Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 Swede

[giggitygiggity]

Hi, I'm thinking about getting a Tikka T3 Hunter, Forest, or synthetic/stainless rifle chambered in 6.5x55 Swede. Ideally, I'd like a stainless steel Forest model, but I do not know if one exists. In any case, what can you tell me about these rifles and cartridge? I'll mainly hunt deer with it. Thanks!

 

[rbernie]

Great rifle, great cartridge. Do you shoot mostly prone, from a bench, or offhand? That answer will inform whether you get the straight stocked Lite/Hunter or the Monte Carlo stocked Forest.

My favorite hunting rifle in all the world is a T3 Forest in 270. I chose 270 for its ammo availability, but the Swede is a great choice as well (especially if you're already into 6.5mm chamberings).

 

[giggitygiggity]

Thanks for the reply. I will mostly be shooting from the bench to sight the rifle in and either seated in a tree stand or supported offhand.

I don't have any 6.5 offerings yet, but I have heard good things about the Swede and while not as popular as .270, .30-06, or .308, it is easy to find online at the same price as the more popular cartridges. Part of me thinks it's only fitting that a Nordic rifle fire a Nordic cartridge.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I've got a Tikka Forest in 6.5x55 it's a great rifle and very accurate. You won't have trouble killing deer with it.

 

[SwaneeSR]

I purchased a T3 Lite in 6.5X55SE late last year. Really smooth action. I have also purchased some factory ammo and reloading components to work on getting ready for deer season next Fall.

I looked at all the Tikka models on the Tikka website. I do not think all versions made are available in the US. I chose this over a Browning XBolt in 6.5Creedmore.

 

[SwaneeSR]

I also have found ammunition at some stores that surprised me.

 

[giggitygiggity]

What prompted you to go with the Tikka over the Browning? With all the different hunting rifles being offered by various companies, what makes Tikka stand out?

 

[ericuda]

Have a tikka in 06 and it has a very smooth action and I bet the swede is the same. To me it is a light gun also that shoulders nicely. I purchased a 6.5x55, not a tikka but a howa for the son for his first deer rifle due to its low recoil, ability to shoot a 140 grain bullet very well and to just be different. Very pleased with the cartride, I load 120's for the occassional coyote and 140's for deer.

You'll be happy and i have had good luck with the prvi 139 ammo that is inexpensive until you reload the cartridge to save $ .

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I ONLY use TTSX 120 grains. Great round, low recoil. I knew (in 2012 when I bought the rifle) that my opportunity to buy another rifle was going to take a while to get here (still hasn't!), so I moved up to the Sako. Great rifle, wears a Nikon, shoots lights out whenever I do my part. I expect the Tikka would do the same. Can't find ammo to save my life here but with the largest deer not clearing 100 lbs around me, IDK why the Swede is t much more popular!

Enjoy it!
Greg

 

[rbernie]

The Forest fits great offhand for heads-up snap shooting and the Lite/Hunter are more suited to heads-down bench/prone work.

 

[horsemen61]

I have a t3 and it is awesome

 

[Paul7]

A great round, I have a Sako Finnlight in 6.5x55, have taken Barbary Sheep, hogs, antelope, and cow elk with it, all DRT. Suitable for most game in the continental US.

 

[Poper]

I have the T-3 Hunter (wood stock) in 6.5x55 and it is just plain accurate. It is not very fussy and seems to be particularly fond of 130 grain and 140 grain bullets. MOA and better seems to be the rule with handloads.

I have a couple of custom rifles and several rifles much more expensive than this 6.5x55 and when I take it to the range I come home asking myself why I bother with the other stuff. I guess maybe it's a disease or something.....

 

[SwaneeSR]

What prompted you to go with the Tikka over the Browning? With all the different hunting rifles being offered by various companies, what makes Tikka stand out?

I like both rifles. The XBolt SS Stalker has the Durotouch stock which is great. But at $931 compared to the Tikka SS composite at $641 (both online), the Tikka is a better value.

I handled both at a sporting goods store and both bolts operate smoothly. It is too early to tell about accuracy. I would not fault anyone for purchasing an XBolt, they seem like good rifles. My Browning Abolt in .30-06 has been a great rifle.

 

[Armed 24/7]

I love my T3 Lite in .308. Very nice action and less than MOA accurate with every factory load that I have tried. I would like to find one in Swede someday.

 

[Water-Man]

I bought two T3 Hunters in 6.5x55 SE seven years ago.

I've been hunting since the early 50s and have owned a bunch of rifles, including Rem. 700 BDL, Win. 70, Weatherby Mark V and Sako, and I can honestly say that none of them have been as accurate or had as smooth an action as the Tikka. They also have a nice, adjustable trigger (2-4 lbs.). They've been completely dependable and trouble free.

130gr., 140gr. and 155gr. all shoot the best in mine.

 

[cdb1]

We carry the T3 Lite where I work and sell a bunch of them. The actions and bolts are very slick, triggers are outstanding and Tikka's have an accuracy guarantee. When I bought my 6.5x55 I went another route though. The reason is purely taste and has nothing to do with the quality of Tikka. Tikka's have a very small ejection/loading port which I'm sure many people don't care about, I do. I also like heavy rifles because I've had several shoulder operations.

For those reasons I bought a CZ 550 American. If I were to purchase another Swede new I'd probably buy a Tikka Hunter since the CZ is no longer made. As stated, my reasons for not purchasing a Tikka were atypical, the Tikka probably appeals to more people than the rifle I bought.

I think the cartridge is fantastic due to low recoil and seeming inherent accuracy. The first ammo I tried was the 139 grain PRVI and it was very accurate though a little dirty. Kept my brass and when I had 200 cases, started reloading(had heard PRVI brass was good for reloading). My rifle likes Berger 130 gr Hunting VLD's. It doesn't like the 140 grain Hunting VLD's, probably due to the barrel twist rate in my CZ.

 

[grubbylabs]

I have a T3 light 243, and mans it's a lights out rifle. Easy to carry and shoots very well. The quality of the rifle is amazing. It's probably the best rifle I own. Including my Win model 70.

The best thing is that it's stainless with a synthetic stock. So it rides around in the front of my car for yotes or any thing else that needs to die.

I don't know any thing about the caliber, but this won't be my last tikka.

 

[CB900F]

Giggity;

Get ahold of SoDak Sports in Aberdeen SoDakia, uh, South Dakota. They're a master Tikka dealer, are very nice to deal with, and have very competitive prices.

My custom 6.5 Swede is on a Tikka action. I can and do hunt elk with mine. A 140 grain Sierra GameKing at 2750 fps will do the job at any reasonable range. The B/C is .490 & the sectional density is .287. In other words, it travels well & hits like hell when it gets there.

900F

 

[Paul7]

Giggity;

Get ahold of SoDak Sports in Aberdeen SoDakia, uh, South Dakota. They're a master Tikka dealer, are very nice to deal with, and have very competitive prices.

My custom 6.5 Swede is on a Tikka action. I can and do hunt elk with mine. A 140 grain Sierra GameKing at 2750 fps will do the job at any reasonable range. The B/C is .490 & the sectional density is .287. In other words, it travels well & hits like hell when it gets there.

900F

Just curious, is that bull elk, and are you using handloads or factory?

I've taken two cow elk with factory loads using my Sako Finnlight 6.5x55.

 

[CB900F]

Paul7;

PM sent.

900F

 

[giggitygiggity]

Does anyone know if the new Tikka T3x is on the market? They addressed concerns with the original T3 to include a larger port for single shot feeding.