Tikka T3 with stainless barrel vs. Tikka T3x with blued steel?

S

Snoochers

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Toronto
I can buy either the Tikka T3 with a stainless barrel or the T3x with blued steel for roughly the same price. The T3x has newer features, but I would prefer stainless. This will be for hunting, and I won't be humping it through the bush for 7 days straight and I take good care of my stuff usually. They are both in good condition, although I suspect the T3x is in slightly better shape.

Do the newer features of the T3x outweigh having a stainless steel barrel?

Any guidance would be much appreciated!
 
I have t3 blued and wish i got stainless for $80 more when i bought it. Fewer worries about corrosion, dont need to strip it out of the stock as often, cleans out easier.
The T3x improvements seem to be mostly stock related (replaceable grips, better grip, steel recoil lug, improved buttpad, sound dampening filler). As well as larger feed port and ability to attach pic rail.
If using T3 as a standard hunting rig get a limbsaver recoil pad and call it a day. Or swap stocks to be more like T3x.
 
I went with the Stainless T3 Lite and did the T3x upgrades myself (other than the larger ejection port / pic rail part). Very happy with the gun. If you really want to (like I did) you can buy a better recoil lug, metal bolt shroud, fill the stock with a can of spray foam and buy a limbsaver.
 
I'm a buy once / cry once kinda tikka shooter.....get exactly what you want, you'll not be disappointed. Perhaps wait for a stainless t3x to pop up for sale? Best of all worlds. If it came down to it and the budget was absolutely set in stone, I'd take the stainless if its in VG+ shape.
 
Basically the T3x new is 1020+ tax, and the t3 stainless I can get used for 650$ so its a bit of a tossup. Saving 500$ on the used T3 is tempting considering the advances on the T3x are not major.
 
No experience with the T3x but lots with blued and stainless T3’s
The blued rust really easily, like really easy...
The stainless isn’t as good as the SAKO 85’s stainless (that steel is amazing) and can discolour if you are around salt water. Not bad but to impervious to everything.
I’ll take the stainless.
 
Hmmmm I'd say a stainless for $650 - If its in the caliber you desire is a great deal. Thats a heck of a rifle for that price!
 
Just get the blued and have it Arma-Coated or some other tough finish. Just an oily swab down the barrel to keep it protected. My Arma-Coated T3 has been ridden hard and put away wet on several occasions. Not a speck of rust.
 
I have a T3 Varmint in blue finish. No experience with t3X. Cal is 6.5x55. Never had issues with ejection port being too small.
I did get a stainless recoil lug. No issues with rust at all but I do take care of my equipment.
Mine came pre-tapped and installed a pic rail with no problem.
I have heard that the T3 and T3X stocks won’t interchange.
For sure the T3 benefits from a better recoil pad.
Just my 2 cents worth. No regrets on the blue T3, but stainless is a nice feature especially if it’s going to see bad weather when in use.
 
Personally I dont care for the look of a stainless rifle and always go for the blued version. I have zero issues with rust but A. Dont live in a humid wet location and B. Always clean and oil my rifle. Id also consider a Cera-Coat job if I was really concerned about rust.

Cheers!!
 
I’ve been on a T3 buying spree lately and have acquired 3 in the last year and have modified each one. The stainless version has a nicer feel but I prefer the look of the blued although the bluing is mediocre. I’m going to leave my stainless varmint unaltered and have my blued models cerakoted eventually. If you live/hunt in a very humid location, get stainless.

Patrick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom