First hunting rifle: Tikka T3

[atek3]

I bought a Tikka T3 Lite in 7 Rem Mag last fall, but only now I get it set up the way I wanted:

The only major additions have been the DNZ one-piece scope mount and the Karsten Custom Cheek Piece. Without the Cheek Piece, you can't really get a proper cheek weld on the factory stock.

The scope is a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 with the Rapid-Z 800 reticle. The reticle is calibrated with high velocity magnum cartridges in mind, so it's pretty close out to about 500 yards. Point is rather moot as all the hunting in my area is 100-200 yards at most.

Only change I'll make in the future is a camo job on the rifle. No real reason other than camo is cool. Any advice on camo would be appreciated. Tim Pack recommends Krylon.

 

[hq]

That's a very nice combo. Both the rifle and scope are just about the best value you can get on the market right now.

As far as camo is concerned, I'd recommend good quality camo dip / water transfer print and matte lacquer. If you want to go all the way, you can have the scope dipped in the same pattern as the stock and cheekpiece.

 

[shaggy430]

Good choice. I wouldn't spray paint it though.

 

[adelbridge]

I have killed 20+ deer with black guns and 1 with a camo gun. I am pretty sure camo guns are for hunter aesthetics . Shadows are black. Awesome gun you got there, love the stainless and the caliber choice. Get some blood on it.

 

[Pat4x4]

I have been interested in the scope as well , How have you enjoyed it so far.. How was it for its ranging ability they claim? Every Tikka I have owned has been a fantastic rifle.. Also were those the turrets it came with originally? I would like those style turrets but all the pics I have seen they are the cap style.. thanks

 

[a-sheepdog]

I have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 7 mag and it is an awesome rifle. I mounted a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 and used the factory rings, never a problem. Its a shooter.

 

[Kachok]

Love me some Tikka great guns no doubt about it. My first hunting rifle was a 7mm Rem Mag too, hard hitting flat shooting rifle when you live out in west Texas, but I found it to be a little much for our southeast whitetails inside 100yds.

 

[atek3]

The scope has been fine so far, but I've never really stretched it's legs. It's been sort of a "set it and forget it" affair.

Kachok, check out Remington Managed Recoil... It's got a 140 gr PSP doing 2700 fps... in other words almost perfectly replicating 260 remington w/ a .284 bullet. It's fantastic.

 

[surjimmy]

IMHO, the best rifle made for under $1000.00

 

[Les Stickney]

I just purchased a T3 Lite in .338 Win Mag. Am waiting for Tika mounts on which I will put a Vortex 2.5-10. Bought it, not for the long shot, but because I hunt elk in griz country. It appears to be the best compromise. I have a Rem 700 kevlar custom that is not as light as this new Tika. I know it is going to hurt.

 

[Kachok]

The scope has been fine so far, but I've never really stretched it's legs. It's been sort of a "set it and forget it" affair.

Kachok, check out Remington Managed Recoil... It's got a 140 gr PSP doing 2700 fps... in other words almost perfectly replicating 260 remington w/ a .284 bullet. It's fantastic.

I handload for everything I shoot, so I could make my own "managed recoil" loads Alas I have a 6.5x55 and a 7mm-08 so recoil is a non-issue, not that my 308, 270 WSM, or 30-06 bother me to shoot.

 

[dubya450]

Krylon spray paint is really good, if you do it right and take your time. So far ive painted my 3 Kimber Montana's; 338 Federal, 7mm-08, and 25-06 and my Ruger 10/22, my brothers Ruger American, buddys Mossberg 88 shotgun, and another buddies semi auto Remington 22. All look awesome and have held up just as well as a factory paint job would. No chips, fading, cracks, ect. Just let each coat cure for 24 hour's before moving on to the next step and use a good clear coat to finish it. I use Krylon Matte Acrylic clear coat.

Cory