The Tikka T3

[crossfoxAK]

I recently looked at one of those Tikka T3 light rifles. I am trying to get some input on one before I buy one. They look like they are pretty "cheaply" made. Does anyone around here have one and if so what do you think about it?

 

[AlaskaCub]

I have owned 3 of these Tikkas and first and foremost they are extremely accurate rifles. Probably more accurate out of the box than any other rifle I have ever bought without any gunsmithing. They also have amazingly crisp and easily adjustable triggers.There are a lot of cost saving features to reduce weight hence the polymer parts, trigger guard, bolt shroud and mag. I recently sold 2 of them on this forum and replaced them with a Kimber Montana in 300WSM. I have concerns with their long term durability and I am not 100% impressed with the grade of Stainless steel being used on them but as long as you keep an eye on it and wipe it down more than some of the other stainless rifles you might be used to, you should be fine. If you looking for a lightweight accurate mountain rifle and not wanting to spend a lot of money, you cant go wrong with one. Thats my $.02. One of mine killed a moose and a coyote with great accuracy. The Coyote was almost a 300 yard shot.

 

[Daveintheburbs]

T3!

T3!

Lots of rave reviews in the archives including mine. Remember all T3s are long action when you go to pick a caliber

 

[chugach6]

Tikka T3

Tikka T3

Love mine in .338 Mag.
Very accurate. Nice and lightweight.
I haven't had it very long; but so far, so good.

 

[Sollybug]

Tikka

Tikka

Cfire:
I have never heard anyone say that a Tikka is cheaply made. When they first came out guys were raving about their quality and accuracy. I had used the same Ruger for 30 years. I was going to buy a new Ruger, but the stock just looked very cheap and poorly fitted. I went to their web site and they said they do not provide any kind of warranty on their guns. I looked at Tikka and they guarantee 1 MOA accuracy. I finally bought a .300wsm Tikka T3 a year ago. Its perfect for a walk in guy like me cause its light as a feather. It is a little more difficult to shoot accurately under hunting conditions (freehand) being so light. It’s a really nice compromise between weight and accuracy. People don’t like the detachable magazine which is expensive if you lose it, but I haven’t had any problems with it. The quality is amazing for the price. It comes in every caliber imaginable. I don’t know if its as tough as my old Ruger but so far so good. Good luck!

 

[87norris]

I own a T3 chambered in .270WIN and i dont have anything but good things to say about it. I would say its one of the better rifles i have ever bought. It has shot more whitetail and coyotes than i can count. I have even made shots with it on dogs 300+ yards. My only gripe is the magazine. Dont lose that bitch!!!! It costs $67 and you have to order it through a beretta dealer i think. Other than that it is an excellent rifle.

 

[Mtn Wx]

Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up

Jumping on the proverbial bandwagon. I too am rather happy with my Tikka T3 Lite Stainless chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. I've had it in Alaska weather chasing critters from bears, to goats, to moose and it looks as good as new, so long as some TLC is provided after returning home. The factory loads seem to get along well with the setup based on my trips to the range.

I've had mine for a few years now, and they're a bit more expensive now thanks to all the good publicity. Even still, I don't think you will find a lighter, more accurate rifle for the price.

Wx

 

[stevelyn]

I'm lusting after one now that they're available in LH. I'm looking for a .243 wolf and caribou whacker. I wish they were being offered in 7-08.

 

[379 Peterbilt]

I think when most fellas say they appear "cheap" it's because of the injection molded stock...which of course feels and appears..cheap. Most of the good things have already been posted, and I've found them to be true as well. Mine pictured is a 338 Win Mag, and with the laminate it does add weight, so it is of course not a "lite". However, felt recoill is nothing. As previously mentioned..don't loose the clip. It's a ripoff. As an aside, I wish someone could make an aftermarket clip/mag, preferably in some metal. The action is sweet and super smooth. Self adjustable trigger that takes only seconds to lower usung a simple allen wrench.

In short, I've found more pros than cons with this rifle.

 

[shooter338]

T3 lite in 338 Federal was my choice this past fall. Smooth action, easily adjustble crisp trigger, Sako barrel with guarantee of being able to print 1" or less out of the box. And, the price is right.
Regarding Dave's post: T3 makes short action in: 222, 223, 22-250, 243, 260, 7mm-08, 308, and 338 Federal. All short action.

 

[Daveintheburbs]

All T-3s long action

All T-3s long action

Shooter,
While they chamber numerious short action rounds in the
T-3, all the actions are long action length. If you look in the shorter round's mag you can see the spacer and If you look inside the action you can see the bolt stop. This is one reason they are so economical. The only down side is that while there is a weight savings between regular and magnum calibers, there is no weight savings with shorter cartridges.

Dave

 

[shooter338]

Dave, thanks for the scoop on the short action. I stand corrected. That is one of the reasons I really enjoy these posts. There is a wealth of information from informed members.

 

[bgreen]

I just bought a used and rusty Tikka T3 Blued/Synthetic 338 Win Mag this weekend. It shoots 3/4" groups at 100 yards with a Bushnell Elite 3200 without much effort at all.

If plastic = cheap, then ya, its a cheap gun. But you can't beat plastic for its weight savings. With the receiver design as it is, and the plastic where it is, I think this gun will hold up just fine. I got mine for 350 bucks and its as accurate, or more accurate, than my Sako. Cant beat that!