Talk me into buying a Tikka T3

[alemonkey]

I'm looking for a .223 bolt action with a heavy barrel. I'd been planning on a Savage 12FV or 10FP, but the other day I handled a Tikka and really liked it. I think a T3 Varmint is about $100 more than a comparable heavy barrel Savage, but I'd have something a little less unique. Plus the stock seems a lot stiffer than the Savage. From what I've read either one should be easily sub-MOA capable from the factory. Anyone have one? If so I'd love to see pics.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Sorry but I am not a fan of Tikkas. There are a couple of problems with them. First, they are all long action rifles, even if you select a short action cartridge like 223 Rem. Second, the magazine is a cheap piece of plastic trash that should only cost $5 to make, yet sell for $60, and you can never find them in stock.

Other than those two things, they are good rifles, and the one I owned was very accurate.

 

[Matrix187]

CZ's are much more durable and a better rifle overall. That's just one company I like more; there's obviously more.

 

[Frankl03]

I've heard good things about them as in very accurate. Also I like the idea of having a light weight bolt action as in the T3 Lite.

Just my 2 cents

 

[a-sheepdog]

For 223 Tikka might not be the way to go, they are indeed long actions only. I have one in 308 Win and another in 7mm Rem Mag. They both are outstanding rifles, very accurate and nice trigger. Both of mine are the T3 hunter with blued metal and wood stock. I am very happy with my purchase.

 

[CB900F]

Alemonkey;

The Tikka T3 Tactical was awarded the "Rifle Of The Year" in 2006 by the American Rifleman magazine. It is available in .223, & still won the award despite being a long action gun. You can read a review at: www.snipercentral.com.

The tactical MSRP higher than the varmint, but you get value for the dollar IMHO.

For what it's worth, I own Tikka's & am having one LHB action rebarreled to 6.5 Swede for a custom gun.

900F

 

[MyRoad]

I had a Tikka T3 Lite in .308, and loved everything about it. Sure, the magazines are plastic and overpriced, but I've never heard of one failing. The trigger was amongst the best I've ever used, every bit as good as Remingtons I've had professional trigger jobs done on. The trigger is clearly better than either of the CZ's I own. I also found it to be a very accurate and well built rifle. I'd buy another (if the need arose) without a second thought.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Oh for god's sake, the action size doesn't matter. If the extra 1/2" inch or so makes that much of a difference in how fast you cycle the action, then you have more problems to worry about.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

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[Lone_Gunman]

Oh for god's sake, the action size doesn't matter. If the extra 1/2" inch or so makes that much of a difference in how fast you cycle the action, then you have more problems to worry about.

I am going to assume that you must not know how the Tikka bolt cycles to make that comment. As I said, the Tikkas are all long actions. For short action cartridges, there is a pin that keeps the bolt from having to travel all the way rearward, so you still get a short action bolt throw. The bolt just doesnt have to travel all the way to the back of the receiver. So it still cycles like a short action rifle.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

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[Lone_Gunman]

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[Lone_Gunman]

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[BADUNAME37]

Buy the Tikka T3.

 

[ds mccolly]

I have two 7mm 08 t3s. One I use here in Idaho and the other I leave in PA to use when I go back each year. They may be more cheaply made than others but they have proved to be easy to carry and very accurate. I also have a Remington Model 7 with a beautiful stock in the same caliber but no longer use it due to the roughness of the action and ability to pull the bolt open when in the safe position. The T3 has taken elk, although that caliber is a bit light, and deer without fail out to 300 yards. The only fault I have is that the extra clip I purchased was too expensive.