tikka t3 suggestions

savagelh

savagelh

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I just ordered my first tikka. Its a t3 lite in stainless left hand .308. I have been thinking of a new all-purpose rifle for a while now and more or less settled on the .308. Most of my big game has succumbed to .308 so it was a natural choice. I just want suggestions on a scope base/ring combo. Should I go with the sako optiloc or maybe a talley one piece? I may want to do a switch scope setup in the future so qd would be a must. What is reliable and repeatable for these rifles?
Also is it common to dissassemble the bolt and clean factory grease out of it before use? I disassemble all my savage bolts. I find that they don't eject properly if you don't.
 
I really like the talley one-piece mounts but I don't think they would fulfill your needs of QD. The best QD scope situation I think is, to have it already mounted on another rifle :)
I have a set of lows on my T3 holding a vx3 2.5-8 and they are a great combination. I've not touched my bolt and have had zero issues, I wouldn't worry about it if you don't have troubles. Great caliber choice and rifle selection I must say!
 
The optilocks are nice as the insert helps in not marking the scope. But the ring screws strip very easily, also the ring height is excessive. Lows are more like a medium. So I'd nearly try before I buy.

Burris make a set of rings with inserts which also might be worth looking at.
 
For what its worth, I'm a firm believer in the concept of QD rings - they allow for worry-free transport, use of the irons (if you got them,) and the option to put a different scope on if situation demands it. However, QD mounts must be well designed and well made, and they will cost more than fixed mounts. I use imported Ma-Si QD mounts on my Tikkas, but they are not for your as your rifle is a leftie. Perhaps EAW mounts would fit the bill?
 
Yes take the bolt about and clean off the excess grease! I have seen them fail to fire in cold weather due to this!!!...the folks at Tikka are very generous when applying the grease in the bolt!
 
I have a tikka T3 superlite posted here:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1154969-Tikka-superlite?p=10718248#post10718248

Leup VX-6 3-18x44 with Talley lightweights. There was one Talley lower than I ordered, but since the top of the receiver is flat, I followed what some guys on 24hrcampfire were recommending and machined the center of the mount about .080" and left a small lip so it looks like the mount in in the dovetail, not just sitting on top of it. I could go 1 lower also and still machine a bit off of it.

I have been toying with the idea of QD rings and 2 scopes for the rifle. For qround hogs and target, I would like a 6-24, for hunting I would like something even lighter than this. The 3-18 was supposed to bridge the gap so to speak. It weighs ~20 ounces, the VX-R 4-12x40 with firedot illumination weighs 15 ounces. The problem with going to a QD setup is that they weigh more. The talleys are 2 ounces, the lightest QD I have heard of is 6, so with a VX-R on the rifle I would only save 1 ounce, not 5. Also I'm not sure if I could get the QD rings to sit low enough either, I prefer my scope mounted within 1-2mm of the barrel.
 
DMS1 said:
I have a tikka T3 superlite posted here:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1154969-Tikka-superlite?p=10718248#post10718248

Leup VX-6 3-18x44 with Talley lightweights. There was one Talley lower than I ordered, but since the top of the receiver is flat, I followed what some guys on 24hrcampfire were recommending and machined the center of the mount about .080" and left a small lip so it looks like the mount in in the dovetail, not just sitting on top of it. I could go 1 lower also and still machine a bit off of it.

I have been toying with the idea of QD rings and 2 scopes for the rifle. For qround hogs and target, I would like a 6-24, for hunting I would like something even lighter than this. The 3-18 was supposed to bridge the gap so to speak. It weighs ~20 ounces, the VX-R 4-12x40 with firedot illumination weighs 15 ounces. The problem with going to a QD setup is that they weigh more. The talleys are 2 ounces, the lightest QD I have heard of is 6, so with a VX-R on the rifle I would only save 1 ounce, not 5. Also I'm not sure if I could get the QD rings to sit low enough either, I prefer my scope mounted within 1-2mm of the barrel.
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Do you know the weight of your set up without the rings, scope and bipod?
 
The QD mounts throw a bit of a kink into the plan. I have used Talley lightweights on my Tikka rifles (3 of them) and they work well. What kind of open sights do you plan on using?
 
The Talley Lightweights are a great option for the T3 but only if you can live without QD.
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sheephunter said:
Yes it is an edge and no, it was painted by a gunsmith. The colours look a lot nicer in better light.
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I like the color scheme. My favorite stock. I hate the tan speckles on my stock (just olive and black would've been better), but it was available. I'd hate to paint in again and add a few ounces, plus the speckling is pretty thick which makes it nice and grippy. I don't think the checkering would hold up to another coat over it, it would appear washed out...
 
Does anyone have the new(ish) Manner stock for the T3? It looks pretty good and I like the colour options.
 
1899 said:
The QD mounts throw a bit of a kink into the plan. I have used Talley lightweights on my Tikka rifles (3 of them) and they work well. What kind of open sights do you plan on using?
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wasn't planning on using sights. Was thinking about a dual scope setup, one for longer range and one for hunting but I think I have talked myself out of it. I think I will go with talley lightweights.
 
savagelh said:
wasn't planning on using sights. Was thinking about a dual scope setup, one for longer range and one for hunting but I think I have talked myself out of it. I think I will go with talley lightweights.
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Smart choice. With the variability available in modern scopes you should be able to find one that works well. There are numerous 5x zoom options and of course the VX6 with 6x.
 
I have a picatinney rail (mines a 20moa Talley) on a T3 with Burris Zee rings. You can have an extra scope already ringed and spaced so its a two bolt install, Ya, you have to pack a tool for this. The good thing is your scope is already centered with the axis of the bore , eye relief is already set scope is dialed in for 2" high at 100yds, and in my experience, the scope to bullet impact varies around an inch at 100yards on a change over. Or instead of a scope you could slap an AR type sight on the rail for emergencies when you break your primary scope, way easier to pack the AR type sight.
 
EgW base and any picatinny rings. I use TPS rings and find them really good on my rig. I also previously used the standard Leupold bases and rings with good results. Optilocks are heavy, expensive, and overkill. :) Nice, but definitely not required.

IMG_6914_zps9a33e981.jpg
 
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