Photos My first bolt action - left hand .308 T3x Tikka with Athlon Ares ETR

[jbeaupain]

Tikka T3x .308 Lite Stainless Left Handed
Athlon Optics Ares ETR APRS1 MIL Reticle and 4" sunshade
Murphy Precision 0MOA Picatinny rail
Warne Maxima vertical rings

Built my own AR. That was my first rifle. Now that I've fallen in love with the sport of precision rifle shooting, I had to get a bolt action. This is what I've ended up with. Can't wait to get it all put together and on the range.

These photos are a dry fit to ensure all is going to work good together. Now I need to break it all down, bed the rail to the receiver and mount it for good. After that, will remount the rings in the proper position and lap them... doesn't matter to me that the manufacturer (Warne) says they don't need it. I'm not clamping any rings down to that scope without lapping them. Too big of an investment to take a shortcut like that. Even if the rings don't truly need lapping, lapping them will show me that.

Pretty sure I'm going to need to add a cheek rest, but other than that, just need to nail down some good ammo that it likes and we'll be on our way. Yee-haa!

 

[Fweedombypepe]

I contemplated getting the brown ares elso...but after talking to @gr8fuldoug ..he kinda advised me not to if nothing else is that color on the gun. He did also say that I don't have to take his advice since his mom and ex wives didn't either. Lol. Kinda glad I took your advice Doug!

 

[clcustom1911]

I have a T3x Lite in 7mm RemMag. I am SO HAPPY I went with this over a Remington. I went with an EGW 20 MOA rail on top.

 

[davsco]

i have a tikka t3x lite in 300wsm, got it late last year. i was testing out a bunch of factory ammo for groups, and it was vertically stringing pretty good (that is, bad) towards the end, despite me taking some time between each group to let it cool some. not sure i'd use that barrel for any sort of precision matches. but for a hopeful elk trip this fall, it should work perfectly.

 

[clcustom1911]

Yes, I have noticed as long as I keep shooting about one shot every 30 seconds I am good for about 10 to 15 shots in a row before I start stringing to the right

 

[swage2712]

I would invest in some better rings. Vertical split rings are known to have issues. Lots of info on this site about it. Otherwise it's a nice setup.

 

[clcustom1911]

I would invest in some better rings. Vertical split rings are known to have issues. Lots of info on this site about it. Otherwise it's a nice setup.

Agreed on that. A set of Vortex precision rings, JP 1 piece mount, Seekins Rings, etc. All will do every well. I have Leupold, Vortex, and JP on my stuff.

 

[la angler]

Great choice of gun and optics. Have you got any range time in?

 

[jbeaupain]

I contemplated getting the brown ares elso...but after talking to @gr8fuldoug ..he kinda advised me not to if nothing else is that color on the gun. He did also say that I don't have to take his advice since his mom and ex wives didn't either. Lol. Kinda glad I took your advice Doug!

Love the brown scope myself. Offsets it from just black and stainless in my opinion. I may replace the rings with a lower set though, as it sits pretty high... that's the one thing I may change. Other than that, very happy with it. Shoots great as well. Going to lower the trigger pull weight since I am mainly using it for punching paper.

 

[jbeaupain]

I would invest in some better rings. Vertical split rings are known to have issues. Lots of info on this site about it. Otherwise it's a nice setup.

Choosing rings was a real stress area. I went with Warne as that is what the Athlon tech support person recommended - though he didn't recommend a model... few to choose from in the 34mm size though.

 

[jbeaupain]

Great choice of gun and optics. Have you got any range time in?

Yes on the range time - a bit, but not as much as I'd like (various reasons). Have a DNR range an hour away that goes to 200yd. Need to travel about twice as far and spend some bucks to get on a longer range, so this will do for now. Have been out three times so far. Still working on getting control over it. Right now it is controlling me as much as I am it... I know it's not bad on recoil, but am still anticipating and flinching more than I want. Need to work on that big time. It shoots real nice. Just got some hand loads from a co-worker that I'm looking forward to trying out. Just need to get out there again soon. Yee-haa!

 

[OG10]

If I may make a suggestion, I have owned and still own several Tikka rifles.The one thing I have found is the T3, T3x in the lite and ctr versions have one thing in common in 308 cal is they all have shot fgmm 168 grain sierra match king realy well.if you have not tried this ammo you should.Next the rifle can be finicky about how it is held when shooting off a bench, with out knowing your skill level I am not sure what your doing right or wrong, another item that will help with perceived felt recoil is a limb saver air tech recoil pad.A light weight rifle is sometimes more difficult to shoot accurately. The last thing to consider is getting shooting instruction or at least enroll in the online training this site has to offer. And last but not least is make sure that you allow the barrel to cool between shot strings this has merit especialy in a sporter weight barrel 3 rounds then let it cool if you can't hold the barrel it is too hot and will cause you much frustration when shooting. My .02 ps good looking setup, good luck in your shooting future.

 

[Boltman82]

Good choice on a Tikka! I've learned the rifle shoots awesome, I'm the one that needs work.