Considering a Tikka T3 SS in 6.5x55...go or no go?

[Polish_Pounder]

Hey guys,

I am about to pull the trigger on a new deer rifle purchase. My research has led me to the T3, specifically the light stainless in 6.5x55. Anyone have one of these? I am not too concerned about the lack of aftermarket. I would like to hear what T3 owners think of them in general. Would you buy something else if you could do it over?

Thanks in advance,

-Polish

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I thought that Tikka quit importing that caliber, and only the Sakos offer a 6.5x55? You probably won't go wrong, but personally, I'd want a CZ 550 instead. Is the Tikka you're looking at the one with wood stock or plastic?

 

[surjimmy]

I have a Tikka T3, Outstanding comes to mind. Mine is in the 300 WSM. it put 3 holes inside a penny at 100 yards with factory ammo.

 

[Fumbler]

Do a forum search and you'll find a lot of reading on peoples' opinions.

I own a T3 Lite in 308 and love it.
If I could do it over again I would have picked the exact same thing, but in 260Rem; but that's simply because I know more about ballistics and reloading.
I'm still very happy with the 308 and use it for deer and recreational target shooting.

I would not have picked any other rifle, if that's what you're asking.
I've owned a Winchester Model 70, Savage 110, and have shot Rem 700s, Weatherby Vanguards, CZ 550s, and Ruger M77s.
For a hunting rifle it's tops on my list...unless I was rich, then It'd be a Sako.
The T3 is a poor man's Sako

 

[Browning]

What a coincidence on the Tikka 6.5X55

I was actually thinking about getting the same exact gun in 6.5X55 Swede due to the fact that it's a VERY accurate middle of the road caliber that can take a wide variety of game and that has good ballistics. The only fairly common 6.5 caliber that might have it beat ballistically is the .260 Rem or the .25-06, but from what I understand the 6.5X55 Swede is more common ammo wise and it's a little bit milder as far as recoil goes.

If you get it maybe you can tell us how it worked out for you and what you think of it?

I'd definately say 'Go', but that's because I want one myself and because I want you to give a product report after you have a chance to shoot it a little. So maybe you shouldn't listen to me as I'm kind of biased in this.

 

[NonConformist]

A friend has a Tikka, the bolt is so smooth people double check to make sure they actually chambered a round

 

[jjohnson]

Nice Cartridge Selection!

Oh, man, that's one SWEET round! Never owned a Tikka, but have owned a Swedish Mauser for years, and it's a real performer. It's NOT a 7mm Mag, but just like the guys who have 270s swear by them, the 6.5 Swede will do its work big time. The nordic folks have hunted moose with them for over a century, and never bothered to go to 8mm Mauser because the 6.5 does its job.

Careful, though: since recoil and report are comparatively mild, if you let your wife or lady friend shoot it, you may not get it back.....

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

I have a Tikka T3 lite hunter in 270 Win. The most accurate out of the box rifle I own. Buy it you'll like it!

 

[viking499]

I have had a Tikka T3 Lite 6.5x55 stainless for almost 6 months. SWEET gun. Will shoot at an inch or less with the cheap import ammo. It is hard to find that caliber in the stainless instock. The few I have seen floating around are about $100 to $150 to high. Got mine for $550 otd. You will find some 6.5's blued inwood around, but it is hard to find the stainless right now.

Jjohnson is right. I had a T3 243 stainless until my wife handled and shot it. Now it is HER gun.

 

[Polish_Pounder]

I just hit a real snag. I was 99% decided on the tikka, waiting only on the call from Williams Gunsight confirming that they had a setup for it. They claim that they have nothing that uses either the dovetail or the drilled and tapped holes for weaver bases. On top of that, they claim that because of the the way the receiver is, you can't use aperture sights because the line of sight is too high. This confuses me. How many high-power competitors have extremely high line of sight on their rifles? What do I do now? Anybody have any insight to this?

-Polish

 

[atblis]

http://www.mtguns.com/tika.htm

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Why not just scope it?

 

[Polish_Pounder]

I am not a fan of scopes, plus I like the challenge. Thanks for the link, atblis, I'll send an email. Any other suggestions/options would be appreciated.

-Polish

 

[theoldgringo]

6.5x55.......I can't think of a better caliber for your purposes. I recently bought a Tikka Lite in 6.5 (stainless is available with synthetic, only) and a T3, 30/06 in walnut. I interchanged the stocks, had the walnut bedded to the 6.5, added some appropriate glass and will be shooting the rifle in BR hunter class at the local IKES. The resulting Tikka "Lite" in 30/06 is on consignment with a local dealer.

260 Remington was mentioned in one, or more of the above posts. If you intend to go that route, be mindful of twist rate. Many of the 260 offerings are available with only a 9 twist which will limit your bullet selection to nothing bigger than 140gr. I know I'll be putting out fires from the small caliber aficionados, but, if you intend to hunt larger game such as elk, moose, etc you will welcome the larger bullet weight that the 8 twist 6.5x55 affords.

Actually, what you are looking to build is perfect for the conditions where I hunt. Most deer are shot here at under 100yds and I feel comfortable saying most are shot at between 25 & 75yds. Open sights are perfect for this country. I'll be hunting this year with an 03A3 and the only reason I'm not using my Swede is that I haven't come close to getting the elevation correct with the ramp rear sight.

I should add that the Sako 85 now has an 8 twist in their 260 Rem and, certainly there are others available for fewer $'s than the Sako.

Good luck and good hunting with whatever you decide.

 

[Float Pilot]

I have three rifles in 6.5x55mm. So I do not need another one. BUT, the other day I was up near Kenai AK (75 miles north) and there was a Stainless Tkka T3 in 6.5 Swede Mauser sitting on the shelf calling my name.

That is a great cartirdge and a very good rifle. Since Tikka's are very accurate rifles and since the 6.5 Swede is one of the most accuarte cartridges ever designed, you could not possibly go wrong unless it is a fluke. How much are they going for down there? It was about $650 up here in overpriced land.
Contact these guys to see if they make a peep sight that will mount on the Tikka receiver. I have one as a back-up sight for my M77MKII Ruger.
http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/

 

[Browning]

You could always put Anshultz target sights on it.

Polish_Pounder : I just hit a real snag. I was 99% decided on the tikka, waiting only on the call from Williams Gunsight confirming that they had a setup for it. They claim that they have nothing that uses either the dovetail or the drilled and tapped holes for weaver bases. On top of that, they claim that because of the the way the receiver is, you can't use aperture sights because the line of sight is too high. This confuses me. How many high-power competitors have extremely high line of sight on their rifles? What do I do now? Anybody have any insight to this?

Their webpage.
http://www.anschutz-sporters.com/index.php5?menu=174&sprache=1

Putting Anschutz sights on a Tikka
http://www.gswagner.com/oddjobs/tikkasights/tikkasights.html

Fitting Anschutz Sights to a Tikka Rifle

So a fellow comes in and wants to compete in iron sighted HiPower matches with a Tikka bolt action rifle. He's on short money and can't afford a set of irons at this time, but he does have a set of Anschutz sights. In an attempt to get him started shooting, I offered to adapt the Anschutz sights to his Tikka.

Another possible option would be to put the target sights off of a Tikka 595 on there.

I'm pretty sure they would fit since they're both Tikka's

Since the Tikka 595 was discontinued finding them might be a pain in the ass though.

It's just a thought anyway, good luck.

 

[Polish_Pounder]

I called NECG and they said that they have a peep sight that mounts onto a weaver base, which the T3 is drilled to accept. Has anyone used the NECG peep sight? What is the thread on the aperture they use? The guy on the phone didn't know. The reason I care is that I want to put a Merit adjustable aperture in. Then all I need to do is put a front ramp on it and I'll be set.

The guy I talked to at MT guns offered to make an adapter to use an old Lyman or Redfield sight, but it costs about $40 more. I don't know how the old Lyman and Redfields compare to the NECG. Any experience?

-Polish

 

[Polish_Pounder]

No advice on the NECG vs. Lyman/Redfield? A second question, would a target sight be too fragile? I want to be able to hit out to 200 yards, and I don't mind having a larger sight to do it.

Thanks,

-Polish

 

[Medusa]

Ya know, the 6.5x55SE is called the Swedish Laser, "as the bullet hits the target before the gravity and wind really starts to affect it", or so I was told.

 

[Float Pilot]

NECG vs. Lyman/Redfield?

I have a NECG as a back up sight on my M77MKII in 350 Remington Mag. I added a front sight base and a fiber optic style front sight with a buckshot hood.
I keep it in a little plastic tube in my pocket in case I smash another scope.
They are a pain to adjust and pretty much are locked into place once you get them zeroed.

I also have a Refield Peep mounted on the side of a Husqvarna rifle. It is more of a target style sight with better ajustments.

IF, some some reason you are not mounting a scope on one of the most accurate rifles/ cartridges in the world, then you might like the Refield or Lyman style a little better.

PIC of my NECG sight.

 

[Polish_Pounder]

I was just thinking: why not machine my own adapter? I can machine a piece of bar-stock with holes in it that match up to the weaver rail holes, but the top of which is an 11 mm dovetail that can accept an Anschutz or Williams sight. The only problem I can think of is that the Williams sight may have an elevation adjustment that hangs over that side, because it isn't a problem on a .22. Any thoughts? The Williams webpage doesn't have much in the way of detailed product photos.

-Polish

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Jjohnson is right. I had a T3 243 stainless until my wife handled and shot it. Now it is HER gun

I've "lost" guns like that myself. Funny how that works, isnt it?

Buds Gun Shop has the stainless model for under 600.00. Or at least they did.

 

[Polish_Pounder]

Another problem has come up. I wanted this gun in time for Deer season, but the next batch is being imported in January 2009. So now the question is do I wait for the 6.5x55, or go with the 7mm-08?

-Polish

 

[gvnwst]

the 6.5x55 and the 7mm-08 are both great cartridges. If you REALLY want a 6.5x55, wait. If you just want a tikka in time for deer season, get the 7mm-08.

 

[280shooter]

I would call all over the place to see if they have one that you want,you'll be kicking your own butt, if you settle for anything less then what you want.
I have one in 223, with the 1-8 twist,It wont shoot factory ammo.but after 400 rounds of reloads she shoot fine now.
I talked to others that have them,and they all said the same thing,1/2 in groups right out of the box,How can you beat that,,?