What can be said of the Tikka T3 line of rifles? I have run across one and for the price it seems very nice. I have also seen reports of their stellar accuracy. Anyone have some helpful insight/firsthand experience they can share? Specifically, how do they compare to the other PF rifles on the market (Remington, Savage, Weatheyby, etc)?
Tikka''s
- Thread starter ajvigs
- Start date
I have several Tikka's, sold several after shoots, have several Remingtin, Savages, Marlin....
Was shooting my Tikka 308 Varmit and my Remington LTR 223 this morning. The Tikka factory stock has a much better trigger and shoots great. While I know the Remington trigger can be tuned or replaced, the Tikka is nice.
A lightened Tikka trigger will make the Marlin trigger feel like you are pulling an anchor line.
Cheers
Eric
Was shooting my Tikka 308 Varmit and my Remington LTR 223 this morning. The Tikka factory stock has a much better trigger and shoots great. While I know the Remington trigger can be tuned or replaced, the Tikka is nice.
A lightened Tikka trigger will make the Marlin trigger feel like you are pulling an anchor line.
Cheers
Eric
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,344
- 3,185
Sako Tikka Savage.....
The most accurate out if the box rifles.
The most accurate out if the box rifles.
Rem Jim
Handloader
- Jan 7, 2012
- 688
- 9
I have a Tikka T3 Lite SS Syn - chambered in 338 Federal -Topped off with a Leo V3 2.5-8 and Talley lw rings-mounts. I replaced the short bolt stop with a long cartridge one and now use long cartridge mags so i can seat the bullets further out for more velocity and accuracy ! Great little Rifles ! :grin:
Cheers
Jim
Cheers
Jim
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 708
- 641
I currently own 11 T-3's including 2 Varmints, 2 Big Boars, and one Cabela's exclusive. There were four others that I have sold/traded in the past.
Of all those, only one was a problem child. All the others shot very well out of the box with little to no tweaking of the load.
I know some folks don't care for the stocks, have concerns about plastic mags, etc., but so far I have been extremely pleased with their performance and durability.
What caliber is the one you're looking at?
Ron
Of all those, only one was a problem child. All the others shot very well out of the box with little to no tweaking of the load.
I know some folks don't care for the stocks, have concerns about plastic mags, etc., but so far I have been extremely pleased with their performance and durability.
What caliber is the one you're looking at?
Ron
- Thread starter
- #6
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,976
- 290
I have enjoyed shooting my dad's T3 Lite this spring in 25-06. It is a very nice rifle. It is a lot easier to clean up compared to my other factory rifles. I really like the feel and looks of the rifle.
Thebear_78
Handloader
- Sep 30, 2004
- 3,098
- 865
They are usually great shooters but I haven't been impressed with their recoil lug or lack of one.
I had a laminated stocked 338 win that shot great until the stock cracked. Cracked all through the wrist behind the mag well, starting at the recoil lug.
Berretta USA is a real bitch to deal with and wouldn't warrantee the stock because I had a muzzle break installed, once changed from original condition it voids warrantee. They wanted a small fortune for a new stock.
It really soured me on the rifle and beretta usa in general. More of a importer issue than manufacturer issue.
Since that time I have yet to see a 338 laminated tikka that didn't have a crack behind the recoil lug of the 5-6 I have run across. I ended up epoxy and pinning the stock and selling it for a song.
Synthetic will be fine and smaller calibers will be fine but avoid the 338 and god help you if there is anything wrong with it, because berretta usa won't.
I had a laminated stocked 338 win that shot great until the stock cracked. Cracked all through the wrist behind the mag well, starting at the recoil lug.
Berretta USA is a real bitch to deal with and wouldn't warrantee the stock because I had a muzzle break installed, once changed from original condition it voids warrantee. They wanted a small fortune for a new stock.
It really soured me on the rifle and beretta usa in general. More of a importer issue than manufacturer issue.
Since that time I have yet to see a 338 laminated tikka that didn't have a crack behind the recoil lug of the 5-6 I have run across. I ended up epoxy and pinning the stock and selling it for a song.
Synthetic will be fine and smaller calibers will be fine but avoid the 338 and god help you if there is anything wrong with it, because berretta usa won't.
Thebear_78
Handloader
- Sep 30, 2004
- 3,098
- 865
I agree, stock design combined with light weight made my 338 punishing off the bench, hence the muzzle brake
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
...I've got a T3 Lite in .300 WSM, slick action, very nice trigger, very accurate w/ a number of loads, @ 7#'s w/ a 4.5X14 VX-3, recoil is still very manageable, stock is laid glass, not injection molded plastic, fit & finish is far superior to any Remington in the same price range. The scope rings included w/ the rifle are metric hex heads. standard hex wrenches are either too small or too big, & will strip out the heads, a metric hex set is about $4.00 & save you a lot of grief...
LD375
Handloader
- May 18, 2009
- 1,239
- 3
Thebear_78":18lsxefx said:
Yup, nice rifles, but Tikka`s in .338 WM are well known for that due to the lighter weight design.
Darkhorse
Handloader
- Mar 14, 2014
- 822
- 185
I have a Stainless lite synthetic Lefthand in .308 Win. with a 3X9 Zeiss conquest. I bought it for a short to medium range whitetail rig and it excells at that.
However much I like that rifle, and it gets hunted with twice as much as any other rifle I own, I do not think it will out shoot my old M700 7mag. Maybe. But I doubt it. It's just hard for factory rifles to beat sub .250 groups (.189 best so far) and my old 7 will shoot the right load into those tiny groups regularly.
But time will tell as I have yet to concentrate on wringing out the Tikka.
However much I like that rifle, and it gets hunted with twice as much as any other rifle I own, I do not think it will out shoot my old M700 7mag. Maybe. But I doubt it. It's just hard for factory rifles to beat sub .250 groups (.189 best so far) and my old 7 will shoot the right load into those tiny groups regularly.
But time will tell as I have yet to concentrate on wringing out the Tikka.
Mighty Peace
Handloader
- Jul 5, 2006
- 328
- 2
No issues with the two T3 LS rifles I had...great shooters with factory and reloaded ammo. Only reason I sold the 2 (both in 270WSM) is I found a mint Sako m75ss in 270WSM and really didn't need 3. Plus my outlaws pretty much took over the rifles from me so I sold the 2 to them.
A T3 in Macmillan stock would be sweet. Seen a few in the Bell Carson stocks as well.
A T3 in Macmillan stock would be sweet. Seen a few in the Bell Carson stocks as well.
Thebear_78
Handloader
- Sep 30, 2004
- 3,098
- 865
Actually broke down and picked up a t3 in 223 8" lite today. I got a smoking deal on it. It came with a 4.5-14 vx3 with b&c reticle in it, whole rig was like new. Could hardly buy the scope for what I payed for it.
As expected it would stack three rounds but started walking horizontally after 3. Should make a dandy walking predator rig. I'm going to try some heavier bullets in it. It shows a marked preference to 69gr matchkings in federal loading, was putting 5 in just over an inch but first 3 would be clustered in 1/2-3/4 every time.
As expected it would stack three rounds but started walking horizontally after 3. Should make a dandy walking predator rig. I'm going to try some heavier bullets in it. It shows a marked preference to 69gr matchkings in federal loading, was putting 5 in just over an inch but first 3 would be clustered in 1/2-3/4 every time.
pharmseller
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2012
- 554
- 88
I have a few T3 Lite stainless rifles. I add a Limbsaver pad and set the trigger pull at 2 pounds.
They shoot everything! Little bitty holes and consistently. They are all I shoot these days.
P
They shoot everything! Little bitty holes and consistently. They are all I shoot these days.
P
Divernhunter
Handloader
- Apr 1, 2009
- 812
- 171
I have 2 Tikka T-3 Lite rifles. A 6,5X55 and a 7mm-08. Both have had limbsaver direct replacement recoil pads installed on them. Both shoot tiny little groups with a number of bullets and powders.
I would not want one in a Mag chambering--I do not want anything lighter than my Ruger M77 for a 300 or 338win mag. But that is just me. I would prefer a Weatherby Vanguard for those if looking for an excellent lower cost rifle.
I would not want one in a Mag chambering--I do not want anything lighter than my Ruger M77 for a 300 or 338win mag. But that is just me. I would prefer a Weatherby Vanguard for those if looking for an excellent lower cost rifle.
