First outing with My New Tikka T3

Sitting Bull · #1 01-26-2014, 11:42 AM

Hey guys, on saturday I finally had the opportunity to take my Tikka T3 in .243 out for some shooting. I purchased the synthetic blued barrel as that was all that was available in left hand. I picked up a box of Hornady Superformance 58gr. VMax and proceeded to sight it in. I could not believe how well this rifle shot. I did the break in procedure and at the end of that exercise I was shooting 1/2 inch groups. My buddy had to try it out. Now he is a much better shot than I am and he was able to get less than 1//2 inch group. He was so impressed that he said " I got to get me one of these T3's". Maybe it was first time luck but I don't think so. I really enjoyed this rifle as well as the caliber. The recoil was just what I was hoping for. And the all black rifle has really grown on me. I like it a lot.
Thanks to all those that shared their opinion on brand and caliber choice.
Cheers!

Smokinyotes · #2 01-26-2014, 12:22 PM

What did you put for a scope on it. My son has the exact same gun with a 4-16 monarch on it. It really likes 75gr vmax handloads

Icatchfish · #3 01-26-2014, 02:29 PM

yep sounds just like my 30-06 tikka , I get 1/2 inch at 100 with federal and winchester power point (180 gr). I did manage to get 1/4 groupings with remington 125 gr. very solid guns for the price

Traps · #4 01-26-2014, 07:43 PM

Yup, welcome to good Finnish quality

Sitting Bull · #5 01-26-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

What did you put for a scope on it. My son has the exact same gun with a 4-16 monarch on it. It really likes 75gr vmax handloads

I put my cheap Vortex Diamondback 4-12. I had problems with it making adjustments to the left. I will swap it out and put my old Leupold M8 6x

7mm12g22lr · #6 01-27-2014, 08:24 PM

make sure the scope is with the windage adjustments left right and not up down

flipper62 · #7 01-31-2014, 10:20 PM

Yes welcome to the Tikka ownership group, you should expect to see that type of accuracy with more than one brand of ammo. Bet you can't own just one.

brendan's dad · #8 02-01-2014, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipper62

Yes welcome to the Tikka ownership group, you should expect to see that type of accuracy with more than one brand of ammo. Bet you can't own just one.

Yep, started with a T3 260 and now I have 2 more in 204 and 308. Sold all my other bolts and kept these with a couple levers, my 22's and shotties. They are hard to beat for value vs accuracy

Smokinyotes · #9 02-01-2014, 08:08 AM

You can never have too many Tikkas. I have a T3 lite stainless in a 22-250 and 300wm. Ihave a T3 Varmint stainless in 6.5-284. My son has a 243 in the lite and a 300wm in a hunter. All work great and wouldn't even consider any other brand bolt actions.

brendan's dad · #10 02-01-2014, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

You can never have too many Tikkas. I have a T3 lite stainless in a 22-250 and 300wm. Ihave a T3 Varmint stainless in 6.5-284. My son has a 243 in the lite and a 300wm in a hunter. All work great and wouldn't even consider any other brand bolt actions.

Your wife will probably hate me but if you are a 300 win mag fan, WSS on Wednesday had 2 Laminate/Stainless Tikka's on sale for under $850; hell of a deal and a beautiful firearm.

greylynx · #11 02-01-2014, 10:57 AM

One heck of a gun for the price.

Smokinyotes · #12 02-01-2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

Your wife will probably hate me but if you are a 300 win mag fan, WSS on Wednesday had 2 Laminate/Stainless Tikka's on sale for under $850; hell of a deal and a beautiful firearm.

Ya I so those the other day. If they were left handed I would probably own one.

JTRED · #13 02-01-2014, 08:00 PM

My Tikka T3 Featherlite S/S in 270win is the most accurate gun I have personally ever shot or owned. Everyone who has ever shot it has said they have never shot groups like that with any of their guns no matter how much they spent.

reelhooker · #14 02-02-2014, 07:04 AM

I picked mine up last summer. I am planning on upgrading the bold shroud, the stock and the recoil lugs. will Bed it as well. but not sure if I do it to this one as I got blued as it was the only one in stock at the time or if I sell it and get a SS then do the same upgrades. On that note, here is a link to the upgrades I plan on doing ..for the stock...https://tikkaperformance.com/index.p...oduct_id=53310
and the other stuff, https://tikkaperformance.com/index.p...product_id=448
https://tikkaperformance.com/index.p...oduct_id=54211
Might do a trigger as well but not sure where to start with that
I still love my tikka as it came.

spoiledsaskhunter · #15 02-02-2014, 08:03 AM

each to his own, but why wud u spend alll that money on a gun that already performs better than most customs? my two t3's shoot better than anything i've ever owned, and i won't mess with that.

eric2381 · #16 02-02-2014, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

You can never have too many Tikkas. I have a T3 lite stainless in a 22-250 and 300wm. Ihave a T3 Varmint stainless in 6.5-284. My son has a 243 in the lite and a 300wm in a hunter. All work great and wouldn't even consider any other brand bolt actions.

Your 6.5-284. Did you buy a 6.5x55 and have it reamed out? I've been thinking about doing this for a while now.

Would appreciate hearing about this.

forgesmith · #17 02-02-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric2381

Your 6.5-284. Did you buy a 6.5x55 and have it reamed out? I've been thinking about doing this for a while now.

Would appreciate hearing about this.

My 6.5X55 Tika will shoot custom loads inside an inch at 300M if I do the same job. The Heavy barrel .204 ruger will too But I think I am limited by what I can see. Magpies at 300M are about 1 MOA I think unless you take a head shot.
These Rifles impressed me so much right off the shelf.

That is a good idea reaming a 6.5 X 55 to a 284, just don't wish to do it to such an accurate rifle that shoots now.

These are the equivalent to my Sako's in the bigger calibers. Even found some real wood from a member here for My 6.5 X 55. I like the feel of real wood and the look too

nelsonob1 · #18 02-02-2014, 09:35 AM

I need to take another look at the Tika. The first time I thought they looked a little under built, kind of lower quality. I was leaning towards a Sako, but everyone seems to rave about the Tika and the price difference is significant.

260 Rem · #19 02-02-2014, 09:50 AM

Tikkas are good value and generally shoot well. I have owned a few, and also have the benefit of experience with some "custom builds". My experience is that none of the Tikkas I owned shot as well as any of the customs. None of my Tikkas shot consistant groups under 1/2MOA. Occassionally, I would get lucky. I did not keep my Tikka records, but if I had to make a guess, would say that my Tikkas seldom agg'd under 3/4MOA. For those who want to show some Tikka performance, I will try to drag up the 3/4" Challenge for Factory hunting rifles.

forgesmith · #20 02-02-2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonob1

I need to take another look at the Tika. The first time I thought they looked a little under built, kind of lower quality. I was leaning towards a Sako, but everyone seems to rave about the Tika and the price difference is significant.

I was surprised too.
I don't know how many hike and hunt but the only thing I found with my Tika is that the action is so smooth and easy that the bolt will open taking it off my shoulder if I don't leave the safety on to lock it up.
It is not a drawback unless you tend to leave a shell in the chamber as you could lose it taking the rifle off your shoulder the actions are so smooth.
I paid around 700 for the Tikas and never found a Sako for much less than 1100 and all I have bought were slightly used.

Nester · #21 02-02-2014, 11:38 AM

Very good choice.

I have 3 T3's and there all great shooters.

eric2381 · #22 02-02-2014, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgesmith

My 6.5X55 Tika will shoot custom loads inside an inch at 300M if I do the same job. The Heavy barrel .204 ruger will too But I think I am limited by what I can see. Magpies at 300M are about 1 MOA I think unless you take a head shot.
These Rifles impressed me so much right off the shelf.

That is a good idea reaming a 6.5 X 55 to a 284, just don't wish to do it to such an accurate rifle that shoots now.

These are the equivalent to my Sako's in the bigger calibers. Even found some real wood from a member here for My 6.5 X 55. I like the feel of real wood and the look too

I have a tikka T3 lite SS 22-250 and a T3 varmint SS 22-250 and they both shoot very well. I'm not going to go saying they shoot this tight "all day long" as someone will call me out to the challenges that were posted here. But both of em shoot the same load very well and have shot under 1" at 300yds with em both and kill yotes at will when I'm on my game.

I've been thinking about reaming out a tikka T3 varmint 6.5x55 for quite a while. The action is long enough, and the mag should be long enough too. Bolt face is the right size.

It's either that, or I'll build one off a Savage. Which is more what I'm thinking.

But yeah, I sure like the tikkas. Have had three of my own and did load work for buddies and brothers and Dad. They've all shot superbly.

Smokinyotes · #23 02-02-2014, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric2381

Your 6.5-284. Did you buy a 6.5x55 and have it reamed out? I've been thinking about doing this for a while now.

Would appreciate hearing about this.

No I bought a T3 Varmint in 243 and put a 6.5-284 pac nor barrel on it.

medler · #24 02-02-2014, 06:01 PM

I love my tikka .243

sillyak · #25 02-02-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgesmith

I was surprised too.
I don't know how many hike and hunt but the only thing I found with my Tika is that the action is so smooth and easy that the bolt will open taking it off my shoulder if I don't leave the safety on to lock it up.
It is not a drawback unless you tend to leave a shell in the chamber as you could lose it taking the rifle off your shoulder the actions are so smooth.
I paid around 700 for the Tikas and never found a Sako for much less than 1100 and all I have bought were slightly used.

Not only that, but the mag springs out of the rifle with a slight touch of the release button. Plastic mag (not a huge deal), plastic bottom "metal" (deal breaker,) plastic bolt shroud, covered receiver top, cheap feeling stocks. They shoot well, that's literally the only thing I like about them though. To each their own, but they are no custom.