Tikka T3 Lite 30.06 - what's reasonable to expect?

[NorthernMopar]

Well, I happened across a gorgeous Tikka in left hand bolt, stainless action with synthetic stock. The rifle feels utterly perfect holding it. Of course, I will need a scope, but I wanted to ask - what would be reasonable expectations from this rifle? As in, how faer out does this rifle hold accuracy, aand which ammo/grain count suits it best? Scope notwithstanding I mean - which is the second question, what ould be a good match for the rifle? The way I figure it, this will be my first, and may be the only, new rifle I will get myself anytime soon, so may as well do it right as much as humanly possible. I will say, given how used I am to Tula and old winchester triggers, the Tikka seems almost hair trigger to me. Not a complaint, simply an observation.

Please folks, I welcome thoughts, observations and especially others with experiences with the Tikka. Thanx guys (and gals too!).

 

[Shabazz]

If you want scope recommendations I would include in your post what you want to do with this rifle, and to what distance. In terms of accuracy you can expect sub moa if you do your part.

 

[NorthernMopar]

Well, that's kinda what I am asking - to what range does the tikka hold its accuracy to? Should I expect consistant. 500 meter 1 MOA groupings, or is this rifle more a 300 meter shooter? I honestly don't know, hence why I ask. Or is this a rifle that needs to be shot first to find its sweet range?

 

[mlehtovaara]

It's not the gun's job to shoot accurately, it's yours.

It is a hunting rifle, not a precision rifle so it will most likely be accurate enough at any hunting distances you can shoot.

If you want to shoot for groups at 500m + then that is definitely not the right gun, but if your just hunting and having fun out to 500m you wil be just fine.

All that said, if you plan on spending a lot of time at the range on a bench or prone with that gun, you might consider a little lighter calibre for your shoulder's sake.

 

[Tomochan]

Well, the T3 is a good rifle but it isn't a precision one - it is build and sold as a hunting rifle albeit an accurate one. Will it shoot MOA ? Probably and maybe a bit better. Now to cartidge - while overshadowed in the last 40 + years by the .308, the 30-06 remains an excellent cartridge and some would say that it can do everything a .308 can do but better (more case capacity ). As a hunting rifle I'd say the combo is excellent as a target rifle still OK but not ideal.

 

[kimmer82]

you mean 1 MOA grpings @100yards that is capable of shooting 500 yards right?
Any rifle can reach 1000yards mark when you get the accuracy figured out with the rifle.
Scope is.... you should ask your self first if you want to do long range shotting with it for hunting.. if hunting, is it going to be used in bush or open field.. or what kind of game.
Would not want to carry 6x18 or higher scope in bushed and maybe come across a grizz bear at 30 yards.. you might get to see up close gur shot but not the body.. 3x9 4x12 are good for both short and long range. i have 4x12 on tikka 300wm and shoots around 6" grouping at 500-600M.
T3 are good overall but there are some lemons that does shoot 2-3" grpings @ 100 yards which you will try to freefloat or bed the rifle. T3 lites are not ment to freefloat but it does work when the rifle is not accruate with many reloads you have tried with.

I do have 2 T3 lites in 300WM and 300WSM. one has 4x12 leupold and other has nightforce 5x20. personally i take the one with 4x12 with hunting since it will do most ranges you would ever want to hit and good enough for short range.

 

[NorthernMopar]

Well, again, that's what I am trying to asertain. Ideally; I'd like it to be capable of hunting in the Yukon for big game; with the capability (not saying I'd do it but I want the capability) of dropping said game at 500 meters. But, again, I'm wanting to gather info to figure out what's reasonable and realistic.

 

[paperslayer]

The rife is a fine hunting rifle. It is not designed for the sort of sustained use that target shooting would entail. I absolutely love Tikkas and if you do your part and the ammo does its, then I would be surprised if the rufle isn't capable of holding under 1MOA.

30-06 is a harsh round for target shooting and that is not meant to be a target rifle.

Lets not get into the "long range" characteristics because it just aint that type of gun. It hits hard within the ranges that one would engage while hunting.

 

[CV32]

All that said, if you plan on spending a lot of time at the range on a bench or prone with that gun, you might consider a little lighter calibre for your shoulder's sake.

I had a Tikka T3 Lite in .30-06. Fine, accurate rifle, but the recoil of the first shot will make a sound that you will swear can be interpreted as "For the love of God, put a Limbsaver recoil pad on this gun!"

 

[kimmer82]

if you want big game in long range then i would prefer 300wm or something around that area.
Don't get me wrong, the 30-06 will do just fine but i just prefer heavier bullet only because i like to hike and go right in the bush for big games and did come across 1000+lb grizz bear at 40 yards and had 2 twin cubs with her.
Since then, i carry 340 weatherby mag with 225 grains in the bush but still use 300wsm at a open field for deer hunt with 150 tsx BT.
if you spend long enough time with the rifle and accurizing, it is possible to get better than 1" @ 200 yards.
and 4x12 is plenty enough to shoot out to 500-600 yards so all depends on whatever you like to shoot i guess.
and 30-06, 300WSM either or has no recoil at all. 300wm in t3 lites do kick then other 300wm i find tho.

 

[NorthernMopar]

I actually have never compared 300 win mag to a 30.06; so I don't know at all how they stack up. I do, however, have an old mauser in 30.06 that had a steel buttplate; so I'm very well aware of the kick of an 06. Ow.

 

[blwebster]

Not a slight at anybody here and I have no idea as to your - or other member capabilities on game from 400 on out, but it has been and still is my personal observation/opinion, that for big game hunting, most persons should restrict themselves to 350 to 400 at a maximum, and try stalking within range a whole lot harder than some efforts I have seen over the years. A lot more game would be killed properly and fewer would run off wounded.

Would a 30/06 do the job? Sure it would, as will many cartridges with similar ballistics, but that said, would anybody be so ####-sure they would try that stunt on a trophy grizzly bear for example? Moose are pretty much sissies when hit and do not go too far so it is not much of a job to follow up to get them if wounded...but I have had the dubious honors of tracking and killing a fair number big game including grizzly bear that people shot at over excessively far range and screwed things up, then were afraid to follow up on.

I have killed one or more of every animal in North America with a 30/06 and feel confident with one in hand. As far as the Tikka goes, I would not hesitate on buying one, but by far I would prefer the Sako Finnlight to the Tikka. For most of my hunting as well as on the job with the 30/06 I used ordinary Speer 180 grain spitzer bullets handloaded in Winchester brass with cci primers. The rifle I used most was a standard weight pre-64 model 70 and later the featherweight model followed by the Sako.
Both the Winchesters would shoot all day into 1 MOA, while the Sako was better by far, and like my other Sakos in .243 and .308 can shoot 5 shots into a ragged hole at 200 meters. I used a 4X Leupold on the Wins for years while at work and all these rifles now sport 3.5 to 10 variable in Leupolds while one Sako carries a Nightforce scope.

One famous guide-outfitter from northern BC once answered my question as to what caliber he preferred. He said "Who needs anything but a 30/06?" Given that he hunted all over the world, killing everything from dik diks to bengal tigers, lions and and cape buffalo with the 30/06, I think his experience shaped my opinions on the topic. That being said, I am hardly tied to one caliber, just that my preferences change from time to time.

 

[mlehtovaara]

I actually have never compared 300 win mag to a 30.06; so I don't know at all how they stack up. I do, however, have an old mauser in 30.06 that had a steel buttplate; so I'm very well aware of the kick of an 06. Ow.

That old Mauser likely ways 2 to 3 pounds more than the Tikka though!

Trust me, there will be a noticeable difference!

I have no issues with shooting a 300win mag all day out of several hunting rifles, but the Tikka was a big surprise when I first fired one. Don't get me wrong, I love them and it will likely be in my future in that same calibre, but it will be a hunting rifle only.

 

[paperslayer]

One famous guide-outfitter from northern BC once answered my question as to what caliber he preferred. He said "Who needs anything but a 30/06?" Given that he hunted all over the world, killing everything from dik diks to bengal tigers, lions and and cape buffalo with the 30/06, I think his experience shaped my opinions on the topic. That being said, I am hardly tied to one caliber, just that my preferences change from time to time.

This is absolutely true. A bit off topic, but true. The 303 and 30-06 have been taking every type of game in North America for over a century. Even the 30-30 with a properly placed shot at the proper distance, will take anything.

There is a false sense of security in buying something more powerful like a 300 WM. They are still only 1 MOA guns at best, and under ideal conditions. If the hunter knows his skill and the gun's cold bore accuracy, then I think the 30-06 is the perfect hunting round.

My wife has had the need to euthanize some very large animals over the years including very large horses. She uses a .22 in the skull and they never draw another breath.... it is all about shot placement.