Tikka T3 vs Whitetail Hunter 595
- Thread starter TexasEd
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627PCFan
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T-3 has a very smooth action, I haven't found many other guns for its price range like that, so I bought another. Only complaint is I had a hell of a time finding scope bases and the right threaded screws for the mounting. Still well worth it.
stormspotter
Member
Just ordered a T3 Lite in 223 Remington, because of the 1 in 8 twist, so I will be able to shoot the 69 -77 grain bullets. I had thought about the Stevens 200 but their stock is too flimsy at the fore end. On the other hand the Tikka stock is very stiff at the fore end. The only downside that I can see is the cost of and extra magazine.
I have a Tikka T-3 Varmint SS heavy barrel in .223 & a 308. Varmint T-3, blued w/ the heavy barrel.
Both are very accurate. The scope mount deal is a little tricky. I use tall Warne mounts as both rifles have long range sniper/tactical scopes mounted. A shooting buddy ordered a DedNutz one piece mount. I think they are good ones, but want to check it out before I buy one.
Both are very accurate. The scope mount deal is a little tricky. I use tall Warne mounts as both rifles have long range sniper/tactical scopes mounted. A shooting buddy ordered a DedNutz one piece mount. I think they are good ones, but want to check it out before I buy one.
TexasEd:
I have a Whitetail Hunter M695 (magnum version of 595) in 7MM Rem Mag, as well as three T3 Hunters.
The main differences between the 595/695 and T3 is stock design, magazine construction, bolt handle design, and action lengths.
The 595 has a heavier stock, with a rollover cheek pad. The T3 is a sleeker straight combed (American styled) stock. The magazine of the 595/695 is a combination metal sided with polymer bottom design, where the T3 is all polymer construction. The magazine release on the 595 is on the right side of the stock, where the T3 is at the front of the magazine well. The bolt handle on the T3 is hollowed, where the 595 is solid.
The 595/695 had more than one action length for cartridges of different lengths, where the T3 is basically one length that uses different bolt stops for varying lengths of cartridges.
The handling characteristic of the 595 is somewhat different than the T3 due to stock design. The T3 seems to handle quicker than the 595 (at least for me). The T3 will have slightly more recoil in the same cartridge due to reduced weight of the stock. The older 595 wooden stocks had more quailty grain than the T3, although I do have two with really nice grain patterns (luck of the draw). The T3 does not feel like a Sako rifle, where the 595 has a close feel to the Sako line. However, the T3 is a very fine quality rifle in its own right.
The action on the 595/695 series is smoother than the T3, but not significantly smoother. The bolt is slightly heavier on the 595 since it is solid in construction.
The trigger on both is the same design that can easily be adjusted, and the barrels are identical. Accuracy from both versions are splendid. Both the 595 and T3 should shoot MOA out of the box with most factory ammo. All of mine did.
In regard to overall handling: If I were to opt for a quick handling bolt action that would be a great woods and field rifle for use here in the south, I prefer the T3. Out on the open plains the 595/695 gets the nod.
Anyway, that's the way I see the differences and handling between the two.
I have a Whitetail Hunter M695 (magnum version of 595) in 7MM Rem Mag, as well as three T3 Hunters.
The main differences between the 595/695 and T3 is stock design, magazine construction, bolt handle design, and action lengths.
The 595 has a heavier stock, with a rollover cheek pad. The T3 is a sleeker straight combed (American styled) stock. The magazine of the 595/695 is a combination metal sided with polymer bottom design, where the T3 is all polymer construction. The magazine release on the 595 is on the right side of the stock, where the T3 is at the front of the magazine well. The bolt handle on the T3 is hollowed, where the 595 is solid.
The 595/695 had more than one action length for cartridges of different lengths, where the T3 is basically one length that uses different bolt stops for varying lengths of cartridges.
The handling characteristic of the 595 is somewhat different than the T3 due to stock design. The T3 seems to handle quicker than the 595 (at least for me). The T3 will have slightly more recoil in the same cartridge due to reduced weight of the stock. The older 595 wooden stocks had more quailty grain than the T3, although I do have two with really nice grain patterns (luck of the draw). The T3 does not feel like a Sako rifle, where the 595 has a close feel to the Sako line. However, the T3 is a very fine quality rifle in its own right.
The action on the 595/695 series is smoother than the T3, but not significantly smoother. The bolt is slightly heavier on the 595 since it is solid in construction.
The trigger on both is the same design that can easily be adjusted, and the barrels are identical. Accuracy from both versions are splendid. Both the 595 and T3 should shoot MOA out of the box with most factory ammo. All of mine did.
In regard to overall handling: If I were to opt for a quick handling bolt action that would be a great woods and field rifle for use here in the south, I prefer the T3. Out on the open plains the 595/695 gets the nod.
Anyway, that's the way I see the differences and handling between the two.
JohnCrighton
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Willymike makes many of the points I would make. I have a M695 in .30-06, and a T-3 in .223 and .308.
My M695 has a synthetic stock.
Honestly, for the range and use as a varmint rifle/tromping around the woods for hours gun, I'd take the T-3. But for everything else it is the M695 by a long shot. It is in all honesty the closest you can get to a Sako rifle at 1/2 the price. I took my M695 with me to Namibia in June for my first safari, and it performed flawlessly. My PH (Professional Hunter) tried for days to buy it from me - he and his father, another PH with decades of experience, say that they have never seen or shot a nicer rifle in their lives.
I like the mag release of the M595/695 series better than the T3, but that's just me. I like the action better as well. Triggers are pretty similar. But I do think the balance of the M595/695 is better.
As for scope mounts - the T3 line does have a rail/picatinny mount you can buy and install easily - from EGW. They are going to have one out very soon for the M595/695 as well, and you can get 20MOA rails as well.
Oh, and for what its worth, for some reason putting a Zeiss scope on a Tikka makes it incredibly accurate, more than any other scope/rifle combo around - I don't know why, though - they just seem to work well together
My M695 has a synthetic stock.
Honestly, for the range and use as a varmint rifle/tromping around the woods for hours gun, I'd take the T-3. But for everything else it is the M695 by a long shot. It is in all honesty the closest you can get to a Sako rifle at 1/2 the price. I took my M695 with me to Namibia in June for my first safari, and it performed flawlessly. My PH (Professional Hunter) tried for days to buy it from me - he and his father, another PH with decades of experience, say that they have never seen or shot a nicer rifle in their lives.
I like the mag release of the M595/695 series better than the T3, but that's just me. I like the action better as well. Triggers are pretty similar. But I do think the balance of the M595/695 is better.
As for scope mounts - the T3 line does have a rail/picatinny mount you can buy and install easily - from EGW. They are going to have one out very soon for the M595/695 as well, and you can get 20MOA rails as well.
Oh, and for what its worth, for some reason putting a Zeiss scope on a Tikka makes it incredibly accurate, more than any other scope/rifle combo around - I don't know why, though - they just seem to work well together
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