Anyone with a Tikka T3 Sporter?

I have about 7 different commercial loads I will be testing along with some handloads. I also have 3 boxes of Norma Diamond Line moly 168 gr match that will be going down both tubes.

I handled the TRG yesterday. Very nice and very robust. A heavy beast though. Same barrels and the stocks, while different, both seem equally well bedded. Keep in mind that the T3 is also fully free floating. I might be biased, but the laminate stock is SO much nicer on the new Sporter.
 
dizzy said:
For starters, the stock on the trg will be affected a lot less by temp changes and humidity then the wood stock, That alone gives an accuracy advantage to the trg among a few other things.
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I thought that was the idea of a laminated stock? Temp and humidity don't effect it the way it effects solid wood stocks. I know it not quite as inert as plastic, but I hear it's pretty close.
 
The Kurgan said:
I have about 7 different commercial loads I will be testing along with some handloads. I also have 3 boxes of Norma Diamond Line moly 168 gr match that will be going down both tubes.

I handled the TRG yesterday. Very nice and very robust. A heavy beast though. Same barrels and the stocks, while different, both seem equally well bedded. Keep in mind that the T3 is also fully free floating. I might be biased, but the laminate stock is SO much nicer on the new Sporter.
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I can't wait to hear your results Kurgan. I am trying to decide between the TRG and the Sporter. My main criteria is accuracy.
 
The Kurgan said:
I have about 7 different commercial loads I will be testing along with some handloads. I also have 3 boxes of Norma Diamond Line moly 168 gr match that will be going down both tubes.

I handled the TRG yesterday. Very nice and very robust. A heavy beast though. Same barrels and the stocks, while different, both seem equally well bedded. Keep in mind that the T3 is also fully free floating. I might be biased, but the laminate stock is SO much nicer on the new Sporter.
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You are set to do an excellent test with great rifles. I agree the T3 is nicer looking.
 
It should be a fun shoot. In total, I have about 215 rounds of ammo of varying configurations to test out. Commercial ammo ranges from 150 grain Hornady SST, 155 grain Hornady A-Max, 165 grain Hornady SST and A-Max, Remington Swift Scirocco 165 Grain bonded, Norma Diamond Line moly coated 168 grain HPBT, and a few others. I also have some premium handloads using IMR 8208 XBR (41.5 and 42 grains) with 180 grain Sierra MatchKing HPBT. I made a commitment to not clean the barrel on my Sporter until at least 300 rounds. I want to be sure that the bore and crown are kept absolutely pristine. Cleaning will be limited to a few oily patches until I see evidence of copper fouling.

I want to improve upon my last outing with my Savage 10BA which I haven't been overly impressed with:
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My money will be on the TRG 22.

From my own informal range sessions the TRG holds the edge just slightly.

TRG 22 3 shot groups ( 3 shots will tell you what the rifle is capable of, 5 shots will tell you that the rifle is more capable than the shooter :p) shot with two factory loads and two handloads.

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Tikka 595 Master Sporter 3 shot groups. Both factory loads. Shot a little tighter with handloads but can't find where I saved the target.

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Look forward to what conclusions are drawn from your test as there will be a greater variety of loads present.
 
Hi guys. Sorry to disappoint, but the shoot was cancelled on Sunday due to heavy winds and rain. Will try again this week.
Marcoman... T3 Sporter and the earlier "Master Sporter" are two different rifles.
 
What improvements have they made to the new t3 sporter vs the older m595 master sporter. Other then the difference between the walnut stock vs the newer laminate stock? Does the laminate stock actually improve accuracy by much?
 
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The Kurgan said:
Hi guys. Sorry to disappoint, but the shoot was cancelled on Sunday due to heavy winds and rain. Will try again this week.
Marcoman... T3 Sporter and the earlier "Master Sporter" are two different rifles.
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I realize they are two different rifles however they are not so far removed from one another that it would make the comparison invalid.

To address Mudduck's question... Mass market firearms are rarely dis-continued because the new version improves signifigantly upon it's predesessor. Rather the new replacement is often cheaper to manufacture and therefore ultimately more profitable.
 
The Kurgan said:
Hi guys. Sorry to disappoint, but the shoot was cancelled on Sunday due to heavy winds and rain. Will try again this week.
Marcoman... T3 Sporter and the earlier "Master Sporter" are two different rifles.
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No need to apologize, you don't owe the boards anything. Anything you share is simply a bonus for us readers.
 
The Kurgan said:
barrel profile, stocks for starters. I don't think one is inferior over the other, just different.
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When you say Barrel profile - what do you mean?

I have fondled a T3 Sporter at our local gun shop and drooled on it a bit and then handled the TRG-22 which cased me to slobber all over the place but Im not familiar with the M595 Master Sporter or how it differs from the T3 Sporter
 
Mudduck said:
When you say Barrel profile - what do you mean?

I have fondled a T3 Sporter at our local gun shop and drooled on it a bit and then handled the TRG-22 which cased me to slobber all over the place but Im not familiar with the M595 Master Sporter or how it differs from the T3 Sporter
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Read this (it is what sold me on the T3):

http://www.kineticresearchgroup.com/media/2shop/articles/The Case For and Against the Tikka T3.pdf

In summary, through innovative manufacturing efficiencies, Sako (Beretta) was able to design an action that is every bit as good as their Sako 85 line (I own one as well and love it). I believe the T3 is one of the best commercially available actions for precision builds. Not that I am in any rush to replace the factory barrel which is currently yielding .5-.55 MOA groups (bettering my Savage 10BA), but I have a heavy profile SS Krieger barrel on order for a future swap to my favourite calibre: 7mm-08.

In no way am I disrespecting the TRG, but I have absolutely no interest in acquiring one, as it does not meet my future needs, and quite frankly it is grossly over-priced. I prefer to spend my coin on upgraded glass, custom barrels, and aftermarket triggers. I suppose if you don't fancy custom builds, the TRG is pretty damn nice.

Lastly, I am pretty anal about my tools, and I am left with the overall impression that the T3 Sporter, even with a few chincy bits, is a top quality rifle. I would like to add that you need to shoot a well set-up T3 to understand the meaning of a "shooters rifle". I guarantee you will not find a smoother operating action and a smoother magazine-fed rifle off-the-shelf, anywhere. I go through rifles like some people go through water, and I only settle on a few "keepers" and Sako hit a home run with the T3. Don't be surprized if Sako, over time, begins to meld their line-up to take advantage of cost-effective and proven features found on their Tikka T3 line, including glass reinforced composite materials, which like it or not, work extremely well without the weight and fuss. I hope this helps.
 
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Easter Bunny was taking to long to respond so I went and purchased a T3 Sporter 308 today ... and didnt have to have it registered with the government - BONUS. I think I will top it with a Sightron .... but which one?? Decisions decisions
 
Mudduck said:
Easter Bunny was taking to long to respond so I went and purchased a T3 Sporter 308 today ... and didnt have to have it registered with the government - BONUS. I think I will top it with a Sightron .... but which one?? Decisions decisions
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8-32 LRMOA will be on top of my 223 T3 Sporter sometime next week.
 
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