I am wanting to get a dedicated bolt gun for hunting. I was looking at the Tikka T3 line and they seem to be very good quality. All the reviws claim amazing accuracy right out of the box. I want to know their durability. Have you guys had any issues with them?
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Tikka T3 experiences
- Thread starter Nuke Man
- Start date
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have an old Tikka T-3 lite in .243 that will always have a special spot in the safe. Great rifle, killed many woodchucks and deer with it. Good trigger, smooth as silk, mag fed, Handy, balanced, easy to carry in the woods all day and probably will hold 1.5" at 300 yards still today. If you buy one, you won't be dissapointed.
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
Bat Tactical Actions
All Hogs Go to Heaven
I have an old Tikka T-3 lite in .243 that will always have a special spot in the safe. Great rifle, killed many woodchucks and deer with it. Good trigger, smooth as silk, mag fed, Handy, balanced, easy to carry in the woods all day and probably will hold 1.5" at 300 yards still today. If you buy one, you won't be dissapointed.
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
Bat Tactical Actions
All Hogs Go to Heaven
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have one in 223 and it shoots sub MOA with factory ammo. I have not had any issues with it. The action feels good and it has a decent adjustable trigger. It's a decent rifle for the money. However, I do not like the safety. You cannot unload it on safe. I'll buy a Savage over a Tikka for any future purchases.
I had a nightmare experience with a Beretta Silver Pigeon V shotgun that I sent in to Beretta for warranty work. They own Tikka. Ask some dealers about dealing with Beretta. I did and every one had a less than favorable opinion. They are not their favorite outfit to deal with. That said, Beretta does make some good stuff.
I have one in 223 and it shoots sub MOA with factory ammo. I have not had any issues with it. The action feels good and it has a decent adjustable trigger. It's a decent rifle for the money. However, I do not like the safety. You cannot unload it on safe. I'll buy a Savage over a Tikka for any future purchases.
I had a nightmare experience with a Beretta Silver Pigeon V shotgun that I sent in to Beretta for warranty work. They own Tikka. Ask some dealers about dealing with Beretta. I did and every one had a less than favorable opinion. They are not their favorite outfit to deal with. That said, Beretta does make some good stuff.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I believe I read that the new T3's you can unload on safe. Might be mistaken as I have looked at metric shit tons of rifles over the past weeks. I really was impressed with the actions on these rifles. Everything looks good I was just curious on how they hold up. Thanks for the input guys.
I believe I read that the new T3's you can unload on safe. Might be mistaken as I have looked at metric shit tons of rifles over the past weeks. I really was impressed with the actions on these rifles. Everything looks good I was just curious on how they hold up. Thanks for the input guys.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
They've been flogged to death over here in Oz.
Had a mate put thousands through his .223 T3 and never reported an issue that wasn't ammo related.
They've been flogged to death over here in Oz.
Had a mate put thousands through his .223 T3 and never reported an issue that wasn't ammo related.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down.
I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down. </div></div>
Can you unload yours on safe? They seem like a bargin!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down. </div></div>
Can you unload yours on safe? They seem like a bargin!
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SRSDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down. </div></div>
Can you unload yours on safe? </div></div>
No. Not a single one that I've seen. For me, that's not a deal breaker, though, since I'm not prone to pointing the rifle in an unsafe direction and/or pulling the trigger while I'm unloading it.
ETA: Some people would actually prefer that the bolt be locked on safe. Especially with an action that opens as easy as the Tikka, where it could easily be snagged by something and pulled open.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SRSDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have experience with several of them. I have a Sporter in 6.5x55 (haven't got a scope yet, though), my wife has a .223, as does my neighbor, as well as owning two others in .22-250 and a Tactical in .308. I've done load development and testing for every single one of them, as well as a lot of prairie dog hunting and plinking with them. Never a single problem and all have been tack drivers. Even the "bad" handloads will still do MOA. The actions are super slick, as well.
If I had to pick one rifle to hunt with, especially if it had to be light enough to carry around a lot, it would be the T3, hands down. </div></div>
Can you unload yours on safe? </div></div>
No. Not a single one that I've seen. For me, that's not a deal breaker, though, since I'm not prone to pointing the rifle in an unsafe direction and/or pulling the trigger while I'm unloading it.
ETA: Some people would actually prefer that the bolt be locked on safe. Especially with an action that opens as easy as the Tikka, where it could easily be snagged by something and pulled open.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
The Tikka has a detachable mag, I never hunt with one in the chamber, that is just me. So unloading is a breeze, just push the tab and drop the mag.
To OP if you can get your hands on a Tikka take a good look at it. If you can get the stock off, look at the machining and the detail of the small parts. Everything is of top quality and QC. Their injected stock fits the receiver like a glove and the rifle shoots sub-moa with factory trigger and stock.
If anything, you can do much worse than a Tikka.
The Tikka has a detachable mag, I never hunt with one in the chamber, that is just me. So unloading is a breeze, just push the tab and drop the mag.
To OP if you can get your hands on a Tikka take a good look at it. If you can get the stock off, look at the machining and the detail of the small parts. Everything is of top quality and QC. Their injected stock fits the receiver like a glove and the rifle shoots sub-moa with factory trigger and stock.
If anything, you can do much worse than a Tikka.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
Well thanks guys. Looks like a good choice. Now need to decide on caliber. Probably going to go with the polymer stock but the wood stocks sure look nice.
Well thanks guys. Looks like a good choice. Now need to decide on caliber. Probably going to go with the polymer stock but the wood stocks sure look nice.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nuke Man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well thanks guys. Looks like a good choice. Now need to decide on caliber. Probably going to go with the polymer stock but the wood stocks sure look nice. </div></div>
what kind of terrain will you be hunting?....many here will probably suggest .308 for hunting, but remember all Tikka's are long action.....i would also consider 30-06 and .270 for the excellent availability of ammo.....even though, my next tikka will be a .308
my left hand tikka was a 300WSM, it was sub-moa with factory ammo.......after buying mine, i bought my brother one in 300WSM but it was right handed.....it shot exactly the same as mine did, we both had egw hd rails and tactical rings....tikka .30 caliber barrels have 1:11 twist, so they love the lighter 150gr hunting ammo, but they also did great with 180 elk loads....stay away from coated bullets, those were the only ones that neither of ours would hold accuracy with
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nuke Man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well thanks guys. Looks like a good choice. Now need to decide on caliber. Probably going to go with the polymer stock but the wood stocks sure look nice. </div></div>
what kind of terrain will you be hunting?....many here will probably suggest .308 for hunting, but remember all Tikka's are long action.....i would also consider 30-06 and .270 for the excellent availability of ammo.....even though, my next tikka will be a .308
my left hand tikka was a 300WSM, it was sub-moa with factory ammo.......after buying mine, i bought my brother one in 300WSM but it was right handed.....it shot exactly the same as mine did, we both had egw hd rails and tactical rings....tikka .30 caliber barrels have 1:11 twist, so they love the lighter 150gr hunting ammo, but they also did great with 180 elk loads....stay away from coated bullets, those were the only ones that neither of ours would hold accuracy with
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have killed everything from elk to coyotes to rabbits with various Tikkas. Without question, the most accurate out of the box sporter weight rifles I have ever owned, and I have own a bunch. Very easy to load for too.
The .308s and .223s I think you could pour pretty much any propellant and top with about any projectile and get at least 1" groups at 100. The ones I have used have shot considerably better.
My .223 sporter weight (T3 lite stainless) shoots groups better than some varmint barrels .223 guns I have owned in the past.
Coyotes HATE it.
My daughters first hunt, she was immensely proud, as was I to have her with me:
I have killed everything from elk to coyotes to rabbits with various Tikkas. Without question, the most accurate out of the box sporter weight rifles I have ever owned, and I have own a bunch. Very easy to load for too.
The .308s and .223s I think you could pour pretty much any propellant and top with about any projectile and get at least 1" groups at 100. The ones I have used have shot considerably better.
My .223 sporter weight (T3 lite stainless) shoots groups better than some varmint barrels .223 guns I have owned in the past.
Coyotes HATE it.
My daughters first hunt, she was immensely proud, as was I to have her with me:
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
they seem like good hunting rifles. i just traded a mossberg 100 atr in 243 for a stainless t3 in 7mm rem mag. pretty good deal i think. lol. but i will be selling it to buy another remmy 700 aac-sd. so if anybody is interested in a tikka t3 stainless 7mm, i will make someone a good deal on one. comes with leupold rings and basses.
they seem like good hunting rifles. i just traded a mossberg 100 atr in 243 for a stainless t3 in 7mm rem mag. pretty good deal i think. lol. but i will be selling it to buy another remmy 700 aac-sd. so if anybody is interested in a tikka t3 stainless 7mm, i will make someone a good deal on one. comes with leupold rings and basses.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
This T3 lite stainless .308 that I had cut to 20"s is my "go to" rifle for most hunting I do.
It is topped with a 2.5-10 compact Nightforce in Talley lightweight rings.
Lightweight and a joy to carry. It is my version of a practical, do everything rifle.
Last years elk was taken with this rifle. It has quickly become a favorite.
This T3 lite stainless .308 that I had cut to 20"s is my "go to" rifle for most hunting I do.
It is topped with a 2.5-10 compact Nightforce in Talley lightweight rings.
Lightweight and a joy to carry. It is my version of a practical, do everything rifle.
Last years elk was taken with this rifle. It has quickly become a favorite.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
Wish that they would bring back the wood that was on the older white tail hunter. I love my master sporter that I picked up from the fs section here. Great actions and their consistency of product is excellent.
Wish that they would bring back the wood that was on the older white tail hunter. I love my master sporter that I picked up from the fs section here. Great actions and their consistency of product is excellent.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
got mine in a gun trade..... stainless with plastic stock...243.....smooth action.... bad crown...unconcentric bore to barrel o.d...thru a 20x scope on it.... dropped powder harrels drop...w-760 powder.. new brass.... 80 gr. pmc bullet...60$/1000....
it shot groups of .300" first time out.....couldn`t believe it.....
got mine in a gun trade..... stainless with plastic stock...243.....smooth action.... bad crown...unconcentric bore to barrel o.d...thru a 20x scope on it.... dropped powder harrels drop...w-760 powder.. new brass.... 80 gr. pmc bullet...60$/1000....
it shot groups of .300" first time out.....couldn`t believe it.....
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have a T3 in .223. The most accurate factory rifle that I have owned. The first trip to the range ended with a nice 5 shot group of .300. What's not to like.
Regards, Paul
I have a T3 in .223. The most accurate factory rifle that I have owned. The first trip to the range ended with a nice 5 shot group of .300. What's not to like.
Regards, Paul
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
IMHO its the best "cheap" rifle on the market. The quality is far better than savage and the bolt is butter smooth. I have shot around 6 or so T3s and they ALL shot less than MOA.
If I needed a turnkey budjet rifle it would be the T3 without a doubt.
IMHO its the best "cheap" rifle on the market. The quality is far better than savage and the bolt is butter smooth. I have shot around 6 or so T3s and they ALL shot less than MOA.
If I needed a turnkey budjet rifle it would be the T3 without a doubt.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
Anyone try the T3 sporter? I am wanting to get a .260 bolt gun and it looks like one of the only options without going with the higher end guns. here is the one I'm looking at http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-sporter-24-barrel-260-rem-jrtn521.aspx
Anyone try the T3 sporter? I am wanting to get a .260 bolt gun and it looks like one of the only options without going with the higher end guns. here is the one I'm looking at http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-sporter-24-barrel-260-rem-jrtn521.aspx
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
My T3 Lites in 204 and 243 shoot as previously stated. Great hunting rifle and very accurate.
My T3 Lites in 204 and 243 shoot as previously stated. Great hunting rifle and very accurate.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
We have 5 tikkas .223,.243 and 3 different .308's they all shoot great my favorite is the super varmint in .308 topped with a mark 4 in 6x20 tmr rectical it shoots my hand loads 168 matchkings at .30 inch groups if I dont pull the shot and 165 gamekings at .50 inch groups.....My go to hunting gun is a T3 lite stainless in .308 with 165 gamekings.....topped with a leupold 3x9x40 I've taken a pile of animals with it...
We have 5 tikkas .223,.243 and 3 different .308's they all shoot great my favorite is the super varmint in .308 topped with a mark 4 in 6x20 tmr rectical it shoots my hand loads 168 matchkings at .30 inch groups if I dont pull the shot and 165 gamekings at .50 inch groups.....My go to hunting gun is a T3 lite stainless in .308 with 165 gamekings.....topped with a leupold 3x9x40 I've taken a pile of animals with it...
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have a T3 Scout... which they don't have anymore... that I love. I've recommended the Tikka line to several people over the last few years and none of them have been disappointed.
I have a T3 Scout... which they don't have anymore... that I love. I've recommended the Tikka line to several people over the last few years and none of them have been disappointed.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have a 22-250 T3-lite, with a Burris 4x16 Signature Select and I love it. I just shot my best group this year with the new 50 grain Superperformance Hornadys; 3 shots that measured just under 3/8" at 100 yards. I can guarantee I am not an expert shooter by any means. I have owned the gun for 6 years with no hick-ups. I use it mainly for coyote hunting in extreme cold temps. and I have never had an issue with the clip, firing pin, or bolt. You won't be dissapointed.
I have a 22-250 T3-lite, with a Burris 4x16 Signature Select and I love it. I just shot my best group this year with the new 50 grain Superperformance Hornadys; 3 shots that measured just under 3/8" at 100 yards. I can guarantee I am not an expert shooter by any means. I have owned the gun for 6 years with no hick-ups. I use it mainly for coyote hunting in extreme cold temps. and I have never had an issue with the clip, firing pin, or bolt. You won't be dissapointed.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I have a 300 Win Super lite, great gun, super smooth. hate all the plastic though. To me it shoots way better than it should so goes to show you the quality of the barrel is the most important thing, as Sako/Tikka are known to have great barrel.
The magazine is my biggest gripe, but mine shoots .75 MOA all day.
I have a 300 Win Super lite, great gun, super smooth. hate all the plastic though. To me it shoots way better than it should so goes to show you the quality of the barrel is the most important thing, as Sako/Tikka are known to have great barrel.
The magazine is my biggest gripe, but mine shoots .75 MOA all day.
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I get quite a few T3's into the workshop to be re-stocked.
We seem to notice that anything from 243 upwards wants to be bedded. In my opinion the original recoil lug must be replaced by a stainless one.
I use a 20" 223 1/8 lite for foxes and crows. She is very picky with the ammo but when on song she has taken crows at over 450yds. She loves 69gr nos custom match and a bit of varget.
edi
I get quite a few T3's into the workshop to be re-stocked.
We seem to notice that anything from 243 upwards wants to be bedded. In my opinion the original recoil lug must be replaced by a stainless one.
I use a 20" 223 1/8 lite for foxes and crows. She is very picky with the ammo but when on song she has taken crows at over 450yds. She loves 69gr nos custom match and a bit of varget.
edi
Re: Tikka T3 experiences
I love my .308. Super accurate with the 155scenar's from Southwest Ammo.
I never turn down an opportunity to show it off...
I love my .308. Super accurate with the 155scenar's from Southwest Ammo.
I never turn down an opportunity to show it off...
