Tikka T3 thinking of 7mm rem mag. Any opinions?

lord-humungous

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It has to be a Finnish made gun. I'm looking at the T3, want to take moose, bear and maybe a white tail. It will also see range time and I might do some hand loading. The 7mm Rem Mag sounds a little more interesting than 30/06. I fouund the one 300 Win Mag that I shot just a little too hard on the shoulder to have fun with but like the idea of a magnum.

Anything else to consider? Any advice appreciated. I am a novice hunter but have been shooting for a number of years.
 
.308, .7-08, .270, 6.5x55, hard to argue with the .30-06 though...

check out the Sako A7 as well...
 
I believe you will like the gun. I have a T3 lite in 308 and so far have only experience with hunting whitetail, and its well suited to that. Accurate for long shots, recoil not annoying, light and not fatiguing to carry. Also very easy to hand load for, all loads shot moa or better at 100 yards, so its not finicky at all.
 
I have a 338 wm in a T3 and it shoots great. Lots of recoil however, but it sure hits with authority on the other end with 250gr grand slams.

I am also thinking about a 7mm rm, you can never have too many magnums. I borrowed my cousins for a few hunts and it was a pussy cat in the recoil dept. It was an older weatherby vanguard. My only dislike of the 7mm rm is the standard 26inch barrel.
 
I am a 7mm RM fan too, and have had one or two in my safe for the last 20 years. There won't be too much difference in recoil between the .300 WM with 180gr and the 7mm RM with 175 gr bullets. There will be some, but not a very big difference.
 
It's a great rifle, I have 2 Tikka T3 S/S and would be hard pressed to grab anything different out of the safe. As far as the 7mm and 300 recoil different, I don't think they would be significant either, even though most people I know don't hunt with 175gr 7mm anymore. If you find it uncomfortable just put a limbsaver on it...best money you will ever spend for that rifle. They are ultra accurate and the T3 DOESN'T come with a 26" barrel so no worries about that. I say go for it, but unless you want to really upgrade to a Sako Finnlite (which would be my choice if I wasn't left handed and if you don't mind paying a lot more)or a nice 85, don't bother with the a Sako, with the A7 you're just paying more for what is essentially the same rifle..certainly doesn't shoot any better. That being said I think you would be very happy with the Tikka, and don't listen to all the bs about plastic parts...those dudes are just jealous cause it shoots lights out, in ALL weather conditions.
 
I highly recommend Tikka. Unless bear would include Grizz for you, a .270win is more than enough for what you're looking to do. The good old .270 shoots flat like a 7 mag and it's cheaper to feed. Either way put a Limbsaver on it.
 
.308, .7-08, .270, 6.5x55, hard to argue with the .30-06 though...

check out the Sako A7 as well...


7-08 was interesting to me but I don't think the T3 comes in that chambering. 30-06 is a bit too boring, I want to be able to debate something at the campfire. If my whole camp shoots 30-06, what to talk about - our wives?
 
T3 Lites are great shooters, excellent triggers but the mags are waay to short to seat bullets out any farther then facory specs. For most this is not a problem but for those people who like to handload and play with bullet lengths it sucks.
 
I have a mid 70's Sako Hunter in 7mm RM and have owned other makes in the same caliber.The difference in recoil is very tangible .The quality of the Sako as well as the way the stock is made is part of what you pay for with a better quality rifle .If you can test fire different models ,I would not have to try and convince you.There are real reasons that quality costs more . Maybe a good used Sako ?. ps..I also have Tikka and am very content with the way it handles and its accuracy .. The action is as smooth as soft butter.
 
I highly recommend Tikka. Unless bear would include Grizz for you, a .270win is more than enough for what you're looking to do. The good old .270 shoots flat like a 7 mag and it's cheaper to feed. Either way put a Limbsaver on it.

Here's another vote for .270, .308 or 7-08, especially if OP found the .300 a little punchy. I had a 7 Mag that I didn't shoot near enough because it was uncomfortable. Now I've got a t3 lite in .270 w/ limbsaver, love it. It took it's first whitetail last weekend. :cheers:
 
I wouldn't rely on Lebarons for custom ordering. P&D at the top of this page have 2 listed as being in stock. The money you save on PST will more than cover the shipping.

Good luck.

X2 on that. Lebaron has seen the last of my credit card...
 
T3 Lites are great shooters, excellent triggers but the mags are waay to short to seat bullets out any farther then facory specs. For most this is not a problem but for those people who like to handload and play with bullet lengths it sucks.

You know what...this isn't true in my experience...both my 300wm and 270wsm mags are generous enough that I can load bullets long enough that the bolt will not come close to closing but will still fit in the mag, which pretty much says you have enough room there to do anything you want. It could be that standard calibres have a problem with this but I don't feel it's accurate to say that about all calibres of T3.
 
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