Questions about Tikka T3 lite.......

[MIL-DOT]

I've "sponsored" a couple threads,here and down in "accessories" about a possible sale of my Rem.700 PSS w/ Leupold MK IV,and maybe replacing it with another,lighter bolt action, and cheaper scope. Now i'm leaning heavily toward keeping the scope (this jokers going for $800, i ain't gonna get close to that again ) and still selling the rifle. I'm also leaning heavily toward a Tikka T3 lite in .308 ( can't decide to go stainless,or not,that's one of my questions). Also, i'm hoping some of you can direct me toward the best deal going on this rifle ( my google-fu skills have been pushed to their limit). The best deal i've found on the blued version ( and it probably IS the best deal) is around $480. Best deal on the stainless is a hundred more, but they're out of stock right now,so i'm looking for a similar in-stock price somewhere.
Also, for those of you that hopefully have this rifle.....i've read that the inculded rings aren't the best, and that i should upgrade to Warne rings.True? My scope has a 30 mm. main tube. Can i use my Leupold standard rings and base ? All the Warne rings i've seen are Weaver-style.Does the Tikka have those little grooves cut in it for those, or is it drilled and tapped for screws ?
I feel like i'm beginning to ramble here.......so those of you with this rifle see where i'm going with this, as always, any help muchly appreciated......M.

 

[627PCFan]

"'the inculded rings aren't the best, and that i should upgrade to Warne rings.True?"

I have one in 7mm Rem mag, no problem with the optilock rings if properly mounted

"Does the Tikka have those little grooves cut in it for those, or is it drilled and tapped for screws ?"

Got the groves, never noticed drilled and tapped holes but then again I wasnt looking for them.

 

[hoghunting]

I highly recommend the Tikka.

The receiver is also drilled and tapped along with the grooves. I haven't had a problem with the factory rings using the 300 WSM, but the rings are for a 1" tube, not 30mm.

 

[jmr40]

The rings that come with the gun are not the best looking but they function just fine. As others have said you will need aftermarket because they fit 1" tubes.

I paid the extra for stainless. but I use mine as a hunting rifle and am out in all weather. On the other hand I have guns that are 50-100 years old that are blue and they still look fine. With a little care blued guns hold up better tham most hunters think.

 

[hoghunting]

Forgot to mention that you might try http://thegunsource.com/store/ for the Tikka and the rings.

I haven't been on that site in a while, but they had great prices.

 

[45crittergitter]

Love my Tikkas! The rings will be fine for .308, but as said before, they won't be 30mm. Tikka had some split barrels on some stainless rifles, but I think that's all fixed now. $480 sounds like a good deal to me. Keep an eye on Gun Digest, Shotgun News, Gunbroker, etc. Good luck. You're gonna love it.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Thanks,fellers. I see they charged my card the $100 deposit (hell, i tried to pay for the whole thing) so i know i got it waiting on me.
I called Warne directly,and they told me exactly what i was looking for, then i went to SWFA
(where i bought this Leupold Mk IV a few years ago) and they easily had the best price on the Warne 30mm. Tikka rings,( $42+ shipped) and they turned out to be the last set in stock.I called home a little while ago,and they said "something UPS " showed up unexpectedly, gotta be them !!

 

[280shooter]

tikka 3 lite stainless,

I just picked up one last month, in 223 great gun,Im still working up loads

 

[Sunward]

Also picked up a T3 lite .223 (chrome-moly), and consider it a very good deal. Ring set i used is Millett 30MIL, absolutely no problems. The MOA is 1-1.5" @100yds and like the light weight. Add a bipod and you have a heck of a good deal on a varmint/target rifle. The mounts are the "weaver style" but did notice 2 set screws. Tikka publishes the manual online so go browse. Pros outweigh the cons on this one big time. If you want an inexpensive, accurate, reliable rifle, with an Ultra smooth action, go with Tikka.

Cons: You mentioned you wanted the .308 so may want to consider the recoil aspect. A spare clip will cost you dearly as well, but I cant say anything really negative about this rifle.