Basic Tikka T3x priced rifles

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Leavenworth

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Hi Fellas
A friend of mine is looking for a new rifle and scope . Caliber will probably be 30.06. .308. Or close to those .
He does not want to spend a fortune . I have mentioned the Tikka T3x. Synthetic stocked very basic ,maybe, maybe ,Stainless but then you have a price jump . I realize that it comes down to how the rifle feels once shouldered and also reliability .

What other rifles would you think he should look at in the basic Tikka T3x price range ?

What about the Weatherby Vanguard 2 series ?

Thanks !
Leavenworth
 
Vanguard is a very well made rifle (better then Tikka IMHO) but they are a bit on the heavy side, and not everyone likes 2 stage triggers. They match up well with long action and magnum calibers as they soak up recoil very well.
If he can live with used, lots of great 30/06 on Tradex website.
 
Tikka all the way, i'm going to buy another as soon as the caliber i want turns up. Own 3 Tikka's, a pair of t3 and 1 t3x. There are lots of other choices but the Tikka rifles work for me.
 
I have had both. Both rifles are in the same price range. I like both but if I had to pick one it would be the Tikka. The only negative I can see is the the 1:11 twist on the Tikka in .30-06 or .308 but they would work great with 180 grain bullets.
 
PWear 57 said:
The only negative I can see is the the 1:11 twist on the Tikka in .30-06 or .308 but they would work great with 180 grain bullets.
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The 11 twist will work with lead core jacketed 200gr too. For monometals I wouldn't go any heavier than 168gr for best accuracy
 
Winchester model 70 is worth a look if your friend isn’t opposed to wood/blue. Can get the sporter’s for under $1000 on sale.

I’ve heard very few complaints about the Vanguard. Likely a good choice as well.
 
Funny, I was considering buying a new rifle and after much analysis, realized that I would buy my fourth T3x!
Tikka T3x are not perfect but they are excellent and well priced for their quality.
I might buy something more expensive just for variety!
 
I have an older T3 Hunter (not t3x) in 30-06, Wood stock , blued steel. Nice light weight and very accurate , sub inch groups at 100 meters from prone using a rucksack as a rest.
The T3x has a bunch of improvements over the older T3 , I don’t know what they improved but if it’s anything to make it better than the older T3 then I don’t see how you could go wrong. One thing with Tikkas is you’ll need to get the tikka specific scope bases which can add $150-200 to the cost of the rifle. It is fairly well established that the optilock bases/rings are the best to use so factor that into the cost as well.
Great rifles and you really can’t go wrong with one from all the info out there about them.
The Vanguards are also held in high opinion. I think I’d go with the tikka myself if it was a dollar to dollar comparison just for the resale value if you decide to sell it down the road.
 
As always fellas you are great for adding your thoughts and information ! If anyone else can add please feel free !
I should add that I'm pretty sure he is wanting to buy brand new .
Leavenworth
 
Isobar1999 said:
I have an older T3 Hunter (not t3x) in 30-06, Wood stock , blued steel. Nice light weight and very accurate , sub inch groups at 100 meters from prone using a rucksack as a rest.
The T3x has a bunch of improvements over the older T3 , I don’t know what they improved but if it’s anything to make it better than the older T3 then I don’t see how you could go wrong. One thing with Tikkas is you’ll need to get the tikka specific scope bases which can add $150-200 to the cost of the rifle. It is fairly well established that the optilock bases/rings are the best to use so factor that into the cost as well.
Great rifles and you really can’t go wrong with one from all the info out there about them.
The Vanguards are also held in high opinion. I think I’d go with the tikka myself if it was a dollar to dollar comparison just for the resale value if you decide to sell it down the road.
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I had a head-to-head decision on T3 vs Vanguard and ended up going with Tikka in LSS. They were both great but the Vanguard felt like a bit of a tank by comparison, and IIRC it also had a bit of a hitch in the action when it was opened, just before you pulled it back. Almost like it went straight up, then took a 45 deg angle for 1/4" or so, and then pulled back. Whether that's really the case or just the way I interpreted it at the time, it was enough to make me lean to the Tikka.
 
Isobar1999 said:
One thing with Tikkas is you’ll need to get the tikka specific scope bases which can add $150-200 to the cost of the rifle
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You must be thinking Sako, as the Tikka can use Weaver bases, Talley rings, Leupold, Burris, Warne etc for lower priced mounting options
 
todbartell said:
You must be thinking Sako, as the Tikka can use Weaver bases, Talley rings, Leupold, Burris, Warne etc for lower priced mounting options
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Sorry , Yes you’re correct , the t3x is drilled and tapped for bases, my older T3 is not factory drilled. I googled the upgrades for the t3x and factory drilling for bases was one of the upgrades I see they did.
 
T3's were drilled, even the previous model to the T3 was. All have a dovetail on the receiver for a clamp style mount like the Optilok
 
Nothing is guaranteed but if you want a solid gun, real smooth action, great out of the box trigger and very very acceptable accuracy, all with no modification or dicking about, a Tikka is about as close as you will get for a reasonable price.
 
Tikka T3x a 270 will be a gooder choice;
From Google University:
270 Winchester were successful in building a cartridge with a higher velocity, flatter trajectory, and less recoil than the . 30-06 Springfield
 
IvoB said:
Tikka T3x a 270 will be a gooder choice;
From Google University:
270 Winchester were successful in building a cartridge with a higher velocity, flatter trajectory, and less recoil than the . 30-06 Springfield
Click to expand...

With a Tikka and the recoil sensitive I would agree....308 or 270 over the 30'06. Was out last weekend with a buddy sighting in and after 8 rounds through his lefty Hunter 30'06 he was done. It has to be the stock design because even with the walnut he was not a happy camper. My brother put 30+ rounds through a lighter rifle (AB3) in 270 and found it about the same as his Win M70 in 7x57, nothing to write home about recoil wise.
I have Vanguard's in 7mm Rem and 257Wby and the recoil in those is similar to a light weight 308 basically. They are big heavy rifles well suited for long action and magnums. I have a couple in short actions, 223 and 243, they are too big/heavy for these light short action cartridges IMHO. None of them shoot badly, all MOA, no tinkering because there really is none. The entry level stocks are solid, probably the best cheap synthetic stocks out there, but they are solid stocks and heavy, not hollow plastic crap you find on most.
1 piece forged bolts, solid forged receivers with integral recoil lugs, hammer forged barrels, made in Japan, you don't get those features on many rifles until you hit the $2000 price range.
This is what the bores look like, and this isn't unfired, several hundred rounds through this.

20-02-12-09-15-03.png

Now, this is a Savage bore, cut rifling, and it shoots like a champ too, just needs a bit more cleaning after a shooting session.
20-02-12-09-21-53.png
 
I have a few tikka rifles - love them but another gun to consider is the cz557 - got a couple of those as well -not as accurate out of the box as the tikkas were (for me at least) but fit and finish seems better - the Cz rifles are built like tanks but also seem to weigh a lot more than the tikkas
 
Again Thank You ! The detail or to the point replies that some of you fellas put into your replies is appreciated !
Really helps so I can present to my friend what I found out in my searching !
Leavenworth
 
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