I Confess: I Love Tikka Rifles...

I confess, I love Tikka rifles – specifically – T3x rifles. I was curious to the experiences of folks of this board regarding Tikka rifles.

Over the last decade or so, I’ve had several Tikka rifles; currently, I have four: a 308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, and two 243 Win. All of these are absolute tack drivers, and I don’t mean that they once shot a half inch group with some specific load. They are WAY more consistent than that. Each of these rifles (and a couple others that I have had and sold) have shot 10 shot groups well under an inch and that just sets my heart aflutter!

Based on my years of experience with these (and other Tikka) rifles, here are my “Pros”.

• They shoot very well (MOA of better) right out of the box.
• They are not heavy rifles.
• They are not ultralight rifles.
• They are not complicated rifles.
• GREAT, adjustable triggers.
• Tons of aftermarket support. You can add metal shrouds, bottom metal, different bolt stops, different magazines, you name it.
• They are not finicky with various load recipes and bullet weights. (I don’t know if I’ve ever had one shoot over 1.25” with ANY recipe.)
• When loads are tweaked, I can get most at .5”.
• They are not expensive, though you can start adding aftermarket items and increase the investment.
• They have detachable magazines.
• They now come with threaded barrels.

Here are my “Cons”, based on the same experience:

• They are all built on a medium action, even when chambers for SA cartridges.
• I don’t like the OEM stock on the base model, though I don’t think it affects accuracy.
• They have a 2-position safety with no bolt release, so they have to be on “fire” to work the bolt.
• The bolt shroud is plastic and I’d rather Tikka charge $20 more dollars and make it metal. (That stated, I have NEVER had a problem with the plastic shroud.)
• The bottom metal is bottom plastic and I wish it was metal. (That stated, I have NEVER had a problem with the plastic bottom “metal”.)
• There is no premium model, with pretty bluing or super nice stocks. (Though this is a con to me, I have pretty rifles to fill that void and I suppose one could think of a Sako as the premium cousin. I have a couple of Sako and although “nicer”, I don’t think they are better tool.

Regarding my current Tikka rifles, I cut and threaded my 308 at 18.25”, added a Bell & Carlson sporter stock, and had it Cerakoted. It’s a bullet-proof tool.

I noted Tikka 7mm-08 throats were long, so for my rifle, I got a medium action bolt stop and medium action magazine, which allowed me to seat all bullets (and more especially long, heavy bullets) to the lands (couldn’t do this with SA parts), thereby increasing my powder capacity and seat depth tweaking. This worked like a charm. (I wrote a thread about this a few months ago.) It came threaded and I added a Bell & Carlson. It’s a bullet-proof tool.

My 243s (one lives with my older brother) are not threaded, though I plan on threading the one with a 20” barrel in the next few months. They shoot light and heavy (100 gr) bullets with sub MOA accuracy; bullet -proof tools.

I know I sort of ranted here about the workman Tikka, but they are so darned consistent. I have several premium rifles, in the 3-4K range, but when $^&%$ hits the fan, they are not better tools and are arguably more susceptible to issues.

Not me. I only have 8 of them and have owned several others. Never had an issue with them.

I don't have one, but a buddy of mine got one in .270 WSM. I 've been with him twice when he killed mule deer bucks at over 340 yards. I think it'll do!

From a purely functional point of view, the best rifle for the money, bar none! I don’t have any in my safe at the moment, but I’ve had three of them, and my experience mirrors yours.

Same barrels as Sako.

The Tika t3 is one of the best selling carbines in the world. It has all the good features you mentioned and for a price that is favorable. Tikka has transferred all its experience from the previous M65 to the production of the T3. This factory had both the short action M558 and the long M658, but later they chose only one action length. I also don't like the plastic parts that seem to have become standard in this class. I think the T3's main competitor is the Mauser M18. It also has all the features you listed, but I think the T3 has a slightly better finish

Tikka, Tikka , Tikka…

I’m sure I have said it before but I wasn’t sure on what to make of my first T3. I purchased online and it was sent to a club armorer.

The plastic trigger guard and bolt shroud didn’t impress me much and the recoil lug is reverse to what I thought they should be.

I wasn’t fussed the modular design of it.

But I got over it, I bought a CTR , then I got some others second hand and swapped out a few components or bought aftermarket stocks etc. Now I am committed.

mine is a ss .223 with tan syn stock. and with a 12x leupold it has taken alot of varmits, never had any problems with it at all.

I am almost ashamed to admit that I have never even handled one let alone shot one. But then I only own 2 push feed rifles and I won both of those on raffle tickets. One is a Ruger American gen 1 in 30-06 and the other is a Howa 1500 in 350 legend. Both are tack drivers but just don’t trip my trigger. The Ruger is the most accurate rifle I own.

Love mine in .243

Going back on Safari later this year…

I have a LH T3X 6.5x55. I'm not sure anybody else in the world even makes such a thing. It is without doubt a tack-driver.

Being a lefty, I've grown accustomed to "not pretty" in the 45 years I've been in the rifle market.

I have only had a couple so far, but they are my go-to for an economical custom build. built a 223 trainer, and now just finishing a 6.5 prc just waiting on my trigger tech) Unknown Munitions in Post Falls has really set a good bar for builds and gunsmithing. Both actions have been lightened (4oz) Proof barrels and Carbon Rokstocks. Of course, a Nightforce doesn't' hurt mounted in Unknowns Tikka rings that are pinned as well as clamped. Rhodesian was chosen for my hunt with Crusader Safaris coming up in May.

The new ones have an aluminum bolt shroud and bottom metal.

I love mine. My only objection is I much prefer to load from the top and hate detachable magazines. It’s just something else I’m terrified I’m going to lose.

But they all shoot great and handle well.

I have a Tikka T3 Boar Hunter in 30-06. It has a 21" barrel, excellent, sturdy iron sights and composite stock. Shoots sub MOA with everything I have shot. It was a Cabelas special run item.

Safe Hunting

Yes! Best value without question. They aren’t picky with ammo, just flat out shoot. They finally started making standard models with threaded barrels so I snagged a 223 for a ranch gun and it’s incredibly fun to shoot.

Did you glass when placing into B&C aftermarket stock?

Did you see accuracy improvement when bedded or not bedded into the B&C stock

I just got a new Trijicon credo scope and putting it ontop of a tikka t3x in 6.5 prc.

Just waiting for some scope rings I want to come back in stock.

Thanks

Mother Plucker said:

I have only had a couple so far, but they are my go-to for an economical custom build. built a 223 trainer, and now just finishing a 6.5 prc just waiting on my trigger tech) Unknown Munitions in Post Falls has really set a good bar for builds and gunsmithing. Both actions have been lightened (4oz) Proof barrels and Carbon Rokstocks. Of course, a Nightforce doesn't' hurt mounted in Unknowns Tikka rings that are pinned as well as clamped. Rhodesian was chosen for my hunt with Crusader Safaris coming up in May. View attachment 748236View attachment 748237

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I’m just waiting for UM tikka rings to come back in stock… been forever and it’s putting my build on hold!

I never owned a Tikka until the last couple of months. Purchased two. A CRT in 6.5 CM from Toby458’s Kitchen Counter Gun Emporium and Cabelas had a basic T3x on sale and I had points so I picked up a 7mm-08. The range reopens next week and as long as the weather is decent, hope to get them out and at least get them on paper.

I have not bedded in the B&Cs; I’m getting just 3/4” or better groups, so don’t see a need. I run Talley rings on 99% of my rifles.

Bill J H said:

I have not bedded in the B&Cs; I’m getting just 3/4” or better groups, so don’t see a need. I run Talley rings on 99% of my rifles.

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So your accuracy stayed the same when going from the factory stock to the imbedded B&C?

I was worried that my want for a more atheisticly pleasing stock would throw off the factory accuracy.

Thanks