Tikka T3 Lite 338 Win Mag- who shoots one?

Charlie38

Charlie38

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I am looking at a Tikka T3 Lite in 338 Win Mag laminate stock for hunting here in the Rockies. Elk and moose mainly but punch for bear as well as there are tonnes here. Just wondering what a light gun like this is like in the recoil department.
I am sold on the Tikka as I have one in 30-06 and its a tack driver, the 338 should be the same. I was thinking the laminate stock one would be a little bit heavier. I will be putting a Limbsaver on it as well. To break or not to break is the question.

Thanks
 
Charlie38 said:
I am looking at a Tikka T3 Lite in 338 Win Mag To break or not to break is the question.

Assuming you mean a muzzle brake ?
I had that same rifle only with a synthetic stock and I used a Limbsaver, but before changing out the recoil pad I thought it was brutal to shoot.... and I can tolerate a lot of recoil.
Even with the Limbsaver there is enough kick.
Another thing I did was to make a steel recoil lug and bed it as there was a slight bit of fore and aft stock movement even with everything tight when fired.
All in all, an awesome rifle.... very accurate.
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i had a lam t3 in 338 with a limbsaver pad. was ok to shoot with full house 225 grn loads. not near as bad as you would think. in some ways my t3 sny in 300wsm is sharper. no weres near the recoil of my 375. i'm acually thinging of buying another as i traded it of in a wek moment.
 
I have to disagree with Kevan - but like you already know recoil is very subjective. I have one and love it. The recoil is noticeable at the bench. Mine still has the factory recoil pad, but I do have a Limbsaver that is sitting in the shop. I've had the Limbsaver waiting for 6 months now, I just haven't bothered putting it on.

With a Leupold FX-II 2.5x and Millet mounts it weighs 6.5lbs, so yes it is light. But that light weight makes it so handy - and it sure does shoot!

There is no way I would put a muzzle break on it. The recoil, for me anyways, does not even remotely warrant the increase in noise and muzzle blast. One thing you can try is a "modest" 185gr TTSX load of just over 3000fps. The recoil in that instance is slightly more than a .300 Win Mag. Those loads, while not exactly mild, are quite easy to shoot.
 
check your pm's. sent you info on a Sako Kodiak in 338. very nice rifle in that calibre, will be collectible one day, and a great hunting rifle. Its one of 3 in a collection of North American Game rifles Sako is offering for a limited time.
 
1899 said:
I have to disagree with Kevan - but like you already know recoil is very subjective. I have one and love it. The recoil is noticeable at the bench. Mine still has the factory recoil pad, but I do have a Limbsaver that is sitting in the shop. I've had the Limbsaver waiting for 6 months now, I just haven't bothered putting it on.

I'll admit to using my 338 not long after rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder so that probably had a lot to do with my opinion.
My comment regarding recoil wasn't meant to annoy other 338 owners.
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Kevan your post was not annoying at all! My point is that felt recoil is subjective. One person may find it bad, another won't. I've posted this before, but I'll mention it again - probably the worst rifle I have ever fired for felt recoil was a Remington 700 BDL in .338 Win Mag. It was worse than my .375's and .416 Rem Mag.

Fit has a lot to do with it.
 
Thanks Dizzy but I will not be ready to buy until spring, I have a BLR 358 Win and a custom Parker Hale in 35 Whelen but want a light weight stainless mountain rifle with punch too.
Been looking at the Remington XCR 2 in 375 H&H too. I've had 2 375's before.
 
Charlie38 said:
Thanks Dizzy but I will not be ready to buy until spring, I have a BLR 358 Win and a custom Parker Hale in 35 Whelen but want a light weight stainless mountain rifle with punch too.
Been looking at the Remington XCR 2 in 375 H&H too. I've had 2 375's before.
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Since you have had 2 .375's you have a good idea what they are like to shoot. My friend has a Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger and, after a side by side comparison with my Tikka (300gr DGX vs. 250gr Partition) he felt the .375 had heavier recoil - although it wasn't much worse.

If you are looking for light weight though I think the T3 Lite in .338 is pretty much the best there is. One interesting option is the new X-Bolt SS in .375 H&H. According to Browning it is under 7lbs which is light, but still 1 lb heavier than the T3.
 
I dont have a Tikka .338 - but get it - try it with a Limbsaver or (I prefer pachmyer) and if it is too much - brake it and be done with it.
I do not see what the big hate for brakes are - wear protection while shooting and hunting and move on. Shoot the rifle you like and feel comfortable with.
 
I dont know if anyone magnaports anymore.

There are a ton of brakes. There are many many threads out ther eon brakes and the better ones. Some are better than others. Some are slightly less loud than others. I cant give an opinion on which is better.

I have an original KDF on my 300 weatherby for decades - it works well but its loud. I have one made by a gunsmith who doesnt work now on my 30-378 and it is wonderful.

I have a Gunnar on my 375 Weatherby put on by ATRS and it is very good both for noise and recoil abatement.

many many others.

Again - I wear tactical noise abatement ear plugs or muffs and cant see how I ever shot or hunted without them.
 
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