Tikka T3 - Anyone shot one?

[Squatting Wolf]

Has anyone had any experience with the Tikka T3?

[K_Hini]

yes sir... I have one in a 270wsm and I love it the action is smooth and the trigger is the best I have ever used. It is also very accurate!! I haven't heard of one that wasn't!

[Keith in Ga]

I've got two T3 varmint rifles, .223 and 22-250. They are both tack drivers, and I think one of the best rifles for the money. My .204 Cooper is better looking and a nice rifle, but the Tikka's will shoot with the Cooper. I don't know of anyone who has a Tikka that won't shoot.

[Squatting Wolf]

That's good to here! I'm looking for a carry rifle that won't cost an arm and a leg but will still shoot well. I've narrowed my choices a bit to either a .270, .270 WSM or a 30-06. I'm still struggling on which to choose.

What versions do you guys have? I'm looking at the Hunter.

[craigyboy]

tikka's are fine rifles, here in the uk they are very popular and always shoot great usually 1/2 moa with good loads, if youre looking a carry rifle the stainless synthetic model is great, the only thing I have heard bad about them is that some of the models stocks are a bit flimsy in the forend and there could be slight poi variations on/off a bipod though only some people have this problem. Could be very easily fixed with a bit of dowel and rough sandpaper.

[Drew Jaeger]

Tikka T3s are very popular in Australia. Very accurate and relatively cheap next to Remingtons and Brownings. There have been a number of cases where the front sling stud has been ripped out of the T3 Lite synthetic stock (not the varmint stock).

I had the old model Tikka M55 (22-250) and M65 (270) ~15-17yrs ago, both were very accurate. However, nowadays for me,.... Remington all the way!

[HogPopper]

I picked one up this spring in the T3 Lite. It is a 22/250 and shoots quite well for a sporter weight pipe. I must be the only one that got a creepy trigger. It's OK but not fantastic. My favorite feature is the single stack clip. Reminds me of my old 788 Remington. I know it is plastic, but the thing just plain works. My least favorite feature is the recoil lug. I was horrified to find it was a piece of key stock. So far so good in the function department. It can't go anywhere once it is all together, but I have heard reports of it not assembling properly. I guess I would have to say Tikka makes one of the better values in a rifle these days. Savage has started to price themselves on the high side. Good shooters that they are, there are limits as to how much I will pay for an ugly rifle. Dollar for dollar, the Tikka is a fine shooting iron. I will likely buy another before too long.

[Big_Bullseye]

I have a T3 Lite in 25-06 as my back up whitetail gun. It is a shooter with a very smooth action and nice trigger. My opinion is that for the money (I paid around $570) it is the best bang for the buck.

I shoot factory loads and regularly group 1/2" at 100 yds.

TB

[glenn asher]

hogpopper, that groundhog looks as big as a beaver It's HUGE! I'd hate to run a tractor tire in HIS hole!

[doubleA]

Just bought a Tikka T3 for the most part because of their reputation for decent accuracy. The rifle is chambered in 270 WSM topped off with a Zeiss Conquest 4.5x14 set in Warne rings and replaced the factory butt pad with a Simms. I shot at 100 yards and the rifle does not shoot well at all with a benchrest hold and with a firm hold off of front rest and rear bag it doesnt break the 1" mark. I checked the mounts and they are good and secure, so I have to try and change scopes and look into the bedding. Something is wrong with this one. The ammo used was Federal 130gr Barnes TBX Premuiums. I am telling you, I dont know where this thing is going to shoot when I pull the trigger


Here are the last four 3 shot groups before I hung it up for the day, and yes it was allowed to cool and was cleaned every 6 shots.

[glenn asher]

If a rifle likes Barnes, it will shoot acceptably well. If it doesn't like Barnes, it won't shoot well with them, and a LOT of rifles don't like the Barnes bullets. I have a Savage .25/06 that shoots nearly anything well, but gags on Barnes bullets. I'd try another load before giving up on the Tikka, try something, anything, that ISN'T a Barnes, and see how it does. Always try the easiest and cheapest stuff first (my motto!!) it might be a simple fix of switching ammo.

[Ryan S Albright]

doubleA clean the barrel real good use a brush then change ammo, try Hornady ammo maybe. You got to remember that hunting ammo is loaded hot and won't necessarily get you 1/2 inch groups its big game ammo. Its made to get you good kill performance. The groups don't look that bad for a new rifle off the shelf. If you don't reload you will have to try different ammo. Clean the barrel after every few shoots those large rounds foul a barrel quick. I've reload Barnes bullets and have found the I get better groups with Hornady's but you buy Barnes for there performance on game. The groups I got didn't look much better than yours. I am sure with a little effort that rifle will shoot to your satisfaction. Hows the trigger feel?