Tikka T3 research

Re: Tikka T3 research

Good call to pretend you didn't read that I mentioned there wasn't a 1/2" group in the lot,despite your prior fantasy which mused it as being "routine" ala Factory Fodder.

Then you wish to frost that with a gross misunderstanding of stock composition?
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Got pretty quiet,so I'll refresh ala direct quote:

"out of the three I have owned...plus my two buddies who have them...all five of them are sub 1/2" five shot group at 100 yards shooting rifles...oh...and thats with factory ammo."

I imagine it'll be Cricketts for a long while.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Hijack-Car.jpg
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

I do not think a copy/paste from within the Thread proper,constitutes a highjack. Despite my knowing well in advance that: "out of the three I have owned...plus my two buddies who have them...all five of them are sub 1/2" five shot group at 100 yards shooting rifles...oh...and thats with factory ammo."...was rather a large whopper.

But I'm all ears.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

This sites credibility is in quickening decline with it's tolerance of such a wit.

A foot fungus comes to mind, with the only difference... the Owl will go away with lack of attention.

John
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Despite what some think or say, I for one would be interested in after market upgrades offered for the Tikka T3 in .308. Not being a professional shooter as some are I can not say my T3 shoots .5 groups all day. It does have an uncanny ability to shoot sub MOA groups with hand loads MOST all the time if I am doing my part. True this only ranges out to 300 yrds (and at 300 there are less MOA groups) to date but as stated above I am not a professional, just a weekend shooter who shoots for fun.
I also have remington and savage rifles. They too shoot well. Is one better then another?? I can not say as in my cases the shooter can be the biggest varible. But all that does not matter because I like my tikka and do not really care what others think.
Pete, please let us know what is available for our Tikka's. tnks.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

I am also interested in a bottom metal to accept AICS mags.
I am having a Tikka T3 Varmint .308 put together, just waiting for a Manners stock. I hope this comes out soon so I can include this on the build. Maybe have manners inlet it for me before sending the stock. -That would be perfect!
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

C'mon Nobody, you have a gob of Remingtons, right? Talking about Tikka quality from that vantage point is a mite silly.

I love ta have you around as much as the next longtimer, but saturating a tech thread with one-liners ain't it.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

I know I should not feed the trolls, but cannot help responding to the Owl...

I also have a T3 that repeatedly shoots 0.5 MOA out to 300 yards (the furthest I have shot). I have won several club level competitions with this rifle, and hope to begin competing at Bisley this year. Below are some targets:

This is a three shot group at 100 yards, including the cold bore shot. Whilst only three shots, it measures around 1/4":
j9tuex.jpg


This target was 10 shots at 100 yards under timed conditions. I pulled a shot or two, but given the conditions I was happy.
11acqqo.jpg


This target was shot at 300 yards and measures 1.5". It was the best target of the day, with the worst measuring 2":
6quq8n.jpg


Finally, an image of load development, where 5 loads fired 0.5" or better groups:
a9lpaq.jpg


These were all shot with a basic T3 varmint. I hope this helps to explain why the T3 makes a good donor action/basis for a project.

Sorry for feeding the troll...

Matthais_31
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

when can we see the bolt handle then? i cant wait<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1.replacement bolt handle with integral larger know, 1 in stainless and 1 in steel (phosphated) should be ready to view tommorow
2. Mag system using .308AICS mags and shortly there after for the long cal guys, using possible 300wm AICS mags, but to accomodate these it might mean trimming the front of the trigger block, or just milling a little notch in the front of the magwell-feed ramp, much in the same way as for a Rem700 using AICS stocks)
3. Tune the trigger, or replace, Extreem Triggers should be the port of call here i guess, they where producing the Jackson CG for the T3.
4. the factory lug locates in a slot in the action, so not possible to go wider, our RCS chassis does away with it all together and mates the flats in the action to the chassis
5. pic rail.,. allread in program.
6. shroud, we are looking at a machined shroud just now, but it would be more cost effective to cast an alloy version.,

sure the € to $ rate can sting either way. but rest assured that quality products, well made are worth whatever they cost in $ or in €

Regards Pete
</div></div>
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

I second Stan's opinion on the Tikka's. Smooth actions and uncanny accuracy.

I have one in .308, which I purchased after shooting my brother's T3 in .308. Both rifles would shoot 1/2 moa groups with Black Hills 168 Match. My brother sold his to fund an AR10 project. I still have mine and plan on keeping it for a long time.

I would be interested in a bolt upgrade and a metal bolt shroud.

Glad to see there finally are some companies making accessories for the T3.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Well between the bickering there are some good points comming through, so keep it up.
Fact is that the Tikka T3 is an excellent factory barreld action, it is as good as they come, ( as is the Howa 1500) and both are better manufactured and have better features than the Rem 700.

But they are Budget Rifles, and the money has to be saved somewhere, so its saved in mass produced plastick parts that are functional but sub optimal.

Righting these wrongs at the Tikka (or Howa) factory defeats what these rifles are designed to do, and that is fill the lower priced end of the market.

Thats where we step in, with upgrade kits and parts. This enables the descerning shooter and T3 owner (or Howa owner) to upgrade his basic cheap and chearfull rifle into a decent shooting, reliable and astheticaly pleasing rifle, that can compete with rifles that are (even when the accesories are included) double the price and more.

I would put a Tikka T3 (or Howa 1500) in one of our RCS stocks, (or one of Manners stocks and our mag system) up against a Sako TRG or AIAW in the accuracy, robustness and reliablity race any day of the week. The price race would be won hands down.


Anyhow. our mag system will easily fit the standard T3 inlet with just a little work, like with the howa mag system, you just need to fettle the corners of the well in the stock.
We will be sending Tom Manners a mag system (just as we did with the Howa) so he can do an inlett for it.

Ive seen a relatively in expensive replacement bolt shroud made in Australia, the one we are working on at the mo is made of steel ( and also a stainless version) which is TiAIN coated, so it will be a little more expensive, but we will also make a hard anodised Alloy unit that should be a bit less money.
The Bolt handles are steel or stainless steel versions.
The mag system will accept AICS mags, so the Accurate Magazine WSM mags will fit,

We've also got some long (6.5x55 to 300wm) chassis at the anodiser right now for the T3, and there are some left handers shortly to follow, these will run under the RCS II banner shortly.

Ive been talking to Extreem Triggers and a T3 version is back in plan.

so for the T3 currently (or shortly) the following is available:

1. Replacement stocks from Roedale, Manners, Robertson ( any others?)
2. Picatinny Rail, 20MOA from Roedale (who else does one ? there must be somebody?)
3. Magazine System from Roedale (any others?)
4. replacement bolt handle from at least 2 sources
5. Replacement bolt shroud from at least 2 sources
6. Replacement trigger

So the question is, what the heck else do we need to add to that list, or is that enough ?

lets get back to the stocks, I expect Tom will expand the T3 inlett to more of his range, I'd love to see an MCS T for the T3Tikka, that would be superb for hunting rifles.

Robertsons Tactical is a nice stock. and he has one for the sporters too.

Our RCS is currently bieng transformed into the RCS II, giving an AI like upgrade for the T3.( with the RCS II version bieng far more deliverable and available in larger quantities then the original RCS) Our other new modular sniper stock (which I still haven't got a name for) will also be available for the T3, giving a folding stock version, and also a telescopic version.

again.. what have I missed and what do you T3 shooters want ????

Regards Pete
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete:

If you made a T3 stock/bottom metal that accepted Sauer STR/SSG3000 mags you would sell truckloads of them in Scandinavia. The 5-round Sauer STR steel mag cost 1/2 of a plastic T3 mag.

The STR mag work great with 308-family, 6.5x55 and 30-06.

A lot of Norwegian hunters put 202 30-06 huntingbarrels and leightweight stocks on theis STR rifles.

Sauer is now tooling up to make STR steel mags in 223. Unfortunatly the col is too short in the prototype mags I've seen.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete, I'm also playing with a .223 T3 Lite at the moment. The single largest drawback is the lack of OAL in the mags, and the cost of addition mags. Everything else is fairly livable at the moment, although the Tactical owners would probably want a new stock.

I would certainly be on board for a mag system, especially one that would require minimal inletting to the factory stock. What is your price point for the system at this time? Euros or dollars, doesn't matter. Are you planning on having a place like Manners distribute them in the US? Honestly, I think there is good market potential here.

Care to comment on price windows and availability?
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">again.. what have I missed and what do you T3 shooters want ????</div></div>

Hi Pete. Your list looks pretty impressive. Actually, instead of innovating new items, I would suggest an alternative approach to target those T3 owners, who may not be willing to spend hundreds of euros, but would simply like to replace the plastic parts with alloy ones.

How about offering a simple and relatively cheap package consisting of:
1. Replacement bottom metal
2. Replacement bolt shroud

These could be of alloy to keep the cost down (suitable regardless of the steel type and possible coatings) and for the marginal weight benefit.

Bottom metal having exactly the same dimensions as the original part would fit all T3 inletted stocks, and it wouldn't be necessary to purchase any new magazines either.

If it would be possibly to get the price well below 200€, these replacement packages would sell. There are quite a few T3 owners who would like to get rid of the plastics, if that was possible with a reasonable cost.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete
I have a Tikka T3 varmint in 6.5x55 sat in a Robertsons Tactical stock, I am interested in a Magazine System & a replacement bolt handle.
What is the price & availability on both or one of these items at the moment??
Is the replacement bolt handle the same as the ones fortis0211 has been making?
I would have had a bolt end shroud off you but got one from Hinterland shooting supplies in Australia.

Cheers
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Torf. Ive been looking at a T3 bottom metal with other mags than the AICS, its easy enough to do, Ive looked at the Verney Carron, Voere and a couple of others, Ive not looked at the Sig mags yet, but thats a good tip.
Ive also about got Vin at accurate magazine convinced to make me shortened AICS type mags ( the .308/WSM) and i'm working on him for dedicated 30-06 type mags, also with shortened versions (rather than having to the current .300wm mags)

Our mag system is all but for 4 strokes of a round file, or 20secs with a dremel, a drop in unit.

is there many of the Sig Sauer STR200's up your way, its one of the actions that we've actualy got an inlet program for for the RCS II ???

Nimrod777 the bolt handles are the same as the ones I used to make for the 595's a few years ago, but with a little gripier knob, the fortis ones are similar yes. Ive also got a shroud coming from down under, see what the competition is up to eh.

Sihtaaja, binning the bottom metal and not the mags isn't the way to go i think, an alloy bottom metal and steel mags might be. unles its for a .223 then something like a P mag with a bit of extra length might be good.

regards Pete
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete:

The STR mag cost 35 euroes + vat in a Norwegian gunshop.

There are about 40000 STRs in Norway and they are mostly used for competition shooting. Each of them have at least 5 mags. I think there are about 10000 in Sweden and 5000 in Denmark.

Replacement stocks are popular for moving target and fieldtarget shooting. The original stock (and McM SSG3000) is too heavy. I had the McM and had to replace the adj cheekpiece and buttspacers with styrofoam and air to get the correct balance :)

There's a lot of shooting going on. One of the junior moving target shooters I brought to Bisley in june last year vent home and won the Norvegian championchip outright in front of 800 shooters with a modified STR. They are expecting 900 starters in the 2010 field target NC match now in March. 80% are shooting STR.

A lot of STR-owners are hunters and the T3 is the best selling hunting/varmint rifle at the moment. There's a connection there.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...
regards Pete </div></div>

Nothing about bolt handle or trigger?
smile.gif
Thanks
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete,
I would like to see the RCS II go into production because it is the type of replacement stock and metal bottom I would use for my .223 Tikka Tactical. Thanks
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Long cartridge(6.5x55 to .338win) chassis are going to the anodising place today. we've 50 short cartridge chassis on shelf now.
The tooling for the RCS II side pannels and adj cheek rest is bieng final adjusted this weekend, mass production will start after the IWA.
Machining on the T3 bottom metal is due to start next week, I hope to have at least 1 to show at the IWA.
Bolt handles are bieng made right now and will be shown at the IWA.
All this new stuff will go properly into production by the end of March. and will all be in our webshop by the end of March
regards Pete
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sihtaaja, binning the bottom metal and not the mags isn't the way to go i think, an alloy bottom metal and steel mags might be. unles its for a .223 then something like a P mag with a bit of extra length might be good.</div></div>

Makes sense. However, the price and the compatibility with T3 inletted stocks (there already seem to be quite a few custom stocks around) may become limiting factors here.

Your full-scale magazine system + replacement shroud could easily cost hundreds of euros (?) and if they were only compatible with some specific manufacturer's stocks that wouldn't help either. If you can tackle those issues, then no problem here.

Or if it's your strategy to focus on selling the whole package to a more limited market segment, then no problem either. Or if you think you might be able to establish your magazine system as a de facto standard for T3 upgrade stocks, that might work as well...

Anyway, there's a huge market of T3 owners who would probably be happy to get rid of the plastics (mainly the bolt shroud and the trigger guard) if that didn't force them to change to a specific stock or to pay more than ~150-200€ or so.

Actually, in your opening message, you mention:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a magazine system ( made of aircraft grade alloy) ( tactical system to use AICS mags, Hunter system to use T3 mags)
...
a replacement bolt shroud to get rid of the cheapo plastic part.</div></div>

Not sure what exactly you mean with the hunter system, but that combined with replacement shroud could be quite close to what I'm proposing as a "mass market package".
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Theres a guy in Ireland now producing a kit that you can drop any tikka, howa or sako straight into an Accuracy stock and use the mags


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Pete,

I got a question for you.

Is it possible to make a DBM system to use 10 round AIAW double stack mags in conjunction with the Tikka T3 actions????

Steve </div></div>
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete, I think there's a large group of people who stick to Rem700's because that is the only receiver that EVERYONE makes accessories for. Meanwhile, many companies only make accessories for 700's because that is 70% of their market and it's not cost effective to make products for other receivers. So it perpetuates itself. If you begin offering nice accessories that easily adapt a Tikka to fit other roles, I think some of that 70% will choose Tikka over Remington. Maybe only a small percentage, but it will grow once the word gets out and people see and shoot their buddy's Tikka.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Great thread
smile.gif


I'm a Tikka T3 Tactical owner in .308 and I love it!. I shoot a mixture of Mil. Surplus and have just started reloading so am working with the 155gr Scenars.

I'm lucky enough to have found a CG Jackson trigger for it, which I am looking forward to fitting soon, as the trigger is one thing I don't like about it. Sure its great, not sloppy etc, but it is too heavy for my liking (adjusted all the way out).

I must admit i LOVE the standard stock in terms of looks, and am not too keen on the Manners or AICS type stocks, makes it look too much like a Remington to the untrained eye!

Is there anyway to gut the standard T3 stock to accept an aluminium chassis? Or is bedding the only option to a standard stock?

What sort of difference in performance would there be between a rifle with a bedded T3 stock and a rifle with a chassis like the RCS ones.

Thanks
smile.gif
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PhilM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the trigger is one thing I don't like about it. Sure its great, not sloppy etc, but it is too heavy for my liking (adjusted all the way out).


What sort of difference in performance would there be between a rifle with a bedded T3 stock and a rifle with a chassis like the RCS ones.</div></div>

I ground down the allen screw and adjusted my trigger until the sear flopped loosely, then went back about half a turn and, Viola! 1.5 lb trigger. My friends can't believe it's an OEM trigger.

I filled all the voids in the action area of the stock with Devcon, then drilled for 1/2 aluminum pillars which I glued into the stock, then skim bedded the bottm plastic and the action. I really can't say upgrading to the Manners T4 then made the rifle any more accurate, but a lot more ergonomic for me.

John
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Irishshooter. I'd be interested to se a kit that lets you drop a Howa, Sako and Tikka into an AICS. There would be a fair lot of fiddling with screw hole positions, recoil lug, trigger position etc.
I got as sick as hell milling AICS to get the Howa and the Tikka in there, thats why we made a whole new chassis that mates exactly to the action.
Blue Ridge, I get what you are saying, but look at it from the other side, there are so many after market parts for the Remington, because the rifle needs them to bring it anywhere near the standard of the Howa and Tikka IMHO.
take the Howa. tune the trigger, change the stock,
take the Tikka, tune the trigger, change the stock, change the bolt shroud.
In both cases you have a rifle that will hold its own against any Sako TRG or AI or Steyr SSG08 or you name it if its a factory rifle, they will hold toe to toe for half the price or there abouts until you get into custom rifles.
regards Pete
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete:
I sent you an email about ordering/shipping to the USA. As a T3 owner I certainly would be interested in any aftermarket accessories/parts you might offer to make the rifle more competitive in 600/1000 yrd matches here in the States.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there are so many after market parts for the Remington, because the rifle needs them to bring it anywhere near the standard of the Howa and Tikka IMHO.
</div></div>

That's sig line material, right there.
grin.gif


John
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Pete,

You said: "again.. what have I missed and what do you T3 shooters want ????"

Well I'm not a T3 shooter, but I want to be. All I want is a factory Stainless Varmint T3 in 260 Remington, which is not imported into the US.

So can a Factory SS V 260 T3 available in Europe be ordered via Roedale, then you enhance it, with your new stock, bolt handle shroud, and DBM system, and you then ship it to an importing US FFL dealer, who then trans-ships to my delivering FFL dealer.

And if that is possible, how much??????? And if you answered that question before, sorry I missed it.

Thanks,

Bob
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

As far as aftermarket support goes. I went with a custom 700 because of the abundnce of parts. I do plan on buying a T3 specifically to run Petes RCSII. I would totally dig seeing it available in a folder to go next to my AICS2.0.
Bob I completely agree on the 260 and would love to see it imported. As it is I will probably just get the 308 varmint. How bad is a barrel change on the T3 ? I haven't really looked into it and searching around showed very little
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03bulletstopper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How bad is a barrel change on the T3 ? I haven't really looked into it and searching around showed very little </div></div>

I had mine rebarreled. Had the 700 style lug added in the process. If there was anything challenging or unique about the Tikka, my gunsmith didn't say anything or charge extra.

John
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

Well, while I have not purchased a T3..YET, more than likely I am on my way to. After doing alot of homeweork on the T3, I have found that, aside from a couple stragglers, teh rest have nothing but good things to say about this rifle.

So, once I am in, and get some rounds down teh pipe, safe to assume, that any upgrades, like the one's Pete is working on, I will be interested in.
 
Re: Tikka T3 research

i'll check the availability of the T3 varmint stainless in .260rem tommorow.
you think there would be a market for T3 barrels in .260, ready to screw in ? that would be easy enough to do.
Re barreling one is as easy as any other factory rifle, putting a Remington style recoil lug in makes sense in a sysnthetic or carbon fiber stock I guess. We did away with the need for the T3 factory recoil lug with our RCS chassis, the chassis has it built in.

Those brakes from coretac look to be a modified copy of the not particularly efficient factory brake, and they cost a little more too.


Pete