighter than average, so it got a pad. Even with the pad on the 30-06, the 308 is still more pleasant to shoot. I like them both and got great prices on both off a used gun rack.

HTDUCK · Apr 12, 2016

I've got a T3 lite in 223 that is scary accurate.
I bought a T3 lite in 308 cause I'm a 308 fan as well.
Working up a load for it now.
It's short light and handy. Figured it would make a perfect tree stand rifle.
Recoil is not unbearable but you do know you've shot it

It feels like it kicks more than my 7STW which has a brake on it.