New Tikka T3x Lite vs. Superlite

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altiplano

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Going to be picking up a new rifle in 6.5 crmr.

I'm having a difficult time making up my mind.

I would appreciate any thoughts on these selections. This will be a deer rifle, West Coast, Vancouver Island mostly.

I'm looking at a few variations of the Tikka T3x.

T3x Lite Veil Wideland Cerakote - 7.1 lbs
https://www.eaglefirearms.ca/tikka-t3x-65-crmr-vantage-tftt6338a5609dom.html#

T3x Lite Truetimber Strata Cerakote - 6 lbs
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/140152/tikka-t3x-lite-cerakote-rifle-with-truetimber-strata-stock

T3x Superlight ODG Fluted Cerakote - 6.4 lbs
https://store.theshootingcentre.com/tikka-t3x-western-superlite-odg-rifle/

I'm puzzled by the weight difference in the first 2, I think they're the same gun? Typo?

I think all are the same barrel length, threaded barrel, muzzle brake, cerakote, The "Lite" has the fluted bolt too, I would have thought a "Superlight" would be more likely to get that treatment.

Anyone got one of these?

Which would you get and why?

I also considered a 6.5 PRC, but I ammunition seems particularly scarce in this calibre and I don't reload.
 
I have a T3x Strata Special edition in 6.5cm which is almost identical to the one you linked from cabelas, except my bolt is nitrided and not fluted. When they came into Canada they were listed at around 6lbs depending on caliber. When I was looking up weights two years back I ran into the same issue as you where weights from each retailer varied. At the time the lite and superlite had the same barrel contour, but the superlite's barrel was fluted. When I zoom in on all three of those rifles I see fluting so either the lite's now come fluted or some of those pictures are incorrect. Fluting doesn't make anywhere near a lb of difference in weight so I would think all 3 options would be right around 6-6.4lbs. I've only ever weighed my rifle with a scope on it so I can't give you an exact weight. Potentially eaglefirearms is using the weight of the rifle with a magnum contour which would have a longer barrel.
 
I'm on my second T3x Cerastrat. You're looking at about 6.4 lbs with the 24.3" fluted barrel, about 6.2 lbs with a 22". Great rifles all around. I don't think the fluted barrels are worth it though. Any T3x lite in stainless will do the job weight and accuracy wise.

I have to say, I feel like the fluted barrels are more finicky to load for. Loads are either really good or bad, think good loads around .6 MOA and bad ones over 2 MOA. Very little in between. Compared to my CTR barrels which will have a bad load of .8 MOA and a good load of .4 MOA.

If I had to do it again, I would forego the fluted barrel and cerakote and would stick to a plain lite stainless rifle.
 
Rodder said:
I have a T3x Strata Special edition in 6.5cm which is almost identical to the one you linked from cabelas, except my bolt is nitrided and not fluted. When they came into Canada they were listed at around 6lbs depending on caliber. When I was looking up weights two years back I ran into the same issue as you where weights from each retailer varied. At the time the lite and superlite had the same barrel contour, but the superlite's barrel was fluted. When I zoom in on all three of those rifles I see fluting so either the lite's now come fluted or some of those pictures are incorrect. Fluting doesn't make anywhere near a lb of difference in weight so I would think all 3 options would be right around 6-6.4lbs. I've only ever weighed my rifle with a scope on it so I can't give you an exact weight. Potentially eaglefirearms is using the weight of the rifle with a magnum contour which would have a longer barrel.
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Thanks for your comment. I think it's probably sloppy website work with the specs. Doesn't help that Tikka lists very little info. What do you think of your rifle? What do you run in it?
 
RangerPark said:
I'm on my second T3x Cerastrat. You're looking at about 6.4 lbs with the 24.3" fluted barrel, about 6.2 lbs with a 22". Great rifles all around. I don't think the fluted barrels are worth it though. Any T3x lite in stainless will do the job weight and accuracy wise.

I have to say, I feel like the fluted barrels are more finicky to load for. Loads are either really good or bad, think good loads around .6 MOA and bad ones over 2 MOA. Very little in between. Compared to my CTR barrels which will have a bad load of .8 MOA and a good load of .4 MOA.

If I had to do it again, I would forego the fluted barrel and cerakote and would stick to a plain lite stainless rifle.
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Thanks. That's good info. I thought of getting a stainless barrel base model T3x and cerakote it myself, maybe replace the stock, but I'm lazy and I really prefer a darker profile that shiny stainless and I don't want to buy blued steel guns anymore for hunting. Really these choices check that box for me. Maybe I should look into the downsides of the fluting more though, reconsider my approach. What calibres do you have? What bullets do they like?
 
Honestly I love the rifle. I had never handled a Tikka before this and only considered one in the first place because they were one of the cheaper ultralight options. It's ruined Remington 700's and pretty much every other factory bolt action rifle for me. The bolt is incredibly smooth to cycle and despite the thin barrel profile it's very accurate. Fit and finish is amazing and the factory plastic stock is among the best I've seen. I put on the vertical rubber grip and it's very comfortable to use. If I could do things again I would have never bought a custom action for my PRS rifle, I would just have a tikka for PRS and a tikka for hunting.

I'm in the same boat as you where I refuse to hunt with a blued rifle after having one rust badly. It was nice to have it cerakoted from the factory and the included muzzle brake and cap are a nice addition. I didn't care for the "tactical" bolt handle it came with but the entire handle is easy to replace with an aftermarket one. I originally wanted it as light as possible so I had a fixed 2.5x Leupold on it in a 1pc NEAR base. Came in under 7lbs but the FOV and clarity of the scope weren't great. I've since switched to an Area 419 base (the lowest rail I could find) and a Razor LHT with ultra low rings. Weight is up to 7.8lbs but the glass is so much better.
 
I'm glad you like the stock. It seems the Tikka stocks get a bad rap on some forums. I handled the T3x hunter walnut type stock at my local, and it seemed fine, I didn't think the Tikka plastic could be any worse than my 20 year old Savage plastic stock.

I'm leaning toward the ODG Superlight because I'm not big on camo stocks, not sure if that's a mistake maybe because I'll forgo the fluted bolt.

Other option would be a T3x Lite Roughtech with a stainless barrel and get it cerakoted for $200 locally. https://www.eaglefirearms.ca/tikka-t3x-lite-roughtech-ember-65-creedmoore-ss.html

Not sure what the "roughtech" stock is like though, but you get the fluted bolt.

Or cerakote a blued roughtech... looks like there's a sale right now and that makes for the cheapest option I think...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/alflahertys.com/amp/tikka-t3x-lite-roughtech-rifle-various-calibers/
 
The rusting situation I mentioned before actually happened with a blued rifle that had been cerakoted. Cerakote is an amazing coating but its going to wear off inside the action due to the constant rubbing and that's where I got all of the rust. Not a fun area to scrub rust out of.

I think either of the top two options would be good.
 
I have the T3X Cabelas Stainless fluted Superlight/strata in 2 chamberings 6.5cm (24") and 7 mag, a Cerrastrat in 30-06 and a camo stainless lite in .300 win. All are solid, accurate and reliable. I find no difference in the fluted/non fluted accuracy and am glad I went with the extra couple of inches of barrel in the 6.5cm and use 140 Speer Gold dots over 46.4 of RL 19 for 2800 fps out of it or slightly less powder with the 140 hot cores and 25fps less.
The two magnums wear limb savers, all of them wear Bushnell elite scopes with rain guard as it truly works even in rainy Rupert.
Good luck with your selection, with a stainless Tikka of whatever variant/combo you'll have a wet weather killing machine.
Just a note
I use talley lightweight high rings on them all but one which just allows me to get my thumb under the scope and allows me to carry them in my hand comfortably when in the thick stuff and still have my left hand to grab alders or whatever. YMMV, by the way I find nothing wrong with the stocks and don't know what the complaining is about, after repairing enough composites in 35 years of aviation maintenance and falling on enough rifles I'll take tough plastic over an easily damaged composite any day of the week and wont shed a tear if its got a scrape or ding in it.
 
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Rodder said:
The rusting situation I mentioned before actually happened with a blued rifle that had been cerakoted. Cerakote is an amazing coating but its going to wear off inside the action due to the constant rubbing and that's where I got all of the rust. Not a fun area to scrub rust out of.

I think either of the top two options would be good.
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Thanks for that. I've never had a cerakoted gun and I guess I knew corrosion possible, but figured so significantly reduced I would be unlikely to see it... something to consider more.
 
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BwanaDave said:
I have the T3X Cabelas Stainless fluted Superlight/strata in 2 chamberings 6.5cm (24") and 7 mag, a Cerrastrat in 30-06 and a camo stainless lite in .300 win. All are solid, accurate and reliable. I find no difference in the fluted/non fluted accuracy and am glad I went with the extra couple of inches of barrel in the 6.5cm and use 140 Speer Gold dots over 46.4 of RL 19 for 2800 fps out of it or slightly less powder with the 140 hot cores and 25fps less.
The two magnums wear limb savers, all of them wear Bushnell elite scopes with rain guard as it truly works even in rainy Rupert.
Good luck with your selection, with a stainless Tikka of whatever variant/combo you'll have a wet weather killing machine.
Just a note
I use talley lightweight high rings on them all but one which just allows me to get my thumb under the scope and allows me to carry them in my hand comfortably when in the thick stuff and still have my left hand to grab alders or whatever. YMMV, by the way I find nothing wrong with the stocks and don't know what the complaining is about, after repairing enough composites in 35 years of aviation maintenance and falling on enough rifles I'll take tough plastic over an easily damaged composite any day of the week and wont shed a tear if its got a scrape or ding in it.
Click to expand...

Hey Dave,
Been years since I've been up to PR... used to get up that way a bit for work. Would have liked to move back to BC into that area, or maybe Smithers, but the wife wants further south so the Island it is... And thanks for all your comments. It sounds like you have your bases covered with these Tikkas.

I guess this is the Cabela's Superlight Stainless you have?

https://www.cabelas.ca/cart/addcabelasproduct/140086?isRedirectToCart=False

It comes in at about $300-$350 less than the options I listed in my first post... more than enough to get it coated.

What's your experience on the weather resistance of the cerakote rifle? Any apprehension doing one again?

Do any of your rifles have the fluted bolt? If so, what's your opinion on the two styles of bolts?

Do you miss the threaded end not being on that Cabela's Superlight? I've never actually had a rifle with a muzzle brake, but I've always hoped one day we will get a government that will approve suppressors for hunting.

I was in another local today, handled a T3x lite Veil Alpine, which felt good, but the colouring was a little bright for my tastes, they apparently have some Veil Widelands coming soon and will call me to come look... I also looked at a Sauer Atacama which has a great price point, but the Tikka feels better for me.

Man, it's a tough choice... might have to just get two... plan was to add a 7mmrm eventually to get my first Elk. Maybe Superlight Strata stainless 6.5crmr and a Lite Wideland cerakote 7mmrm...

Anyway, thanks for all the info. And the comment on the rings too. It's nice to know what guys are using and what works.
 
To reply to the cerracote, I have a TC Venture weathershield (good gun but heavy in comparison) its seen a fair bit of real world hunting time and the coating isnt all its cracked up to be, I ended up painting over it and touch it up when it needs it ( same 5 dollar spray bomb goes a long way). My tikka cerrastrat hasnt spent enough time in the bush yet to give an honest answer. I dont have any fluted bolts and the cerrastrat wears the cap and I've never even installed the brake.
For years I dragged heavy blued wooden stocked mausers and improved mausers up and down hills sleeping under a tarp, one goat hunt falling so hard on my cz 550 I split the stock. I'm a shameless Tikka fanboy now because they just work.

heres a link to the Cabelas rifles I own https://www.cabelas.ca/product/140086
 
altiplano said:
Thanks. That's good info. I thought of getting a stainless barrel base model T3x and cerakote it myself, maybe replace the stock, but I'm lazy and I really prefer a darker profile that shiny stainless and I don't want to buy blued steel guns anymore for hunting. Really these choices check that box for me. Maybe I should look into the downsides of the fluting more though, reconsider my approach. What calibres do you have? What bullets do they like?
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Both preferred lighter bullets, 150 gr in the .308 and also 150 gr in the 7mm Rem Mag. Both also shot adequately with bullets in the 160 gr range. The 308 wanted nothing to do with bullets in the 180 gr range.

As for the stock, many people despise plastic stocks with reason, but I found that most Tikka will shoot well with the stock they come with and the only real benefit with upgrading is possibly better ergonomics.
 
Thanks for that.

I've had several plastic stock guns... rifles, shotguns, nothing pretty but they worked... these Tikkas that I've handled feel more solid than what I have. I guess it's perspective and what you're used to.

What do you guys think of the "Veil Alpine" pattern/colouration for BC hunting... seemed too bright for me, but it's kinda growing on me... and it's on sale 10% off... LOL...

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altiplano said:
What do you guys think of the "Veil Alpine" pattern/colouration for BC hunting... seemed too bright for me, but it's kinda growing on me... and it's on sale 10% off... LOL...
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All those new Tikkas are quite nice but they command a rather high price. I prefer the Veil Wideland but they're harder to find. It's still a plastic stock though but it does look good. Fluted bolt and barrel makes for the most lightweight Tikka you can get new. I have never used their brakes, mine stay in the box.

I'd be curious to see one of those on a scale compared to a plain stainless lite. Sometimes I wonder if the fluting is more for looks than anything else.
 
You won't go wrong with a plain T3X lite stainless, creedmoor is available with a 24" barrel too. They sometimes sell for under a grand new and krylon is cheap. I can personally recommend buying the optilock rings from PO or anyone with them in stock and still have 200-500 left to spend on a scope vs one of those special editions
 
Thanks '55.

You're probably right. I liked the idea of a cerakoted stainless barrel so got locked into that idea, but you pay a big premium to get it...

I see the basic T3x lite stainless right around $1150 for the most part.

I see another with the threaded muzzle $1349.

It would leave cash for other things for sure. I've got a little to think over...
 
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With a creed you wouldn't need a brake. I have a T3x stainless synthetic in 260 remington. Smooth operating bolt, super accurate and quite light. Put some good glass on it and you're set, mine has a Leupold Vx3i 4.5-14
 
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