Tikka T3 vs. Tikka T3 Lite in 308

[txgolfer45]

Any difference in performance between the two? Obviously, the Lite will weigh less and be easier to carry in the field. Any reason to pick the T3 over the T3 Lite?

 

[BrocLuno]

I dnno - I'm very interested in this same caliber and in the Tikka line. I have some nice field guns, so I'm now leaning toward the Tikka Varmint in 308 I like the detachable magazine and especially the 5 round longer one. I'll curious about what others comment?

 

[unwise11]

I don't like lightweight centerfire rifles, they are not fun to shoot, once you get up over 7 lbs and add a scope, they get heavier..

 

[MIL-DOT]

I have a T3 lite in .308, and am EXTREMELY happy with this rifle. I haven't shot much more than a 1/2 box of ammo thorough it at a time, but up to that point, it wasn't particularly uncomfortable,at all.
And, the trigger is as nice as it gets, and as for accuracy, as a buddy of mine has said,"you can split hairs with that rifle".
I researched this rifle extensively before purchasing it several years ago, and I still haven't read or experienced anything contrary to those first impressions.
Tikka kicks @$$, even with the expensive mags and oft-maligned plastic trigger guard !!

 

[jmr40]

I carry a rifle hundreds of hours for each shot at game. The recoil lasts only a tiny fraction of a second. Get used to a light rifle and you won't look back.

The T-3 lights are great shooters and about the perfect weight. Stay with the factory mounts or go with Talley lightweights and put a reasonable weight scope on it and you can keep it right at 7 lbs all up.

I've had 2, a 308 and 30-06. Cannot say anything bad about them except that the unconventional looks take some getting used to. Both shot well under 1" and workd perfectly. Price ain't bad either.

 

[unwise11]

I'm a blind or sit down hunter, so I don't need the light weight.
And I shoot alot, so I like the ability to be able to eliminate most recoil with a hard hold.

 

[BrocLuno]

I do know that the stock rings seem to come with weak screws which are the reason they work loose. Seems they are 4mm and 5mm respectively. If, and when< I get mine I'll swap the factory ring screws for some from the local winery service company (they have all sorts of euro fasteners ) and prolly go with the factory rings.

 

[IdahoLT1]

I'm a blind or sit down hunter, so I don't need the light weight. And I shoot alot, so I like the ability to be able to eliminate most recoil with a hard hold.

Different strokes for different folks but to me, shooting big game from a stand or blind isn't hunting. Hunting to me is more than harvesting game. It's about connecting with nature, hiking/backpacking miles into rugged terrain and truly roughing it like our ancestors did hundreds of years ago. A light rifle helps make this possible.

 

[Buzzard]

BrocLuno, the factory rings aren't all that great based on my experience and the comments I've heard from several local Tikka owners. All of them bought the DNZ one-piece mount for the T3. I haven't heard a complaint about it (aside from "ugly") and at $62 it works flawlessly. Midway or another place might have 'em for less.

Game Reaper T3 Mount

The only complaint I've heard about Tikka rifles is that they're so darned addicting! Well, that and their spare mags are priced way outa line.

 

[Fumbler]

I assume the subject is the T3 hunter (wood stock) vs T3 lite (synthetic).
There shouldn't be a difference in inherent accuracy between the two. They're both the exact same except for the stock. Many people would find it easier to shoot a heavier gun more accurately, but that's a shooter issue not a gun issue.
Aside from the pros and cons of weight, the Lite does have the advantage of being synthetic and stable in a wider range of temperature and moisture compared to the Hunter's wood. Technically the synthetic should be more accurate in bad weather. A wood stock shrinking or swelling due to moisture changes can change the pressure between the wood and action. This is why people bed wood stocks.
I personally don't think that's a big enough factor to base a decision on but I don't hunt in bad weather either. The loss of accuracy in a wood stock probably isn't enough to measure in most cases.

I think I answered your question, so now I'll give you my opinion. I have the Lite in 308 and absolutely love it. I like how I can mount a 3-9x40mm scope on it and it weighs less than an unscoped rem 700. Recoil isn't bad either. A Lite in 308 will recoil like a normal weight rem 700 in 30-06. The factory rings seem like they're almost too light in construction but I've never had a problem using them. I would get the DNZ mount but it is butt ugly on a rifle that would otherwise be very streamlined.

I just thought of something... Your cheek and fingers won't get as cold if you're shooting the hunter in cold weather
That plastic on the Lite can get pretty cold sometimes. Of course, you don't notice those things if you're pointing the gun at an animal.

 

[BrocLuno]

On the price of mags - seems that most Euro rifles have mags priced in the same range - I'm thinking Blazer which also has spare mags at $85. I'm thinking one spare 5 rounder ought to do it? So it's not pleasant, but won't break the bank

 

[unwise11]

Idaho, you can't really hike too much in the Georgia woods, and I don't go hunting to hike, I go hunting to hunt, and I can enjoy nature plenty in a ground blind, the nature doesn't know you're there.
You get to see the wildlife wake up, and go about it's life, not hike around and wonder why everything is hiding.

 

[6.5swede]

I have a T3 hunter and T3 lite in 6.5x55. They are equally accurate and the weight difference is not significant. They've become my favorite hunting rifles for deer and hogs!