Tikka opinions

[tackleberry45]

OK, so I posted on the CZ550 prior. They do not have a great selection of left handed models. What is the consensus on Tikka? I see they have the stainless lite .270 that looks good. Is this a solid "budget" rifle platform to build on as well?

[Charles S]

My Tikka T3 in 270 Winchester is one of my very favorite rifles and I carry it often. Mine is light and handy. The Tikka offers more accuracy than I really need.

I am very pleased with mine!

[dubbleA]

I had a T3 Lite in 270WSM and it was the worst shooting rifle I ever owned. The stainless barrel had rust on it from new in the box. It comes with cheesy aluminum rings that have a lot to be desired. Lots of plastic parts including the stock, magazine and bolt shroud. A very weak attempt for a recoil lug. About the only thing I liked about it was the serviceable trigger, it was decent. It shot patterns instead of groups. I did try my best to work with it but wound up taking it back to the dealer and getting my money back. Some love and adore them but as for me and my house we will pass them by like bad habit.

[lakecitybrass]

I would love to find a Tikka T3 in .223. I think it would make an excellent XTC high power rifle. A friend has one and it is slick.

[dmancornell]

I have a Tikka Lite in .233 with a Zeiss Conquest in a DNZ mount. It is solid.

[Mr. Farknocker]

I've got the .270 in SS. It's a tack driver. It's light for lugging around in the woods which makes it great for hunting, kicks like a mule because of its sub 6.5 lbs. weight and doesn't break the bank (got it for $550 at Sports Authority). Quality barrel and trigger are what makes it work. The furniture and scope rings leave a lot to be desired as the previous poster said. SS is not impervious to rust. You gotta take care of the finish or you'll end up with surface rust on your barrel.

[viking499]

I have 2 Tikka 6.5x55's. One I love, the other I am not sure of. Just got it and have not had a chance to shoot it yet.

[lakecitybrass]

So, have any of you seen the T3 advertised for sale lately?

Thanks, John

[surjimmy]

IMHO, Tikka makes the beat rifle you can buy for under $1000. Butter smooth action, dead accurate right out of the box. You just can't beat it.

[ball3006]

I have a 1943 Mosin Nagant with a Tikka barrel that will shoot one inch groups all day long if I do my part....chris3

[Awsomepossum]

I am also left handed and looked everywhere for a rifle. After looking localy in my area, I put a ad on this website and bought a lh tikka in 308 with a nikon buckmasters. Very pleased with the workmanship of both the rifle and scope.

Edit: Also there is a man with a Lh 300 win mag for sale

[Kachok]

My T3 6.5x55 is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned, even more so then my Savages. I would love to have one in 270 win to go with it.

[280shooter]

I have a tika 3lite stainless left hand 223 twist is 1 -8 ,its so smooth.nikon glass on it,,I reloaded 45 gr, to 62 so far, less then 1/2 groups at 100 yards, Now how can you beat that for less then 1000 bucks,,I think i paid about 600 for it, new in box,3 years ago,Ilike to have another in 8mm,,,

[LevelHead]

I have a Sako Stainless Hunter in .308. It's beautiful, and it should be because it was $2000 without the scope.

I recently bought a Tikka M595 in .223 to train my daughter on. I bought it used in mint condition for $700.

You know what? I think I like the Tikka more. The Sako delivers in that there is no plastic on it while the Tikka has plastic trigger guard and magazine, but as much as I hate plastic on guns, the Tikka is so nice that it hasn't bothered me yet. I've not handled the newer T3s, but if you can find an older M595 or similar, grab it.

[adelbridge]

One sized fits all action is good for big cartridges. I wouldn't buy one for short action cartridges.

[280shooter]

being one size for all. doesnt bother me. it still shoots great, evn with all the plastic parts. My first thougt was,,, whts with the plastic bit,? is this a cheap piece of crap..NOT at all. just one thing I dont care for. is, yu have to charge the clip when its out of the gun,,

[Welding Rod]

Odd man out here - My Tikka T3 in .308 was not very accurate, shooting about 1.5 MOA for 3 shots, so I sold it shortly after buying it.

[sleepyone]

I had a couple of T3 Lites in .243 and .308. the .43 was blued with synthetic and the .308 was SS with synthetic. They were accurate, but too much plastic. I went with the new FN Winchester Featherweight in .243 and .270.

[B!ngo]

I purchased a Tikka Sporter (the new model) in .308 with a 24" barrel - left handed model. It's a beauty but quite heavy of course. It's more of like a range/target gun with the option of a bit of plinking and hunting so long as it's not too much heavy lifting. Fitted a Leica scope to it and it satisfies a 'want' that I've had for many years. The Leica doesn't get much press. Pretty light on features and models but the glass is shockingly clear. I'm now planning on going back for a T3 lite in .223. The low weight of the rifle coupled with the modest kick of the .223 round should be a great combination. I like to stick with a 'brand' if possible to build up knowledge of parts availability, manual of arms, etc. and I'm happy to keep with Tikka for bolt rifles.
Remington was the other option for me - mid-priced bolt rifles with a few left-handed options but I prefer the feel of the Tikka action, they have more left-handed models to choose from, and the T3 Lite option is appealing.
CZ's and Savage didn't seem to have many left-handed models that appealed to me.
I say go for it. You won't be disappointed.
B

[Nwflycaster]

My Tikka .338 is easily my most accurate non match rifle that I own.

[Birdhunter1]

Tikka T3 Laminates stock stainless steel .243 right handed action. Love it, it is my favorite rifle out of the whole safe and would not trade it for anything else.

[280shooter]

Mine took about 300 rounds down the tube before it broke in,and now.. I shoot anything in and its still 1/2 or less at 100 yards,the lite 3 is all about being,,, Light weight,,all the plastic bits are what makes it Light,

[Riceman98]

I have 2 tikkas. One is a T3 lite in .270 blued and a T3 superlite in 7mm Rem Mag stainless. They are by far the most accurate rifles I own. I did replace the stock recoil pad with a limb saver and that helps a lot. I wouldn't consider it a "budget" rifle more like a "mid-range" rifle. As noted the rings it comes with are junk. Get some DNZ rings.

[Gtscotty]

I had a T3 lite in 30-06, and a T3 hunter in 270 wsm. Both were excellent rifles with good ergonomics, smooth bolt action, a detachable mag and excellent trigger. The T3 lite shot about as well as my X-bolt in the same caliber at 3/4" 5 shot groups. The T3 hunter was the most accurate rifle I have owned, I can't shoot like some of the folks here, but I put down several sub .5" groups using that rifle. If you're looking for a functional hunting or recreational target rifle, I think you can do far, far worse than Tikka... for more money.

[shaggy430]

I LOVE my Tikka. It is my favorite rifle.