Tikka T3 Lite 7mm-08

[bakerloo]

Background info: Old guy, new hunter and have never had a bolt action rifle. Looking to hunt coyotes, deer and pigs. The Tikka is a light weight and there will be a fair amount of hiking involved. Does this rifle fit the bill?
Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[Art Eatman]

The Tikka has had great approval for accuracy for years. The cartridge is basically a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in its common 140-grain deer load. A 100-grain bullet would not be appreciated by Wily Coyote.

I have an old Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40 on my 7mm08. Works just fine.

Lightweight is good. My legs got old. I bought a 700Ti; 6.5 pounds, ready to hunt. Recoil is not bad at the benchrest; zero problem in the field. The key is the very-good recoil pad.

 

[Reloadron]

I see it as a very good choice. A lighter rifle chambered in a nice accurate cartridge which does not have severe recoil. Everything rifle and cartridge just adds up to a really nice combination.

Ron

 

[Dr T]

Yep. I have a T3 Lite in 22-250. It is light and accurate.

 

[jmr40]

Excellent rifle and caliber

 

[d2wing]

I have the same rifle in 7-08. I am an old guy too. I think it is near perfect. Light, smooth action, extremely accurate for a hunting rifle, and in 7-08 is low recoil.
It is a very well built rifle too. I don't see how you could do any better. A .308 does give you a little more power and recoil and cheaper more common ammo. But I am very happy with the 7-08 and I think you will be too.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

7mm-08 is an excellent choice, and in a rifle that's light, accurate, and has an amazing trigger you sir have a winning combination.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've had several different Tikkas in the safe over the last couple years, and would highly recommend that rifle for your purposes. I would suggest adding a Limbsaver recoil pad though, they make Tikkas very soft shooting for such a light rifle.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I agree with GTScotty a limbsaver recoil pad would reduce recoil. Tikka's tend to kick fairly hard because they are so light and their recoil pad isn't that good.

I use a slip-on recoil pad on my Tikka .270 and it helps alot makes it more enjoyable to shoot. Plus I happen to like the added LOP because I have freakishly long arms and a narrow shoulders.

 

[CB900F]

Bakerloo;

If you can't find the gun, and it's a good'un, in 7/08 & the shop has one in 6.5 Swede, buyit!

I've got three Tikka's, 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser, .30-06, and .338 Winchester magnum, all good guns and all left handed, but the Swede is simply outstanding.

900F

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Bakerloo;

If you can't find the gun, and it's a good'un, in 7/08 & the shop has one in 6.5 Swede, buyit!

I've got three Tikka's, 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser, .30-06, and .338 Winchester magnum, all good guns and all left handed, but the Swede is simply outstanding.

900F

I have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5 Swede its simply outstanding.

 

[Kingcreek]

Another vote for the limbsaver recoil pad.
Outstanding rifle. Wonderful triggers and accuracy right out of the box.

 

[double bogey]

I have a T3 lite in 25.06.
7-08 would be an excellent round in this rifle. They only come in long action, but they do a spacer in the mags. smoothest action I've ever felt.

 

[ZGunner]

Have a T3 Lite in .270 and a Tactical in .308. On the list of calibers still needed are 6.5x55, .223, and 22-250. I'll have more Tikkas. I'll never sell one!

I'm a another proponent of a Limbsaver, but that's on any rifle not just a T3 Lite. I'm not recoil sensitive at all I just like to shoot comfortably.

 

[jbj]

Bakerloo;

If you can't find the gun, and it's a good'un, in 7/08 & the shop has one in 6.5 Swede, buyit!

I've got three Tikka's, 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser, .30-06, and .338 Winchester magnum, all good guns and all left handed, but the Swede is simply outstanding.

900F

This!
The 6.5 Swede is essentially the ballistic twin of the .260 Rem, which is itself a necked down .308, just like the 7-08 and .243.

But the Swede really shines. Light recoil, accurate, and lots a decent factory ammo. I think the only reason it's not more popular here is it's a long action round.

You could also get the 6.5 Creed. It's another light kicking, accurate, long distance cartridge.

 

[bakerloo]

Bought the Tikka T3 Lite in 7mm-08. In CA we have lead free ammo restrictions. I wanted to get factory ammo without jumping through a lot of hoops. It looks like Barnes has got me covered. Thanks for you responses. I do appreciate your time.

 

[zb338]

I bought a 7MM/08 for my granddaughter and grandson to use on
big game. My granddaughter shot a nice antelope last season and
my grandson got a nice antelope the year before. Used 140 grain
handloads. Both animals one shot kills. Don't be afraid to use this
caliber on small to medium sized big game it works fine.
Zeke

 

[CaliCoastie]

Got one my self, use it for all my hunting shy of brown bears. Taken deer and black bear. Don't worry on the recoil pad(for me) got a big scope I'll probably reduce in size this year(vortex chipset pst 2.5-10x32 and I want something lighter.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Bakerloo -

You made a good choice. Make sure you pick up one spare detachable box magazine and you are ready to go.

Swanee

 

[riflemon]

Folks I know who have owned one love these Tikka Lites

 

[SwaneeSR]

I used to be a Browning guy, but I love my new Tikka T3 in 6.5x55. I need more range time to work out a handload before I use it for this Fall deer hunting.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[outlawjw]

I have a t3 lite in 7mm rem mag, went to farm to check it out at 500 yards . It came in to 3 1/4" ten shots , factory ammo.it will never leave my possession as long as I'm here love it .