I just purchased a NIB T-3 Tactical in 223 on the EE, and I am curious as to what present owners of T-3 Tacticals in 223 are experiencing as far as the throating on these rifles. Can you seat bullets to fit the magazine, yet be able to get them anywhere near the lands? I am hoping to use bullets in the 69gr to 80gr weights.
Tikka T-3 Tactical Throat Length
- Thread starter stubblejumper
- Start date
IMHO, you've just discovered the single biggest issue with the Tikka Tactical rifle, at least in the .223 chambering -- a ridiculously short magazine length for a rifle that has a 1-8" twist. The barrel is all set up for heavy bullets, but the mag sure isn't.
And yes, just for good measure, the throat is on the long side -- at least that's how mine is.
Truly, I just don't get why Tikka has never rectified the situation by coming out with a magazine set up for a longer cartridge OAL, which would allow the rifle to due what it's presumably supposed to do. It makes me want to scream every time I look at the mag, as there's all that space, but it's blocked with a panel of injection molded plastic (and if you cut it out, then the follower isn't long enough). Grr!!!!
And yes, just for good measure, the throat is on the long side -- at least that's how mine is.
Truly, I just don't get why Tikka has never rectified the situation by coming out with a magazine set up for a longer cartridge OAL, which would allow the rifle to due what it's presumably supposed to do. It makes me want to scream every time I look at the mag, as there's all that space, but it's blocked with a panel of injection molded plastic (and if you cut it out, then the follower isn't long enough). Grr!!!!
Neo pretty much hit it on the head. I had one and it shot good with 80 grain bergers but I had to modify the mag and then it would only take 2-3 rounds in the mag because the follower is too short - just like neo said already. The icing on the cake for me was when you try to single load it. It sucks because the receiver is solid on the top and there`s not much room to get the round in the chamber and then when you do, that damn bull barrel just snubs the round from going in nice and easy like say a remington or a sako. Needless to say you keep mucking with the rifle which was probably set up nicely on some bags to get each round in the chamber that you seated out to get close to the lands to shoot some nice groups that you believe you should be able to accomplish. I definately dont mean to rain on your parade but I just can`t figure out why tikka builds an otherwise great shooter in a 1:8 twist that wont accomodate any of the higher bc bullets that benifit from a tighter twist.
Rant over..
Best of luck and I hope that things go good for you
Rant over..
Best of luck and I hope that things go good for you
