Just bought a new tikka t3

[Rmiller31]

So I got a new deer rifle today and had a hard time choosing between the weatherby vanguard and tikka but ended up with the tikka. I like the feel and weight better then the vanguard.

Any tips on loads this rifle likes?

Also I've not got a scope yet in still trying to decide what to put on it. It's chambered in 30-06 and prob won't see shots on game past 300yrds.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i wouldn't expect it to be all that different than any other 30-06 in what factory ammo it shoots well. plenty of information online on good factory hunting loads for 30-06.

 

[dougwx12]

Tikkas usually aren't that picky about ammo.

 

[Gtscotty]

My 30-06 Tikka shoots well with Hornady 165 gr SST's over a 56.6 gr of IMR4350.

I get about 2840 fps out of the Tikka's 22" tube and can reliably put 5 into less than an inch. When I'm "on" and the wind is calm ~.7" is the most common group size.

Initially, I had to play with seating depth some, but when I got it right (3.297 for my rifle), my groups halved from 1.5" to .7"

I have recently been eyeing the impressive RL22 loads that Nosler's manual shows. I don't really need anything more than my tried and true, but when I finally get some free time I may have to give RL22 a try.

By the way, I tried 165 gr Ballistic tips but could never get them to group quite as well as the SSTs, although, I suspect the difference was largely due to individual rifle preference.

Standard disclaimer: Always work up from 10% down, use a load book, don't blow yourself up, etc.

 

[Abel]

A Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40mm would be perfect for around $200. A Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm would be even better for around $400.

 

[dougwx12]

A Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40mm would be perfect for around $200. A Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm would be even better for around $400.

The conquest, while very nice, is also pretty large and heavy. Not the best match to a tikka.

 

[Rmiller31]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I can't wait to test this thing out. The conquest was on my radar but I've yet to see or hold one and light is what I'm building this rifle for. I have a vortex viper 1-4 on a AR that's has been great so I'm leaning hard toward a vortex for this rifle. Not to mention someone like me could use a warranty like theirs.

 

[Abel]

The conquest, while very nice, is also pretty large and heavy. Not the best match to a tikka.

You don't seem to know what you're talking about. Let me help you out. The Nikon weighs more and is longer.

http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/riflescopes/buckmasters/3-9x40_Nikoplex/6420

http://www.zeiss.com/SPORTS

A 3-9x40mm is about as perfect as it gets for a 30-06 going to 300 yards.

 

[viking499]

A friend of mine has the same gun and put a 4-12 Nikon Buckmaster on his and loves it.

 

[dougwx12]

You don't seem to know what you're talking about. Let me help you out. The Nikon weighs more and is longer.

I don't own the Nikon, so I didn't comment on it. I have a 3-9x40 conquest, and I have quite a few Tikkas. There are many scopes lighter and shorter than the conquest.

 

[UcanRun]

Get rid of the rings that tikka provided, they are junk.
Im a big fan of nikon scopes to. I just put a buckmaster 4.5-14 on my tikka and love it. Plus i have 3 3-9x40 pro staffs on my other rifles. Nikon manufactures glass for most other scope brands anyway plus there warranty is better than most

 

[mooner]

I have used the rings Tikka provided for 5 years without any issues. I don't abuse my guns, but it has seen 5 years of deer hunting along with range trips and coyote hunting mixed in. Deer hunting is probably the hardest I work my hunting rifles.

My Tikka likes Hornady custom, didn't like the Superformance or the cheap (non-spitzer) Remington, Federal, and Winchester.

 

[rbernie]

I have a Tikka T3 in 30-06, and I paired it up with a 1.75x-6x/32 Leupold VX3. It's a great match.

 

[UcanRun]

Maybe its just with the magnums rounds