Tikka T3lite SS vs Tikka Lite Battue

blueflash

blueflash

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
29   0   0
Location
S.W.Ontario
I have ordered a Savage Weather Warrior in .300winmag from one of our sponsors (and paid in full) for the up coming Moose, and Deer season. Now its past due and is'nt looking good, that it will be here in time. If I cancel my order, I will be hit with a 10% restocking fee, so I would like to pick out another rifle that they have in stock, which is not a problem, since they have lots of other rifle in stock at good prices.

I have Narrowed it down to 2 different rifles that they have(in stock) that I would buy instead (plus paying extra $$ to go with what I have alread spent).

The 2 rifles that I have narrowed it down too are. A Tikka T3Lite Stainless in 30/06 and a Tikka T3Lite Battue in .300Win Mag. Each rifle has Pros and Cons, and I am having difficult deciding what to buy.

Both rifles are roughly the same $$$(The Battue costs $40 Less). However, the Battue is'nt Stainless Steel, but the Battue does'nt have to have a scope mounted to it right away since it has great Fiber Optic sights, that I could use for this season without a Scope, and will save me $$$$ for now, until I can spend the extra $$$ in the offseason to mount a Scope to it.

However, I was hoping to get a more durable rifle, so I figured I would be better off getting a Rifle that had a Stainless Steel Barrel, but I will be going way over budget, in spending more $$$$ to buy a Tikka, and my wife will totally freak out if I tell her I now need to spend another $200 for the Optilock mounting system.(I already have a good scope for it)

The Battue is .300 Win Mag, which was my origional decision, and the Stainless T3 is 30/06, and I am okay with that, since I know that these lightweight Tikka's really kick, and a 30/06 is more than enough Power for my need.

Please, somone show me the light. I have been chewing over which gun to buy for a few days now, and its starting to drive me nuts. I just can't make up my mind, because I would be happy with either one.
 
The stainless T3 is, IMHO, well worth the extra $40.

As for the Optilock mounts...

Not necessary at all to use these.

I mounted a Leupold on my son-in-law's T3.

Order up Leupold #54447 bases, and then get a set of Burris Signature rings, in "medium" unless you're using a 50mm or bigger objective scope. #420501 matte, or #420502 stainless. This Leupold base set is actually relieved slightly for the T3's mounting rail, which I think adds strength to the set up.

http://swfa.com/Tikka-C2138.aspx

The illustration at the top shows the actual T3 bases, the lower one beside the description is wrong.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/sigrings1.html

Signature rings require no lapping, will not mark up your scope, and automatically adjust for alignment issues. Plus, when adjusting rear rings for windage during initial sight in, loosening front ring cap screws will allow the scope to pivot to compensate, which prevents torquing the scope tube, or Gob forbid, actually permanently bending it!

Nice clean, strong and reliable set up. Probably cost less than half the price of Optilock set up. Shown here with Leupold VX-II 4x12x40...

DSC01207.jpg
 
Ya, I think I am leaning towards getting the T3 Lite SS in 30/06 also.

I have also noticed that they have a Savage Weather Warrior like the one I origionally ordered that is used in 30/06 in excellent condition, that is almost $100 less, but I am just worried about buying someones used 1 year old rifle that the reason they traded it in, is because it did'nt shoot as accurate as it was supposed too.
 
Last edited:
The Battue is too short of a barrel to get the most out of the magnum.
If you're going to add bases to a Tikka,go with the Burris Xtreme Tactical ones. Much better suited to a Tikka.
 
sealhunter said:
why anyone would bases on a grooved receiver is beyond me...
Click to expand...

Truth is, I hunted far and wide, first for Optilock "ring mounts". Not available in N. America. And their separate bases and rings are pricey as all hell.

Then I called Deadnutz (now Game Reaper) directly, really liked the looks of their one piece set up for the T3. I don't even want to talk about what a gong show that call was...

Then I looked at Warn ring mounts...couldn't find in Canada. And a few had posted on forums that they were a real pain to install.

Stainless steel Talleys still weren't available for the T3, and I'm not sold on the aluminum version.

Finally just got disgusted, and went with the Leupold bases, which had been recommended on forums.

Turned out very good. And I'm particularly sold on Burris Signature rings in any event.

That was a couple years ago. Availability of various makes and styles might be different now.

As for the Limbsaver recoil...

Yes, by all means pick one of these up the same time as the rifle!!! Makes a helluva difference!!! The T3 (and the Sako A7), especially in WSM versions, have pretty good bite to them, enough to take the edge off a session at the range in short order.
 
Well, I ended up buying a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Steel Barrel in 30/06. I bought it on Sale, and I even got them to throw in a Base, and then I bought the matching Burris rings( in Nickel), and it works out perfect because the Scope that I put on it is a Burris (Mounted and Boresighted for free also).

I really liked the Battue, in the store, but I did'nt buy it just because I have had really bad luck with Blued Barrels, and I wanted to buy the best, "Bad Weather" rifle that I could get my hands on. The Fiber Optic sights on the Battue are Awesome though. I would be confident taking a shot on a Moose at 200 Yards with the Sights that come on the Battue. Its a really nice gun, and it was a hard choice for me to pick the T3 Lite Stainless gun over the Battue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom