Tell me about the Tikka T3X

M

Max-4

CGN Regular
Rating - 98.8%
81   1   0
Location
Southern Ontario
Hey guys, I am in the market for a new hunting rifle this year. Most of the hunting that I do for moose, deer and bear is in the North Bay area of Ontario. The few hundred acres we hunt is thick bush where shots are almost always under 100 yards. You may have a shot that's 150 yards if sitting on a meadow but for the most part under 100 and usually at a moving animal.

I am pretty confident that I can get by with open sights and if they have fiber optics for low light then all the better.

I have been looking at the Tikka T3X Battue, and I am in a toss up between the wood or synthetic stock. My real question is with the Tikka T3X are they all built on a long action receiver? I read somewhere that maybe the T3 was all built on a long actions and shimmed or something?

Does it make any sense to buy a short action T3x in .308 versus a 30-06? I'm just thinking bolt throw length? Any other advantages?
 
I have a few Tikka's now and one of them is a T3x Battue lite synthetic. As far as I know, yes they're all built on long actions. Because of this, I went with a 30-06 over a 308. It didnt make much sense to me not to use the extra receiver length that I was getting anyway and not get a little more horsepower out of the deal. The build quality and machining is very nice and the bolt is very smooth. They're nice and short, handle very well and the iron sights line up to my eye right away when I pull the gun up to my shoulder. Because I wanted this rifle to be as versatile as possible, I chose a MaSi quick detach mount and a Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36 for it. I live and hunt about 5 hours north of where you do and the bush here is quite thick as well. If you end up going with this rifle I doubt you will be any less pleased with it than I have been. It's a solid choice. :cheers:
 
Battue here, 308 light synthetic with a leupold 2-7 and masi quick detach mount.
The only thing I may change is switching the bottom metal so I can use larger magazines.
 
Max-4 said:
Hey guys, I am in the market for a new hunting rifle this year. Most of the hunting that I do for moose, deer and bear is in the North Bay area of Ontario. The few hundred acres we hunt is thick bush where shots are almost always under 100 yards. You may have a shot that's 150 yards if sitting on a meadow but for the most part under 100 and usually at a moving animal.

I am pretty confident that I can get by with open sights and if they have fiber optics for low light then all the better.

I have been looking at the Tikka T3X Battue, and I am in a toss up between the wood or synthetic stock. My real question is with the Tikka T3X are they all built on a long action receiver? I read somewhere that maybe the T3 was all built on a long actions and shimmed or something?

Does it make any sense to buy a short action T3x in .308 versus a 30-06? I'm just thinking bolt throw length? Any other advantages?
Click to expand...

I have a T3X Battue, synthetic stock in .308. It's a long action with a bolt stop for the 308. You get use to the long action. If you haven't tried one the action is slick and fast especially with the 70 degree bolt throw. Cycling the bolt with a follow up shot with the Battue is fast. Wanted a light weight 308 with open sight rifle that I didn't have to worry about dinging the wood so went with the synthetic version and at 6.32 lb with 3 rounds of 150 gr in the magazine I'm not complaining and when Sail had their 15%off firearms sale that was the cherry on top. Used this on my 2018 buck with open sight at 80 yards... DRT with a shoulder shot with 15 min left to legal light, love it when I don't have to track.

Only mod I did to the rifle was took 1/2" off the butt stock as the LOP was too long for me.... I did call Stoeger Canada on the price for a replacement synthetic compact stock and they wanted $595.00 CAN... that's half the price of the rifle itself.
 
So if I'm reading this correctly whether you have a .308 or 30-06 or short action vs long action round with the T3x you are still throwing the bolt the exact same length?
 
Max-4 said:
So if I'm reading this correctly whether you have a .308 or 30-06 or short action vs long action round with the T3x you are still throwing the bolt the exact same length?
Click to expand...

No thedifferent models have different bolt stops. The size of the bolt stop determines how far the bolt comes back.
 
Max-4 said:
So if I'm reading this correctly whether you have a .308 or 30-06 or short action vs long action round with the T3x you are still throwing the bolt the exact same length?
Click to expand...

As mentioned the bolt stop determines if the bolt action is "long" or "short" but the length of the bolt and the ejection port are all the same size with the Tikka, my guess is cost savings for the company... one receiver for all centre fire calibers. Same goes with the stock... all stocks are interchangeable including the .22 T1x.
 
Very happy Tikka Battue owner here. .308. I bought the synthetic stock model, but picked up a wood stock as well cause I like the look and the extra wee bit of weight it provides. Action length is common across all calibers, it makes no difference to the performance of the rifle and you won't notice it.

I hunt the same type of territory you do - Longest shot would be 100 yards. Most 20-60. The tikka is light, compact balanced and easy to handle. Magazines drop out and click in simply. Bolt is slick and smooth. I've set it up with a 1-6x scope and a QD mount. The open sights are excellent as well, you'll really like them. And most importantly its accurate. Very accurate. This is one of a few rifles I would never part with as its so practical and great quality. You can't go wrong with it!

P.S Also I don't think Tikka offers a 'short action' .308....if you are talking about the length of receiver and bolt. And its a light rifle so in 30-06 you'll have a very very healthy amount of recoil. .308 will do it all for ya, especially at the ranges you are talking about.

L6wzm84.jpg
 
Last edited:
I’ve had a couple battues and foolishly sold them. I have a T3 lite in 30-06 that I also picked up a nice walnut stock for. I really miss the compact feel of the 20 inch barrel so much that I’m probably going to have the local gunsmith take it down to 20 inches and install a set of iron sights on it.My Battues were in 308 and 30-06 and the recoil between the two was barely noticeable with the limbsaver recoil pad.
 
Thanks guys, I am thinking I would really like the T3x Battue with the wood stock in 30-06!

Can you buy larger capacity magazines for these rifles 5 rounds or bigger?
 
I understand that with the T3x light Battue I might be wise to go .308 vs 30-06 because of recoil. Without getting too much into the difference between cartridges their recoil is pretty much on par unless I'm shooting 200 or 220 grain bullets right?

All things considered I should be good to go with the regular T3x Battue wood stock and 30-06 right?
 
Max-4 said:
I understand that with the T3x light Battue I might be wise to go .308 vs 30-06 because of recoil. Without getting too much into the difference between cartridges their recoil is pretty much on par unless I'm shooting 200 or 220 grain bullets right?

All things considered I should be good to go with the regular T3x Battue wood stock and 30-06 right?
Click to expand...

I didn’t notice a much difference between the 308 and 06, like I stated earlier I had both but I’m not recoil sensitive either. My choice is the 06 for the capability of the heavier bullet weight if you ever choose so
 
Max-4 said:
I understand that with the T3x light Battue I might be wise to go .308 vs 30-06 because of recoil. Without getting too much into the difference between cartridges their recoil is pretty much on par unless I'm shooting 200 or 220 grain bullets right?

All things considered I should be good to go with the regular T3x Battue wood stock and 30-06 right?
Click to expand...

Actions are the same length and 30-06 gives you a wee bit more range & power. Under 100 yards there won't realistically be any performance difference between the two. Recoil will be a little sharper (+/- 20% based on recoil tables) with a 30-06, especially considering the light weight and shorter barrel. You can't go wrong with either round. 30-06 or 308 are both great options. Pick a caliber and enjoy!
 
Last edited:
DTM5 said:
Actions are the same length and 30-06 gives you a wee bit more range & power. Under 100 yards there won't realistically be any performance difference between the two. Recoil will be a little sharper (+/- 20% based on recoil tables) with a 30-06, especially considering the light weight and shorter barrel. You can't go wrong with either round. 30-06 or 308 are both great options. Pick a caliber and enjoy!
Click to expand...

The recoil will really be 20% more on a 30-06? Wouldn't it be extremely close with the same 180gr bullet?
 
Max-4 said:
The recoil will really be 20% more on a 30-06? Wouldn't it be extremely close with the same 180gr bullet?
Click to expand...

Depends on a variety of factors. A 30-06 is still packing more powder with the same bullet weight. There are ways to minimize with both equipment and ammunition selection; PM me if you'd like some ideas.
Here is some reference data:

Cartridge (Wb@MV) Rifle Weight Recoil energy Recoil velocity
.308 Win. (150 at 2800) 7.5 15.8 11.7
.308 Win. (165 at 2700) 7.5 18.1 12.5
.308 Win. (180 at 2610) 8 17.5 11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (150 at 2910) 8 17.6 11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (165 at 2900) 8 20.1 12.7
.30-06 Spfd. (180 at 2700) 8 20.3 12.8
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom