I bought a T3 Lite 3006 in 2008 to take to Africa as back rifle. It was cheap and had a good reputation. I put 300 rounds through it, all reoads. I started with 165 gr tsx 47gr IMR 4350 and it shot 3/4 inch so I figured my reloading development was over. I ran out of 4350 and tried a max load of 55gr H414 which grouped even better at 5/8. I had scoped it witth a Leupold VX 2 3x9x40 and was good to go. I had also put a libsaver on it.
Hello Africa. My Ruger 77 tang safety 338 was my go to rifle for years and it was my main rifle there as well. It shot 1/2 on any given day. As circumstance would have it, my PH's scope failed andI suggested he use my T3 which he had shot when we first sighted in. It was in his possesion the rest of the hunt and he loved it. He insisted I shoot my last animal, a gemsbok, with it. His reason was that I had brought it all the way to Africa, I had to shoot something with it.
I did and it cemented a positive attitude with the rifle. It and not the Ruger is now my go to rifle. I am shooting 165 gr Hornady now with the same load and group size and point of impact. Bear, deer and cottontail have all been taken cleanly with head shots.
They are not cheap now, but If I was to buy a rifle again it would be the tikka that got the first look.
Randy