It was many years ago that I was first introduced to the Tikka T3, the first that I fired was a good friends Tikka T3 270 varmint. From the first two shots I knew these were a nice rifle, with an excellent trigger and action. Anybody in the know knows that the Tikka has some distinct similarities with the Sako TRG and some features that are in fact better, all for a cheaper price.
Fast Forward to last year!!!
Knowing well of the potential of the T3, I purchased a T3 Varmint Stainless in 308win and a handful of us Aussie fellas got to pestering Greg From Wombat Ordnance to build us some hybrid AICS inspired chassis. Greg has a tremendous amount of skill from many years’ experience as a machinist and is an expert on the tools. I have dreamed up an AI style system for the Tikka for a long time and Greg’s talents and service are second to none. We waited patiently as Greg did these for us in his spare time, enjoying every update he gave us on the build. Then it was born!!!
The chassis incorporates all the good features of the AICS suitable for other rifles and some neat features like a slightly shorter custom cheek piece that allows easy removal of the bolt, which is handy as we can’t have folders in AUS. The magazine well has a beautiful inlet bevel so that magazine insertion is a trouble free experience and the whole chassis is type 3 hard coat anodized. Greg has made both a picatinny and spigot adaptor for us so that either a Quick release or spigot mount Atlas can be used for example. Bedded down on a Sterk recoil lug and fitted with the Sterk Swept ball and titanium shroud, the package is one that has fantastic ergonomics and balance.
The Cheek Piece, allowing bolt removal
the mag well, well bevelled allowing easy mag insertion
Sterk Swept Ball and Titanium Shroud
The rifle is great for positional shooting and fixes the nose diving problem that a regular t3 varmint has. Coupled with the fact that the only plastic is the Victor Company Skins ( which are fantastic and a credit to Michael Victor) The rifle is now the one that I have the most confidence with on long trips in the wilderness in the elements, everything on it is either cerakoted or anodized with a micro slicked action, making it weather resistant and relatively low maintenance.
So how does it shoot? The standard trigger has been adjusted to 2lb, breaks very nicely with a great feel. I have my stock 223 rem Tikka varmint with a yo dave trigger spring but I believe it is not a necessary addition. Recoil is dramatically reduced being of AICS weight, making spotting shots easier. It feels absolutely fantastic on the Atlas Bipod. The balance for offhand shots is great and having the features that the Viperskins bring is great. It is likely that a torch may find its way on the side of the Skins so that I can do some foxing with the rifle also. I also use a TAB Gear elite Biathlon sling which is fantastic for those 10+ kilometres stalks up and down hills and for positional shooting for competition. The Vortex FFP Mrad PST has served fantastically for the price but will likely get shuffled down to my 223 or sold because I would like to spoil myself with a Vortex Gen 2 4.5-27x56 or Steiner Tx5i 5-25x56, time will tell. It will not be sold because it doesn’t do exactly what it is asked.
In Future I’d like to run it off AW mags, for no other reason than it would make an awesome system just that little bit more special. But there is also an AI on the cards in future.
I am Happy to call Greg my friend and look forward to the future projects he is churning out for us guys. My mate cant wait to get his and he has some long action Tikka builds on the way too on top of hybrids for savage, winchester, howa, rem and more!!
For now ill leave you with the last group fired in the field measuring .442 moa with 155smk at 100yds
The cluster is the group fired, measured with my STS moa ruler
Have a great day, stay safe, from your Aussie brothers.
Fast Forward to last year!!!
Knowing well of the potential of the T3, I purchased a T3 Varmint Stainless in 308win and a handful of us Aussie fellas got to pestering Greg From Wombat Ordnance to build us some hybrid AICS inspired chassis. Greg has a tremendous amount of skill from many years’ experience as a machinist and is an expert on the tools. I have dreamed up an AI style system for the Tikka for a long time and Greg’s talents and service are second to none. We waited patiently as Greg did these for us in his spare time, enjoying every update he gave us on the build. Then it was born!!!
The chassis incorporates all the good features of the AICS suitable for other rifles and some neat features like a slightly shorter custom cheek piece that allows easy removal of the bolt, which is handy as we can’t have folders in AUS. The magazine well has a beautiful inlet bevel so that magazine insertion is a trouble free experience and the whole chassis is type 3 hard coat anodized. Greg has made both a picatinny and spigot adaptor for us so that either a Quick release or spigot mount Atlas can be used for example. Bedded down on a Sterk recoil lug and fitted with the Sterk Swept ball and titanium shroud, the package is one that has fantastic ergonomics and balance.
The Cheek Piece, allowing bolt removal
the mag well, well bevelled allowing easy mag insertion
Sterk Swept Ball and Titanium Shroud
The rifle is great for positional shooting and fixes the nose diving problem that a regular t3 varmint has. Coupled with the fact that the only plastic is the Victor Company Skins ( which are fantastic and a credit to Michael Victor) The rifle is now the one that I have the most confidence with on long trips in the wilderness in the elements, everything on it is either cerakoted or anodized with a micro slicked action, making it weather resistant and relatively low maintenance.
So how does it shoot? The standard trigger has been adjusted to 2lb, breaks very nicely with a great feel. I have my stock 223 rem Tikka varmint with a yo dave trigger spring but I believe it is not a necessary addition. Recoil is dramatically reduced being of AICS weight, making spotting shots easier. It feels absolutely fantastic on the Atlas Bipod. The balance for offhand shots is great and having the features that the Viperskins bring is great. It is likely that a torch may find its way on the side of the Skins so that I can do some foxing with the rifle also. I also use a TAB Gear elite Biathlon sling which is fantastic for those 10+ kilometres stalks up and down hills and for positional shooting for competition. The Vortex FFP Mrad PST has served fantastically for the price but will likely get shuffled down to my 223 or sold because I would like to spoil myself with a Vortex Gen 2 4.5-27x56 or Steiner Tx5i 5-25x56, time will tell. It will not be sold because it doesn’t do exactly what it is asked.
In Future I’d like to run it off AW mags, for no other reason than it would make an awesome system just that little bit more special. But there is also an AI on the cards in future.
I am Happy to call Greg my friend and look forward to the future projects he is churning out for us guys. My mate cant wait to get his and he has some long action Tikka builds on the way too on top of hybrids for savage, winchester, howa, rem and more!!
For now ill leave you with the last group fired in the field measuring .442 moa with 155smk at 100yds
The cluster is the group fired, measured with my STS moa ruler
Have a great day, stay safe, from your Aussie brothers.
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