Hunting & Fishing Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

[LanceS4803]

I plan on buying a .300WSM soon, primarily for western hunting and hopefully caribou. As these involve long hikes and climbs, weight is a big consideration. Have been very impressed with the Tikka T3 reviews.
Finally got to take a look at one this week and found this rifle to be incredibly lightweight, with a very smooth action. It is the weight that has me concerned. It might just be too light, and in fact I found some threads where people actually added weight to the polymer stock.
I'm not recoil adverse (with a properly designed stock and pad), but am wondering if a standard wood stocked T3 would help with recoil impulse? Am going to add a LimbSaver pad either way.
Anyone else run into the issue of a rifle being too light weight for the caliber?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

Light rifles suck for load development when you're shooting them at the bench, but in the field you never feel the recoil. If you plan to just hunt with this rifle once you find ammo that shoots decent then stick with the light stock.

 

[hahco]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

For me, yes, that gun is too light for a .300 WSM. You might do fine with it. If I flinch shooting a gun at the bench I'm gonna flinch shooting it in the field too.

OTOH, I would think a Tikka lite in .308 or 7mm-08 would be a killa dilla without all the extra commotion.

 

[Curt1521]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

You could always put a brake on it. I have a browning a-bolt in 300 wsm with the boss brake.
It kicks like my .243. I can shoot it all day

 

[jake_c02]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I've shot a tikka t3 .300wsm with a brake and it was real easy to shoot. Without a brake would probably be a different story.

 

[LanceS4803]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

Jake, What brake are you using?

Looking through the Tikka catalog, the laminated wood/stainless steel barrel caught my eye. Apparently, their wood stock has a slightly different configuration than the polymer, more forgiving. Plus, looks pretty good together.

 

[SavageSlayer]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

Hi LanceS4803,

Are you completely sold on the 300WSM or is there another caliber that could do what you need this rifle to do with less recoil? (.270, .308, 30-06, 7mm mag)

How sensitive are you to recoil in the first place? How much experience do you have shooting the .30 cal magnums?

I own a Tikka T3 Lite in .270 Win. You are right about the action, it is extemely smooth, like glass and the trigger is very nice as well. I put a Limbsaver on mine and it makes a big difference. I hand load for mine using a full charge, 60 gr., of H4831SC and 130 gr. bullets. It has a decent amount of recoil and muzzle blast and I catch myself every once in a while flinching and will send one low and left, but that is usually after putting 15 to 20 rounds down range at the bench. In a hunting situation you would probably never notice, but after 25 shots or so at the range my shoulder starts to feel it a little and I usually walk away with very slight bruising, and I do not bruise easily. Also, one thing to note is frame size. I am relatively medium framed (6'1 175 lbs.) so recoil could affect me greater than it does you.

Just some things to think about.

 

[abilliott]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

If you do not intend on switching calibers I think the decision is easy. Hiking all day long to hopefully shoot one shot that your probably not going to feel? Generally caribou hunting weather is cold and you'll have multiple layers on to help with recoil. Thow a limb-savers on it and I think you have a perfect rifle for doing just what you say you want to do with it! I think I know what I would choose.

BTW, I'm sorta biased being a tikka fan! If you buy it You'll love it!

 

[LanceS4803]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

Thanks for some good info.
I have limited experience with magnums, but I figure if I can handle magnum shotgun turkey loads (pump gun, NOT semi), a 300WSM can't be that bad!! For bench work with the 12ga I use a PAST shooting pad. I'm 6' 170, so not a lot of upper bulk.

I do want to stick with the 300WSM. I like the ballistics, better than the .30-06. (I've shot quite a bit with the Springfield 1903, so that caliber is just fine with me.)

I reload, so ammo won't be a problem.
I like LimbSavers, and the one I put on my .45-70 made all the difference in the world.

 

[jake_c02]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LanceS4803</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jake, What brake are you using?
</div></div>
Its not my rifle so I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure it has a RWS brake.

 

[nso123]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

My buddy has one in 7mm Mag, and it can be a handfull as far as recoil goes. As others have said, you never feel the recoil in the field, but you can develop a flinch while you are shooting it from a bench.

 

[LanceS4803]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I was looking at a chart of recoil strengths and the 300WSM is just about the same as a .45-70.
My Guide Gun is no problem at all, so I think the 300WSM is do-able.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

How far do you intend to shoot or want to try an stretch it to?
.
Since you reload you should be able to get some good performance out of an 06. Montana Marine here can chime in on that part as he has done quite a bit in that regard.
.
The WSM I had didnt impress me much and once I started looking at the differences in performance between that an the 06 I sold as I didn't think 300fps was that much of a gain for where I would be using it. (have a 7RM and 300RUM if more distance is needed)
.
On a side note I have a T3 Lite in 7-08 an love it, great rifle very smooth an topped with a Accupoint 3-9. ONLY down side is the price of the mag's.

 

[LanceS4803]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I'm thinking realistically, 500yds max.
I'm looking at the 300WSM as it retains all the capabilities of the 300WM (except when getting over 200gr), with a shorter action and less recoil. Running ballistics charts, the WSM retains significantly more energy throughout than the 06, and even just a little more that the WM. I've been using 180gr as comparison projectiles.

I agree, it is close to the 06, but then I already have one of those. Is it okay to just want another rifle, but in a different caliber?

I'm liking the T3, and other than a Sako (big bucks), haven't seen another brand that grabs me. Maybe if Remington made a 700 Mountain in 300WSM...?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How far do you intend to shoot or want to try an stretch it to?
.
Since you reload you should be able to get some good performance out of an 06. Montana Marine here can chime in on that part as he has done quite a bit in that regard.
.
The WSM I had didnt impress me much and once I started looking at the differences in performance between that an the 06 I sold as I didn't think 300fps was that much of a gain for where I would be using it. (have a 7RM and 300RUM if more distance is needed)
.
On a side note I have a T3 Lite in 7-08 an love it, great rifle very smooth an topped with a Accupoint 3-9. ONLY down side is the price of the mag's. </div></div>

 

[Weaselthis]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I got the wife a T3 in 7-08. Scoped, slung & deadly,comes in right 7.75 lbs. Limbasaver, machined muzzle brake, shoots 140 Accubonds about 2800 (somewhat warm) but puts 3 submoa. 200 yd. zero & gives 1150 ft/lbs. at 500 and drops about 44 inches (roughly 4 ft.). I don't dial up hunting much. I've killed most of my animals w/ 1ft. 2ft. 4 ft. mantra at 300,400,500,my max. Blondie's taking this to Africa in May. She's 5ft.2. Loves it, but it will be mine to go deer huntin w/ next fall! Older I get the heavier my sticks seem to be. Looking forward to slinging this one on my shoulder. No matter the caliber, I think you'll like the T3 for hunting. I'm sure I will. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[roggom]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I have 2 Tikka and they are currently my favorite hunting/ walking rifles. I have a 7mm mag and the 30-06. My -06 has a little more kick than my 7mm but may be that I am shooting 180's out of the -06 and 162's out of the 7mm mag. ]

Anyway, if you heart is set on the wsm, then get what you want. The thing about shorter action is not pertinent as all of the Tikka T3's are long action. So a 300 wsm will weight the same as a 300 wm, as the bbl's are the same size.

I really wanted a Tikka in 308, but could only find the -06, but in the Tikka lite stainless, they are dimensionally the same in bbl length and receiver size and weight, just that the bolt stop and mag are different.

The -06 comes in a 22" bbl and the 300 wm and wsm come with a 24 3/8" bbl. Just something to consider.

I have a limbsaver on my 7mm mag but will keep my -06 stock, as the limbsaver is nice, but I dont like the extra 1/2" of LOP.

All in all my 7mm with leupold vx3 weighs 7.5 lbs and my -06 with Leupy VXR comes in at 7 lbs. They are both a pleasure to carry in the field or the mountains.

 

[johninok]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

great for their intended purpose, hunting. Cant say a bad thing about them

 

[6mech]

Re: Tikka T3 Lite = Too Light?

I have a T3 Lite in .30-06. Like you, I wanted the WSM, but I got a smokin' deal on the '06. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. It shoots right at MOA with factory Federal 150's. I haven't reloaded for it yet. It has a pretty good kick with 180's, but a Limbsaver keeps it manageable. My son has a Savage 116 .300WSM with the Accustock/trigger that shoots lights out (.213") with a load I developed for him. It has the dbm like the Tikka. I actually prefer the Savage, but I'll still keep my T3.