HELP me pick a Tikka t3 lite caliber please!

Don't get me wrong, I love my T3 and I normally love cartridges that are based on the .308 but seeing how T3's action lenght are all the same, why would anyone prefer a SA cartridge over a LA in a T3? Especially when the 6.5swede is available?



Like others my vote goes for the 6.5x55.
 
As you're a handloader then go with the 6.5x55! A great cartridge that will cover all the bases you specified. You can go from a 160 grain down to an 85 grain bullet - good enough for moose to squirrel! ;)

The 7-08 is another good caliber to look at and no one has ever gone wrong with the .30-'06 for what you want to use it for.
 
Well I thought I had it decided but I have started reading alot about the 6.5x55 and it sounds ideal for my purposes. I will have to get bullets/brass/dies though hmmmmm.... Gotta love those tough decisions:D
 
T3 Lite

I currently have a .30-06 M70 Ranger (hardwood stock) and .270 T3 Lite. The difference in mass is less than 1/2 pound. The .270/T3 has a way more violent kick than the M70. The .270 is reputed to have less recoil. I'm currently looking at a aftermarket recoil pad for the T3. I would have preferred the laminated wooden stock (for T3) but it wasn't available at the time.
I believe the 7-08 ballistics are great. 6.5 Sweede; not too bad.
Long action, short action; what does it really matter? Matching your requirements to what you are hunting is basic. Recoil is annoying. Yeah, you don't seem to notice it during the hunt, but, a casual Saturday with a box of shells and it is much more noticable (ie; not fun).
My point, be aware of the possible the recoil if you go .30-06 / T3 Lite.
 
Now I'm gonna sound like a retard, but I had a T3 lite stainless in .338 Win Mag. It was only 6 5/8 pounds but I put a good recoil pad on it and it was more like a big push than a pounding. Nothing says dead like a .338 cal 225 gr. TTSX
I had to sell it to fund something else (still regret it but I had to) but don't discount the bigger calibers. If you reload, you can tame it down for practice, and that big wound channel definately drops quarry quickly. Plus if the bears you end up hunting are bigger than you expected, you "gots the goods" in your hands.
 
Just wanted to thank all the people with good advise - I picked up the t3 in 6.5x55 today along with brass bullets etc gonna load tomorrow and head to the range on the weekend. Can't wait...
 
I have a tkka t3 lite in a .338win mag. Very hard recoil but if you can handle it, excellent caliber. great groups at 300yards. Don't shoot to many at a time as your shoulder will hurt for a couple of days afer. LOL
 
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