Tikka T3 - reason for popularity

[buckchaser]

Any thread looking for advice on buying a bolt action rifle that is not a custom piece has the Tikka T3/T3x as one of the first rifles suggested.

In your opinion, is the huge popularity of the Tikka T3 due primarily to its attractive price point price tag (although it has become more expensive in recent years) or is it truly that good a rifle that folks who could afford to pay more opt for the Tikka simply because of its performance/durability, etc.?

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

IMO it is excellent value, even at the increased prices. They are excellent rifles. The T3 can be improved upon with a 70$ metal bolt shroud, and a 3$ trigger spring. Get a T3x and it's included. I don't see a problem with a polymer mag. I do have a problem with what they charge for said mag. I don't have an issue with them not being a true short action.

I was asked to sight in my cousins T3 varmint in 300WSM yesterday. Rifle not broken in, factory ammo, off a bipod on the cold wet ground, and a factory stock that doesn't fit me worth sh!t : about 0.7MOA, maybe a bit less. I'll take it.



Others disagree, including one of the members that I respect the most - skypilot - and that's fine. So be it.

GGG

 

[ManitobaMick]

Have a t3 22-250 extremely accurate. Awesome rifle.

 

[yodave]

near match quality barrel, buttery smooth slick action.......just sliding the bolt in and out is enough to make you buy one, the factory stock isn't for everyone but after a year or two look into a bell and carlson, or even boyds for that matter if you like wood or laminate, 2 moose and 7 deer don't like my stainless 7-08.....but I sure do

 

[WhelanLad]

I think down under the Importers push what they want a bit easier than You guys.. all basically proberly the same mob..

however I found the Tikka range was appealing to the Aussie shooter/hunter who gave in to the Accurate out- of- the -Box MOA must have..... in which they do no worries most of the time! So yeah Accurate
but without having to tinker with them like an old Remington 700.. to have them shoot moa.

the farmer who has recently come around to plastic stocks an thinks they are pretty good, robust an care free...

and of course in Aus the price is Decent for all the above!

WL

 

[cody c]

Compared to the model 16 savage I had my T3 hunter is easily about 5 times smoother to cycle and doesn't push my thumb against the scope (60degree vs 90 degree) compared to moms Ruger it feels like the action is lighter or shorter or better balanced in my hands.

 

[pipeliner]

Best action, and extremely accurate.

 

[Got Juice?]

near match quality barrel, buttery smooth slick action.......just sliding the bolt in and out is enough to make you buy one, the factory stock isn't for everyone but after a year or two look into a bell and carlson, or even boyds for that matter if you like wood or laminate, 2 moose and 7 deer don't like my stainless 7-08.....but I sure do

X2. Money was spent on the important details.

Yes, the factory stock sucks, but that can be fixed when budget allows.

 

[geologist]

I've only shot one, a Lite model in 300 Win mag.

The rifle was 2016, brand new, we'd just gotten her loctited and the Swarovski scope dialed in. The young owner of the rifle asked me to shoot it. I had never even dry fired it and shot a three shot, sub MOA group at 100 yards off a front rest with a carpet and a sand bag rear and factory 180 gr ammo.

I was impressed by the accuracy of the rig.

 

[savagelh]

It seems people either love them or hate them and I'll admit I used to be one of the haters. I always scoffed at the plastic mags and turned up my nose at the Tupperware trigger guard, that is until I shot one. Shot a good friend's 22-250 and printed about a half inch group, the next fall I ordered a 308 from reliable gun during their bug sale. It shoots very well. Well under half inch with good handloads. This year I bought a 7mm. Same story. First time out with first batch of reloads was well under 1/2" at 100. They are so accurate and reliable it's boring. Trying decide what cal I want to order my next one in.

 

[hawk-i]

Compared to the model 16 savage I had my T3 hunter is easily about 5 times smoother to cycle and doesn't push my thumb against the scope (60degree vs 90 degree) compared to moms Ruger it feels like the action is lighter or shorter or better balanced in my hands.

70 degree not 60

 

[The Kurgan]

I sold far more expensive rifles preferring the T3 to all of them. The barreled-action and trigger in particular are simply excellent, and second to none. The rest of the rifle is equipped with cost-effective polymer parts, which is fine for real world use. You can buy them with nice walnut stocks and it's easy to "upgrade" a few of the parts with metal if you so wish. If you haven't already noticed, they aren't low cost rifles.

 

[Ranger762]

The Tikka T3 offers a lot of bang for the buck... For what you pay for, you get a well made quality rifle, fast and smooth to cycle, excellent trigger and deadly accurate barrel.

 

[Crashman]

I have a Tikka T3 Sporter in 260 and a T3 Tactical in 308, both are legitimate half minutes rifles. I always swap the recoil lugs for hardened steel, have replaced the trigger springs however it is not a "must do" job, and pillar and Devcon bed them, these two are also going to get aftermarket bottom metal for AICS mags then I will be done. Yeah it is a lot of upgrades, and none of it is done because I have to, I just find the accuracy and reliability is second to none for their price point, and the ergonomics seem right for me.

 

[The Kurgan]

Here's my 30-06 Battue that came equipped with a very nice oiled walnut stock and excellent sights. I added an aluminum shroud, titanium recoil lug, and aluminum bolt knob. It shoots factory Fusion 150 gr into 1/2 an inch at 50 metres consistently.

 

[WhelanLad]

lol, 50 meters? my nan shoots half inch groups at 50m LOL

 

[The Kurgan]

yeah yeah... it's capable of more I'm sure. lol

 

[yodave]

lol, 50 meters? my nan shoots half inch groups at 50m LOL

I sight my rifles in at 200 yards and shoot most of my game at 30 yards, the year I sight my rifle in at 50 meters is the year I am going to have to shoot at 350 yards.......if it works for a guy let it go

 

[savagecanuck]

I wondered about all the hype till I bought a T3 223 varmint this spring. I've probably put 400 rounds through it without a hiccup, dead nuts accurate. Smooth action and feeding. Mine is bone stock other than a limbsaver. I love the poly stock, rides the bags well. My next hunting rifle is going to be a T3x in 243.

 

[Keithjohn]

X2. Money was spent on the important details.

Yes, the factory stock sucks, but that can be fixed when budget allows.

I don't like plastic stocks , but I shoot my ctr off a bipod and gotta say it shoots good groups - so why don't I like plastic ??