Thoughts on Tikka T3x LITE Stainless with factory composite black stock

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eschafer

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I posted this on Alberta Outdoors but would like CGNer's opinions too..

I presently own a Browning A-Bolt I Medallion in 338 win mag that was meant to take on our moose hunts... For the life of me, short of seeing a gunsmith, I can not get this rifle to shoot... There's something that keeps it from shooting less than 4"-5" groups... I've tried several powders, bullets, differing bullet weights and many different factory ammo... I've changed scopes, rings, bases, rail... I'm going to park this rifle and come back to it in a couple years.. I'm sick of it...

I'm wanting another 338 win... Would the composite stock on the factory Tikka T3x LITE Stainless be suitable (without having to go aftermarket)? I just want a stock rifle to hunt with, but not a wet noodle... Would this Tikka in 338 win mag suit my needs and would the factory stock survive a 338 win? Any help is appreciated... I know nothing of Tikkas... Thanks
 
Typically I don’t think you can go wrong with a Tikka Not familiar with that calibre but I have owned several others. Is it possible you have some damage to the crown of your gun 4-5 inches is not good at 100yds.
 
Tikka's are good rifles however, as ^^^ said I would look at the crown but also while it's there have your Smith borescope the barrel the throat of your riffle maybe burned out
 
I don't think Tikka offers the .338 Win Mag (I don't see it on their website). It currently offers the stainless lite in .300 Win Mag.

I have a synthetic stock Tikka T3X stainless varmint in a .260 Rem, so recoil is much less. That said, I found it to be a very robust and stiff stock. Without bedding, as-is from the factory I consistently shot sub MOA with hand loads (never shot factory ammo through it). Note this is the newer T3X, not the T3. They made changes to improve the T3X stocks. (I can't speak to older T3 stocks as I have never owned and shot one).

The varmint barrel does rub tightly against the stock's barrel channel a few inches forward of the action, so its not purely free floated. I never got around to sanding that out, but it still consistently shoots sub-MOA. If you want the Lite barrel I am betting there will be plenty of room for a good free float.

Tikka's have a sub-MOA pledge (unsure of it is a "Guarantee" or not?). For hunting purposes I don't think you can go wrong with a Tikka T3X.
 
I have owned multiple Tikkas, although not one in 338 (almost bought one actually) As tikka is one of the few left hand manufactures. I also love how the barrels are made (cool video on it somewhere)

The Tikka stocks have never felt Flimsy to me I have owned a 6.5 Creed, 243, 300 Win Mag and shot a 30-06, 308 and 300WSM. I have owned two savages and both of them got some Silicon in the butt stock and material to stiffen the fore end.

I shot the 300 Win Mag both braked and unbraked never had an issue with it. So personally if I was looking for a 338 I would go with Tikka. However I would personally brake it just for he sake of my bad shoulders.

That being said having recently changed to a rifle with carbon fiber composite stock and its definitely a class above the polymer synthetics.
 
They are light. In 308, 180gr at +2500fps is a handful. A 338WM is 200gr at 3000fps. 250 at 2650. There are quite a few that come up used with very few rounds through them.
 
I love the tikka action, barrel, and trigger. I tolerate the mags (meh for me) but the stocks are horrendous, I think for a $1000 plus rifle it should have a nicer stock, the glass fibre reinforced plastic they use is cheap feeling IMO.
 
I have never seen a T3 that wouldn’t shoot, One of mine is a 7 RM I would not go bigger, I have shot one in 338 and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
 
eschafer said:
I posted this on Alberta Outdoors but would like CGNer's opinions too..

I presently own a Browning A-Bolt I Medallion in 338 win mag that was meant to take on our moose hunts... For the life of me, short of seeing a gunsmith, I can not get this rifle to shoot... There's something that keeps it from shooting less than 4"-5" groups... I've tried several powders, bullets, differing bullet weights and many different factory ammo... I've changed scopes, rings, bases, rail... I'm going to park this rifle and come back to it in a couple years.. I'm sick of it...

I'm wanting another 338 win... Would the composite stock on the factory Tikka T3x LITE Stainless be suitable (without having to go aftermarket)? I just want a stock rifle to hunt with, but not a wet noodle... Would this Tikka in 338 win mag suit my needs and would the factory stock survive a 338 win? Any help is appreciated... I know nothing of Tikkas... Thanks
Click to expand...

i would look at the bedding on your browning rifle .
 
Tikka rifles are pretty great. I agree with SuperCub and bunny, I probably wouldn't go over 7mm RM or .30-06 in a T3x, either of those with stout loads will rattle my fillings for sure.

That said, the A-bolt has been around a long time and also generally shoots pretty good, I've owned one before and it was pretty sweet. Was my do-all rifle for a while in 7mm RM. If there's nothing wrong with a visual inspection of the chamber, throat, or crown and the sighting and bedding system is solid, I would definitely bring it in. If it's something easily sorted out, you may only be out a couple hours labour vs buying a new rifle.

But if you just want to buy a new rifle, that's fine too!
 
Sir Plus said:
Well what are you waiting for?
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Who's a good Gunsmith, near Winnipeg? My next door neighbour and good friend, was a well known Gunsmith here in Manitoba... "Gene's Gunsmithing"... Unfortunately we lost him last year....

I'll take the good advice from this thread and rethink a 338 win with a heavier, wooden stock... Thanks to all...
 
eschafer said:
I posted this on Alberta Outdoors but would like CGNer's opinions too..

I presently own a Browning A-Bolt I Medallion in 338 win mag that was meant to take on our moose hunts... For the life of me, short of seeing a gunsmith, I can not get this rifle to shoot... There's something that keeps it from shooting less than 4"-5" groups... I've tried several powders, bullets, differing bullet weights and many different factory ammo... I've changed scopes, rings, bases, rail... I'm going to park this rifle and come back to it in a couple years.. I'm sick of it...

I'm wanting another 338 win... Would the composite stock on the factory Tikka T3x LITE Stainless be suitable (without having to go aftermarket)? I just want a stock rifle to hunt with, but not a wet noodle... Would this Tikka in 338 win mag suit my needs and would the factory stock survive a 338 win? Any help is appreciated... I know nothing of Tikkas... Thanks
Click to expand...

I had to check to see if this was my post! lol I have an older Browning Medallion in 338 win mag and a Tikka T3 in 30-06. My Browning shoots very well, sub MOA at 100 yds. The tikka has shot .625 " groups. I have not seen a Tikka in 338, so I can't answer if it would survive. I couldn't see Tikka making anything that would not last.
 
Ive got stainless T3X superlights in 7mag and 30-06, and the T3X light in 300 wm, all of them are sub moa accurate, dependable and keepers. The recoil is not something to be afraid of and the difference is miniscule between it and a rifle that weighs a pound more. I'm not a fan of the .338 and would suggest either the .300 win mag or a 9.3x62 in the Tikka. Just my .02$
 
I have a 338 in a stainless T3. If you're shooting a 338 wm you already know about the recoil. Mine has a Limbsaver on it which makes it bearable off the bench, while hunting I never notice the recoil. I developed a good hunting load very easily for this 338, it shoots everything from 200 to 250 gr bullets well.

I am currently shooting 250gr grand slams out of mine, its a moose stopper for sure, usually dumps them right there, this years bull went 2 steps.
 
I had a Tikka T3 Lite in 338 Win Mag for a while. The recoil would definitely get your attention!
It felt a lot like my 8mm Rem Mag on the bench.

I got rid of it because, while huntable, the accuracy was never what I felt it should be.[c. 1.75-2.0 moa]

My Ruger tang safety M77 in 338 WM shot much better, and was easier on the shoulder.

While I feel the 338 is a great all-round North American chambering, I have sold mine off. Dave.
 
I used a 338 wm t3 as a primary hunting rifle for several years

It is pretty spicey. If you only really intend to hunt with it and have other options to practice with it is a good choice.

Probably find a good deal on a used one, mine was pretty difficult to sell.

Every tikka I have had was not only accurate but also shot a variety of loads well. They are maybe not the greatest design on the planet but everything functions well, despite the hate the single stack polymer mags are a big part of the “ tikka smooth” experience. The fit and finish is superlative
 
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